Silent Affair (On Hold)

Chapter Forty Two

Not a moment was wasted, Khushi being rushed to the hospital. As hard as the Raizadas tried, Khushi would not wake up. They had tried splashing water on her face, calling out her name, rubbing her hand - but nothing worked. So Arnav had picked her up into his arms and dashed to the car, his family following behind.

Quite some time had passed, the entire family waiting out in the hallway. Vijay tried to comfort his wife, trying to convince her that everything was okay, but she refused. Amoli's body shook slightly as she rocked back and forth in her seat, waiting for a doctor or nurse to say something.

"Amoli, please, try-"

"No Vijay, I can't relax! I need to know if she's okay, I need to know-"

Her voice cracked and she started crying, Vijay wrapping his arms around her to comfort her. Deviyani came to her side, placing her hand on her shoulder.

"Her scream... it's still echoing in my mind," Amoli sniffled. "All I've ever wanted was for a word to come out of her mouth, just once, but that... its ringing in my ears!"

Arnav glanced back at his mom, before looking away. He was standing quietly away from the rest of his family, staying closer by the door of Khushi's room. He just couldn't get himself to be too far away from her. But he had to agree with his mother; the sound of Khushi's scream was also still lingering in his ears.

It had all happened so quick, he didn't understand it himself. One minute they were all watching the TV, the next, Khushi's scream filled the air. For a split second, it had sounded foreign - no one in his family screamed like that, especially not Avantika. And Avantika was standing with their Di in front, so it obviously wasn't her. His head turned to follow the sound, a quick memory jogging to mind - reminding him who it was - and he saw Khushi starting to collapse to the floor.

It was pure instinct for him to yell out her name as he dashed out to her. He didn't care for the shards that filled the ground, nor the crumbs nor tea that surrounded it and Khushi. He quickly picked her up into his arms, not caring that her soaked clothes were soaking his, and tried to wake her up. His family tried as well, but nothing worked, thus bringing them to the hospital. As soon as she was admitted and taken into a room, Arnav stood by the door, standing there quietly ever since.

Someone placed a hand on his shoulder, bringing Arnav back to reality. He looked over to see Anjali, and she gave him a slight squeeze. He gave a small smile in return, then looked back over his shoulder for his baby sister. Avantika sat on the bench opposite of the elders, huddled up in her seat, being absolutely quiet. It was definitely out of character for her, but it was clear why, given the worry that covered her face.

Suddenly the door to Khushi's room opened and the doctor stepped out. Everybody else stood up and huddled around, eager to hear what the doctor had to say.

"Dr. Joshi, how is she," Vijay asked, Amoli at his side.

The doctor looked at Vijay and Amoli. "If you could follow me to my cabin, please."

The two nodded and followed after him, the others following as well. They stepped into Dr. Joshi's office, Arnav following in as well, while Deviyani, Anjali, and Avantika stood at the door, Vijay and Amoli sitting down across from the doctor.

"I went through her file," Doctor Joshi said. "It stated that she had been through trauma before?"

Vijay and Amoli glanced at each other, remembering those horrible times.

"Yes," Vijay finally said.

"Ever since the... event... she stopped talking," Amoli said quietly.