c h a p t e r 17

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ANIKA'S POV

"Mumma, please stop worrying!" I exclaim, she looks at me taken aback by my outburst. I am going crazy, mumma was discharged this morning, finally, after a week, and I talked to Aarav and Maa to let me stay with her at least till we find a appropriate nurse, someone I approve of. I am not going to leave my mother in anyone's hand, I am going to scrutinize carefully.

"You should not have stayed here. The hospital was providing a nurse for me, thanks to Aarav-" I silence her by putting my finger on her mouth, "Maa, she was going to stay here only during day, what would you do in nights?-" She pushes my hand away and cuts me off in between, "what possible need could I have in night? I have capable legs and I am mostly going to sleep, I don't need a 24/7 nurse Anika." She glares at me and I giggle, she's so cute when she's angry, although that's what I feel now, but in childhood I was scared of her anger.
"I have taken Maa's permission, Mumma. In fact she herself told me to stay with you for a few days." I state, her expression softens a bit.

She smiles softly, "they are nice, aren't they?" She says, "I am so glad you married into that house. They'll always take care of you sweetheart." Her voice trembles, "no, you will always take care of me and I will always take care of you!" I state clearly. I am very grateful to everyone over there, they accepted me after everything and they never once treat me differently, but I am not going to stay married to Aarav, not more than six months. And so, I have to find a way to return all his debt on me. I may have been a little too much, that I added interest to it too, because the amount is too much for me to even imagine, I haven't seen that much money in my life.

My father was rich but he also was stingy, so he never let us spend too much money, but apparently he spent it in great amounts, so we lended up in debt and he died pushing me and Maa in the eyes of those horrible people, it took us two years to finally get out of that vicious cycle, my other two so called brothers, never looked back after going to college, I don't know where they are. They were never useful anyways I hated them but I bore their insults and attempts to belittle me because my father appeared to like them, I don't know how. He had adopted them, because they had lost their parents. Anyways why should I spoil my mood because of them.

"Come on, lie down now, you need to rest." I order, thankfully she doesn't fight it, seems like she's tired. I sit beside her, admiring her restful face, I can't express how scared i was of loosing her. I am glad nothing happened. I gently stroke her face, I would do anything for this woman. The bell rings, and I curse, who must be there. At this time. I look at the clock, it's almost midnight. I rush towards the door, closing my mother's bedroom behind me. I don't want to wake her up.

I open the door and find myself face to face with Aarav. His gaze is intense, and I can see the flicker of surprise in his eyes. A silent moment passes between us, and my heartbeat quickens. I'm not sure how to feel. A part of me thinks it's inappropriate for him to be here this late, but another part of me feels a strange sense of thrill.

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