Its been two months I haven't written anything. I don't know, I should publish this depressing story at this time when everyone is already stressed due to covid19 or not. I hope all of you are doing well and safe in your home.  On my part, I am good, trying to help as much as I can ,in the fight with covid19.

"Surbhi,"Saurabh tried to wake up her but she refused to move an inch.
" Its been hours, you haven't ate anything. "He carress her hairs. She wept all afternoon and her whimpers still audible. Its first in its kind that she is not ready to listen him.

"What you think about using toilet?"

"Will you drink some water?"

"Lime juice?"

"Pinacolada?"

"Mango Shake?"

"Smoothie?"

"Strawberry yoghurt?"

"Espresso?"

"Cold coffee?"

"Almond milk?"

"Ginger tea?"

There is no response from the other side , he looked down. She slept in his lap .He wiped her face carefully and let her rest peacefully. Today's event doesn't went like he planned infact it shocked him. The way she ran towards school, that kid and then complete silence. His legs start aching as it's been hours, she buried her face in his lap. He shifted her head onto a pillow,cover her with a blanket and sat quietly at her side.

"Its just a phase ,it will pass"he mumbled. After four hours she  wakes up and placed her head again in his lap.

"Guess, what is in menu today?"he starts the conversation again and there is no response from her side.

"So .. you won't guess,no problem I'll tell you and your mouth will start watering.  Today's menu is 'Bajra no rotlo ane rigan nu bhartu '(Millets bread and eggplant curry)"he said enthusiastically. She still doesn't respond. He brought the plate near her nostrils so it's aroma compelling her to break her zone out phase.

"Hmmm its smells so good"he tried to lure her. "I am damn hungry but I am not going to eat without you."She looked towards him and sat quietly. He tore small piece of bread, dip it in curry and forwarded towards her. She ate few bites and then again slept in his lap. He ate quietly,played soft music on music player and let her rest again.

"Can I come in ?"Arman is on the door. He opened the door and let him come in.

"Everything alright bhai?"Arman asked and there is lines of worry on Saurabh's face ."Appointment with doctor ,is that went well?"he said while looking towards Surbhi who is sleeping on the bed. Saurabh narrated whole event to him.

"Don't worry bhai , we'll manage it. You just take rest. It might be panic attack or something. We shall consult her doctor tomorrow. It will be fine . We'll fixed it."Arman assured him .

"I know."he replied.

"Okay, Good night."

"Wait Arman, take this book and give to Priya"he moved towards side table to pickup the book. His hand accidentally touched her skin,he felt her skin extra hot. He checked her neck and forehead. "Arman,I think she is having fever."

"Yes bhai ,bhabhi is having fever."Arman said after checking the thermameter which he bought from drawer.

"Hello doctor Singh"Saurabh dialled her doctor" Saurabh Rathore this side , husband of your patient Surbhi."

"Yes,Mr Rathore"

"I know you don't pay home visit but   please came at my place?"

"What's the matter Mr Rathore?"

"Actually I was bringing her to hospital in morning as per schedule but I don't know what happened,she ran towards a school and then all silent and now she is having fever."

"I am coming."

**********

Doctor Singh did her checkup and asked to bring some medicine.

"Thank you doctor for coming .I don't know what I'll do if you don't came."

"Welfare of our patients is our job but don't make it a routine. I prefer prior appointment and consultation in hospital "

"Yes doctor"

"She is having high fever but it will be alright after medication. Place wet clothe strips on her forehead ,it will help in bringing down her temperature."Mr Singh said after doing check up.

"Okay doctor."

"You were telling about her running away ."

"Yes doctor, I was bringing her to hospital,she suddenly disappeared and I found her in school building , kneeling towards a kid. She knew the kid but kid doesn't know her and ran away after that she hasn't uttered a word."

"Anything else"

"No "

" I think, she might have remembered something about her past. Due to sudden recognition it might have affected her system. She might be shocked with this information."

"What can I do for her so she can feel better"

"Take care of her and if she is comfortable in sharing something, record everything."after that doctor left.

Saurabh wakes up her and gave her medicine.He gently placed strips  on her forehead.This is very hard time for him each second feels like an era. It seems time just stopped at one place . On this night he doesn't look like a ordinary man,it seems a sage is sat there waiting for his penance to be successful. Months have passed away and her condition is deteriorating instead of improving. His wait is not ending. The one who never let him wait for her ,is not even  responding today. She was always on time infact he was late on many times.

"I am sorry for being late,I was in a meeting and...I am really sorry Surbhi."

"No,its fine,I have this ,so it's not a big deal"she showed him a book.

"Shiva Trilogy "he uttered " you are into mythological stories"

"Not exactly but this one is really good."

"Saurabh...

"Yes...

"Do you really think...

"Do you know how to dance?"he changed the topic. He still doesn't understand, why she thinks ,she is not the one who should be pursued for long-term relationship.

"You mean Garba?"

"Nope"

"Then?"

"What you think about Salsa?"

"Actually I am uncomfortable with random guy's touch."she said in low voice.

"Come with me, you will not feel uncomfortable in my company."

"You have,so much confidence"

"Yes,I have and you will feel the same when you  will come with me."

"I'll wait for your call."

This is another incomplete dream of his. He failed to manage time for this kind of classes even though intimate dance was frequent in their life. He first time shake legs with her on their own wedding. It was night of Garba raas , everybody was dancing in a big  circle including her. He entered in the centre of circle and pulled her towards him. He kneeled towards her and offer a red rose to her. As expected her cheeks turned crimson red, she immediately took the rose.

"Dance with me" he whispered softly in her ear

"No"he expected this reply as  public display of affection makes her extremely nervous.

"Why?"

"I haven't wore sari"

"Does it matter?"

"It does.who dance in Lahnga choli?"

"We can. We shall look great and our dance too.trust me."after that assurance few minutes was magical with her. She followed his lead gracefully.Almost everyone compliment them for their amazing dance moves but for him , togetherness of his introvert princess matter the most.

"Water?" She demands in half unconscious state .He immediately moved at her side and feed her with  help of a spoon . In the wee hours her fever got down.  She wakes up around nine and a person with warm smile was there to welcome her. She looked towards him and tears starts flowing from her eyes.

"Surbhi?? what happened? Are you not feeling well?"he asked with concern. He checked her forehead and neck. Her body temperature is normal.

"Husband"her faint voice came.

"Yes Surbhi,tell me what is wrong?"

"Husband...

"Husband... when.. you.. were... not..

"They.. beat me.... really.. hard. They .... beat... here."she showed her hand, legs and suddenly start opening her clothes. He didn't intrrupt her.

"It  ..hurted ...here ... the most." She tried to show him .There is a deep dark scar near her left clavicle bone. He saw it many times but never had guts to ask about it.

"How it happened?"he asked calmly.

"I ...ate... apple...

There is frown on his face. How eating an apple results into a scar? Its baseless.

"He ....ran ...with...rod....he ....beat...it ... stuck.. here"she pointed to her skin.

"You mean rod stuck here and wounded your shoulder."he formed her words in sentence. She nodded her head and hided her face in his lap.

"I'll... never.... eat... an... apple. I promise ... I'll.... not..... touch... it again" her hiccups were heart breaking.

May be she doesn't have money for the fruit. Probably she had steal it but is it right to beat someone to this extent. Are people became apathic? Isn't it cruelty?