**beep***beep***beep***

"Nurse! Doctor! somebody come!! Anbu's vitals are changing!!" I dragged myself to the corridor. I was dismayed and don't have time to take my walking support and all.

Due to the ruckus I caused this morning after I woke up, I was not allowed to see Anbu despite being in the same room.

I went outside and Raja quickly grabbed my hand to balance as the nurses rush in.

I am allowed to wear my own clothes since my injuries are minor and the IVs were taken away from me.

But for Anbu, the story's different.... it should have been me. I wish I can take it from Anbu and put it on me instead. Sounds childish, but don't underestimate what desperation makes you do.

Raja made me sit on a chair in the common hall and held my hand. I do not have anger towards Raja for what he had done to me. But only because of that... Anbu is laying there... I wish they just left without coming back...

"Enna Y/N?" Raja asked and I let out my thoughts more loud this time.

"I wish you never came back for me." I just stared at the white wall, I can sense Raja's shining eyes starting at me.

He opened his mouth to say something, and a nurse walked right in and asked Raja to go with her.

They both entered the room and I heard Raja crying inside. My heart dropped to the floor. I got up with the help of Kingsley anna and rushed to the door.

A nurse blocked me.

"Patient woke up. Don't worry. Don't worry." The nurse reassured me and I cried in relief, signing I want to go in.

She went behind the curtain and asked them and came back to me.

"The patient said he does not want to see you right now. Please sit down and rest madam." Kingsley then guided me back and he went in.

Its fair that Anbu doesn't want me there.

Its fair that Anbu doesn't want me at all.

But,.. but... What else I could have done?

Anbu can hate me...but I need to explain myself.

I again dragged the plastered leg half way to the hall and Raja came out of the room, saying Anbu asked me to come inside.

I went in... afraid of how he would react after I get behind the curtain. Raja drew the curtain enough for me to pass through.

I went in.. and saw him.

"Anbu..." and then I went mute.. I limped beside his bed and his eyes followed me. He has a nebulizer that covers his nose and mouth and also a big part of his bruised and swollen face. He has a big stitch on his forehead, and IV lines from his neck and wrist.

My eyes could only talk with tears, but Anbu probably thinks I'm still in my act.

He raised his hand slowly and I leaned in...he then traced my neck with his fingers and pulled the chain he gave me and my heart beats fast as if it is also being pulled out of my ribcage.

He then turned the other side and saw Raja.. and then closed his eyes. Raja then asked me to come out with him, he pulled my hands.

"Anbu requested the doctor he wants a single room.. so.." Raja said as I walk away.

I mean why am I sulking? I am the bad guy here.

****************
Raja took me to a new room which is much compact. Since Anbu is hooked on with several machines and lines, shifting my place is easier.

Anbu requested Kingsley to stay with his room so Raja will be my attender.

"Who's paying for this, Raja?" I asked.

"Just rest. Dont think of unneccessary stuff." He said as he sat on my bed and started massaging my other feet and only I realised how much I needed this so I didnt say anything and let him massage.

"Your cast will be changed into something smaller, since your fractures are very minor and its healing quite fast." He said.

"Anbu?" I asked in a demanding tone.

He sighed. "Anbu's head suffered a severe trauma.. he needs to be at bed rest... and also not disturbed. we should not make him feel strong emotions until he heals..."

"All because of me!" I blurted out as I stared at the ceiling fan.

"Its me Y/N... I am the one who forcefully got you back when Anbu asked you to go back... I am the one who was selfish enough to throw you to save Ammu. But I planned to get you back once we reach India... and.. and..." Raja started to cry. He excused himself and locked himself in the bathroom.

******** Raja's POV*****

"Once we reach India.. and.. andd" and I planned to get you a job in my company where we both hang out a lot and then become close friends and then .. and then.. and then what??

How dumb I was!!!?

How did I even trust that she will be sent back unharmed and back to who she was??

Feelings are not that simple. Both I and Y/N learnt that recently.

She's gloomy ever since Anbu plucked his chain from her neck, a talisman he gave her as a way of saying 'I love you'.

Y/N said she was faking, and boy she was so good at it. But I can also understand the emotions she's going through.

"Y/N. Its okay. Don't blame yourself for what you did." I said and she burst out crying. I hugged her gently, not to touch her bruises and minor cuts.

"Raja..!! From the day I was engaged to Ashwin, my life started to dig down deep to hell. From the day Anbu kidnapped me, I felt closer to hell. But I tried my best Raja!! I TRIED!!! But.. but.. I did not expect things to go this way!! Raja.. I"

"Sssh Y/N... we were assholes to you too. I mean what a girl's gotta do when one guy's alter_
zego jumped onto her, and another one was about to chop off her head? And also your fiance is as good as that mixture eating uncle in that old movie.(Old movie comedy reference meaning one is very useless) You've been so strong.... so strong Y/N"

I can tell my words soothe her a little but as she relaxed her muscles and rested her head on my shoulder a bit more comfortably.

"I 'have' to be strong because I had no one else to protect me or atleast support me Raja! My aunt's an angel.. but sometimes I wish I was coddled as a baby.. and appreciated.. and hugged.. like my sisters.." Y/N weeped in between the words and I bought her closer to calm her down.

"Do you know what I think about you? I think you're pretty, cool and dope girl. And its my first time meeting all these traits in one person too. I... I looked up to you.. even when you were faking with Anbu which hurt him... but ..at the end of the day.. you were trying to save his head.. and all ours... So in my eyes.. you are THE angel, Y/N." I said and she raised her head to look at me.

Her face has that puzzled look, but hard to read.

"You're thinking why the hell Ammu's ex-boyfriend is trying to hype you up? Huh?" I said in a funny tone and she laughed, looking down.

"Oh, so you also know how to get shy and all huh?" I continued and she kept that smile.

"Anbu is a tough guy, I always wondered how he fell for your words. But now I get it. Its this smile." I said, and a voice from the back of my mind asking me to stop, telling its inappropriate.

But its not inappropriate when she was faking liking my bestfriend, and Ammu clearly told me we have nothing between us anymore before flying back to India.

Technically, I may be right. But my sound mind says all these feelings for Y/N is wrong.

Yet, it feels so right.

We've been looking into each other's eyes for a long time. I wonder whether Y/N would start to see me more than Ammu's ex, or Anbu's bestfriend.

She stopped smiling many seconds back.

"I can ask my company to hire you. Accomodation, food, insurance.. everything will be covered. Don't worry about your future da.. I'm with you." I said.

"Thank you." She said in a feeble tone.

Y/N's POV

I thanked him softly. My mind's is currently like a toddler's scribbles. There's nothing I can think right now, other than feeling grateful to Raja.

Raja's been patting my back all time. And I feel like a child finally receiving the affection she never received.

"Raja..." I called him. "Hmm.." he said still patting my back.

"Can I lean on your shoulder for sometime?" I asked and he pushed my back with his hand and I placed my head on his shoulders. He then placed his hand on my head and massaged it gently.

He then rested his chin on my head and patted my back with his other hand.

"Yebba namma Anbu van- Dey!! Enna da nadakuthu inga?!!! (Hey guys our Anbu as-- hey what's happening here?)" Kingsley broke into our room and stood like a statue.

Raja placed me back on the bed and got up to enquire.

Kingsley just looked at us back and forth. From the way Kingsley speak and behaves ever since he landed here.. I can tell he does not know about my plans. Otherwise, he wouldn't be kind to me.

"Anna.. sollu na..(Bro.. tell me)" Raja asked, tapping his shoulders. 

Kingsley, who is still looking at both of us with a shocking look.

"Anbu..." He said, pointing at the hallway and Raja ran, probably to Anbu's room.

Kingsley again turned to me to say something, but Raja called him from the hallway and he too rushed there.

Kingsley na, I am not cheating Anbu. We're not even a couple.

But, is it fair for Ammu? I mean, can I be friends with her ex?

Yeah, normally yes if your friend doesn't mind, and Ammu won't mind being a hi-bye-hang out friend, but to be a friend who is there emotionally...

I shouldnt have asked to lean on him. Damn, my vulnerablity got the best of me. But again, I really NEED a job.

And I need somebody, as I cannot go ask help from neither Ashwin or Anbu anymore. Ammu already has a baggage and I can't burden her more.

I dont technically need anybody, but having someone will feel nice, and Raja gives me that feel.

Raja left his phone on my bed. I took it, wanting to call my Auntie through WhatsApp.

I saved my Auntie's number and then opened WhatsApp to see hundreds of messages unopened.

My eyes, of course being my eyes, quickly focused onto my name in a message sent by Ammu.

"Y/N is my friend. I know her."

The message read.

Even though my former job kicked me on the butt and laid me off in the middle of the project, it will take some time for the instincts to wear off... so I gave in to that and opened their chatbox.

Ammu: Reached my house. Please take care of Anbu and Y/N, update me about everything. And thank you for saving her.

Raja: Sure. Will do. Take care Ammu.

Ammu: Take care of Y/N... she's been through a lot... Anbu will obv get angry at her deceiving him...but u know her reasons...

Raja: I am with her. You dont worry.

Ammu: Of course, you won't leave her.

Raja:   Wdym?

Ammu: Oh shut it. I can tell by the way you look at her. But handle the situation carefully. To tell Anbu will be pissed off that you tryna hit on the girl who was pretending to be his girl is an understatement.

Raja:  I won't pursue her.

Ammu: Its best not to do, right now.

Raja:  I cannot betray my bestfriend.

Ammu:  Chill. Give it time.

Raja:  I know what you are trying to do. You're playing the Devil's advocate to check if I have moved on or not.

Ammu: Don't act childish, Raja. And don't be in denial too. There's already many problems swindling. Keep your mind open. If you wanna date someone new, go for it, or if you wanna date Y/N go for it. But Y/N do not like dating culture.

RAJA:  really?

Ammu:  Yeah. And right now, dating is the last thing she wants. She needs to get up in life again.

Raja: I know.. I have refered Y/N to my HR, will definitely get a job within my team. I'll protect her.

Ammu: Call me if you need any help. Y/N is a sweet girl. I hope you won't break her heart too.

Raja: Do not worry Ammu. I won't. And if Y/N decides to go out with me, then I'll be the luckiest person in the world as both me and my other side likes her.

Ammu: Prick.

Ammu: I am saying this because Y/N is my bestfriend and I know her.

Ammu: And if you tryna break her heart, you will get your ass kicked by four people. Convey this to your "other side" as well.

I quickly clicked the "Mark as Unread" button and called ny
my Aunty.