Humdard | ✔

Chapter six - Shock

Arnav stood by the door as the doctor examined Khushi. The ward was crowded with the whole family who kept panicking and asking the doctor what was wrong with Khushi, again and again.

But he didn't say a word, not since Khushi told him about the numbness in her legs. He kept quiet, not wanting to lash out on anyone or destroy this entire hospital by letting his inside havoc prevail outside. He had a slight idea of what was going on, and he so wanted it to be wrong, but as the doctor sighed dejectedly, he knew it was, and he inhaled, bracing himself from within.

"Can't you feel the slightest of pain? Not even a little bit?" The doctor asked Khushi, who shook her head sideways slowly, pressing her lips together to keep the tears at bay. Payal was holding her in her arms, tightly.

The doctor nodded, checking the reports once again. 

"Well, you had some pretty bad injuries when you got here and it seems like, your fall have caused some nerve damage in your spine, due to which, your lower back and legs are paralyzed." The doctor apologetically announced taking pity in the young girl in front of him and the shocked members around him. He added immediately, not wanting them to feel sheer disappointment.

"We don't really know if it's bad though. There are a couple of tests left and the injuries are still fresh, maybe once the trauma subsides, she'll be back on her feet soon."

His words didn't seem to have lessen their disappointment though, it all seemed to have just disappeared into the air as they stood, white as ghosts in sheer horror.

Arnav clenched his fists and slumped against the wall. The confirmation of what he was dreading passed through him like a hurricane and he remained stilled, not wanting to break into complete ruins under the burden of pain and guilt. 

But as he saw the two drops of tears escaping her wide eyes and rolling down her pale face, he couldn't hold the devastation in for any longer. He turned around briskly, unintentionally swatting his sister's hand from his arms as he exited the room, wanting to get as far as possible from that suffocating air.

Anjali gasped at his sudden action and looked back at Khushi, the expressions on her face telling her she saw everything. The anguish that followed broke her heart and she let out a resigned sigh, following Arnav.

She limped as fast as she could to catch up with him as he raced through the corridor, panting but not stopping.

She didn't mention to anyone that she saw his glimpse in the footage, witnessing everything that transpired between Shyam and Khushi. She had been mad, as to why he didn't tell anyone what he heard and saw, why despite him knowing, Khushi had to take that step. But when he broke down in her arms, all her anger melted and she felt bad for him but now, now he was running away again?

"Chotte? Chotte, wait! Chotte? Wait! Arnav!" 

She finally managed to grab his arm. 

"Where the hell do you think you are going?" She shouted as soon as she pulled him back to face her, her heart throbbing in it's rib cage, partly because of her run, but mostly because of her fear.

Fear of seeing another Shyam in her Chotte.

Would he too give up on Khushiji because of her condition? Ridicule her like Shyam did to her, to his sister?

That thought was enough to peak her temper, and holding his shoulders, she shook him, violently.

"Why are you running away? Like you did the last time? Why, why again, huh?"