CHAPTER 48
Paakhi POV
"I never imagined our Paakhi will be the first one to get a boyfriend!" Nona glees looking at me adoringly.
And I falsify a smile at her.
"But not for long," Mrs.Palak announces.
Everyone stares at her in shock, probably I'm the only one happy hearing her.
But today is not my day, and therefore my happiness doesn't stay for long.
"Yes, we would love to make Paakhi our daughter-in-law." This statement by Mrs.Tanvi turned my world upside down in a second.
The forlorn look on Maanu's face and gleeful expression on others makes me feel trapped.
"This is such good news," Aunt Savy announces hugging Mrs.Palak whereas Nona is hugging Mrs.Tanvi.
I quickly stand up to go towards rushing Maanu, but the surprising hug from Aunty Savy holds me back and she leaves the room.
I look at Uncle Abby and see him looking fondly at me.
After hugging everyone, he comes forward and hugs me, "I thought Maanu will be the first one to get married to her boyfriend. What was his name again?!" He whispers in my ear.
How am I supposed to tell him that the guy Maanya loves and to whom I'm getting engaged is the same guy?
The chatter behind me and congratulations is making me go crazy.
"Wait! That's it, stop talking you all, I'm not getting married to Arhaan, he is like a brother to me. And anyways he is Maanu's boyfriend, not mine. They love each other and she should be the one here but no because of this girl everything is a mess right now, I do love your son but not Arhaan, it is Viren whom I love." I shout but the voice beside me made me realize I'm thinking.
"Already in Arhaan bhai's thoughts?" I sense Riya coo. Causing ladies in the room to holler.
I just smile, knowing Maanu is crying inside her room.
But thankfully Adi is with her because I can't see her here.
"Not again," I groan when the doorbell ring for the third time today. No good news is coming through that door today.
"Oh look! Bhai is here," Riya announces and yanks Arhaan in by his arm.
The instant cheer in the room makes my eyes go wide. This is not good...
"Look what a moment, both love birds are in the room." Mrs.Tanvi announces and grabs Arhaan by his hand.
"Mom-" he tries speaking but Mrs.Tanvi shushes him and shoves him on the couch.
She then walks towards me and tugs me to the couch, just like Arhaan she shoves me on the couch.
"What is happening here?" Arhaan whispers to me.
"I'm trying to comprehend this from yesterday." I groan seeing Nona walking towards me.
"May God protect you from the evil eyes." She announces and revolves a ten-rupee note over our heads.
"Do something." I jab him in the stomach and whisper yell.
"What should I do?" He asks dumbly.
"Look I don't know about you but I don't like you, you are like a brother to me." I clarify.
"Oh please, Paakhi. I'm not into you, I love Maanya, and you know that." He chides.
"So do something, because the girl you love is probably crying in her room." I reprimand.
"Look so adorable, they are talking to each other like a perfect couple," Riya announce.
"Indeed a perfect couple." I hear the voice that incites sparks through me.
I look at his arrogant yet dainty face and smile. But he glares at me.
It's okay, I will introduce him to the language of love, but first, we need to get out of this mess.
"Where are Maanya and Aditi?" Shaurya announces gaping at us and the way we are staring at each other.
Everyone glances around and I see Uncle Abby scowling at Arhaan.
"I will call them," Nona announce walking towards their rooms. Riya follows her saying she is going to wash her face.
While Aunt Savy and Sana stroll to the kitchen to serve breakfast.
"I think we should help them." Mrs.Palak announces and tugs Mrs.Tanvi towards the kitchen.
"You! How dare you?" Seeing no one else is in the room he rushes forward and yanks Arhaan by his shirt.
"Uncle?!" I exclaim lowly.
"Shut up! I can't believe you can do this Paakhi, how can you marry the same guy Maanya loves? I never thought you were this selfish." He reprimands. Hearing his words I couldn't stop tears from falling.
"No! Mr.Abhay, this is not what you think, this is all a misunderstanding." Arhaan interfere.
The look of anger and hate in Abby's eyes is making me hurt. A few minutes back it was just a misunderstanding but now the accusing eyes of Uncle make my heartache.
"Abhay?! What are you doing?" Aunty asks him shock.
"Why don't you ask her?! She is dating the Man Maanya loves. This guy a few days back asked me to give permission to date Maanya and now he loves Paakhi." He announces.
Causing Aunty to gasp and look at me hurt.
The most embarrassing thing is the Look of shock in Mrs.Tanvi's eyes.
"No, please try to understand...Paakhi and I are not dating nor do I love her. She's like a sister to me, I love Maanya and only her." Arhaan exclaims angrily.
He pushes past me, causing me to lose balance and fall back. But thankfully Viren supports me and helps me stand up.
"Tell them! Maanya inform them, That I love only you!" Arhaan pleads Maanya, who is standing beside Nona.
"Uncle they are right, Arhaan and Paakhi are just friends," she announces.
"Then why are you crying?" He inquires.
"It's because Mrs.Singh likes Paakhi and not me." She confesses with tears falling down her face.
"Oh, sweetie." Mrs.Tanvi exclaims walking towards her and Immediately hugging her.
"I adore you Maanya, to me, you and Paakhi are the same, you both are sensible, intelligent and caring. I was just focusing on her because I thought she is dating Arhaan." She explains.
Maanu smiles embarrassingly and snuggles to Arhaan when he wormed his arm around her.
The look of pure joy on her face made me smile.
"Abhay, you made my other child cry." Aunty scolds him and hugs me.
"I'm sorry my child, you know how worried I'm about Maanya." He pleads, I understand his behaviour from earlier, he is always peculiar about guys around Maanu because of her past.
"But it still hurts..." I tell him.
"Will these make you forgive him?" I hear Aunt Savy calling from the dining table.
She is holding a casserole with my favourite cheese sandwiches inside.
"Always!!!" I cheer and grab one from the casserole.
Everyone chuckle and the previous mood is recovered.
"All this mess started with one text." Mrs.Tanvi laughs taking a huge from her plate. We all look at Riya and she blushes hard.
"I'm sorry, I don't remember why I said that..." She answers thoughtfully.
I smile knowing my secret is safe.
I look towards the right of me, where he is sitting with an almost empty plate.
So I stand up and walk to the dining table. I grab the container with swiss rolls and take them to him.
He instantly looks at me when I put a roll on his plate.
"Stop," he halts me from putting another one by grabbing my hand. The same feeling from yesterday returned. My heart starts thumping in my body.
"Ah-huh ah..." The sound of a fake cough beside us made me step back. I look in that direction to see Shaurya and Arhaan looking cheekily at us. I even see Shaurya wink at me.
The amount of embarrassment becomes too much, that I leave the room to check on Aditi. She didn't come for breakfast too. Maybe she is asleep, she did wake up early though.
I knock on her door and enter when I see her mattress lying crosswise on her bed, I become tense.
I step in further to see her unconscious on the ground.
I instantly panic and rush to her side, "Adi? " I slightly clap her on cheeks to gain her attention. But when nothing works, I yell for Maanya.
"MAANYAAA!!" I yell continuously.
Seconds later, I hear the sound of multiple footsteps.
"Oh God, what happened?" I hear someone burst into the room.
My attention is solely on the pale face of Aditi.
"Aditi, Aditi!" Maanu panic just like me.
"Step away, we have to take her to the hospital." I hear someone say. But I don't move, I can't move.
I hold onto her hand so tight that if she would have been conscious she would have whacked me.
"Paakhi, Maanya, step aside, otherwise we won't be able to help." I hear Viren implore.
Seconds later I feel an arm wrap around me and pull me back. I thrash around but stop when I see Shaurya picking Aditi up and rushing out of the room.
Just as he leaves the room, the hold on me loosens and I dash after them.
Merely as I step out of the room I see Mrs.Tanvi, Mrs.Palak and Aunty Savita around queasy Nona.
I rush towards her and take a hold of her hands.
"Shhh...She's okay, don't worry, I will not let anything happen to her. But if you fall ill because of her, you know she will scold you for that! Right?" I comfort her. Because of her health, any kind of stress is not good for her.
As she nods, I get up and scramble of the living room. I wear my slippers and dash down the stairs.
Reaching downstairs I see nobody around.
"They left me?!" I call out frustrated.
"Crazy girl! Here, come in." I hear Viren shout from his car a few feet away from me.
I scramble towards his car and slide in.
He starts his car and we steer off.
Seconds later his phone ring.
"Did you guys reach?" He implores on the phone.
"What?!" He reprimands.
"What happened?!" I ask scared.
He peeks at me but doesn't answer, rather reply on the phone.
"Give me a second. I will make some calls." He orders and cuts off.
"Viren please tell me what is wrong?" I beg him.
He turns over and Parks his car.
"Hello, Mr.Walia, Viren this side." He answers. But what stunned me is his hand resting on mine. He caresses his thumb over mine while still talking.
"My brothers are stuck in traffic near Hudson lane. They have a patient in the car and they need to reach the hospital now." He answers on the phone.
Hearing him I panic. But his hold on my hand tightens and he taps on my hand as if assuring everything will be fine.
"I promise they will reach the hospital on time." He keeps down his phone, turns towards me and speaks in a soothing voice.
I don't know if it is the promise in his eyes but I believe him.
"Okay?" He asks.
I nod and he endorses a smile towards me.
"Ya I called Mr.Walia, now what is important is you guys reach there. We are 10 minutes away," he answers in his ringing phone.
"They will reach the hospital in 10 minutes." He informs and revives the engine.
I thank God and start chanting prayers in my mind.
"You go inside, I will Park the car." As we reach the hospital he instructs.
I nod and exit the car.
I walk through the doors and towards the reception.
"Hello, can I help you?" The man behind the desk asks.
"My friend is admitted here, Her name is Aditi Mehra," I inform.
"She is taken for examination. You have to wait in the waiting room." He replies.
"Paakhi, come they are on the second floor," Viren lets out walking towards me.
He places his hand on my back and guides me towards the lift.
"Mr.Singh! This is a pleasure seeing you here." A man in a doctor's coat greets him on our way.
He nods in his direction and enters the elevator.
"Mr.Singh," the lift man bow his head to greet him.
"Second floor." He rudely orders.
I look at him disappointed.
"What?" He asks amaze.
"You are rude." I declare angrily.
"What did I do?" He asks innocently.
"When someone greets you, you should smile and greet them back," I instruct.
"I don't do that." He denounces.
"Why? You should!" I declare.
"Umm...Sir? Your floor is here." Amazed Liftman excuses.
I blush and scramble off the lift.
I walk quickly towards Maanya and hug her.
"They took her in." She informs.
"I don't know what happened? She was fine this morning." I wonder.
"Can someone fucking tell me what happened to her? We have been waiting for 15 minutes now." I hear Shaurya yell. When I turn around, I see him holding the doctor by his collar.
"Oh my God," I exclaim in surprise.
"Shaurya! leave him." Arhaan proclaims and tries to pull him back. But Shuarya seems furious, every time Arhaan yanks him back, he again leaps forward.
Seconds Later, Viren walk in between and hold Shaurya back by pushing him on his chest.
When he tried to leap again, Viren hold his head between his hands and look him in the eye.
He whispers something to him, hearing which Shaurya calms down and apologizes.
What shocks me is that the doctor didn't call Security.
Arhaan talks to the doctor and departs him.
Shaurya fuss and take a seat.
"I'm sorry girls, I don't know what came onto him!" Arhaan apologizes standing beside us.
"No it's okay, it is good to see though that he cares for her." I express.
"By the way, why didn't the doctor react?" Maanya asks.
I look at her and then Arhaan. Curious to know.
"Oh, actually Viren is the board of member here. He supports this hospital." Arhaan answers.
Now I understand everyone greeting him.
"Family of Ms.Aditi Mehra?" The doctor from Aditi's room asks.
We all rush forward and look at him expectantly.
"She is okay, Maybe Passed out due to dehydration or low blood sugar levels. But we still have to perform some tests and then she can leave." He answers and walks away.
I sigh in relief and take a seat.
I see Viren tugging Shaurya aside and talking to him.
"Paakhi do you need coffee? Or anything? We are going to the cafeteria downstairs." Maanu asks.
I politely deny and lean back in my seat. I relish the feeling of warmth that I felt when Viren touch me.
I don't know how it happened but I fell in love with him. Probably if you will ask me when I started feeling for him, I will be Lost.
I smile thinking how I hated his guts a few months back when I met him for the first time on the day of Pari's birthday party.
"You look like a creep, sitting here and smiling at the wall." I hear the voice of the man that has me confused.
I look at him and the smile remains.
"Don't look at me that way," he begs.
"Why?" I ask back.
"Just don't." He demands.
"I do what I want to," I persist.
"Why don't you understand woman, it is difficult to leave when you look at me this way." He grumbles.
"Why do you want to leave Viren? Am I that bad?" I ask the one question that has been bugging me from the day he stopped talking to me.
He doesn't say anything, just turn his head in my direction and stare me in the eyes.
His eyes glint as if expressing his feelings that his mouth can't.
He doesn't say anything, just stand up and start walking.
But this time I can't stay put and watch him leave. I want to know, No, I need to know.
So I leap forward and hold him back.
When he turns back, I see his glossy eyes. Anger wash off and my love for him deepens.
I place my hand on his cheeks.
"Why are you Ignoring me?" I plead in a whisper.
"Because I'm scared !" he says clenching and unclenching his knuckles.
"What are you scared of Viren?" I beg, Nuzzling his face close to mine.
"I'm scared to fall in love! coz it shows the worst side of life." He mumbles staring directly into my eyes.
"Because once again I don't want to be the only one to fall. " He adds in his raspy voice as if suffering from agonizing pain.
I just hug him close to me and whisper in his ear "This time it's not only you Viren!"
His hold on me tightens and I feel dampness on my neck.
I feel tears in my eyes. This powerful, big man is scared. He is scared of what I heard is the most beautiful thing to experience.
"Love is not bad, it is those who are in love that makes it good or bad. " I confess.
"It is easy to say," he mumbles.
I caress his head and reply, "okay, So why don't we uncover this journey together? "
"You don't get it, Do you? I'm not made for love, I will only hurt you in the end. So please don't make this difficult for me or us. You deserve happiness Paakhi because you are special. And I'm not your happiness." With each line he announces, he takes a step back.
"Always be happy, And thank you for loving me. Thank you for making me realize, I'm worthy of it." Saying this he turns around and walks away.
Tears spill out of my eyes. Tears of joy, sadness, anger and desperation. Joy because he loves me too, sadness because I can feel his pain, anger because I want to hurt that person who made him think that he is not worthy of love and desperation because I want him.
I take a deep breath and turn around to walk towards the seats.
Just as I turn around, I see Arhaan standing a few steps away from me.
I see the look of sadness in his eyes and realize he witnessed what just happened here.
He doesn't say anything, Just open his arms wide.
I rush into his arms and let my feelings flow through tears. The warm hug from someone who cares for you makes you feel exposed. You just ball out your pain and feelings.
"I can't let him leave..." I mumble.
"Give him some time." He suggests.
"I will but not too long," I whisper adamantly.
"You are one hell of a stubborn woman." He chuckles.
"That I'm" I agree smiling.
"But honestly Paakhi, his past is holding him back. I'm just warning you if you can't bear it, don't waste either of your time." He asserts.
"What if I would have told you to back off knowing Maanya's past? Would you?" I inquire leaning back and looking him in the eye.
"Never." He declares.
I smile in triumph and nod, "so now you will help me pursuing your arrogant brother." I ask.
He grins and shakes my outstretched hand.
"Sorry, it took a while, but had to calm Abby and then Nona." Maanya declares walking towards us.
She strangely glances at me and then at Arhaan. Before she could say anything, Aditi's doctor steps out of her room causing us to concentrate on him.
"You can see her, but try to be calm." He directs the last statement at someone behind me.
Maanya and I nod excitedly and step in,
Just as the door closes behind us, I see Aditi decked up on a hospital bed. She seems so small in this huge hospital room. The sunlight penetrating through the enormous window beside her bed illuminates the whole room.
When she sees us, she passes a drowsy smile.
"I expected a bouquet and some balloons." She comments.
I couldn't control the tears and they break out. I don't know where do I have them stored before this. Today seems to be their endless supply.
"You scared me, I thought I lost you," I mumble hugging her.
She holds me and whispers, "You guys can't get rid of me so soon. I didn't even see Maanya and Arhaan getting married," she teases and yanks Maanya in the hug.
"You are right." I laugh and kiss her on the head.
"You seem sleepy, take rest. When you will wake up, we will be next to you." I advise caressing her forehead.
She tries to protest but her drooping eyelids tell us against it.
"These guys did so much for us, " Maanya comments looking at the room.
"Ya, but I'm afraid how much it will cost us," I confess seeing the facilities in this room. This room can pass as a hotel room if you exclude the hospital bed and the medical equipment beside it.
"Are we going to pay for it?" Maanya asks in shock.
"Of course, we can't let them pay for it, Aditi is our Sister" I exclaim.
She nods her head, "do we have that much money?" She inquires afraid.
"I need to check-" I stop when there is a knock on the door and seconds later Nurse in blue and white scrubs walk in.
"Hello, I'm Sameera Aditi's nurse." She greets walking in with a clipboard in her hand.
"Seems like she is resting, so why don't you girls go change and come back. Because she isn't going to wake up for the next 2 hours probably." She suggests glancing at Maanu and me.
I look at myself and realize I'm still in my Loose black Mickey mouse t-shirt and red trousers.
Whereas Maanya is in her bright yellow t-shirt and blue pyjamas.
We both look at each other embarrassed and nod.
Before walking out of the room, I place a gentle kiss on Adi's forehead and wait for Maanu to do the same.
While waiting, My mind bugs me constantly about confessing my feelings to Viren in my Mickey mouse Pyjamas.
"Let's go," Maanu mumble tugging me outside.
"How is she?" Arhaan asks standing up.
"She is resting right now, We need to go home and change," Maanu answers him.
As they are talking, I look around for Shaurya. I don't know why I'm looking for him, but something inside me tells me that we are going to be in a great mess soon.
"I'll take you girls home." He proposes.
We nod and walk towards his car.
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Reaching home we were bombarded with questions from everyone. What surprised me was Singh Ladies at our house. I thought they would have left but I'm thankful they stayed to support my family.
After assuring everyone Aditi is fine and is resting right now, we take a bath and change into fresh linen.
With a promise that we will tell them what is the result of the test and a basket full of eatables, we exit the house.
"Arhaan thank you," I call out from the back seat of his car.
"You don't thank your family." He comments taking Maanu's hand and placing a kiss on it.
"Aww, you guys are so cute." I gush from the back seat.
Maanu blush and Arhaan chuckle.
"By the way, we need to make some stops before going to the hospital," I call out.
"Where?" Arhaan inquire.
"First to the balloon stall and then to the florist." Maanya answer.
I smile and nod.
"You guys seem like twins, completing each other's statements" Arhaan exclaims causing us to laugh.
"We just know what the other person is thinking." I assert.
When we are parked in the traffic, I hear a knock on the window.
A little boy is standing there with a bunch of red roses in his hand.
Arhaan rolls down his window and talks to the boy.
Maanya stares adoringly at him. I pinch her and pass her a teasing smile.
She scowls at me and looks away.
I chuckle and take a hold of roses passed by Arhaan.
I make a mental note of returning the money later.
"By the way, I have been meaning to ask this, but how did Riya think that Paakhi and I are a thing?" Arhaan voice out.
For a second I go blank, Maanya twists her head towards me and I stare back.
"Umm..." Maanu opens her mouth.
Arhaan looks at her expectantly.
"Yesterday we were playing never have I ever and we got a tidbit drunk when I accidentally said I love your brother, they thought it was you," I confess.
"Ya, if we are talking about it, why don't you tell me why did you say that? " Maanya implores.
This time, Arhaan and I share a look.
"I was drunk, what do you expect?" I explain nonchalantly.
She gapes at me and asserts," Don't bluff with me. I know you were not drunk, so tell me?"
I gulp in nervousness, gladly I see we have reached the hospital.
"Will tell you everything but right now, Aditi is waiting for us." I blurt and escape out of the car.
"This day is turning out to be more adventurous than I thought. " I blabber to myself walking towards the elevator.
While waiting, I realize there are three elevators here, one for Staff and two for passengers.
When the doors to the staff elevator open, I see the lift man from earlier. He nods towards me and I Endorse a smile at him.
Meanwhile, the elevator in front of me clears and I step in and hold the door open when I see Maanya and Arhaan walking towards me.
"This talk is not over." Maanya asserts while glaring at me.
I look away and glare at Arhaan when I see him suppressing his laugh.
The Elevator ride becomes awkward with Maanya glaring at me and Arhaan chuckling.
I sigh in relief when the elevator door opens.
"I think Doctor is waiting for us inside," I call Maanu when I see the doctor inside Aditi's room.
We scramble in and I place the flowers in my hand beside her bed.
"Mr. Singh, I was just about to tell Ms.Aditi the test results." He announces looking at Arhaan.
"Sorry for the delay, please tell us, doctor." Arhaan reply.
The doctor nods and while looking at Aditi he announces, "There is nothing to be worried about, you just need to take proper rest and diet from now on. We even found a trace of alcohol in your blood, which thankfully did not harm the child but from now on please be careful."
"I'm sorry, I just hear you wrong. Did you just say, child?" I ask, believing I hear him wrong.
"Yes, Miss." Doctor reply.
"As in baby? " Maanya implores.
"Yes, Ladies. Your friend here is pregnant." He replies frustrated.
A second later both Maanu and I burst out laughing.
"Aditi! You got us." Maanya confess.
"How did you pursue him to help you in this prank?" I ask laughing.
When I look around I see a stunned Aditi, amused doctor and appalled Arhaan.
"This is not a prank?" I ask afraid.
When she shook her head.
My world halted.
"How is this possible?" Maanya asks appalled.
"Umm...I did the deed?" Aditi reply.
Both Maanya and I scowl at her.
"Excuse me, I will leave you guys to it. " Doctor mumble and leave.
"Don't mind this, but who is the father?" Maanya blurt.
I thought Adi would be offended but the calm look on her face makes me relax.
"Neel?" Maanya fear.
I hope not, he is not a responsible kind.
"No, Neel and I didn't do it for two months now, it is..." Aditi mumbles.
Unexpectedly a voice resonates in the room.
"It's Mine!"
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Hey, lovelies. What's up?
So what just happened?!
Huh, A baby?! What do you think?
Please Vote!!!!! and leave a small comment. Your every comment put a smile on my face.
Have a great Day Ahead❤
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