At the USA

It was late at night. Arnav slowly walked towards the doctor's cabin. The doctor Mrs. Mary John, Khushi's senior doctor is a very friendly lady of almost his mother's age. He knocked and entered her cabin after the soft 'come in'.

Arnav: Hello auntie

Dr: Oh Arnav, come in, sit dear. I was waiting for you only.

Arnav: Why? Everything is fine, right? I don't know when will she learn to take care of herself, (sighing) always skipping the food...

Dr: Arnav... this time the problem is not about food, it is again a panic attack.

Arnav: What? But, after this long...I mean you said to me as she was ok for a long time probably she won't have it again

Dr: I know, I told you that but until she doesn't take any stress.

Arnav: Stress? Why?

Dr: (Sighing) You will have to extract the reason from her. Last time it was her father's death. You know about her condition, yes it is again the fear of losing someone too close to her. And I personally have a doubt that it is about you.

Arnav: Auntie, me?

Dr: Yep, even in her unconscious state she was taking your name, that too very sadly saying something like I don't know to live without you

Arnav: (Holding his head with both hands) I hate this helplessness (Sighing) I had successfully brought her from those terrible attacks after a lot of attempts. But now again, ( Looking at the doctor) what shall I do Auntie? Should I consult her doctor?

Dr: Arnav, it is you who know her better than anyone and last time too the psychiatrist could only counsel her to open up, but she shared everything with you only. So, talk to her and take it out of her mind and make her understand that her fears are not going to happen. I know you can. I thought I had to talk to you about this before anybody else and that's why I had waited for you.

Arnav: I will try my best auntie. Anyway thank you

They both got up and walked to the door

Dr: Hey, you don't have to. She is like a daughter to me. Now go to her she will be awake in some time. (Patting his shoulder) Everything will be fine Arnav, don't worry we will make everything alright. Ok. Bye now. Good night.

Arnav: Good night Auntie.

The doctor walked away patting Arnav's cheek. She really adores this lovely couple whom she considered as her own children.

Arnav walked back to Khushi's room. Outside the room, Kiran had already fallen asleep in Aman's lap. He slowly picked her and walked into the room with Aman. He placed Kiran on the couch and sat on the stool near to Khushi. Aman signaled to him that he will be outside. Arnav nodded and started to caress her head slowly patting her to sleep and thought about what had happened to her suddenly. She had called him early yesterday morning and was in a very good mood. Then only the reality hit him. She hadn't called him after that, now he was sure that the doctor's words were hundred percent right. What could be the reason? He was pondering over it but suddenly heard a sound of something falling. He turned around suddenly only to laugh out loud since there was Kiran sitting on the floor probably the aftereffect of rolling on the couch. She pouted seeing his laugh. Arnav slowly walked towards her to help her, but he couldn't control his laugh. And that made Kiran annoyed and she said dramatically

Kiran: Haw Arnie how cruel you are? Your wife is in the hospital bed and me on the floor and you are laughing! How mean!

Arnav couldn't control and laughed at the drama queen, soon Kiran too followed him. Khushi started to wriggle her eyes to open them hearing some sounds and suddenly sat on the bed screaming 

Khushi: ARNAV......

Arnav and Kiran first looked at each other and then ran towards her. From her facial expression, one thing was sure that she was very much afraid. In fact, she was shivering very badly. Arnav sat on the bed and Kiran stood near them. Seeing him Khushi hugged him like her life depended on it and started to take uneven breaths. He hugged her back and slowly stroked her back to calm her down. After Khushi was stable he looked towards the stronghold on his hand and saw a fearful Kiran. He pulled her towards them and hugged both of them together. Kiran too hugged them both, and then only Khushi realized they were not alone and broke the hug. She then looked towards her right to see her little sis there.

Khushi: Kiddu

Kiran hugged her and started to sob.

Kiran: Kiya, please don't do this again. If you want I will never play any pranks on you. I will even come to temple with you and will do everything you are saying. Please, please don't leave me. You know I was very much afraid to see you like this. Please...please don't do this again.

Khushi: I am sorry Kiddu, very sorry. Please now don't cry, baby

Now Khushi too started to weep with her, so Arnav decided to intervene

Arnav: Hey ladies, now stop crying. Otherwise, the people here will ask me why I am with two ghosts.

Instantly both of them hit him on hand but he just smiled at them getting the two precious smiles in return

Arnav: By the way Kiddu you agreed to scold Kiya after she wakes up, now what happened?

And then raised his eyebrows.

Kiran: You too were saying the same thing, Arnie

She stated as a matter of fact and then made an expression like tit for tat.

Arnav: Oh, I am sorry my lord I forgot I am talking to K3.

Kiran: Don't worry I will always make sure you remember that.

Arnav sighed and Khushi started to laugh seeing their cute fight but she started to cough badly. Arnav fetched the water while Kiran rubbed her back. He made her drink the water and after she was better, Kiran sat hugging the two important persons in her life. After sometime Arnav and Khushi looked down to see Kiran sleeping peacefully.

Khushi: Slept?

Arnav: Hmm

He then got up from there and placed her again on the couch, this time with pillows around her.

Khushi: Why are you placing pillows?

Arnav: Kiya, you are asking that? She is your sis, right? The same TKD pose. And also she had fallen before you woke up?

Khushi: What?

Arnav: yeah. (Sighing and taking her hands in him) By the way, I have a lot to talk to you. But now you are very tired. So will talk in the morning.

Khushi paled by hearing him. She thought is he going to say to me that he wanted to be free from me so that he can obey his family. Arnav saw various emotions playing on her face. He understood she was going to say something.

Arnav: Hey Kiya, don't think much we can talk tomorrow. Now sleep, I am here only

Khushi: Promise?

Arnav: Promise baby. Now sleep.

Khushi hugged him tight placing her head on his chest and slept peacefully trusting his words. After she slept he tucked her carefully and gone to the couch and sat there replacing the pillow and made Kiran sleep on his shoulder. He too placed his head above her.