Let's meet again for the first time.
Her mother shook her head, tears streaming down her face. "Who will marry you now, when people get to know you were left by Vikram?" Before I could even process what I was doing, the words left my mouth.
"I wil...
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AARAV'S POV
"Still can't locate him, Aarav." Samarth says, I sigh in disappointment, roaming my hand in my hair. "Okay, but keep looking. I want that bastard to pay." I whisper, my voice dark. He nods and leaves. Vikram has not only messed with me but he was also going to ruin Anika's life, god knows what he was going to do after marrying her. I clench my jaw, thinking about how Anika would have been trapped with that motherfucker, if I hadn't arrived on time. My phone rings, Anika's name pop up on the screen. That's weird, she has never called me, even once after our marriage. Not before too, I chuckle humorlessly. I pick up, "Yes?" I say, My voice devoid of any emotions.
"Aarav," Her voice breaks, "I need money." She says, her voice trembling, I immediately get up from my chair. Something is not right.
"What's wrong Anika?" I pace around, tensed at hearing her voice, it seems like she's suppressing her sobs, she's crying and it makes me afraid, I never could see her cry, it hurts me too much, I never knew how to handle those tears, they're my biggest weakness. My gut clenches at the sound of her distress. "What happened?" I demand again when she didn't answer, my voice tight with anxiety, still pacing around the room, feeling the tension building inside me. "Are you alright? Why do you need money? Tell me."
"My mother," Anika's voice cracks on the other line, and I freeze in my tracks. My heart sinks as I hear the raw pain in her voice.
"What... what happened to your mother? Is she alright?" My voice is rough with concern, my mind racing with worst-case scenarios. I grip the phone tighter, my knuckles turning white.
"The doctor says she needs surgery." She sniffles, "Where are you?" I question, my voice urgent. I walk out of my office towards the parking lot. I need to be with her. Whether she likes it or not, I need to be with her, for my sake.
"I am at Kiran hospital." She says between her sobs, "but you don't need to come here. I will be fine. I just wanted money, if you could please?" Is she being serious, does she think of me as that low of a person, that woman was practically another mother for me too, she has fed me, scolded me, loved me, like I was her own son, does Anika really think she has to ask for money from me? At this point of time?
"Don't plead." I grit, "I am on my way, you ask the doctor to proceed, if he says something, give him my name. Tell him you're my wife." And I end the call before she could reply.
The ride to the hospital feels torturous. My heart is pounding in my chest, a gnawing feeling of anxiety and worry eating away at me. I grip the steering wheel tightly, impatient to reach her. I keep replaying her words in my mind, "please", "don't come", "I'll be fine." I shake my head, frustrated. She should have known better than to think I would just hand over money like a stranger. She is my wife, and I feel protective of her, despite everything.
I park the car at the hospital and make my way towards the entrance, my mind still racing. I take deep breaths to steady myself, trying to calm my racing mind. I enter the hospital, walking swiftly towards reception. The woman behind the desk looks up at me, and her eyes widen when she recognizes me. "Yes, sir. How can I help you?" She asks, her voice shaking slightly.
I ignore her trembling voice, not having the patience to deal with it. "I am looking for, Rekha Kapoor, my wife is with her." I say, my voice firm. The woman's eyes widen further, her mouth parting in shock.
"Your... your wife?" She stammers, her eyes flickering between me and the computer screen. I clench my jaw, irritation building in me. "Yes, my wife. Where is she? Is she alright?" I ask impatiently. The woman seems to snap out of her shock, and she quickly types on the computer, her eyes scanning the screen.
"Rekha Kapoor, you said?" She looks up at me for confirmation, and I nod once. She looks back at the screen and types some more. "She is on the third floor, in the operation theatre currently." I don't wait for her to say anything more, I turn on my heel and walk towards the elevator. As I wait for it to arrive, a memory flashes through my mind. The first time I met Anika after all these years, at the marriage ceremony, she was like a breath of fresh air. Her eyes, her voice, everything about her had been breathtaking. I shake my head, not wanting to dwell on the past. The elevator arrives, and I step inside, pressing the button for the third floor. The elevator doors close, and I lean against the wall, my mind wandering, despite my best efforts to keep it in check. The elevator pings, and the doors open, bringing me back to the present. I step out and make my way towards the OT.
My steps falter, I hesitate for a moment, taking in the sight of her. Her small frame is hunched over, her shoulders shaking as she weeps silently. She looks so different from her usual fierce, sassy self, so vulnerable and weak. My heart clenches in my chest, feeling of worry and concern washing over me.
Her head snaps up at the sound of my shoes, and it all happens in slow motion, her getting up, running towards me, her arms wrap around my torso, my heartbeat increases as she crashes into me. I stagger back a step from the force of her collision. My heart hammers in my chest, and I freeze for a moment, before instinctively wrapping my arms around her. I can feel her body trembling against mine, her tears wetting my shirt as she buries her face in my chest.
I tighten my arms around her, pulling her closer to me. She clings to me like a lifeline, her sobs wracking her body. The sound of her crying tugs at my heart, and I have to fight the urge to pull away, the need to comfort her taking over. I bring one hand up to the back of her head, cradling it against my chest, and press my lips against her hair.
"Shh, it's okay," I murmur, my voice gruff with emotion. "I'm here." She freezes, and I mentally facepalm myself, she pulls back slightly, looking at me, her eyes grateful but sad. If something happens to her mother, she will break.
"Anika," I say, keeping my voice steady, "Don't worry. The doctors here are the best. They will do everything they can to save your mother." Trying to distract her from the kiss I just planted on her head. She nods.
I wish I could take away her pain but all I can do right now is be next to her, hold her if she needs me.
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