NISHCHAY
✨

The sound coming from the coffee machine brewing the fresh cup of capuchino was still not able to take my mind away from what I saw in the doctor's cabin. I couldn't stand there any longer and I simply walked into the staff pantry to get myself a strong cup of coffee. I was irritated.

'Ssssssaaaahhh!!!'

Shit!!! The hot coffee spills upon my fingers bringing me back from my thoughts and that's when I hear their voice again.

'Areyyyy come...I'll make you your special kinda tea Chichi!!! Please smile sweetie...you know I can't see you like this!!! And trust me Pacchi is fine...And I'm here na...I'll take care of everything!!! Now come...let me make you your favourite tea!!!' I heard him say and I closed my eyes. Although not willing to interrupt I still spoke up...it's like my tongue had its own brain...

'Saanchi doesn't drink tea! She prefers coffee!!!' saying I added a spoonful of sugar and stirred it and offered Saanchi

Saanchi was shocked. The man next to me narrowed his eyebrows and kept looking at Saanchi and me...and then said

'Hmmmm introductions please!!!'

Saanchi looked at him and then looked at me and said

'Ummmm Nishchay...This is Aahir...My cousin and my-'

'Her best friend!!!' he added pulling her into a side hug. Saanchi smiled nervously but my eyes darted upon his hand which was lying carelessly on my wife's shoulder. I wonder if doctors can perform a surgery with one hand. Looks like he doesn't like having two hands!!!

'And Aahir this is Nishchay...my'

And before Saanchi could complete the statement, I pulled her by her forearm towards me and she almost crashed into my chest. I sneaked my hand into her waist and looked into the man's eyes confidently and spoke up looking directly into Saanchi's eyes

'Husband! I am her loving husband!!! Right sweetheart?' and her eyes were ready to pop out of the sockets.

'Ohhhh so you are Nishchay Mehra!!! Nice meeting you Mister Mehra!!! I am Dr Aahir Mihir Sehgal' he said showing his sparkling teeth. I would love to break them and give some business to our hospital's dental department.

'You must have heard about me from Saanchi...I am her best friend!!!' he added offering a hand shake. I casually shook his hand saying

'Never!!! Never heard about you!!! Mister Shahir!!!' I said and he narrowed his eyebrows again and looked at Saanchi

'Aahir it is!!! But that's strange...I mean Chichi cannot live without talking about me...you know I and Chich-'

'Excuse me...are we talking about a rat here???'

'Rat nooo...'

'Then what's a Chichi ...I mean I wouldn't even name my pet rat like that!!!' I said and soon I felt Saanchi yank away my hand off her waist and raise an eyebrow saying

'Chichi is the nickname Aahir has given me!!! And I think it's cute!!!' she says in a challenging tone but I take a step closer to her and again grab her by her waist making her breath hitch and I whisper onto her face

'You are NOT cute Mrs Mehra!!! You are everything but cute!!! And nickname...' I take a step closer and whisper in her ears while she's already looking so flushed...'I will tell you what nickname suits you once we go home? Okay??? And for the rest of them...they don't need to give 'MY WIFE' a nickname...Its Mrs Mehra for everyone else!!! Understood Mister Bahir!!!'

'Its Aahir!!! And I dont mind calling her Mrs Mehra...Mr Nishchay!!! It's just that these nicknames were chosen by your wife herself!!! I call her Chichi and she calls me Riri!!!' he says and Saanchi gives him a blushing smile.

Wait!!! Why is she blushing!!!

He suddenly offers Saanchi tea but I stop him saying
'Saanchi doesn't drink tea!!! She's a coffee person!!!'

To which that stupid doctor again shows me his glowing teeth and says
'Chichi...oops Mrs Mehra doesn't drink normal tea but she drinks the lemon grass tea!!! Specially made by her best friend!!!' and I'm left speechless as Saanchi accepts the cup from his hands ignoring my capuchino and mutters

'Ahhhh this smells heavenly Riri... thank you so much...Such a relief when I'm having vomiting sensations!!!' she says and I'm shocked

'You ...you have vomiting sensations???' I ask and before she replies the man opposite to me jumps in and says

'Ohhh no big deal!!! She hasn't slept overnight...it always happens to her...a cup of lemongrass tea, followed by a light breakfast and a glass of tender coconut water at 11 followed by Khichdi for lunch and a little sleep. She will be back to normal by evening.

Saanchi chuckles and I clench my fist and say
'Saanchi doesn't like Khichdi!!!'

To which the man laughs saying
'Dont be kidding Nishchay...Saanchi told me what a terrible cook you are!!! I have heard about how your biryani is more a khichdi and how now she's used to eating Khichdi and doesn't hate it anymore!!!' and I'm shocked.

I look at Saanchi. I'm pissed. How could she say these things to him. This is our personal space. Saanchi simply avoids my gaze. She is slightly embarrassed and silently sips on the tea. I'm angry now.

✨

'She is stable Saanchi...I suggest we keep her here for one night and shift her home tomorrow...' and I see a genuine smile on Saanchi's face as Riya aunty is shifted to a room now.

'Thank you so much Riri...I was really worried...my daughter is also with my friend and you know she's just-'

'I know Chichi... she's just four...And I understand!!!' saying he smiles at her and Saanchi smiles back and next second they are again in each other's arms.

'Why is hugging each other such an important criteria for them dude!!!' this time I hear Jassi making a stinky face and looking at them.

I hate to say this but for the first time ever in life I agree with him.

'They are too close!!!' he says and I shoot him a look.

'Whatttt??? I'm just saying!!! I mean...really I didn't know best friends can be this close and heyyy weren't you Saanchi's best friend?' he asks and although it burns me from within I speak up...

'Well we are the best husband and wife!!! Friends come and go!!! Huhhh!!!' I say shrugging my shoulders.

To which Jassi says 'Well I don't know about that but certain that man is your wife's favorite!!! I can say...I mean look at the way they are!!!' and although I want to ignore but my eyes fall upon their hugging figure.

'Okayyyyy I think Saanchi...we can go for a dinner and then-'

'Ohhh no no Nishchay...don't bother...you go home...Riri has a surgery lined up tonight so he's staying and I and Riri have plans of having dinner in the hospital cafeteria tonight!!! There is so much to catch up...right Riri?' she says as her Riri pricks an injection to Riya aunty and makes her lie down on the bed.

How I want desperately prick that injection into his butt!!!

My thoughts are all wicked when Jassi slowly whispers in my ear...
'What the hell dude? You cannot let her be with him like that... I mean ok...they are cousins but come on...they are cousins...not brother and sister!!! And come on...I heard they are far off relatives and close knit besties...above all he seems to be related to Saanchi as mother's brother's son. And I know for the fact that Saanchi is half south Indian and I have heard in South India marrying mother's brother's son is all an easy affair!!!' and that's when I scream

'Whatttttt???' and I see how Aahir and Saanchi look at us with a confused expression. Aahir tries to hush me down and I look at Saanchi and say a soft sorry but my anger is now targetted towards Jassi. I drag Jassi by his collar and take him out and almost choke his neck and say

'SHE IS ALREADY MARRIED TO ME!!! Did you forget that?' and an uncomfortable Jassi yanks away my hand and says

'I know!!! But have you seen their comfort level? And anyways have you looked at your comfort level with Saanchi?' Jassi asks and I look at him with a questionable expression

'She is happy with him but with you she is always worried and tensed. That man there loves her a lot-'

'Jassiiii!!!'

'Dont scream man!!! I know you like her...have accepted her as your wife but can you compete with that inside there?'

'Ohhh I don't need to!!! Okayyy??? She's already mine!!!'

To which he chuckles saying

'This is the same misunderstanding every man has...his wife...his girlfriend is his...that the girl will never leave him for someone else...this is exactly what I thought about Sudeshna but didn't she fall for someone else? Forget her...look at me...I thought after loosing Sudeshna Inl thought I will never fall for another woman but then didn't I fall for...a few...hundred others??? Tell me???' and I raise an eyebrow and look at him..

'Ok ok...mine is not a feasible example...look at you...tell me aren't you feeling special about Saanchi??? Did you think that after Sudeshna you will ever fall for someone else? But aren't you now falling for Saanchi?' and that's when I'm left stunned.

Jassi words keep ringing in my ears!!!
Am I really falling for Saanchi???

✨

Jassi's words still keep ringing and repeating in my head and I'm unable to sleep. I keep rolling over my bed but sleep is far far away. I look at the clock which was still ticking 2 am...

'Can you compete with that thing over there? He really is very fond of her...look at their bonding and their comfort zone...Saanchi also looks very comfortable with him...she smiles like a baby when she's with him...can you bring that smile on her face??? Tell me Nishchay???'

Although I hate Jassi from the bottom of my heart, every word that he said today made sense.

Saanchi does look more happy with that man. Today she denied coming for a dinner with me...what if tomorrow she denies coming home? What if she realises she likes that stupid doctor more than me???

I know Saanchi loves me and only me...we are best friends but that guy claims to know Saanchi much more than me!!! What if he wooes Saanchi and takes her away from me???

What will Kyra do without Saanchi? What will I do without Saanchi??? Oh god!!!

I suddenly felt a choking sensation within. I was feeling very anxious. I wanted to call her...talk to her...

No!!! She's in Riya aunty's room...what if I wake up aunty...no no...

But what if she's with that stupid doctor...on a dinner date...then followed by a drive...a romantic one maybe???

Nnnnnoooo no no no!!! Only I can take her for a drive..
Fuck!!! No!!! What are you doing to me Saanchi Mehra!!!

I'm losing my shit!!! I'm going nuts!!!

✨

'Whatttt the heck Nishchay????' she literally threw the coffee cup in air spilling all the coffee on the floor and her Kurta.

'Ouchhh...I didn't mean to scare you!!!'

'You didn't mean to scare me? Nishchay it's 3 in the morning...It's called the devil's hour. I know I don't believe in ghosts but dude we are still humans...I'm here alone in the pantry area making a coffee to get rid of my headache and you suddenly appear out of nowhere...what am I supposed to even think...what the hell are you doing here at this hour and where is my daughter? Don't tell me you brought her to the hospital...Ill kill you if you did that!!!' she yells

'Calm down!!! Kyra is still in Mehek's house. It was 10 past 30 when I reached home so I didn't want to wake them up. Mehek is nearing her due dates so I didn't want to disturb her sleep so relax she's fine and I came here because....I ...I was worried for you!!'

'Worried for me? Don't be silly Nishchay...I am fine!!!' she says and I take a step closer to her and hold her by her forearms and say...

'I can certainly see that!!! You have a splitting headache!!! Come..I'll make you you my special coffee!!!'

'No thanks...I will help-' and before she could utter a word I kept a finger on her lip and said

'Allow me wifey!!! I want you to know that your husband is not just your husband but also your best friend. I can take care of what's mine better than others!!!'

'Nishchay-'

'Shh!!! Just go to Riya aunty's room...I'll be there in 5!!!' I tell her looking deep into her eyes and she nods her head.

✨

I open the door of the balcony in Riya aunty's room and I see Saanchi standing leaning towards reeling next to a small plastic chair and a table looking at the sky. It was yet another starlit night and I smiled.

I slowly walk closer to her place to the cup of coffee on the table next to the chair and stand behind her.

'Stars...moon and us...looks like we are made for each other... Right Mrs Mehra?' and she's shocked.

I slowly snake my arms around her waist and plaster my body to hers and I see how her breath hitched and I can't help but smile and slowly leave a small kiss on her neck making her shudder under my advances. I smirk and again leave a open mouthed kiss on her neck and she whispers 'Nissshchay... please!!! We are in the hospital!!!' but I shamelessly tighten my grip over her waist and brush my lips on her neck and whisper

'Tell me you are mine!!!'

And she slowly turns around and looks at me and helplessly giggles but I pout and look at her with a straight face.

'Whatttt??? You are being cute now ok??? This is silly!!!' she tries to walk away from but I tighten my hold on her waist and press my hard body into her soft one and whisper

'Yes I am silly!!! I don't care what you call me...But tell me you are mine!!!'

She laughs again and says 'You have gone crazy Nishchay!!! Stop it!!! You are behaving like Kyra now!!!' she tries to get off my hold but I bend and leave yet another wet kiss on her neck and she's shocked

'Sayyyy it!!! If not these kisses won't stop and you won't be pampered by your husband...the coffee is getting cold!!!' I say grumpily and she bursts out laughing making me feel a million butterflies in my stomach and I smile.

She pulls my cheeks and whispers
'Now I know where does Kyra get her charms from!!!' and next second she hides herself into my chest and whispers

'I am yours!!! Only yours!!! Mister Baby Mehra!!!' and I tighten my hold on her waist and continue kissing her hair and forehead. No one can kiss her other than me. Her head... forehead, hair, her every portion...her heart...her soul... everything is mine to cherish...mine to embrace...

She is mine...I'm hers and no dumb doctor can come in between us!!!

No one!!! Never!!! She's mine!!! Only mine!!!

I promise you Saanchi...I may have realised this late but now that I know...I will make up to my every mistake...I will make it up to you...so that no other man can ever pamper you, adore you, cherish you.....know you...like no one can and no one ever will...I will make it upto you..

I will!!!