*Palak Pov*

I sighed, staring at him while he is trying his best to act as if he is handling some important call, whereas I know he is just trying to stall as much time as he can.

"Done?" I asked when he finally cut the call before moving towards the place I am sitting.

"I will get another call soon." He replied scrolling on his phone.

"You already extended your therapy for fifteen minutes and now we stayed here for another fifteen minutes. How much more time do you want to give him before we can step in?" I asked, leaning back while checking the time hoping we are not troubling my doctor.

"It's not his mistake. The meeting extended unexpectedly and as his brother, I want to wait for him." He shook his head while explaining as if he is talking about something I will never understand.

"I can go alone, you know." I pointed out holding my bag.

Can I? No! I already know the answer to it without waiting for a second to even pass. Every time we come for a check up it scares the hell out of me to step inside. I fear what if this time I will end up hearing a bad news.

I always hold my breath until we step out of that room. I accept the fact that I am a coward to not be able to do all this alone without the presence of someone.

It's not like I just want these people, but anyone would be fine. At the same time I didn't ask them to come with me and I didn't object to them.

"He is here!" I came out of my thoughts hearing James voice and turned to see that person running towards us while apologizing to everyone he is bumping on the way.

"How did it go?" James asked while I stood up trying to calm my nerves to walk inside the room.

"Because of your reference points it went well and we signed the deal." He replied while following behind me along with James.

They continued to talk about business while I continued to ignore them. Every time they meet either at their home or here, they just talk about business.

One or other time I pick up a word, but the maximum I just ignore because of my blank mind towards any matters related to the company and mainly because of my Dad's persistence to make me join that world.

I paused for a second before entering the doctor's cabin and plastered a polite smile on my face while greeting her and she greeted back warmly unlike me.

"You both are here again together? Baby is very lucky to have such doting father and uncle." She commented looking at them.

"I know you dote on your baby more than anyone." She added looking at me when a frown appeared on my face.

I was not frowning for her dialogue, but just remembering the fact that as I already wrote his name on the records that day, she just took in the news the same way. But what if the marriage news spreads? And it will because of their connection with this hospital.

What am I even worrying about when I should worry about something else? I shook my head while waiting for her to get me into the room for the scan.

She did as if listening to my mind and I closed my eyes while lying on the table waiting for the scan but immediately opened feeling someone holding my hand.

I turned to see his face while he is staring at our hands. I wanted to open my mouth to ask him what is he doing here, but when she applied the gel I tightened my hold on his without my conscience.

"I found you very nervous today. Is anything wrong, Dr. Palak?" she asked making me turn away from his face.

"No! Everything is normal like very normal." I replied, frowning and she chuckled hearing my reply.

"I can understand your feeling. But you are taking care of your health so well and of course there wouldn't be any problems. I don't think I have met someone who listens to me this well." She mumbled smiling.

"She is always like that. She is best at doing things that need to be done. No one need to say it twice at all." I glanced away hearing his words to ignore them.

"It is a good thing that you are hiding it from media otherwise you would have to go through some stress for sure." She said before starting the scan and I tightened my hold on his hand even more while he caressed my hand with his other one.

We all returned to her cabin to see James talking to someone, but he cut his call when we reached him. I sat down while he sat on the other side of James.

"As you saw everything was normal, Dr. Palak. You can relax now." she said, leaning forward before frowning at the report.

"When are you going to start your maternity leave?" she suddenly asked, making me frown.

"I didn't think about it exactly." I replied, to which she nodded.

"Is there any problem with the baby?" James asked and the same time another voice asked, "Is there any problem with her health?"

"Everything is fine, but it's just that I think it's better if she starts her leave right now instead of later. It is better to be cautious, right. We all know the work she has to do and the pressure will increase on her body. And her weight is not increasing much. So, will it be fine for you? I can write the medical sheet for you to submit for your early leave." She offered glancing at me.

"No need for the sheet, Doctor. I will talk to her chief." James waved her off.

"It would be very helpful if you can write it for me, Doctor." I mumbled ignoring his words while she nodded before starting the note.

"I said it's fine, right?" James asked frowning.

"If you do that then it will be like she is abusing her power and how it will look for her co-workers. This is the better way." He answered before I can open my mouth and after that none of us said a word.

****

"Are you both going home?" he asked, looking at us when we walked out of the cabin.

"No! I need to go for a check up and she will be with me." James replied when I gave him a pointed look hoping he doesn't escape now from the check up.

"Shall I wait? Why don't I join you? The new driver will be attending you from tomorrow onwards." he asked, looking at his watch.

"No! Just go on and handle the work you left." James replied, not giving him any chance and after a second he turned to stare at me.

"Just give me a call if you need anything." Saying that he walked off while I walked towards the chief cabin with James following me.

However, as chief went to check up on a patient, we decided to wait in his cabin as we need to meet his wife after this check up.

"Aren't you being too harsh?" I paused, hearing his words and turned to see his serious expression.

"He has been working like that without rest because of your words for the past one month and he even cancelled all his projects to concentrate on his work. And you do not even react to his words." He shook his head.

"He need not do all that just because I told him." I mumbled looking away.

"In that busy schedule, he is always thinking about you to make sure you travel safely and even hired a driver after doing interviews of the ones who are already working for us. He even follows to make sure you are following your diet plan, ignoring my Mom's words. And he is always worried about you." He just continued making me sigh.

"I didn't ask him to do all these things." I pointed out closing my eyes, feeling the pressure of his words, no matter how much I am trying to push them away.

"I don't think those are the words any woman want to hear from her husband about her Ex-boyfriend." We turned to see Chief walking into the cabin while we both didn't comment anything on his choice of words.

I explained the schedule, we used during these two weeks for his therapy while he started the check up after which James commented about my leave before I can open my mouth.

"But not from tomorrow itself. I will settle all the records and make sure there will be no trouble while getting my co-workers to work with them. So, maybe after a week or more if needed." I immediately added while giving James a pointed look.

"Right! I realized you are pregnant. Congratulations!" he mumbled with a hesitant smile while I sighed.

I know he is walking on egg shells after that incident and my words didn't help the situation. I just gave him a nod, returning a smile, but nothing else.

We all left his cabin to reach Mrs. Gode's cabin for his next check up. I explained about his recent headaches which increased while she started testing him.

"I heard David completely took over the company and James is getting a lot of rest." Chief commented while they left for tests.

"And I heard it is your doing." he added and I finally turned to stare at him.

"Who was giving a lecture to James to not talk about my Ex-boyfriend?" I asked him frowning while he sighed in turn.

"What can I do? It's been so long since I visited them and found this from James somehow. I just want to talk, but I know you still hate me along with them for my part in the plan." He mumbled while I glanced away before turning to stare at him.

"Hate? I don't hate anyone, Chief. I don't even have the time or the energy to do that. Regrets? That I have but who doesn't have the regrets. And I know I shouldn't have made you feel uncomfortable around me. I will not apologize, but when I return to work, let's cut all this tension." I advised to which he gave a nod along with a smile.

"Will you not get bored? You can come anytime to hospital and give suggestions for the interns instead of any other work." He offered which I accepted with a smile and he sighed in relief.

We both tensed, looking at his wife's expression when they both returned to her cabin and I know it is bad news which I really wish it isn't.

"The size of the tumor increased and the operation is now even more difficult. It is better to do it within this month otherwise there is no chance." She said in a professional tone, but I can see the worry in her eyes.

We all turned to stare at him while he has the normal expression as if all this is not about him. I have been behind him for the past one month to have this operation, but he is so against it.

I stayed silent even when we got into his vehicle while he cleared his throat, saying, "I couldn't finish before, but you need to think about his gestures, Palak. At least talk and give some expression no matter what it is."

"Don't be a hypocrite, James. You can't even talk to your family about your condition. Don't go around giving suggestions like these." I commented wishing for it to be as harsh as it can be.

"Everything is happening as I wished for. They will feel sad but there will be Baby and the company is completely in control of David's hands. My sister already has an interest in the business field. So, after graduation, she will finish Masters and join him. My Mom will be busy to take care of the baby and to make it perfect, you need to be normal towards David. That's why I am talking to you about it." I don't even know what to say hearing his supposed plans after his death.

How can a person be like this about his own death? I just stared at him not knowing what to even say or give what expression.

"I got myself prepared for this for more than a year, but somehow I was scared about my family and their security. Now, I don't have any such worries and feeling free in a sense. Looks like I need to thank you." He added, giving me a smile and this is the first time I ever saw him smile so freely.

"Don't you want to meet the baby and get to know his/her life?" I asked, staring at him and he sighed looking away.

"Even if I get this operation, a few more months will be added. But what if something goes wrong and it ends this month itself on the operating table? Isn't it better to live for a few months freely and I really hope I can see your baby. Now, will you be lenient towards David?" he asked at the end and I didn't say anything afterwards.

****

When we returned to the house, we found Satish waiting for us along with everyone. He gave a hesitant smile to me before nodding at James.

"He is going to start being some other's manager from tomorrow onwards. He wanted to meet all of us once before going. So, I had to return home first before going to the company." He explained while I turned to walk towards my room.

"Please forgive me, Palak." Satish pleaded, following me before I can enter the room.

"Why? You just did everything as his manager. What is the need for me to forgive you?" I asked him frowning while he flinched.

"It was not like that, you know. He really loves you and I liked talking to you even fighting with you. It was not an act." He mumbled looking down.

Why everyone is behind me today like this? Chief and then James and now him. What do they want me to do? I sighed, rubbing my forehead not having any words to express or even think.

"Don't say all those things and disturb her, Satish." He warned making me glance at everyone before staring at Satish.

"Wish you luck for your new work." Saying that I turned towards the kitchen feeling hungry and I don't wish to trouble the helper just because I want to escape from their presence.

"Before leaving tell me how did you manage to get him to relax before, Satish. He used to feel stress from starting but he used to be relaxed too. Tell me before going." James commented in a serious tone as if knowing it is like some business research.

"That..." Satish trailed off while I took out the fruits I am supposed to eat as per the diet plan at this time.

"Even I want to know. He looks dead tired and don't glare at me, Bhai." Jasmine continued chuckling.

"Stop it! Why are you so interested and I am completely fine." that person commented to their queries.

"There is no point even if you guys know. So, let it go." Satish mumbled while I stepped out of the kitchen to go to my room.

"Why? Tell us!" Mrs. Anthony commanded, and he finally opened his mouth, but those words definitely gave me a pause when everyone turned to stare at me.

"He always meets Palak and lets go of his stress. He used to say that talking to her helps him a lot, even when he felt stressed for commercials." I closed my eyes, hearing those words and calmly walked into my room even though I feel everyone's eyes on my back.

What should I do from now on when I am actually going to stay at this place instead of going to work for the next few months? Mrs. Anthony could be my strength in this situation though. As she is the only one against who looks at me as James's wife unlike everyone else.

But again the main issue is James's matter and it is better to be revealed to his family otherwise their pain will be much worse for taking a sudden blow if he really rejects the operation within this month.

*David Pov*

"You have to go for meeting within a few minutes. Why are you still stuck to your phone? Is something wrong with the presentation?" I glanced up finding Bhai coming closer to my table while I sat straight but not letting go of my phone.

"No! You already checked and told me there is no mistake at all." I pointed out, but he stayed silent waiting for my explanation.

"She started going back to work from today onwards after taking a few days leave, right. So, I just want to make sure the driver will not make her wait until evening, which was her previous schedule and get her back by afternoon itself. I will call him in five minutes to check whether he reached the hospital." I explained sighing and he sighed in return.

"She is not a kid and she has his number too. And she will take a cab if she doesn't want to call." He mumbled frowning and I frowned back in return hearing his words.

"And as she is not going to take any salary for this guidance work, she can return home whenever she wishes to if she doesn't feel good." He pointed out looking at my expression.

"She is not? How do you know?" I asked, leaning forward.

"She told me!" he replied, shrugging and my shoulders dropped hearing that reply, but I pushed that thought away before glancing at him.

"It feels like old times, Bhai. Us spending time together like this even though for business matters. It's been more than ten years, right?" I asked, to which he glanced down.

These days I feel closer to him and that made me think what if I didn't go to follow my dreams and just be here helping him a few years back. We would have never got this distance, right?

"Did you get another therapist?" I asked, checking the time to see I can call the driver now.

"No! She will do a simple one at home itself. I never worked with other therapists and I am not going to start now." he replied, making me frown in confusion because he was taking therapy all these months right.

"I need to ask you something. I can see you worried about Palak all the time, even though your relationship changed to something else. Let me continue and don't stop me. What will you do if you have to go outside India for business matters? Will you go?" he asked in a serious tone.

"Do you think I am crossing my line?" I asked him back.

"It doesn't matter what I think. Palak should be the one who decides that." He replied and I glanced away remembering his question.

"I will go because I need to do that for both Palak and your sake. I already decided to give my everything to this company and I will but that doesn't mean I will just ignore her. She will be my priority along with the baby. I will push myself as much as I can to give my best to each aspect." I replied honestly and he gave a nod as if he is processing my words.

"I will go to the meeting." I added standing up before leaving the room still feeling uncomfortable with his earlier words. Am I really crossing the line? That scares me more than anything.

****

"You can wrap it up." I commented rushing out of the board room, realizing I left my phone at my cabin and even forgot to call the driver.

I opened the door only to stare at the scene in shock before rushing towards Bhai coming out of my shock. I called him numerous times trying to wake him up, but he is still lying on the floor.

"Call an Ambulance." I shouted, finding a few people reaching my cabin hearing my shouts.

I took my phone from the table before calling Palak hoping she is still at the hospital. I forgot for a second that she may not pick up, but she picked up after a few rings.

"What is it?" she asked, picking up.

"Palak! Are you still at the hospital? Bhai collapsed and someone called for an Ambulance. Can you intimate someone there?" I asked in a rush.

"There will be traffic at this point. Why don't you drive him to the hospital? You know all the shortcuts, right?" she asked after pausing for a second.

"Right! I will do that." I replied, hanging up while cursing myself to not think of that during this tension.

I lifted him up with someone else's help before placing him on the chair and took him downstairs while my secretary called for his driver. He assured me that he will drive fast making me sit along with Bhai.

I hope it is not a major problem, but why did he collapse so suddenly? We even tried splashing water on his face, but there is no moment at all.

Should I call home? No! What if it is nothing and I scare them unnecessarily? I took a deep breath and sighed in relief when we reached the hospital.

I saw Palak and Dr. Harsha waiting at the entrance with a stretcher ready. The attendees helped him onto the stretcher instead of using the chair before rushing inside.

"Wait! Palak you go with them." Dr. Harsha said, stopping me from following them.

"Why?" I asked him, frowning while glancing at Palak but still panicking thinking about Bhai.

"She is his guardian as per the procedure. So, let her go." He replied, gesturing her to move, but she stared at me with a frown.

"No! Let him go, Chief. James may hate me for this, but this is high time." She mumbled before gesturing me to go and I frowned at both of them before rushing inside.

I got even more confused when I found that they took him directly to the ICU. But I got shocked looking at Dr. Harsha's wife checking my brother.

After the accident, he already got operated for the tumor by her, right? Why is she checking him now? I thought, frowning, but kept silent.

She turned around only to stare at me in shock before covering her expression. She walked out of the room while gesturing me to follow her.

"Where is Palak?" she asked, looking at me.

"She sent me. What happened to my brother?" I asked her to which she replied to come to her cabin and we found Palak waiting for us along with Dr. Harsha.

Palak passed the documents she is holding to Mrs. Gode, but didn't step into the cabin along with us and stayed out.

"It will be shocking and as Palak is guardian we can't discuss all this with anyone else. But like she said it is high time for you to know." Dr. Harsha started with those words and I already felt the fear of hearing the next words they both uttered.

****

"David!" they called me while I just stared at them.

"This is a joke, right?" I asked, pleading them in a way, but they both gave out the expressions which answers my question.

"How... why... I... Mom doesn't know and Jasmine..." I stuttered, not able to form any kind of sentence in my head or even utter feeling scared to even think about what they just uttered.

"He needs to stay at the hospital tonight for observation. It seems like the pain is increasing for him to bear with just the help of medicines." She commented clearing her throat.

I walked out of the cabin still in shock before walking towards the private room where he got shifted to in the meantime as he need not be kept in ICU. I found Palak sitting on the couch staring at the Bhai sleeping form.

I took a deep breath before walking inside and she immediately glanced at me. She stared at for a second before glancing down at her joined hands.

After walking towards the couch and sitting beside her I calmly asked, "From when do you know?"

"On my first day here." She replied after pausing for a second and I closed my eyes.

"When does he want to tell us?" I asked, clearing my throat to not break down while uttering those words.

"Never!" I leaned to her side before placing my head on her shoulder, but she immediately moved to push me away.

"Just for a few minutes." I pleaded, holding her joined hands on her lap and she hesitated a little before sitting back for me to lean over.

"Thank you! I need to tell Mom and Jasmine." I whispered, letting the silence cover us after that feeling tired all of a sudden. I can't even control the guilt and sadness sweeping my mind making me tighten my hold on her hands not able to calm down. How can I tell this to Mom and Jasmine? I don't know whether I can but I don't want to hide it like he did too.

--------------------------------

Here it is and kind of early update... It would have been even before if not for the damage to my laptop... :(

So, the next chap will be when the family knows about James... Do you think Palak did a right thing by letting David know the truth?

How is the chap?

comment plz and vote...