Khushi was sleeping peacefully when Lavanya entered the room. She sat in the chair beside the bed, holding Khushi's hand, while her tears started flowing.

Lavanya (crying): I'm sorry... It had to be me in your place, but... (sniffing) I'm sorry, Khushi. This all happened because of me. It's all my fault. Please, forgive me. I promise I'll help you regain your memory, and if you still don't remember anything, I'll always be there to help you make new memories.

Khushi started murmuring in her sleep, "No, please don't leave me alone..."

Lavanya became alert and listened to her saying, "don't leave me alone..." She wondered to whom Khushi was mentioning not to leave. She then saw Khushi sleeping like before and sighed. She took her mobile and called someone.

Lavanya: Hello...

Person from the other side: Hello... Ji kaun? (Who's this?)

Lavanya: Ramu kaka, it's me, Lavanya. Where's everyone?

Ramu kaka: Lavanya bitiya, everyone has gone to attend a marriage.

Lavanya: Oh yes. When they come back, tell them I will be staying with my friend tonight, and I will bring her home tomorrow morning.

Ramu kaka: Theek hai bitiya. (Okay, dear.)

After informing, Lavanya kept her mobile on the side table and again watched Khushi sleeping peacefully due to the effects of medicine. She sighed and closed her eyes to get some sleep herself, which seemed to be impossible. Whenever she closed her eyes, she saw the image of Khushi screaming and her face full of blood. She gulped some water and slept after a lot of struggle in the same sitting position.

.......................................

Next Morning

Khushi woke up from her deep sleep. The first thing she saw was Lavanya sleeping in a chair. She blinked her eyes and sat on the bed, then slowly tried to get up from it. During this process, a glass fell from the table which she held for support. The loud sound of breaking glass made Lavanya get up instantly.

Lavanya (worriedly): Khushi, what happened? Why are you standing? Do you need something? (She held Khushi's hand and made her sit in the chair.)

Khushi: Nothing, Lavanyaji. I'm fine. I just felt like I hadn't stood up in a long time, and that's why I lost balance.

Lavanya: One week.

Khushi: Ji...? (What...?)

Lavanya: You've been unconscious for one week.

Khushi heard it shockingly and didn't know where to start, but she had to ask to know about herself.

Khushi: Lavanyaji... ummm... where did we meet? I mean, what do you know about me other than my name? And how did all this happen to me?

Lavanya knew that Khushi would ask these questions and was prepared to answer, noting to herself "NOT TO DEPRESS KHUSHI." She started softly.

Lavanya: First of all, it's "Lavanya," not "Lavanyaji." You used to call me by that name.

Khushi smiled, and Lavanya thought about the incident when she first called her name without adding "ji" and the same was her last scream before the accident. Lavanya sadly sighed, then took another chair, sat beside her, holding Khushi's hands.

Lavanya: Don't worry. I'll tell you whatever I know about you, okay?

Khushi: Okay, Lavanya.

Lavanya: That's better. So listen... *Fake story created by Lavanya* As you know, your name is Khushi. You finished your fashion course and were searching for a job. You came for an interview in my brother's office where I was also joining newly. So, you were selected, and we both met there and became friends.

Khushi: When? (Lavanya was confused about this "when?" Watching her confused expression, Khushi asked again) When did I come for the interview? I mean, you said I have been unconscious for one week, so...?

Lavanya: Oh, that... you came for the interview... (gulping) three days before the accident.

Khushi: Accident?

Lavanya: Yes, after you were selected, we met in the office and became friends. We started our work the next day. We worked, ate, and roamed together for TWO DAYS. Then, unfortunately, on the third day of our office and our friendship, you... you met with an accident. And it's all because of "me."

Khushi: Because of you? How...?

Lavanya (sniffing): That day, one of us had to go for a project meeting with my brother. He called me with him, but I denied it and told him that I would send you. He went... then, I told you to go there, and you went by office car where you... (tightly closing her eyes, she said) you... met with an accident on the way. It had to be me in your place.

Khushi: No, please don't blame yourself for this. It's my fate.

They were both silent for some time, lost in their own thoughts. Lavanya was thinking about how she was lying to Khushi, and Khushi was thinking about asking questions that would clarify her doubts. She had to know more, not just about the work she's doing.

Khushi: Umm... do you know about my family?

Lavanya: Well... actually... we were together for just two days, and in those two days, whatever you told me was only about your sister. Your "Jiji." You love her a lot.

Khushi (whispering): Jiji...

This word brought some flashes in her mind. She closed her eyes tightly. It wasn't a clear view, as usual, but she could see a small girl who was extending her hands smilingly, and the sound "Jiji" was echoing. Khushi's tears started flowing again. Lavanya shook her, and she came back to reality. Suddenly she did something Lavanya didn't expect. Khushi hugged her and started crying.

Khushi (crying): I... I saw a small girl, but I don't know who she is.

Lavanya: Relax... relax, Khushi... please calm down, dear.

Lavanya wiped Khushi's tears, held her face, and said, "Khushi, you may not believe it, but I know everything happened because of me. I don't know about your family or anything about you. But trust me, Khushi, I'll find out everything about you. And until then, you'll stay with me. Please just believe me, and I'll make everything as before. Please..."

Khushi: I believe you.

This sentence from Khushi was more than enough for Lavanya.

Lavanya: Okay then, get fresh. I'll have a talk with the doctor and then take you to my place.

Khushi: Okay.

Lavanya smiled and left to meet the doctor. She told the doctor about Khushi visualizing a small girl. The doctor guessed the small girl might be Khushi herself. Maybe she is getting some flashes of her childhood. This is a good sign which indicates that she will slowly but surely get her memory back. Lavanya was very happy after hearing it.

Lavanya: Thank you so much. May I take her home now?

Doctor: Yes, but don't worry, dear. Okay?

Lavanya: Okay.

Lavanya went back from there. When she opened the door, she saw Khushi waiting for her. Lavanya came inside and took her mobile from the side table.

Lavanya: Let's go.

Khushi nodded her head and they both went out of the hospital. Khushi was feeling good to inhale the fresh air. A smile adorned her face automatically. Lavanya directed her towards the car and both sat in the back seat. Lavanya informed the driver and he started the car. Khushi suppressed her fears as she was sitting in the car for the first time after the accident. Though she didn't remember anything, Lavanya remembered each part of that accident, and here Khushi was again sitting beside her in the car. Lavanya thanked God that this time she was not driving. Then, she checked her mobile phone and gasped in shock.

Khushi: What happened, Lavanya?

Lavanya: I have got 13 missed calls... How come I didn't know about it? Oh, the phone was in silent mode. (She talked to herself and tried calling back, but there was some network problem which made her sigh in disappointment.)

Khushi (worried): Is everything okay?

Lavanya: Yes, everything's fine. It's my sister who had called so many times. I never stay out at night, so she might be worried. Let her wait for some more time. We are about to reach home.

Khushi: So, you have a brother and a sister?

Lavanya: I have a huge family, Khushi. You will see.

Lavanya told Khushi about each and every member of her family. Khushi was feeling too good to hear about them. They shared smiles when Lavanya told some funny incidents that happened in her family. They didn't even realize that they had reached home. The huge gates of a mansion opened for them.

The car stopped and the driver said, "Mam, we have reached," which brought them back to the world.

Lavanya: So, are you ready to meet the family?

Khushi: I think I am more than just ready. (They chuckled, recalling how Lavanya told each and every detail about the family members.)

They both reached the front door. Khushi felt nervous when Lavanya blinked, asking her to 'relax' and rang the bell. The huge door opened, making them look ahead.

Lavanya: Namaste, Ramu kaka. (Hello, Ramu kaka.)

Ramu Kaka: Namaste bitiya. Sab andar aapka intezaar kar rahe hain... (Hello, dear. Everyone is waiting for you inside.)

Lavanya (smiling): Okay. Ramu Kaka, this is Khushi, my friend. And Khushi, this is Ramu Kaka, our caretaker. He is also a part of our family.

Khushi (joining her palms to greet): Namaste. (Hello.)

Ramu Kaka: Namaste, Khushi bitiya.

They both entered the mansion and saw the family members sitting in the living area. Among everyone, a lady saw Lavanya first and ran towards her. This made everyone turn towards them.

Lady: Lavanya, kahan thi tum? Kabse tumhara phone try kar rahe hain. Tumne jawab hi nahi diya. Hum sab kitne pareshan ho gaye they. Aise toh tum kabhi koi call miss nahi karti ho aur Ramu Kaka keh rahe the ki... (Lavanya, where were you? We've been trying to call you. Why didn't you answer? We were very worried because you never miss a call and Ramu Kaka said that...)

She abruptly stopped her queries when she saw the girl with Lavanya.

Lavanya: Kya hua, di? Aapke sawaal khatam ho gaye? Toh, yeh rahe aapke jawab. Bataya tha na ke mai apni saheli se milne jaa rahi hun. Woh hospital mein admit hai. (What happened, di? Are your questions finished? Here are the answers. I already told you that I was going to meet my friend. She is admitted in the hospital.)

Lavanya turned towards Khushi and held her hand, then said to her, "This is my family." Turning to the family, she continued, "And everyone, this is my friend..."

Lady (interrupting): "Khushi..."

Lavanya and Khushi were both shocked to the core. Lavanya was the one to react. "Di, you know her...?"

.................................

To be Continued..

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