Mr Rude's Shortcake

Chapter 26

Arshika's POV 

I ran from my bed to hers, and asked her "Are you okay? What happened?".

"Parth! Aru Parth I want to see ... Parth" she said in an obfuscating way, panting and crying. 

"Anna is alright Sana.. It's just a nightmare. Drink some water" I offered. She refused to drink and said, "I want to see Parth... Please let me go". I don't know what happened to her. She slept crying, and now she woke up having nightmares. I did not know what to do. I cupped her face and said, "Look, it's 3 am. Sleep now ... we'll meet Anna tomorrow. He is alright" but alas... she started crying even more, and said, "My instinct tells me something is wrong with him. Please ... Please... I want to meet Parth". 

I stood there, like a shadow beside her, not knowing how to bring her back from the dark place her nightmare had pulled her into. Dhruv! Yes, Dhruv would know what to do. I video called him immediately, with Sanskriti crying, on my lap. He picked it up after a few rings. 

"Is everything alright? What made you call at this odd hour?" he asked, still half asleep. 

"Sanskriti. She isn't okay" I told. 

"What happened... is she still thinking about Babai?" his breath hitched slightly, worry clouding the tone.

"Annayya... I want to see Parth," she said, her face pale, her eyes raw with vulnerability. 

The moment he saw her, he froze. His face, usually so composed, crumpled in an instant, his eyes locking onto her shaking form. His voice faltered. 

He managed to say, "I'll wake him up". He went to wake Anna up, but I could hear a scream "What the fuck!". 

I was not able to understand anything now. I wanted to rush off to meet Anna. 

He cut the call, and Sanskriti panicked even more demanding me, to answer why Dhruv had hung up! My heart was racing faster. He called me and said, 

"Parth's temperature is too high! The thermometer shows 103!" he said, not knowing that the speaker was on! 

"I knew it! Will you let me go?" she said, with love for Anna resonating out in every word of hers. 

"Ammulu look ... listen... please... you are a medical student. His antibodies are fighting! Just a temperature rise! I placed a wed cloth on his head. Edavaku...Nenu chusukuntanu ( Don't cry... I'll take care)." he comforted. 

She remained silent as her tears spilled down her cheeks, leaving glistening trails in their wake. 

I cut Dhruv's call, as I wanted to handle her in my way. I held her tight in my arms, caressed her hair, and said, "He got a high fever. Your love for him is too deep, that you got to know he is not doing good. He'll be alright Sansie! He has your support with him! You are a to-be doctor. Don't panic" . She came more close to me. Placing her head on my lap, I said "Go to sleep now. Like a good child. I'll sing a song."

I anyhow made her sleep, but I could not, knowing that Anna had a high temperature. I called Dhruv at 4:00 a.m. and whispered, "Check his temperature again. Wipe his face, hands and legs with a wet cloth" and he did as I said. I called him again at 4:30 and 5:00. Sanskriti woke up. "How is he? Call Dhruv please" she asked. "He is alright Sana. His temperature came down to 101. He is asleep now. I just talked to Dhruv" I told her, and she let out a breath of relief. She slowly relaxed, and touched my eyes. "Didn't you sleep?" she asked me. "He is my Anna. How can I sleep when his temperature is this high? I made you sleep because you were stressing out too much. Promise me that you'll never panic this much. Whatever the situation is Sanskriti, I want you to be strong. Please girl, don't scare me like this." I told. "I'll try my best! Sleep for sometime. " she suggested. 

I slept for sometime, and woke up at 6:30. Sana and I slept on the same bed, and poor girl was still sleeping. How drastically she was affected. I adore her connection with Anna... the way she got to know! This is what pure love is. I yearn for a same attachment with Dhruv. I find my everything in him. I texted him " Good Morning. I love you"... and went through my messages. They declared a holiday today, so I let Sansie sleep for some more time. Dhruv replied in an instant, saying "Gm.. Ly" which is a bit unusual. He does not use short cuts for Love you. I called him. His voice was rough, as though it had been dragged across sandpaper. When I confronted him about it, he said, "No sleep. Took care of Hulk. Still shows 101. Ordered some fruits and bread. Thank god classes are cancelled. I'll make him bread toast for breakfast. I'll lend seniors' induction stove". I won in life when I fell in love with this man. He is a steady anchor in the chaos of life, always ready with a helping hand, as though no burden was too heavy if it meant easing the load of someone he cared for. Being the wife of a man like this, would be the greatest achievement of all time. "Thank you" I said. "For what?" he asked, confused. "For taking care of Anna" I told and he said, "That is what I am supposed to do, as his only friend. You need not thank me for this. He might very well be your brother, but he is my best friend. He is one of my priorities and responsibilities."

I could do nothing than smile at his words. I fell in love with this man, once again. "Amma is calling me. Will text you. Bye. Take care. Keep telling me Anna's condition" I told and he replied with "Bye", yawning.