Helloooo everyoneeeee..

So here I am with the Third Update of the new fresh week Off the New Year . And its Long in Length - around 9.6k words plus.And It all had to stand out as One - together in one Chapter surely.

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CHAPTER 39 - FOR YOU ...MY LOVE

Later - Same Day

11:00 PM - 29th January, 2020

@ The Hospital

Arnav's POV

Guys.

Usually I don't like to See My Sparkle Groan in Dismay+ Disappointment - right?

I am sure you all know that.

But at the moment - I am just loving the sight of every little display of expression on her face, for sure. I am just loving the mere sight of her in front of me at the moment, obviously. Like after all those wretched hours of wait to see her - just to be around her and see her in front of me since this afternoon has been like a Miraculous Elixir for me - obviously.

I do need to start with Expressing Deep Gratitude to all of the Gods Above for this - for Sure.

THANK YOU - GOD.

I don't think I can thank the Gods - enough - for this blessing.Ever.But I am pretty sure that God - can surely sense the magnitude of Gratitude I have been sending out his way.

Anyways.

So back to the Present.

And why is My Sparkle groaning in Dismay + Disappointment? Actually to be fair enough - we all kind off groaned in momentary dismay and disappointment too along with her. We all as in - Me, Akash, Rahul, Anj, Ravi, Hridhaan, Vikram, both our parents too.

Because - at the moment we were all in the middle of watching the Finals in between India Women VS Australia Women in the hospital room - with all of us obviously rooting for our Women in blue. And India Women needed just five runs on the last ball to win the final of the Tri Nation Series with Australia and even though Jess fired a really good square cut for a Four for a draw attempt which would lead to a superover - a fielder at the boundary cover stopped in just in time from hitting a ropes and Jess and Vedika were able to run only three runs in the meanwhile too - which basically just resulted in the fact that - India Women lost the final by Just One RUN short.

Ouch That.

I know.

I clutch on My Sparkle's hand that was laced in mine as I was seated next to her on her bed with my hand gently around her shoulder - for we had only allowed her to wedge up the bed a little to the 45 degree angle for the Last Over. She isn't allowed to have it wedged up for more than 30 minutes in the Day on the whole.

I hear My Sparkle exclaim in an added groan now looking at the TV - " uff ya.... I know Jess is going to be so disappointed over this that the boundary didn't go through...like we just fell one run short...this situation is always so difficult to gulp down..uff ya...just look at everyone's face...,"and she shoots Vikram a worried look as she says - " Vikram...please talk to her first thing out..thike? she should hit the dressing room soon in like two minutes now...I will also talk to her after you do..,"and Vikram nods at her immediately and says - " yes...Khushi...I think ill just step out to call her...because yeah she will be taking it hard on herself for that last shot,"and both Hridhaan and him shoot us a thumbs up gesturing us all that they will be back in after talking to Jess and make their way out the room.

Khushi looks up at me sideways next and adds in her uber adorable tone locking her gaze with mine - " ufff * infinity ya love.. you know Arnav..a loss by one run like hurts longer for we came this close and yet...,"and she pauses and sighs and she shoots an dismayed look to both our parents + Akash + Rahul + Anj + Ravi who were huddled up close in and around the seating area around her bed too looking sideways as she says - " kyaaaa yaaa...we lost...we officially lost..the final.."

I hear them all say in unison next - "well it was a thrilling finale nonetheless.."

I clutch her hand back yet again in support as I nod at her sincerely locking my gaze with hers and I gently kiss her forhead - " yes I do understand exactly what you mean Sparkle...but hey...it was a good killer match nonetheless right?? what a crackling game of final indeed...we all think so...it's the effort that matters beyond all Sparkle...remember??and we all know that each and everyone in the unit gave it their best shot for sure.."

Khushi nods at that with a sigh - "Well yes...to that for sure ya love...as in..like I was super glad that I just video called with Jess and everyone before the final..and I think ill do that in a while too..."

I nod at her at that and I get up immediately next form her side as I momentarily lean forward to kiss her head again and then take the remote of the bed in my hand and I say looking at her directly - " ok then...there there Sparkle. How about we fix you back into the lying straight position immediately now...no risking crossing that 30 minute wedge up mark..please..we are at 28 minutes already...lets save those two minutes to the 30 minutes if we can...alright??"

Khushi groans a little at me yet again but she nods with a sigh - " yes..love...okay..,"and as I am pressing the button on the remote to adjust her back in bed - I can also feel the eyes off everyone in the room in on Just US at the back of my Head. Especially Sagar Uncle's. Like he's totally had his overwhelmed emotional Daddy gaze on US - for all these hours.

On that Note - Guys - as Destiny would have had it - Everyone actually ended up walking in on Khushi and Me while we were hugging onto each other and crying our Hearts out that way. And we were both yet so lost in just venting it out in each other's arms that it took us a couple of minutes to just notice that everyone was standing there in the doorway of the room just taking in the sight of US in our vulnerable intense moments at that point in time.

And I am So Glad - that even though my Sparkle had probably planned on holding onto her tears in front of the rest in our families - she actually could not hold onto it longer the minute she saw them all. Especially Nisha Mom, Sagar Dad, Rahul and Anj - and even though it was heartbreaking and overwhelming to watch from across I was glad that she did cry it out in their arms too as they grouped around her on the bed in vulnerable family moments after. For it was this venting out of her Pain amidst us all that surely helped her feel a lot more - lighter within. And she's definitely doing her best to come to terms with it all by not shutting her normal self out into an aching silence too. She's obviously also video called with all our close ones back at Home in India too that being Dadi, Noor, Payal, Sachi Maam, Samaira, Shivi, Hridhaan's parents + Cap + Rohan(who were in Christchurch, NZ now along with the rest of our unit)- and everyone's feeling a lot more relaxed within now after speaking to her obviously.

Also yes, there had been quite a bit of the Media Frenzy outside the hospital here too earlier in the afternoon - which Ravi and Me had then collectively handled as we updated everyone with the collective statement on Khushi's health developments - that she was now stable and out of the ICU. The BCCI officials back in India had also given their press release on the same before India Women went into play the Final.

I see Ravi walkpast us all as he gestures to us that he's got a call that he has to take, and he does shoot me a concerned look momentarily which gestures me that he will fill me in on this later. I nod at him subtly, before My Sparkle can notice the gesture and get on with helping her adjusting herself flat on her back lovingly even chucking out the thin pillow from under her head and placing it under her hand that still had the aching IV cannula on it and I kiss her forehead again lovingly as I ask - " okay love??"

Khushi nods at me - locking her intense emotional gaze with me.

I hear Rahul say now - " okay...guys...you just have to turn to look around to look at Dad's expression again..he surely is having difficulty in digesting the scene in front of his eyes yet again.."

I chuckle at that a little and look back and see Sagar's uncle overwhelmed daddy expressions yet again and I say grinning a tad bit amused - " well I understand...the daze on your face Sagar Dad...but on the whole I am just so freaking glad I can just be myself around the love of my life and not pretend anymore..."

Sagar Dad nods and chuckles at that and just gestures me to give him his little silent dazed moments.

Khushi gestures me to move aside a little as she says adorably - " ohoo...skipper blue...move aside thoda na..so that I can see Dad's face too...I mean..i still can't believe that I missed the scene of you telling him about us...like that surprised dazed look on his face...,"and I chuckle at that on reflex and nod at her with a playful wink and move aside and take my seat next to her from the other side so that she can see Sagar uncle directly across and she asks Sagar Dad again softly - " Dad...please tell me one more time...you aren't mad at me na that you were like the last one to know??"

Nisha Mom, Mom, Rahul, Anjali, Dad, Akash and Ravi bite back at their chuckle at that and Sagar Dad walks up to us now and he says touching Khushi's head lovingly - " you know very well my little one that I can never be mad at you for long..and given the circumstances I'm just glad I found out nonetheless..for now as I look at the two of you I can easily say that if Arnav didn't have it in him to pretend longer...you surely wouldn't have had it in you too..right??"

I see Khushi nod at him at that lovingly - " yes Dad..i couldn't have held onto it infront of you too anyway so even though I missed the moment technically..i am glad you know...,"and she kisses his hand and adds softly - "and that you approve..."

Sagar Dad kisses her forhead next and he says lovingly - " well if you are glad about that beta...than just keep up with the promise you made to me a while back..the bit that ab toh tumhe jaldi se thik hona hi padega..kyunki ab hume tum dono ka roka jo karna hai ghar pe..."(that you have to get well soon and recover soon for we have to get around to do your inhouse roka then.."

Khushi nods at him overwhelmed and then looks at me sideways and we exchange a silent emotional eyelock.

Nisha Mom and Mom and Dad add next - " that is surely one good incentive trigger your father came up with haina khushi beta??"

Khushi nods at them happily from across next and Rahul, Anjali, and Akash walk up to her close near the bed's footside too now as they ask in collective unison gesturing towards Sagar Dad - " junior...we surely can mimick the display of expression of surprised daze on his face when he found out...,"and they pause and Anj adds cheekily - " or maybe if we can depict the whole scene of Bhai and Him from that moment in time.

I see Khushi chuckle at that as she says adorably - " haan anj...please...do that..na...you all please...none of you recorded the scene for me thike? so the least you all can do is give me a replay..,"and she pauses and looks at me and Sagar Dad and says next - "ohh wait...Dad and Arnav will give me that replay...themselves.."

Sagar Uncle and me exchange an amused look as we ask Khushi - " really?????????? is that what you want???"

Khushi nods at us both - adorably.

And well we Can't say No - to That anyway - Can We???

So Sagar Uncle and Me get in a position to do just that and Sagar uncle says to Mom, Dad, Rahul, Anj, and Akash grinning - "listen you all - you all too must go back into your positions and enact your bits and reactions alright...it isn't just the two of us...who have to do a repeat telecast here...now that we are all staging this bit...let's do it with the full affect.."

And we all share a warm laugh at that and I spot My Sparkle wipe a happy overwhelmed tear outta the corner of her eye as she continues to share laughs with Rahul&Anj&Akash& our Moms as they are still adding in funny one liner comments here and there while getting into the position of the act.

Yeah.

The Sound of Her - Laughter - at the Moment - was like that Miraculous Elixir too and my Heart's Officially back into its Operational form with all its Compass and Stuff Intact.

Indeed.

.......

Twenty Minutes Later

Arnav POV Continues

I gesture Sagar Dad, Dad, Hridhaan, Vikram to go ahead first gesturing to them that Ravi and me will just be joining them.

The Nurse had just walked in about five minutes ago - in our happy family scene - and asked most of us to take our leave for the Night from the Hospital before Midnight. For not many of us were allowed to stay On until later.Sagar Dad, Dad, Hridhaan, Vikram and Ravi are leaving first at the moment. And Akash, Rahul and me plan to leave a little later from now. Mom, Anj and Nisha mom are planning to stay the night here with Khushi. And I am thinking to convince Anj to exchange her spot with me obviously - for I do want to just stay here with My Sparkle, obviously.

Anyways - ill get on with talking to her about that once Rahul, Anj and Akash return from the little café which they had just stepped out to for a coffee and to also stock up on some snacks and juices for our mothers for the night.

I look at Ravi now as I ask getting into the corner - " okay...Ravi..now everyones gone and its just you and me..cmon then tell me what was that look about before you stepped out to take that call..."

Ravi sighs as he says - " it was the PR from BCCI obviously Arnav...and ..,"and he pauses and sighs giving me a knowing look and adds next - " the third and final test starts on the 1st feb right Arnav..just two days from now...he was asking when is it that we are going to be flying back to Christchurch now that things are settled here...he was asking about your plans - that Ravi we know that you are resting out the test bit still ASR is surely heading back right? to play the third and final test because now that the players family is there by her side and she is stable and out of the ICU..the board suggest the two of you to reach the unit back in Christchurch, NZ the latest by day after the 31st so that you are there just in time before the Test Starts..."

OK.

THEN.

MY HAPPINESS IS SUDDENLY CLOUDED BY A THUNDERSTORM OF ANGER - YET AGAIN

But.

I am not Surprised Actually.

I look at Ravi appalled still though as I ask next - " and I'm sure he also stated that now that the media frenzy was settling down here and was controllable too - the face saving bit was done and dusted with and we aren't needed to represent them here for publicity reasons anymore.."

Ravi sighs and nods - "well you know how it is Arnav..also now that everyone else is here...they wouldn't stop asking about what your plans were.."

WELL - I AM MOST SURELY NOT GOING ANYWHERE.

I WILL NOT LEAVE MY SPARKLE'S SIDE - AT THE MOMENT.

SHE'S JUST OUT OF THE ICU.

I ask taking a deep breathe - " what did you say to them Ravi??for you most surely know that I have no plans in going anywhere at the moment...Rohan, Cap and the team will handle it.."

Ravi says nodding - "well I know that Arnav,but as of now I didn't state it back to them yet...as in I just bought some time on the same saying that I haven't had the discussion with you yet and maybe you will get in touch with them tomorrow..over the same..and he asked me to tell you that he will be awaiting to hear from you,"and he pauses and says - " he is so concerned for your answer because the public buzz about the potential squad selection for the final test has surely started nonetheless and you have been phenomenal on this entire tour Arnav apart from being Skipper..."

I sigh as I nod at him - " I understand the why's surely Ravi but anyway ill surely have a word with them after speaking to Cap and Rohan tomorrow but my decision remains the same though..i will just see how to put this across, in the most subtle of ways though...,"and I pause and add - " anyway...lets join everyone at the exit now for I do want to discuss a couple of things with Dad and Sagar Dad before they leave with regards to planning things from here on medically for My Sparkle...will talk about it to Rahul after too.."

Ravi nods at me and we both start to walk out to join everyone and just as we get into the elevator I do look out that corridor that was leading to My Sparkle's suite where in My Sparkle was now in the middle of video calling with everyone at her team with our mother's by her side.

I am right for You Sparkle.

I am not going to Leave Your side - at the moment.

I Just Simply - Won't.

.....................................

TWENTY MINUTES LATER

AT THE HOTEL

Sagar gestures Abhimanyu to join him in - in his room for a while and Abhimanyu nods at him in acknowledgement of the same and steps in.

The two fathers walk to the sofa seating's in Sagar & Nisha's hotel room and Sagar takes a seat on one two seater and gestures Abhimanyu to take the one opposite him and just as he does - Sagar says to him with an amused grin now coming to his lips on it's own accord as he asks - " how??? Abhi??? Just how?? I mean you tell me how is that - the two of them were able to pull off that pretend mode right under our very noses for this long - I mean now that I have seen them without their pretend mode on I can easily say that even though they did pull it off, it surely must have been very difficult for them to do so...you know given the intensity of the vibes and emotions I saw transpiring in between the two all day today ever since Khushi was shifted to the room..,"and he pauses as his amused grin gets converted into a heartfelt display of emotion on its own accord and he says - " I mean...Abhi..i don't think I can ever forget the sight I saw the minute we reached the hospital. The sight of them crying in each other's arms that way - I mean even though the moment was heartbreaking in its own way, there was this intense comforting intensity about that did not miss my eye surely..i mean in that very moment of time as a father, I was intensely overwhelmed but yes there was this great sense of comfort and ease within to know and see with my very own eyes that my little girl is deeply in love with someone who loves her back as deeply so...I mean the sight just assured me within that come what may - Arnav was always going to be by Khushi's side and she by his...and actually the similar feeling continued after all day too... "

Abhimanyu nods at that in agreement as he says - "Yes Sagar..i know what you mean...I know exactly what you mean infact I think it was important for them to kind of vent out the turmoil they were holding onto together perhaps?? and yes it was an overwhelming moment for me too within for I have never seen our little girl - Khushi cry that way right? "

The underlying love and affection in Abhi's Tone for his little girl warms Sagar's heart immensely and he nods and adds - "yes..i know...but yes its important to vent out grief indeed..and I think its surely helped her feel like her normal self after right??,"and he pauses and both of them exchange that heartfelt nod and Sagar continues to adds with a loving smile - "well I have never seen Arnav cry that way ever...too you know when we first walked in...but I can understand...just the mere look on his face at that time told me the magnitude of the angst he was holding on within until that point..."

Abhi nods in an understanding too - "yes...Sagar...and I knew he would only let his emotions loose that way when Khushi was in front of him... I am so glad that khushi actually gave the setback she was surely feeling within its due and just cried it out after for a while too amidst us all - for we are all her family and we are all going to be there for her at every step through this...,"and he pauses and adds with another heartfelt smile - "and who better than me to understand what you are feeling today as a father Sagar..i mean I went through the same set of emotions not very long ago too right? in fact seeing Rahul with Anjali in one frame has always been that assuring comforting factor for me too within,"and he pauses and adds in making a sincere promise - " I assure you Sagar today that Khushi is just like Anjali to us indeed and always will be like our little girl too... just like how Anjali is like khushi to you and Nisha bhabhi..."

Sagar nods at him at that acknowledging the sincere moment - " and I am sure about that Abhi in my heart already,"and he sighs and brushes his hand on his face momentarily for a second as he adds next - " what a day has it been for us Abhi..what a day...iv been through an array of emotions like never before as a father ...I am totally overwhelmed with mixed emotions on another level altogether...but that little smile on my little girls face as we were coming here..meant the world to me indeed...for I know that from her was a reflection of the fact that she was going to fight this through head on..she's getting around to it in her head for sure..."

Abhimanyu nods at that with a smile - " oh yes...indeed...I am sure about that too.."

Sagar sighs now and leans back into the sofa - " and now just like Arnav suggested we just have to go about planning things for Khushi...as in...the doctors did say that we can only think of shifting her back home in two weeks from now in an air ambulance for she surely isn't allowed to sit up with that condition of her back...so I was thinking to get on with arranging with that first thing tomorrow Abhi...I think we will have to book it through, see through the other formalities and everything right??"

Abhimanyu nods - " Yes Sagar...I think we most surely should get on with that first thing tomorrow..it's better to plan ahead"

Sagar nods - " yeah..i will...Rahul is going to be off the same opnion too...Anj and Nisha too..,"and he pauses for a second and adds next - "also..yes although this bit will be needed months later - but since Arnav already told us all about that physiotherapy + rehabilitation centre in Delhi that would be the best for Khushi to seek her physio from after the bed rest bit is over - I think Rahul plans to get in touch with a team of docs there nonetheless first thing tomorrow too to just seek information about the same...he just texted me the same while we were in the elevator up to the room - I think Arnav and him would be in a middle of discussion about it perhaps?"

Abhimanyu nods - " yes..Anj did text me the same too and I think it's better to just know it all well before hand and plan ahead..,"and he pauses as Sagar is about to say something next but he pauses and Abhi asks - " Sagar, you want to say something??"

Sagar nods as he rakes his head through a thought.The thought that he had openly wanted to talk to Abhimanyu about and he asks next taking a deep breathe - " abhi...yes...I actually have something on my mind that I need to talk to you about..."

Abhimanyu nods sincerely - " yes Sagar...please go on tell me.."

Sagar takes a deep breathe - "look in my heart I do know that you and Reva Bhabhi dote on Khushi immensely but nonetheless I do want to know how you feel about all these very public rumours about Hridhaan and Khushi..for it's become such an insane buzz now that somehow that rumour continues to spread around like wildfire and Hridhaan and his family have apologized so many times to both Nisha and me on these regards already..and that was also what most bit of his parents calls to us was about hours ago too...after they inquired about Khushi's health developments..."

Abhimanyu smiles at Sagar warmly at that as he says nodding sincerely next - " I know Sagar..they are a wonderful family and Hridhaan is a good guys and I know this is no where his fault too just like it is not Khushi's too..but really Sagar?? Did you even have to ask me what I think about those rumours?? I am sure you know the answer to that already..we shrug it aside like a fly for sure, for we don't care a damm about it Sagar at all..none of us do...we'v seen media and its ways well enough and just like we have always supported Arnav on this, we will always support Khushi too..for what matters more at the end of the day is the fact that we know the truth of our children's lives.."

Sagar sighs in relief on reflex - "well maybe I did know the answer to it within but maybe I still just wanted to talk to you about it..nonetheless..,"and he pauses and hears Abhimanyu ask sincerely next - " also Sagar...I know Arnav's had this very public past and that has been one of the reasons why Arnav has always been so tensed in your reaction towards him and Khushi...so maybe now that we are talking about the media noise..i do want to know about your feelings with regard to the same too..."

Sagar nods in an understanding - " yes...I know...Nisha filled me in on the reasons behind Arnav's worry too...Abhi..look to be honest if I hadn't known Arnav the way I do now maybe this would have come to my head to haunt me as a father...but now that I have known him closely for all these months for the man he is - I can tell you with great conviction that this bit off it didn't even come to my head at all...and especially after I have seen him today around Khushi, in my heart I am very secured and assured about the fact that its my daughter he deeply loves and wants to spend the rest of his life with..so the matters of the past really don't even make a difference to me in my head anymore,"and he pauses and admits sincerely too - " and I know that a lot of external noise will be stirred up when the news of Arnav and Khushi comes to light eventually but now I just think that instead of worrying about that external noise I think I'd just want to keep my focus on getting set mentally for being there for my daughter and Arnav..in everyway I can..as a father...maybe that's the best we can do you know Abhi..just be there for our children at every step of their lives no matter how things shape up around them...atleast that's what is in our control..."

Abhimanyu nods at him at that as he says grinning - " indeed....and not just your daughter Sagar...like I told you before..khushi is ours too..she's my little girl too...and we are all going to stand together as one family always..."

Sagar nods at him at that happily and they both get up and hug again - knowing deep within that their bond as - One Family - had deepened and rooted in an intense solidarity - yet again.

....................................

MeanWhile @ The Hospital

Khushi's POV

Guys.

Even though my plan of holding onto my Tears didn't really succeed and I ended up crying it out in different intervals of breakdown in front of Arnav and the rest of our families too the way I did earlier during the day - in some ways I was kind off glad that I actually went with the flow of vulnerability in those moments and did not try to stop the flow of aching tears for it turned out that Dear Heart was right about this all along - that the minute I released the heavy weight of the grief and the ache and the agony within the arms of the one I love and my family - I did feel a lot better after totally - a lot lighter too + more like myself in my head and heart nonetheless.

And even though shreds of agony do remain with regards to my health condition and those shreds are going to remain a part of me - for quite a bit - I have also been consumed by another intense feeling that's just totally helped me in seeing through things - at the moment.

As In - I truly have to thank the existence of this very feeling - for it truly has put things in perspective for me all day and also helped Dear Mind + Dear Heart get all consumed within in deep thoughts in brainstorming and Setting the Course Ahead.

What Feeling?

The Feeling of Gratitude.

Like somewhere deep down no matter what happened /the health situation I was in - I am grateful to God for saving my Life - nonetheless.

I am eternally grateful to God - for blessing me with Arnav and our families - who have been right here by my side standing tall and strong determined to support me through.

I am so grateful for the fact that now everyone including Dad knows about US - and we only have their immense blessings, love and support - Indeed.

I am also grateful to God - that this setback in my health condition has only pushed me off from my game temporarily. And I surely will be able to fight my way back out with grit and determination - if I set my Mind to It.

Dear Mind says. Oh yes K and I already have set this course as a Goal in the Displayed Pinboard within my Walls. You will fight this Through - You will Recover and You will Play your game again just in time - before The World Cup, this year. Its just Six Months Out right - as in Bed Rest for First Four months till the end of May and then Two More Months off Intense Rehab and Physio until End of July - which surely means that you can pick up your bat by the 1st of August - which will give you atleast a good 45 days to prep/play practice your heart out in front of the selecting committee yet again for they only send in the final World Cup Squad details by Mid September to ICC for the World Cup begins only in the last week of September. Right? So don't you worry - K. I got You on this.

I know Dear Mind. And Thank You Dear Heart for helping me help find out a solution that could help me feel a lot better through this agony of not being able to play for a while too.

Dear Heart Smiles. You are most welcome - K. I am always here for you and to be honest I didn't have to do much anyway when the solution stood so clearly in my face anyway.

Dear Mind Chips In.You will be okay - K. The Course is Set - you just gotta figure out a way of talking it out with everyone especially Arnav - for this time around the Course we are setting is starkly different from the one Him and everyone else has been planning for you - right K?But I am sure they will understand once you talk to them.Arnav will Understand. The course we are planning is truly the best in his Interest too. I know - K. You always want to be his Strength and not His Weakness ever.Which is why we collectively suggest that talk to him about the first bit of the thought - right now. And the second major bit off it later after in a couple of days from now. Do not Drop it all on Him all of a Sudden Too. It will be too much for him to take in at a Point.

I know - Dear Mind - That is the Tricky Part. I most definitely have to get to it bit by bit. Lets take this first step into talking to Arnav about the first bit first - and maybe I can address the second major step later in a couple of days after? You understand right? Dear Heart? That I Only Came around to thinking off the Second Bit for His Sake Too.Right??

I HAVE TO DO THIS - FOR HIM.

NO MATTER HOW TOUGH it was going to be within. Remember how he always said after The world Cup Loss where in we were going through different patches in our career's - that he'd never let his Lows overshadow my Highs?and we will sail through it together - and he'd cheer to My High's. Than How can I let my Low now overshadow his High ever??? How could I not cheer to the High's that were in Store for him given the amazing form and momentum he was playing with off late? We'd just sail through it together in a different way and I'd cheer to His High's and take Strength and Inspiration from Him - Nonetheless.

It's surely also in the Best Interest of All.

Dear Mind + Heart sigh but nod in Unison at that and I am also distracted in my chain of inner thoughts as the Nurse now helps me adjust myself back in bed after the two minute expedition into the washroom and she asks now - "the position alright??"

I nod at her with a polite smile - " yes nurse..thank you so much.."

She smiles and nods and administers me the painkiller shot and I ask next - " also nurse, do I have to sleep with this support belt on? As in for my back?? Or can I atleast loosen it a little while I sleep??"

She smiles and nods - " well you can surely take it off for the night..maybe keep loosen it from the front first and if you feel like that's comfortable enough for you than let that be..or else..you can take it out too but only when you are asleep alright??"

I nod at her in acknowledgement of the same and she asks if I need some help loosening it up or taking it off for now and I tell her that I will take care off it after in a while and she nods and leaves asking me to get a goodnight's rest.

Just as she leaves - I do see Mom enter back towards the bed side area of the room from the living side through the little center and she asks walking to my side lovingly and leans forward and kisses my head- " all set for the night beta??are you feeling comfortable?? Is It paining much??"

After the Nurse walked in to just reassess me and help me through to the washroom - Arnav had them all huddled in the living area of this room which was kind off wedged apart through this partition wall in between - and I am sure he was working on trying to convince Anj to exchange her spot with him and let him stay the night here with Mom and Reva Mom in hushed voices.

I nod at her and kiss her hand and admit sincerely - "Well yes..Mom...it is paining still obviously...but the affect of the painkiller should set in...anyway I think I do not want to get accustomed to too many painkillers too..maybe ill just take them in like thrice a day for this first week and will request the docs to ease it out after..i mean it's a pain I need to grow accustomed to handling right???"

Mom nods at that and her eyes well up a little as she kisses my head - " my little brave girl..."

Anj says now kissing my head too - "and junior please know..even though bhai tried his best...to convince me to give up my spot and let him stay the night here with Mom and Mum...we somehow convinced him otherwise...because we do have to be careful about guarding the news about you two from the eyes of the outside world too right now right?? if he stays over it will lead the nurses at the station to suspect right?"

I nod at her as I admit sincerely - " yeah...I know..i understand Anj..but did he understand??"

Mom nods and smiles - " he kind off did..but he bargained a negotiation with us, he said I need atleast a good twenty minutes alone with my Sparkle if you all are not going to let me stay the night..which is what we actually came in to tell you beta..that me, Reva, Anj are going up to the café again with Rahul and Akash so that you two can have some time alone ok? after which, Rahul, Akash, and Arnav will leave for the night..and the three of us are staying over here with you nonetheless.."

I chuckle a little at that on reflex - " okayyy..thike Mom..but Mom please talk to Reva Mom once na see if she agrees to go back too I mean the other side just has a sofa cum bed...it would be uncomfortable for her na..."

I hear Reva Mom come in from the other side as she says grinning- " which is big enough for both Nisha and me to sleep in Khushi beta...so please don't worry...and Anj will be here on that huge sofa against the wall right here by your bedside too..."

I look at the three of them and my eyes well up a little on reflex in love as I say - "acha...okay Reva Mom..jaise aapki marzi.."

Reva Mom bends forward and kisses my head too - "how can you even think I'd not be here..beta..,"and she pauses and says to Mom and Anj now - " come on..lets give Arnav some time with his Sparkle..or else he won't leave for the night.."

We all share a happy chuckle at that and I see Superbro and Akash walk to my side too with a warm heartfelt smile and Akash says next - " junior you won't believe how much bhai is scowling at the moment on the other side for he did not succeed in getting his way right??"

I nod at him at that as I say - " I can surely imagine that Akash..,"and he nods at me in subtle support too and Bhai says - " junior remind me next..i most surely will record Arnav's scowling expression for you to see..,"and he pauses at that and winks - " but wait...junior..i'm sure you already know that expression well enough.."

I nod at him at that happily as we all share a happy chuckle yet again - and I thank God again - for blessing me with my loved ones.

Bhai leans forward to kiss my head next - " junior we will be leaving soon after...we will see you in the morning alright?? and don't you worry at all...we are all in the middle of planning things ahead smoothly for you too alright??"

I nod at him at that as I ask softly - " is that what you all were discussing about? Too?? While the nurse was with me??"

He nods at me lovingly and I gulp down my emotions.

It really was going to be very Tricky to get them all to see things from my perspective eventually - perhaps?(Which I shall go on to reveal to you guys too bit by bit for sure)

After a minute or so , just as they all leave and finally close the door shut - I hear Arnav's voice come through as he lets out a curse walking upto my bedside now locking his disappointed gaze with my emotional one - " F*** ya Sparkle..i can't believe they convinced me otherwise..i mean just when I thought I was relieved from personal pretence...they had to remind me that I still had to keep up with it in the eyes of the world...for now..."

I smile at him lovingly as my heart swells with Love and I gesture him to come sit next to me on the bed now a little upfront so that he was facing the lying down me and he nods and just as he does take his seat I lace my free hand through his and he kisses on my hand instantly and says emotions evident in his tone - " Sparkle..ill be back here at 6 am in the morning..alright?? like even before you wake up...okay?? You know I hate to leave your side at the moment right??"

I smile at him lovingly and pick up our laced hands a little to bring it to my face and kiss on his hand lovingly as I say - " I know...,"and I pause as I kiss on his hand again and am pretty sure that my eyes are a little welled up with emotion as I say now - "love...arnav...I know there is no need for any formality in between of us..but at the moment..please just let me thank you for everything..nonetheles...you have no idea how much I have been thanking god for you..for our families..all day today...thank you for coming here by my side the minute you could...thank you for just everything...I know it must have been insanely difficult na to just be the one to handle the media frenzy outside here and hide everything that you were going through within....,"and I pause and kiss on his hand again.

Guys - I am obviously aware about everything Arnav has been going through from the minute he saw me getting injured + while I was in the ICU. Ravi, Hridhaan,Anj, Bhai, Akash filled me in on it all during the day in intervals. Infact everyone also filled me in on everything - that had been happening otherwise too in the outside world until I was in the ICU.

Arnav's glares at me by narrowing his eyes at me - " Sparkle...shut you up..please..godammit..."

I ask now - " Arnav...love...if I ask you for something at the moment..will you do it for me?? please???"

Arnav's eyes well up a little with emotion as he says kissing on my hand again with a overwhelmed nod - " ofcourse Sparkle...ask me for anything dammit...you know I'd do anything for you...just about anything..."

I take a deep breathe and I say now letting the first tricky bit off it out my eyes welling up on their own accord - " I know you must be facing immense pressure on this love at the moment and I am sure that's what the subtle gesture exchange with Ravi was about to when he walked out to take that call earlier...you thought it would miss my eye na love...but it didn't...and it isn't just that thike? I just know how it works right?? the officials back at BCCI are surely awaiting to know when is it that you plan to return to Christchurch for that third and final test right?? will you please tell them tomorrow...for my sake...that you will play the 3rd and final test for sure as on schedule...please ???that you will reach Christchurch just in time to play the final game of the tour..and lead the side like you otherwise would have..if I hadn't been injured..."

.......................................

ARNAV'S POV

WHAT?

Just what the Freaking hell did she Just say to meee??

Did I hear her right??

No.

Probably Not.

I am sure she can read the shocked daze on my face at the moment as I ask again to reconfirm - " did I just hear you right Sparkle?? did you just ask me to leave your side and go back to NZ to play the last test?"

Khushi nods - kissing on my hand - her eyes welling up in immense worry because - I was sure that she spotted the Hurt on my Face now that she had reconfirmed what she was asking.

I say to her in shocked disbelief - " no...no...I can't believe you are asking me for this..dammit...no...you want me to leave your side right now?? just when I am starting to feel like I am back to Life within...no godaamit...I am not going anywhere...no..no..no..dammit...no..."

Khushi kisses on my hand again - " I'm not asking you to go tomorrow love..no...not so soon...but just day after on the 31st so that you make it to Christchurch in time for that final test...You are Skipper ...Love...and you have been fantabulous this tour of NZ...please just... just hear me out..."

And I stop her with the gesture of my other hand there and then as I gape at her in a continued state of disbelief - "no...Sparkle...godammit..no..ask me for anything else..but this..I cannot believe that you are asking this off me Sparkle...no...I refuse...I refuse to leave your side at the moment...for once in my life I want to give my personal space its deserving due dammit...for just freaking once...I need to be by your side at the moment...Sparkle..please...don't ask me again..please..you know I don't like to say no to you dammit ever...just don't proceed on this further...please...godammit...."

A Lone tear leaves Khushi's eyes and she says - " I know...and I need you too...I'd always need you...but you are always with me na love nonetheless...,"and she pauses and gestures with her thumb to her phone that was lying on the side table that had been handed back to us safely by her team- mates who had collected her stuff on her behalf from the locker room that day. " When are you ever afar from me love..all thanks to Whtsapp...and even if it werent for technology...you are always with me nonetheless...in me nonetheless...right?? you are the closest to my heart...love and always will be...,"and she pulls up that heartfelt smile on her lips that usually has the power to melt my heart.

I close my eyes refusing to let her look melt me or get the better of me at the moment, as I say sincerely sure that she could sense the ache in my voice - " No...please...Sparkle...no..i am not going anywhere...don't give me that look..pleasee....."

I hear Khushi's aching broken voice fall in my ears now - " please...love...what if I say I am not just saying this for your professional reasons...please...understand...atleast you ...understand...it's all personal...it's all personal too...,"and she chokes on her words.

The ache in her voice and that choke leads me to open my eyes open on its own accord and I lean forward on reflex and kiss her forehead first and kiss her tears away next as I say with a dejected sigh - " just don't cry please...Sparkle..dammit...please..just don't cry right now this way...,"and I ask overwhelmed - " and what do you mean by this isn't for professional reasons, Sparkle? I know exactly what your head is thinking."

Khushi locks her intense emotional welled up gaze with mine - " well that is just a part of it obviously just a tiny miny one...Arnav but the other reason I am asking you to just play nonetheless is majority because of all personal factors and I mean that too...,"and she pauses and kisses my hand again - " look...love..you know me through..in and out right?? you know what cricket is to me..you know what my game is to me right?? you surely know the magnitude of the ache I am fighting within at the moment because of having to stay away from playing right??"

I nod at her at that instantly as I say kissing her hand for the first time unable to connect the dots about what was she was trying to say - " ofcourse Sparkle...I know that..i know all of that.."

She gestures me to lean forward closer into her and I do and she cups my face streaks of fresh overhwhelming tears leaving her eyes next - " then please...just help me ease that ache a little within na...love...please...dear heart feels like I have an opportunity to ease that ache within through you...for we are one right? I just feel like...ki agar aap kheloge toh mujhe lagega ki main khel paa rahi hun...,".( I just feel like if you play and I see you play..I can feel like I am able to play too...) - and she pauses and hugs me tight burying her face in the crook of my neck.

GODAAMIT.

JUST WHY DID SHE HAVE TO PUT IT THAT WAY - in that achingly emotional broken voice of her's.

I kiss her head lovingly my own eyes welling up as I hear her add next wrapping her hands around my neck tighter - " please..play...love..please...just play every game from here on...like every single one...like more like as if you were playing on my behalf too na..for in my emotions when I will see you play...it will help me channelise that ache in some ways atleast - and the ache of not being able to play for a while will not be like that weight that will have the power to pull me low.. ...so please..love..just play on my behalf too until I can't...please..please...just please...I have set a course in my head as a path to sail through this...please help me...navigate...please...you understand what I mean don't you love...you surely understand...now..the reason I am asking you to go back and play is all personal too...it's all personal too...you are the one I can feel myself in right?you understand what I'm saying na love?? aap kheloge toh mujhe kahin na kahin pakka se lagega ki main khel rahi hun..... ,"and she pauses and wraps her hands around my neck tighter and begins to sob more.

Oh godammit Her.

I UNDERSTAND.

SHE SURELY KNOWS THAT NOW THAT SHE PUT IT THIS WAY - I COULDN'T DENY IT AT ALL.

I pull back now and I nod at her with a heavy heart as I say - " I understand...I do...ab tum pehle rona band karo Sparkle..(now please stop crying first),"and I cup her face lovingly helping her adjust her head back down and I kiss on her hand lovingly sure that she could also see that aching tear that was threating to leave the corner of my eyes now and she puts her one hand to my right eye and wipes the tear from it off and then wipes the one from my left eye off as I wipe the tears from both her eyes too and she says next softly her thumb caressing my cheek giving me a heartfelt smile through her tears - " you have that little ten day break na..after the NZ tour before England comes in to tour by the 16th Feb...so when everyone leaves back for India...aap thode din ke liye yahan aajana(you come here for a couple of days)...since I anyway have to be here for two weeks...all I'm saying right now is love...just go there to play the test and then come back here for a couple of days too...ill be okay...trust me..everyone is here na..and then whatsapp isn't going anywhere too...and maybe this time in the third test..how about if you hit like a double century thike?? like one for yourself..and probably one on my behalf too..like howz that idea Skipper Blue...??"

I keep my forhead on her's as a lone tear falls off my eye too as I admit sincerely - " godammit you..sparkle...only because you put it this way...I'll go..fine dammit..i'll go...and I will play every freaking match from here on...and in this third test..i don't know about a century from my end..but I surely shall hit one on your behalf my love...and I'll be back after the third test here..to be with you until its time for us to take you back to India...okay??because the doctors did say we can take you in two weeks from today - which wiuld be the 12th...but please...promise me...that you will take care...okay?? You have to recover soon my love...for my sake too then?? Pleaseeee????? You want me to play for you..thike? done..i will do that...but then you have to recover supersoon for my sake too...promise..."

Khushi nods at me at that as she gives me another one of her heartfelt smiles before she gestures me to come into her for another emotional hug and I do just that and I hold her close gently(so as to not hurt/cause exertion to her in anyway) as she whispers in my ears lovingly - "ofcourse I will take care love...look haan love..this year is anyway very important..mujhe thik hona hi hai...pakka se thik hona hai...kyunki jaise ki Dad ne kaha..thik hone ke baad pehle aap se roka karna hai...phir uske baad world cup bhi toh khelna hai...aur phir sabse badi baat... aapse shaadi bhi toh karni hai november mein...aise kaise thik nahi hongi mein? Dekhna aap...bilkul thik hojaungi..bass thoda time lagega...thoda sa..and I promise I will be giving my recovery my all..i will give it my all*infinity for sure...,"( I will get fine for sure love ...for this year is anyway way too important...I have to get fine pakka se...like Dad said..first the minute I get fine we will have our Roka..than I have to prep for the world cup too and hopefully chase and live my dream of playing the world cup for my country too and then the biggest thing above all - I have to marry you this November too na?? so how can I not get fine???huh?? I will surely be fine..it will just take me some time my love...just some time..and I promise I will be giving my recovery my all*infinity for sure...)

Ok.

The Way She Just Said all of That - Moved me Immensely Yet again.

Need to Kiss Her.

Now.

And I pull back from her hug and close my lips over hers in a brief yet very emotionally poignant kiss and I say into her lips a minute later - " pakka se wala * infinity promise karo tum Sparkle...that come what may - you will not let any weight drag you down within alright?? and you will take immense care of yourself on these couple of days I'm gone..."

Khushi clutches on my collar tight and whispers back into my lips - "pakka se * infinity wala promise baba..and kaunsa you are going tomorrow na love...day after na..we still have all of tomorrow...my skipper blue..i love you...thank you for understanding this love...thank yo...,"and I do not let her complete that bit as I Kiss her immediately very emotionally again for about two more minutes and I pull back after and I cup her face and look into her eyes as I admit - " no matter what freaking course you set in your head...know that I'm right here for you always..my love..always nonetheless...if it's too crazy a course..ill fight you and convince you to see otherwise if I have too..."

Khushi brushes my cheek with her thumb lovingly - " yes...I mean ofcourse ya love..either you convince me...or I convince you..or we finally come to that common consensus giving our little banter clause its redemptive due...but nonetheless we shall always sail every course together...thike???"

I nod at her at that as I admit sincerely brushing her cheek lovingly - "ofcourse together..always together..come what may...,"and I pause as I add narrowing my eyes at her for I know she's got me into this emotionally - "and ofcourse Sparkle my love...you know very well that there isn't anything in the world that I wouldn't do for you ...I'd bring you the damm moon if you asked...I'd do anything for you my love...just about anything...and I know you know that very well...don't you???"

Khushi nods at me at that that as she says - "yes...I know and I'd do just about anything for you too my love...you know that don't you?? I'd do just about anything for you..no matter what it is..No matter what..."

I nod at her at that - and we both lean in to kiss each other way too emotionally - with both our eyes wet as our lips continued to intensely convey to each other the emotional intensity of the words we had just conveyed to each other too.

We'd OBVIOUSLY DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING FOR ONE ANOTHER AT THE DROP OF THE HAT.

Period.

And I am sure - you all Know that very well by Now.

And if the Love of My Life - Now - Wanted me to be the One to Play on her Behalf until she couldn't so that it helps ease her ache within in some ways atleast - than I most surely was going to do just that.

Indeed.

.....................................................

Authors Note - Attaching Two Songs In Here The Feel of - For You..My Love.

A Big Thanks to Anonymous_JENNA for sharing these beautiful numbers with me.

A Big Thanks to Anonymous_JENNA for sharing these beautiful numbers with me.

.............................

TADAAAA.

How was the Update Guysssss?? Did any of you think That Khushi was going to ask Arnav off this? And what do you guys think has been cooking in her head with regards to the Second Bit that she will reveal to all in a while? Any theories coming in your Mind????

Next Update : Will be Giving the next Update on Tuesday Evening.

Please Stay Safe everyoneeeeeeeeeee!!! Wish you all - all the Love,Positivity,Light, Happiness, and Health in the New Year!

Alsooo yesss -I have finally gotten around to making my writing handle on Insta. Using it for Daily interactions - quotes - snippets etc. Would love to connect with you all on it too.

You can find me On Instagram - by Clicking on the Link Below.

https://www.instagram.com/mysticaltales11111/

Thanks, guys, for all the Love and Support.

Much Love.

Always.

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