Humdard | ✔

Chapter five - Numb

Arnav was awoken by the throbbing in his head. He stirred, squeezing his closed lids as the sunlight trickled through the curtains and fell on his face and as he laid, there, with his eyes still shut, he pondered whether everything that happened last night, was a dream. He in fact prayed it was but as the scent of medicines in the air fell in his conscious, he realized it wasn't.

He snapped opened his eyes at the realization and tried sitting upright when he felt a shooting pain in his hand. He looked down to find a drip attached to the back of his right hand and was about to rip it when Anjali rushed to him, holding him in place.

"Chotte relax!" She said, keeping one hand on his forehead and trying to push him back on the bed.

"Di..di Khushi? Khushi, Di how is she?" Arnav asked, as much as his sore vocals allowed him to, his eyes darting around frantically.

Anjali pressed her hand firmly on his forehead and half blinked her eyes. "She's okay, out of danger now. The doctors said she will regain consciousness any minute now. So relax and lay here quietly." She said, caressing his head and arm, fearing he might pass out again.

He got only a few hours of sleep, and that too after he fainted due to low sugar levels. She can't risk him falling sick again.

Arnav breathed out in relief, then swallowed to moisten his parched throat. The effects of medicines was still there and he could feel the drowsiness still lingering in his teary eyes.

"She's..she's fine?" He rasped, attempting his best to keep his eyes open.

Anjali nodded, giving him a small smile and whispered soothingly as with a curve on his lips, he drifted back to sleep.

"She's fine." 

She pulled the sheet up to cover him properly and pecked his forehead before she turned to leave. Akash was standing outside when she opened the door, and she smiled, gesturing towards a sleeping Arnav. "He's much better I guess." 

Akash shook his head in acknowledgement and sighed in relief.

"Are you alright?" He asked, now looking at Anjali with a concerned look.

She had already finished telling everyone the whole backstory to whatever they all saw and heard yesterday. How she found that video clip while she was enjoying watching the wedding videos with NK, how she was shocked, how NK managed to call Payal, how Payal was shocked and at last told them everything and lastly, how after hours of grieving, she finally called Arnav, only to find out about Khushi.

She hasn't shed a tear after that. It was as if after her breakdown with Arnav, she had shut all her emotions in.

And that scares him. He can't afford to have anyone else hospitalized right now. He had reached the limits of his endurance already.

Anjali blinked her eyes. "I'm fine. Don't worry." She tried to smile, but it came out tired and forlorn.

She exhaled, staring at the floor for a few seconds before looking up at him again. She hesitated before speaking. "She's, she's not at fault."

Akash looked at her, the look in her eyes giving away who she was mentioning. He smiled, nodding reassuringly.

"I know." He whispered, "She and Khushiji were just looking out for us, I know."

Anjali's lips stretched more at his this statement and she hugged him, patting his back with proud smile.

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