|| ADMIRING HER LOVE ||

*****

Lasya turned the knob of the door and slowly entered the room without making a bit of noise and saw her friend, Shravas lying there with his eyes closed and his face pale.

She let out the breath she was holding and covered her mouth from stopping the sobs that threatened to come out any minute seeing his condition.

"May I sit here for a while?" Lasya asked the nurse asking for certain privacy.

"Sure madam. But please don't disturb the patient, and if something is up please press this button", the nurse showed the switch to press for emergency and she left her with him alone in the room.

They may be known for very little time, but still, he has managed to capture her heart. Every time she tried to ignore him and his feelings and thought it wouldn't affect her but she was so wrong as it came back with a much stronger effect. She couldn't hold more so she started crying silently.

He was always there in their heart, ever since she met him in Goa. He used to irritate her all the time. That trip was never forgettable for Lasya as she enjoyed it with her life.

Why will not she enjoy it, because;
- it was her first flight trip.
- her first sightseeing trip.
- her first journey outside of Bangalore.
- there was someone who annoyed her with his presence all the time taunting and teasing her.
- her Best friend's wedding
- and it was her dream to visit Goa.

So in all that, she had taken Shravas in her heart then and there but couldn't let admit to herself that she is seeing someone cause until then there was nobody interested in talking with her nor nobody showed any kind of love when she got only pity and sympathy which she always hated.

But only one person dared to show love even if it was annoying at the beginning. It was none other than Shravas himself.

Lasya had already fallen for him in the first place but every time she kept on rejecting it cause she didn't want to have a heartbreak since she already has a handful of everything in her life.

When she didn't see him after the trip, there was that secret admirer who kept on messaging her all the time telling her he is in love with her. But she couldn't take Shravas's face from her heart all the time so how can she fall for any person most importantly like a secret admirer?

She easily rejected him telling him she is not interested in a relationship and she also requested him not to contact her again. Since then she never heard from him. At first, she missed him.

Why not? He was there as a support for her whenever there was a need.

But yet, she pushed him away from her way and later she joined the college. Her heart started beating again with much cheerfulness when she saw him again. She behaved as if he is nothing to her but her heart and eyes always searched for him. The rest is history as you all know.

Now, seeing him lying sleeping like no one else is watching him,  here in the hospital bed aches her heart a million times just like an atomic bomb hitting an urban land.

She silently cried for don't know how long. She just sat there looking at him and remembering how she has come along with him in these past few months.

She has made up her mind to confess her feelings for him as soon as possible.

But how is it to be done?

And more than that, she had so many what-ifs.

"Will he love me back?

Has he got the same feeling as me?

What if he just thinks of me as some sort of fling?

What if he is not interested to get committed to me for a lifetime?

What if he gets bored of me after some time?

What if his family never agrees with our relationship?

What if his family never wants a lone girl without any family or money behind?

She was fighting with inner turmoil as she never had any sort of relationship until now so she is very afraid to lay a step forward that too from her side.

She shook her head vigorously and let out a small sigh.

"He should confess it first if he even feels something towards me and if then I will. Yes, that will be better. Otherwise, there are a lot of chances for me to get embarrassments in front of everyone or at least in front of him", She murmured.

Looking here and there, she slowly kissed his palm taking in his, in her soft little hands. She held it tightly. This soothed her instantly as he was warm and tender like a small baby. She faintly smiled and got up.

"Shravas, what is this? You have to be strong for others and getting a fever is not that good and not a thing for a strong person like you", She then moved a little and came near his face.

She started caressing his face, "Get well soon please for me. For your family. I wanna see you soon irritating me the way you used to do just to piss me off. Please", She started shaking him a bit.

Without much thinking, she bent forward and placed a forehead kiss lovingly. She let her own lips stay there for a few seconds until she gets enough of his skin. Later she checks his temperature and gets relaxed as she knows his temperature is becoming normal again.

Leaning over the bedside stand, she placed her head on the small table and closed her eyes with holding his hand near her chest. She hugged his arm very carefully as if he is some delicate. She then wiped her tears off and stood up to leave the place.

"I will have to go now", she checks her watch to see the time and she gasped seeing it was already 4.30 in the morning. That means she was there for almost 5 hours. She looked at him and smiled even if he couldn't see her smiling face.

"I need to go to college so I am leaving you now. I will come back in the evening. Take care and get well soon. I will be waiting for you".

Turning around she took slow steps to get to the door, but then a tug held her palm pulling towards him. With a shock, she turned around to look at her hand and there he is holding her palm with eyes closed. He was murmuring something in the sleep.

'I guess he is in a state of deep sleep', she thought.

She leaned over his face and tried to listen to what he was saying.

'litt...litt...'... He paused 'litt....litt...' he continued to murmur the same word numerous times. She shook her head without understanding and caress his hair. He soon fell into his sleep slumber.

'what was he telling? litt... What list?w hat's that?' she asked no one in particular.

She again waited for some time and admired his face. Sighing and opening the door, she thanked the nurse for allowing her to visit at this time. She nodded courteously and went inside to do the duty.

-----

As soon as Lasya reached the entrance of the hospital, Ritchie came running and jumped on her. She smiled at him.

"Oh Ritchie, I am sorry. I took some time. Now come on let's go and get to our home. It's already late and I have to go to college at 9", she said while walking to the bus Bay.

Within 5 minutes, she boarded the bus and Ritchie followed her running behind the bus.

She reached her apartment within 20 minutes and got freshened up. She checked the time once again to see if she could get some sleep. She smiles seeing the time as there is still little time for sleep. Happily jumping onto the bed she covers herself in a duvet and falls into a deep slumber.

Her sleep cost her little as she missed the college bus, but without worrying she took a cab as she can't miss the first class. Reaching on time, she quickly hurried to her classroom, and to her surprise, the teacher was not there. Upon seeing her, her Friend Nihi smiled at her and waved at her asking to join them soon.

Huffing and panting she took the seat.
"Woah, easy there", Nihi said and took her water bottle from the bag and forwarded it to Lasya who was in a sweat. "Here take this and gulp it down. You will feel better".

Lasya smiled at her and mouthed 'thank you'. She drank the whole bottle in one gulp and her two friends were gawking at her with wide eyes as if she has grown two heads.

"You drank my whole bottle of water ", Nihi whined like a small kid.

Lasya burst into laughter and shifted with Pooja.

"Well, your friend needed water and here you are complaining like a brat", Lasya wiped her lips which had drops of water that fell off while she was drinking very fast.

"Anyways I was very thirsty because of all the running and catching up with the time", She smiled at Nihi like a Cheshire cat and murmured "Thank you" sarcastically.

Then Nihi also busted into laughing and the trio was back in action with their nonstop jokes-sharing time.

The teacher came and started taking classes, but Lasya's mind was there and she was busy thinking about Shravas. Her heart was beating faster knowing his condition. 'hope he is perfectly okay now and I will see him tonight.' she silently prays to God crossing her fingers.

Tension on her face was depicted and Nihi her friend asked about the same. But Lasya didn't want to share it with them as of now, so she kept quiet and told some lame excuses to cover it up.

The day came to an end and they are now returning to the bus from the cafeteria.

"Hey Lasya, have you prepared for the event? There is only a week for it", Pooja asked concerned.

Even Pooja knows she is very sincere and hard-working so the event is not a big problem for her. But yet also she wanted to make sure her friend is well prepared for it.

"Yeah, everything is done. I am preparing to present now. Shravas told me I am going to prepare it and he will handle the presentation, and visuals and we together will handle Viva voce at the end of the event", Lasya explained to her to which she nodded.

"Okay, that's great to know. If you want some help please let me know and now my brother will be waiting for me. I will see you guys tomorrow. Bye Lasya, bye Nihi" Pooja said and bid bye to them and went away.

"Tell me what happened La. You are not being you since morning. Also, you look very tired", Nihi made her sit near the tree where they used to wait for the college bus to arrive.

"Is something bothering you? You know right, you can tell me. I will not judge you", She said in a promising manner.

Lasya laid her head on her friend's shoulders and closed her eyes thinking what and how to tell. Her friend caressed her back taking away all the pain. She held her very close and placed a kiss on her hair.
Lasya smiled seeing her friend's care and love for her.

"You know, after Tina, you both are the only other friends whom I can blindly trust and love. You guys are so much better than me and I love you Nihi and I love Poo too", Lasya said pulling herself away from her and intertwining their fingers. She sees her friend worrying so much about her. She is very lucky to have such a best friend and thanks God for it.

"See Poo has asked me to check up on you as I am with you in the evening. She is hell worried for you and I am also. Poo told me something is bothering you ever since you drank the bottle of water in a gulp. But she didn't want to pester it seems but then, she has asked me to enquire so now come on tell me now La baby. I am getting tensed here and all you do is zone out frequently. Now what is the matter?" Nihi ordered her in an authoritative voice.

Lasya pouted and made a puppy face at her.

"No, it is not gonna work. Tell me fast and I will let you go else I know how to do it", Nihi threatened her with a smirk.

Lasya raised her hands in surrender. "Okay, Bunnie. I will tell you everything. Please relax now and I don't want something to happen to your health because of unnecessary worry."

Lasya then explained everything from getting bumped into Shravas and Goa trip and admission into college. Also, she mentioned the reason for her worry about his fever and she told her she went yesterday to visit him at the hospital.

"Oh God", Nihi let a big gasp and soon covered her mouth seeing others looking at them weirdly.

"You didn't tell me all this. Oh God, you are in love and you are so worried for his health. What a romantic feeling!", Nihi boasted.

Lasya rolled her eyes and kept her hand on her mouth making it close.

"See, that's why I didn't want to tell you in the first place. Don't make it obvious, please", Lasya said in a panicked voice wondering whether it was a good decision to tell everything to her friend.

"Okay don't worry. I will not tell anyone, but Poo will that be okay?"

"Yeah, you can share with her after all she is my Poo, our Pooja, she will understand..but not to anyone else especially don't do any acting infront of Shravas now in the bus in future"

"Yeah, yeah. I won't", Nihi chuckled and continued, "Also, tell me did you confess your love?" Nihi asked with hope in her eyes.

Lasya's eyes widened in the realization of what she is asking. She shook her head vigorously and mouthed 'no, not yet' audible only to her.

"I am not sure whether he has got the same feeling towards me. So, I am just waiting for the right time", She reasoned to her friend but she felt like she was reasoning to her heart itself.

"I guess he too has feelings 'cause I have seen him watching you whenever he is near to you. I guess he admires you with a special love in his eyes from afar. I have seen it many times with my eyes. Also, he sits just behind you during these days in our bus when he used to sit very far from girls previously", Nihi stated as a matter of fact.

Both of them looked at each other and sighed deeply.

"Well I guess you should wait for his move", Nihi squeezes her hand giving a sign of assurance, ''as I don't want my baby to feel like a fool if he doesn't have any feelings".

Lasya blinks her eyes telling all is okay.

"Yes, I will wait. You are right also I have one doubt. Why would he love me when you see, I am an orphan and have nothing in my hands to give him - like an expensive gift of good in-laws? So how come he might like me let alone love me? No chance. I guess", Lasya said nonchalantly making her friend shrug.

"I agree with whatever you say but you see Love is blind, and as per that, love can happen anytime for anyone so I don't think such lame reasons would make someone not love my baby.

You are sweet and kind-hearted and that is enough to love you. Above all, you are simply beautiful... A down to earth beauty, I have ever seen in my life", Nihi said with a proud voice.

Lasya blushed listening to her comments and looked away hiding under her open hair.

"Aww, someone is blushing!", Nihi cooed

"No, I am not!", Lasya argued

"Yes, I can see that", Nihi said sarcastically

"Can you not pull my leg please Bunnie," Lasya said in a defeated voice.

The bus came and they got into their seats. Turning back, she looked at Shravas's seat and her heart ached remembering he is still in Hospital. She sighed and pulled her earphones out to listen to some melodies.

--------

Reaching her apartment, she soon freshened up and ate something fast and also poured milk and dog food into Ritchie's bowl which he happily munched.

She then quickly brushed her hair and wore a shirt and denim looking all good.

She then locked the door leaving Ritchie behind. Then took a cab and reached the hospital within 25 minutes.

Knowing the room number, she entered the elevator and reached the floor in no time. She scanned the notice board area to see if there is any changes in the in-patient list.

She saw Shravas's name and sighed slowly. She saw last night's nurse in the lobby and she ran behind her to check up on him.

"Excuse me ma'am",  She called out to the nurse. The nurse turned immediately and waited for her to continue.

"Is the patient in room no 608 okay now?" She asked in much anticipation.

The nurse eyed her in confusion and remembered something. She instantly smiled at her.

"You are the one who came yesterday night and waited till early morning, right?" She asked

Lasya nodded her head in affirmation.

"Yes, I am the same person. How is he now? Will I be able to talk to him now?"

"Yes, of course, he is okay now. He is in seduction now and might be sleeping cause of tiredness. You shall go and check up on him. His parents are already there", the nurse confirmed to her and gave her permission to go.

Happily, Lasya thanked her and paved her way towards his room.

She stopped right on track, as something brightened inside her head. Nurse wordings got highlighted, "his parents are also there".

'uh oh, they are also there. Should I come back later? What should I talk to them? God, I guess I shouldn't have come here at this time but no issues, they are too good people so yeah, lets go ahead, Lasya thought undoubtedly.

With a little bit of hesitation, she turned the knob of the door and she soon met his face where we were sleeping peacefully. His parents turned to look at the intruder.

They had a smile on their face seeing her here at the moment.

"Hey dear. I am happy to see you here", His mom stood instantly and came forward to hug her.

She silently sobbed on Lasya's shoulders. Lasya was patting her back and was telling soothing words to calm her down.

"I am here. Don't worry. He is alright now. Just in a seduction. That's it. Please Auntie don't cry. He will not be happy to see your tears", Lasya slowly said and pulled away from the hug.

His dad also came and placed a kiss on her forehead. Lasya felt this sweet gesture and her heart swelled with warmth.

"Thank you for coming here and visiting him. The nurse told us you came to visit and were here all night. That's so sweet of you my dear", His dad thanked her from his heart and gestured her to take the seat beside them.

"Uncle, he is my first friend in college and I am happy to be with him", She then paused and looked down at her lap, and continued. "I didn't know he was admitted until I called the landline and came here immediately", She then looked at his parents who were already staring at her with amusement in their eyes.

Uncle looked at his wife and winked at her understandingly.

"Just asking please, don't be offended. Do you have any boyfriend dear?" Uncle asked out of the blue making Lasya's eyes widen in shock.

"No..no uncle. I don't have anyone and to be frank, until now I didn't have any kind of relationship with any boys", Lasya answered truly feeling bad herself thinking she is not to be worth it with anyone.

Auntie understood her dilemma since she knew her family background and how difficult it is for her to meet her ends let alone be in a relationship.

"Well, that's okay. Everyone has time and God has written beforehand. So, let's hope for the best and you will get your prince charming soon", she assured her with positive words. Lasya faintly smiled and looked at Shravas who was sleeping.

"Uncle, how is he, and what has happened?" She asked in curiosity

"He was having a fever and soon it got raised due to the decrease of platelets in his blood so the defending mechanism was slow and hence viral infection spread like a fire in his body causing hospitalization", Uncle said with dismay.

"He is fine now. Everything is under control. He was talking to us till now until half an hour ago. Then the doctor came and gave him another dose of injection. Now he is sleeping because of it", Auntie finished for him.

Lasya nodded her head in understanding.

"When will he be able to go home?"

"Mostly by Tomorrow it seems. The doctor didn't say anything now but I guess he will allow him soon since he is recovering fast", Auntie replied happily.

They then left some time with Shravas and went outside the room.
Lasya started admiring him and checked his facial features more eagerly. She had a smile looking at him. Even in sleep, she can tell he is a little brat who loves to annoy people with his antics.

'Such a cute pie', she thought.

After some time, she stood up and placed a kiss on his forehead, and decided to leave the room.

These were all seen by two pairs of eyes who are none other than his parents. They had a smile on their face and they seemed to understand the fact that Lasya liked Shravas way too much for their understanding. 

As soon as Lasya made her way outside,she glanced at his parents standing near the large window that faces the enchanting view of the city.

"Uncle, auntie thank you for allowing me to spend some time with him", She looked here and there and paused for a minute.

"I think I must go now. I need some sleep since I didn't have much yesterday. So if you can excuse me." Lasya was cut off by his dad.

"No, it's okay. Today we will be here. You should take a rest. Come again sometime later to our house. We would like to meet you often. Also thank you for yesterday once again", Uncle said with honesty wrapping his arms around his wife's waist.

"Of course, I will give you all a visit soon", Lasya said and moved towards the elevator. 

-------
Big Sorry again for the late update...

Hope you enjoyed the update.....

Thank you for reading...