*David Pov*

When my phone started vibrating I opened my eyes but stayed in the same position for a few seconds wishing I can again place my head on her shoulder after shifting away, but I know I can't no matter what if I don't want her to completely ignore me.

"What time is it?" I asked, clearing my throat, finding her sitting still with her eyes on Bhai.

"6'o clock!" she replied, relaxing her shoulder after I moved away while I took out my phone only to find five missed calls from Mom.

"Did Mom call you?" I asked turning towards her, but she shook her head in negative still not looking at me.

"You didn't have lunch, right? And not even snacks. You should have woke me up. You shouldn't be on an empty stomach like this. Why don't you go home?" I asked, standing up still not believing that I slept for nearly four hours.

This time she stared at my face with a blank expression, and when I stared back, she didn't even glance away before standing up with her bag.

We both walked out of the room and I calmly told her, "I will tell Mom that Bhai will be staying with me in my hotel room for today as we have more business to discuss. If she asks you, say the same thing."

"Your driver must be still out. And... and thanks for letting me know all this." I added to which she gave a nod before walking away.

I followed her, hoping the driver is really waiting and not just left from this place. Before getting inside the car she turned to glance at me before turning away.

I stood there until the car left the hospital grounds before calling Mom still standing outside and she immediately lifted my call asking, "She didn't return home. Do you know anything? James is not lifting his phone and that's why I am calling you. Ask him once about this if possible."

"I just met her, Mom. She was here to do therapy for Bhai as we both had to stay overnight because of our work and we will rest in my hotel room." I replied, closing my eyes not wishing to lie to her but then again I can't say this on the phone without being near to her.

"His helper is still there, right. Let him stay in the room too to help James if he needs anything." She mumbled and I glanced at Bhai's vehicle.

"I will do that and I can help him too. He is my brother after all." I whispered, taking a deep breath, still not able to believe all this.

"And send her number." She suddenly asked making me frown.

"Why don't you ask her, Mom?" I asked, hoping they get close so that she will have someone like a mother figure.

"I want to but there is this block between us and I don't know how it can be removed. For now, send it and there is still time to be that comfortable with her. She is after all my daughter-in-law, right." I know she is adding the last sentence specifically as a reminder for me.

"I will send it right now." saying that I hung up before messaging her the number before turning around to return to Bhai's room as I already left the room for ten minutes.

I walked into the room only to find him completely awake while staring at the ceiling. He glanced at the door when I closed it which caused a noise.

"Did she leave?" he asked, looking at me.

"You were awake?" I asked, frowning while walking closer to him.

"I was conscious from one hour but decided to stay quiet finding you resting and I know you were not taking proper rest these days. Even Palak knows that I was awake." He replied and that surprised me more than anything.

"You both should have woke me up. I told Mom you will be staying with me." I mumbled talking to him in a completely normal tone as if we both are acting like nothing is different and everything I heard was a lie.

But it isn't a lie, is it? It will not go away just because we both are conversing normally about something completely different from what we should actually talk about.

"I guess you already have an answer on why you didn't tell us, right?" I asked, sitting on the stool after dragging it near to his bed.

"Anyway, it's happening and I didn't think there was a point in informing you all ahead when it would just increase the pain and pressure." He replied shrugging.

"I guess I was wrong some way otherwise Palak wouldn't have let you know about this when she already promised to help me." He added and I stilled realizing he found out that she was the one who let me find out.

"You talked to her?" I asked with a frown, thinking why didn't I get up even after hearing their voices.

"Yes! You slept soundly and didn't shift at all and we were not whispering too. And she told me to talk to you." He replied shaking his head before wincing.

"Tomorrow we will tell Mom and Jasmine." Hearing my words he immediately glanced at me.

"No! It's fine if you know but don't tell them. You know Mom's health and Jasmine is still a kid. I can't make them go through this." He mumbled staring at me.

He is right, but he is wrong too. When he... I don't want to even think about it, but during that time they both will be left with nothing but regrets and more pain.

"Just go to sleep. I will wake you up for dinner." I mumbled getting up before walking towards the couch to sit properly and give him space at the same time.

I can see that he has more to say to pursue me to change my mind, but nothing is going to change it. They both deserve to know and they will.

I don't have an answer for whether they will be fine after knowing and I just hope I can be someway useful and support three of them during that stage. Top of all this, I wish he goes through the surgery otherwise the time is too less.

****

"Isn't it better to go to work?" he asked when I asked his driver to drive us home.

"I should have informed them yesterday itself, but thought of waiting until now. Don't talk about work and no need to worry about it. I have already asked them to postpone the meetings and I will take care of them later." I replied, frowning at him and he closed his eyes before leaning back.

I already messaged Palak to ask whether Jasmine is still at home and she actually replied to it simply saying 'Yes'. I don't want them to miss spending time with him even for a single day.

I know everyone will just go through the days like normal, but today I need them to know at once and not start another hiding from the family.

"Yesterday I already heard you worrying about Palak more than me. Aren't you worried that they will blame her for hiding this?" he suddenly asked after finding another way to stop me.

"I didn't blame her." I pointed out.

"That's because you love her. Mom is still distant with her and Jasmine doesn't even know her. If you didn't love her then even you would have blamed her like before." I closed my eyes hearing his words.

I know he is saying these things to stop me and what he is saying is not a lie but it still stings. Yes! I blamed her by using childish logic, but I will never do that again and will never let anyone do it.

I stayed silent, not wishing to continue this conversation because I know no matter what he is going to utter, I can't open my mouth to retort.

"I am not going to die today itself. You need not treat me like that and can reply to the things that are hurting you." I turned to find him staring at me with a frustrated look.

"Give me some time to adjust." I pleaded before sighing in relief when we reached the house.

We both reached the living room and found Mom, Jasmine and Palak finishing their breakfast. I am glad that she recently decided to join all of us while having breakfast and even dinner. I am sure she joined Mom for lunch too and it started after she took leave from work.

"You both are here. Had breakfast?" Mom asked, glancing at us and stood up to wash her hands.

"We had! We need to talk to you, Mom." I replied when she walked out of the kitchen.

She frowned at me before glancing at Bhai and somehow I can see her already worrying about what we want to talk to her about.

"What is it?" she asked, stepping closer.

"Let's go to my office room. Just the three of us." Bhai stopped me before moving towards that direction and I followed him along with Mom but stopped near Jasmine.

"Stay home for today, Jasmine." I mumbled to which she gave a nod, but I can see her confused look.

I glanced at Palak who is actually ready to leave for work before walking into the room, hoping Mom will be fine after hearing this.

****

"Go and stand next to her." Bhai whispered gesturing me towards the couch where Mom is already sitting down with a confused look.

However, after hearing his words she gripped her hands and glanced at me with a worried expression. She must have already sensed that the discussion is about something even worse.

"Tell me! I will be fine." she gave an assured smile after I sat beside her and held her hands in mine.

I opened my mouth, but he shook his head before starting to say each and everything from the start along with the time during the accident when he already knew about all this.

We all thought even he got to know after he was operated regarding the tumor after his accident, but seems like he knew even before, but didn't have a chance to let us know because of the accident. But would it have been any different if that accident didn't happen?

Maybe because of the presence of Bhabhi but still... I shifted closer even though I don't know how to support her during this because her getting shocked is a guarantee.

"What about another operation? It was removed last time, right?" she asked, after a long silence, looking at him and this time I even waited for his reply while tightening my hold on her hands when I felt them shaking.

"I can go through one operation, but... I don't want to. It will extend my life just for a few months. I... I don't want to go through another operation like that." He replied after staring at her for a few seconds.

She stilled hearing his reply and I know she is trying to control her emotions as much as she can. He is staring at her with a worried expression and does he think she will force him?

"How much time is there for you to decide?" she asked, closing her eyes even though a few tears already slipped and I glanced away to control my own.

"Less than a month." He replied after hesitating and no words passed after that with three of us just staying like that in silence. What words can actually be passed during a situation like this?

*Palak Pov*

"You really can't tell me the situation?" Jasmine asked again for the tenth time while we both are sitting on the couch waiting for them to come out.

I was ready to leave after they all moved into the study room, but somehow she stopped me while asking whether the issue is very serious.

I already told her that I can't say anything and she has to wait for them to come out, but then she pleaded me to stay with her as she is feeling too nervous to stay alone until they come out.

I didn't want to but somehow I couldn't help but stay back, knowing well this news is not a small one and she is still young to feel this tension and it will just get worse after knowing about James.

After informing Chief that I will not be coming today to train interns, we both sat on the couch, but then she tried to know about it before they can even come out.

"If I can, I would already have told you and left for work." I replied, clearing my throat and she gave a weak chuckle hearing that.

I can see that she is restless and each second it is increasing. Am I being too harsh with her? But how can try to be normal when we never interacted before, but she doesn't seem to have any problem.

We both heard a sound and turned to see him walking along with his Mom while holding her shoulders and helping her climb the stairs and seems like he is taking Mrs. Anthony to her room.

"Oh no!" Jasmine whispered from beside me and immediately held my hands that I kept on the lap locking them.

James reached us while I glanced at her only to find her already trembling. I couldn't shrug my hands off but she removed them herself when James stopped a few feet away from the couch.

"Let's wait for David to return." He commented before glancing at me, but he doesn't have any accusatory glance.

"It's okay! Tell me right now." she pleaded and I can understand her feeling because she was dreading this moment from long time.

However, she tightened her grip the moment he started talking and to my surprise, he stated straight with no pause along with his decision to not get any operation and that after one month he can't even get one even if he wants to.

"Bhai!" she whispered crying and suddenly fell over me instead of reaching him.

I stared at James in surprise while he just sighed before gesturing the study room and he just moved into that room and closed the door behind him.

I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn't say anything while she continued crying still holding me and her grip on my hands didn't reduce.

I closed my eyes, remembering the situation she is at present and I need to console her, maybe not as a family, but as she is the family of my patient. Yes! I can console her and with that thought I removed my hands from her grip before holding her back but she cried more.

"Why didn't you tell me before, Bhabhi?" she asked, sniffing while shifting a little to stare at me.

"Bhabhi?" I asked her instead of answering her.

"You are James Bhai's wife and even his doctor. So, you must have known this already. Why didn't you tell us and are not forcing him for the operation?" she asked frowning but her tears didn't stop.

I stared at her for a second before thinking how I reacted when I found out that James was going to my family and that's when I actually took his condition to heart while before that he was just one of my patients even though a friend in some way.

She is his sister and now suddenly heard her brother is going to d... leave them soon. How can I think about me during this time?

"I am sorry! I... was his doctor and had to sign documents to not tell anyone about his condition." I apologized with sincere heart and maybe this is the first time I am interacting with her with my heart and not just superficially.

"Can you... can you ask him to go and have an operation? He can have it today, right?" she pleaded crying her heart out.

"Shh... it should be his wish." I whispered, holding her and she hugged me back without a pause while I felt after a long time a tear forming but I cleared it away taking deep breaths.

"Jasmine!" I glanced up seeing him standing beside us while she just shifted her head to look at him but didn't shift her body.

"Bhai! Did you hide it from me along with her?" she asked, staring at him while he shook his head in negative before kneeling before us.

"I found out yesterday with the help of Palak. It is not her fault for not telling us as she was his doctor and she didn't know the connection between us." He explained calmly while caressing her hair.

"I know! Can't you make him have the operation? Now he even has a wife, right?" she asked pleadingly and he immediately glanced at me while I stared back at him.

"Even... even with it, it will be..." he didn't continue before looking away.

"But those few months are better than..." this time she trailed off.

"Why is he against it?" she asked, glancing at me and I cleared my throat.

"Sometimes patients are against it because of the success rate of the operation and even after that they had to be lying on the bed as neurosurgery is very risky to begin with." I explained as a doctor because of his presence.

"What is his reason?" she stressed and I glanced away not wishing to say the actual reason but he opened his mouth.

"Because he doesn't want to continue to live in a wheelchair for another few months." I closed my eyes at his blunt words.

"Bhai!" she mumbled before hugging me tightly and continued to cry.

"Stop crying like this, Jasmine. Just imagine how he must be feeling after hearing you like this." He whispered, placing his hand around her which brushed with mine as I was already stroking her back.

"He will be fine with people actually showing their actual reactions instead of trying to act before him." I stated harshly before removing my hand.

"But still it is better to go back to your room and take some rest." I added shifting her a little to stare at her.

"Can I stay with you, Bhabhi?" she asked in a pleading tone.

"Bhabhi?" he whispered in shock.

"She is James Bhai's wife." This time she replied harshly because of his earlier reply.

I sighed, giving her a nod before glancing at him as he is blocking us from getting up. He gave a nod before standing up and took a step back.

I stood up with her still holding me, but she suddenly pulled me towards his direction to give him a half hug whispering 'sorry' for being harsh.

With her action I was straight out pulled closer to his body with his face being straight before mine. I immediately tried to let her go of me, but her hold is too strong.

"Sorry!" she apologized realizing her mistake when I harshly removed her hand from my waist.

After that, she silently followed behind me to my room and laid down on the bed but her tears didn't stop. I stood near the bed not knowing what to even tell her and ended up sitting beside her.

"Do you know that I am not that close to Bhai? I was always following David Bhai but never James Bhai as he was very busy with his studies and later with the company work. I just thought later I would get close to him and later we will be as close as I am with David Bhai. Now..." she closed her eyes, saying the last word with pain covering her features.

"Now, try to do it. I know it's painful and you need time to accept, but there is a chance of missing the last time you could be close to him." I said after a few minutes of silence and leaned on the headboard feeling a pain in my back after sitting for so long.

"You... you are right, but... but will you help me to communicate with him?" she asked, staring at me and I gave her a small nod not knowing what else to say.

She immediately turned over by placing her head on my lap startling me, but she continued to hug and before I can move her away, she drifted off into sleep.

I tried to wake her up, but then remembered what she is going through right now. Will I have the same break down if I found out that my brother is going to die soon? Maybe if it was before and the pain would still be even after present conditions. So, how can I look down on her pain?

With that thought even I closed my eyes before drifting off into sleep, but woke up suddenly feeling someone's presence and opened my eyes only to find Mrs. Anthony sitting on the other end while caressing Jasmine's hair even though her head is still on my lap.

"She must have troubled you a lot." She whispered realizing I woke up and I found her face showing complete sign of crying a lot.

"No!" I whispered and she gestured the bedside table.

I turned to see my lunch as per the diet plan along with Jasmine's lunch. She woke her up and Jasmine sat up, but didn't say anything and didn't shift away to leave my bed too.

In the end, I passed the plate before asking Lakshmi Aunty who just entered to bring Mrs. Anthony's plate too which she immediately did with a sigh of relief. I took out the medicines I need to take after lunch from my bag I laid down beside the bed.

We three had our lunch in silence, after which Jasmine again laid down in the middle in a straight position while holding her Mom's and my hand when we both shifted to get up.

"Please stay!" she pleaded with her eyes closed and we ended up staying.

"I am scared, Mom." She whispered after a few seconds.

"Even I am scared." Mrs. Anthony stated and I didn't shift, but felt shock hearing her saying in my presence.

"Bhabhi said she will help me so that I can know Bhai better and be closer to him without making any mistake so that I will not hurt him." Jasmine continued.

"Will she help me too?" she asked and I don't want to reply to that question at all.

"Of course! She is my Bhabhi and your daughter-in-law." Jasmine pointed out and I kind of feel like she is way more innocent than her age.

Seems like she is pampered a lot and with two brothers even though with not that strong bond with one still must have given her too much security and her Mom is also very protective of her children.

"I will try, Mrs. Anthony." I mumbled, knowing it is not right to remain silent.

"When will you accept me, Palak?" she asked, sighing with a tired tone.

"Do I need to?" I asked, frowning even though I didn't open my eyes.

"Yes! Because you are a part of this family too, and I know this life is too short with so many painful moments." She replied and I turned to see both of them have their eyes closed but both are crying silently.

"Is it because I am pregnant?" I slowly asked because of which she opened her eyes.

"Because you are my daughter-in-law and I promise you that you will always be. And I don't blame you for hiding this because I understand my son." She replied before closing her eyes again while patting her daughter.

I continued to stare at them while caressing my stomach. What should I do? Should I go ahead and make myself weak for another hurt to be thrown at me? In the end I closed my eyes too, but didn't drift off into sleep just like them. And just like that three of us stayed like that, but didn't sleep with a lot of things in our minds.

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

such a late one i know... but next one will be very fast because so much will happen in that...

and just like how this one was different from previous ones wiht lot of people involved in the revenge plan, the overcoming of the pain will also involve everyone and not just the main lead... however, soon it will be just the leads...

How is the chap???

comment plz and vote...

P.s: There is poll going on to choose the next story for one shot from the four stories i chose as a special for valentine's day... And i even added a question regarding those four stories... it is in both Insta (neetha.sai) and facebook(neetha sai). If you want to you can vote there... Thank you... :)