Dark
Night Dawning – Part 5
‘So
Khushiji, Arnav tells me that you were suffering from a panic attack when you
got stuck in the lift.’ Anjali asked unable to hide the mischievous smile that
stole into her lips.
Khushi had
just joined the rest of the group for dinner after freshening up in the rest
room. She went red with embarrassment when she heard Anjali’s question. She
looked at Arnav who seemed to be suddenly very busy with his food.
‘I ….I am a
little afraid of darkness Di.’ she said, trying to swallow her food as quickly
as possible.
‘A little?’
said Arnav sarcastically, ‘You were hysterical!‘
Khushi
looked at Arnav shooting daggers with her eyes. He looked back at her and
shrugged his shoulders as if to say, ‘Well its true!’
‘It was good
that you were there to take care of Khushiji then, wasn’t it?’ said Anjali enjoying
herself immensely.
Arnav looked
at Khushi’s flushed face and hoped this ordeal would be over as soon as
possible. Soon the conversation moved to a different topic and Arnav heaved a
sigh of relief for having been spared from further embarrassment.
Finally, the
dinner was done and it was time to get back home. As they entered the lift once
again, Khushi felt some of the fear return. Then, she felt herself pushed to
one corner of the lift and her left hand being taken into a larger warm one. It
was Arnav. She felt all her fear melt away at his touch. But as his thumb
started making circular motions, her dhak dhak began and warmth began to suffuse
through her entire body.
Arnav had
wanted to shield Khushi from the prying eyes of Shyam, who had been in a
strange stupor all through dinner. When he looked down at Khushi, it seemed
like she was breathing hard and suddenly realized that he had been
unconsciously caressing her hand. He felt desire surge through him at her
response and he tightened his hold on her.
When the
group got off the elevator, Anjali wanted to use the rest room. Khushi offered
to go along with her while the rest decided to wait in the lobby. As Khushi
waited for Anjali outside the ladies room, Shyam came walked up to her and
said, ‘You are looking beautiful tonight, Khushiji!’
‘Don’t ever
talk to me like that jeejaji!’ said
Khushi in anger.
‘Don’t call
me that Khushiji,’ he pleaded trying to touch her cheek, ‘Remember the good
times we used to have?’
‘Stop it!’
Khushi turned and ran, tears streaming down her cheeks, not looking in which
direction she was heading. She yanked open a door and kept running. After a few
minutes, she found herself in a construction zone. It looked like the rooms in
the hotel were being renovated. The ceiling looked like it would cave in any
minute as it seemed to be supported with tall bamboo sticks. There was water
everywhere on the floor. She knew that she was lost when she kept coming
back to the same place she had started. She just couldn’t find the way out. She
realized she had forgotten to bring her cell phone with her. Soon she began to
panic. She called out for help.
When she thought
that she was going to be stuck there the entire night, she heard someone
calling out for her. It was Arnav. Joy surged through her. He had come looking
for her!
‘What the
____?’ Arnav was angry.
‘Arnavji!’
she was relieved to see him.
When he
reached her, he grabbed her hand and began to drag her. Khushi tried to keep
pace with him but suddenly her pallu got stuck on a nail on one of the bamboo
sticks immediately displacing it and some of the bricks it was supporting came
crumbling down. Arnav quickly pushed Khushi to the floor, covering her with his
own body. He then covered his own head with his arms.
“Arnavji!’
Khushi screamed in panic.
‘Let’s get
out of here before the whole place comes down,’ said Arnav helping her to her
feet.
They finally
managed to find their way back when the hotel staff found them and lead them
back to the lobby, where Anjali, Akash, Payal and Shyam were waiting for
them. Anjali’s relief on seeing them
turned into worry when she saw Arnav’s injured hand.The fingers on his left
hand were swollen and his face was contorted with pain.
‘What
happened Chotey?’ she asked worry creasing her forehead, ‘Is Khushiji ok?’
‘He hurt his
himself trying to save me Di,’ said Khushi in a small voice, eyes filled with
tears, ‘He needs to see a doctor right away.’
‘Di, please
go home with jeejaji. I will take bhai to the hospital. We can have Mohan pick
up bhai’s car later.’ said Akash.
‘No Akash,’
said Anjali, ‘I will follow you to the hospital.’
‘Di, please
do as Akash says,’ pleaded Arnav, ‘It’s just a scratch. I will be absolutely fine,’
he added to put her to ease.
Anjali agreed reluctantly while Akash drove to the hospital
with Arnav, Khushi and Payal in tow.
When they reached the hospital, they went to the Emergency
department where only one member was allowed along with the patient. Akash
asked Khushi to go in with Arnav and told her that he and Payal would wait for
them outside.
In the emergency room, a nurse had taken Arnav to the
examination table and drawn the curtains. A doctor had stepped in to examine
Arnav. After a few minutes when the curtain opened, Khushi saw the nurse
applying a topical ointment on his back. She was shocked to see several bruises
on his back that were just turning into an ugly blue colour. The doctor told her that his bruises looked
external and would heal but had recommended an x-ray just to be safe. After the
x-ray reports came in the he told them that it there was no fracture but his
left had suffered a tendon injury which would have to be splinted in a cast for
two weeks. When the doctor saw Khushi’s upset face, he told her there was
nothing to worry and that the he would heal fast as long he rested well. He wrote
a prescription for pain killers, telling them to return in two weeks for a
follow up.
On the way back Khushi sat next to Arnav thankful for the
darkness as tears streamed down her cheeks. Arnav had laid his head back and
closed his eyes sedated by the injection that the nurse had given him at the
hospital.
When they
returned home, Anjali came up to Arnav her face full of concern. Akash had
called her from the hospital and explained everything.
‘You will
have to take care not to strain yourself Chotey,’ said Anjali, ‘You are not
going to office for the next two weeks.’
‘Are you
kidding me?’ asked Arnav still groggy, ‘I should be fine after a night’s rest.’
‘No way!’
said Anjali and turned toward Khushi ‘Khushiji, it will be your responsibility
to make sure he gets plenty of rest.’
‘Yes Di,’ said
Khushi quietly, ‘I will take care of him. Please don’t worry.’
‘By the way
Khushiji, how did you happen to get lost in the hotel?’ asked Anjali.
‘I … I
suddenly remembered that I had forgotten my cell phone at the restaurant. In a
hurry, I failed to see where I was going and got lost.’ She finished in a small
voice.
She looked
up to see Arnav staring at her intently. She hated lying like this.
After
entering the bedroom, as Arnav headed straight for the bed and lay down on it,
he winced with pain and sat upright.
‘Arnavji,’said
Khushi coming up to him, ‘I will re-apply the ointment on your back so it
soothes you.’
‘I think I
can manage without that,’ he said his voice hoarse with pain.
‘I don’t
think so,’ she said firmly. She bent over him and began to pull the tails of
his shirt out of his trousers.
When he
tried stopping her by holding her hand with his good hand, she firmly moved it
out of her way. She began to unbutton his shirt. Arnav wasn’t sure which was
more painful --- the bruises or the touch of her fingers searing his skin as
each button came undone. As she peeled his shirt off his shoulders, he swore
under his breath as pleasure mixed with pain at the touch of her fingers on his
shoulder and arms.
When her
fingers moved to the belt buckle he was shocked, ‘Khushi, what are you doing?’
‘How will
you sleep with your belt on?’ she asked softly, ‘You will be more comfortable
in your pyjamas.’
After she removed
the belt, she gently placed her quivering hands on waistband of his trousers
and undid the hook.
‘Khushi,
just get my pyjamas I will manage.’ He didn’t want to feel so helpless in front
of her.
‘Please
Arnavji, I have seen you in less so cut the fuss and just let me help you.’
Khushi was
shocked to hear the words that her come out of her mouth. So was Arnav.
‘Is that
right?’ asked Arnav his voice low, making a mental note of that for future
reference. He removed his trousers and put on his track pant not without some
degree of difficulty.
‘P…Please
lie down on your stomach, so I can apply some ointment on you.’ she stammered
not knowing how long she would be able to keep up her bravado. She began to
apply the ointment on his bruises, gently rubbing the ointment in a circular
motion.
Her hands
felt so good that Arnav fought the lethargy that was overtaking him but he had
to know something first.
‘How did you get lost Khushi?’ he asked her,
his voice low.
‘I …I told
you earlier, I wanted to get my cell phone and in a hurry I lost my way.’
Khushi was shocked at his sudden question.
‘Is that
right?’ he asked her enigmatically.
‘I….Yes.’
She said in a whisper as she continued her ministrations on his back.
Why won’t
she tell me? He wondered. He had seen her talking to Shyam from the end of the
corridor. He had also seen Shyam about to follow her when Anjali had stepped
out of the ladies room. They had both returned to the lobby after that. When
Khushi hadn’t returned in a few minutes he had gone searching for her in the
same direction she had taken and found her in the construction area. His
thoughts began to turn hazy when the pain killers kicked in numbing his body
into relaxation and finally sleep claimed him.
Khushi
changed into her night suit and settled on the recliner watching him sleep. It was all her fault. If she hadn’t run away
so impulsively Arnav would not be hurt. When he had asked her earlier why she
had run off like that she almost tempted to spill the truth. But she couldn’t.
She wasn’t exactly sure about where they stood in their relationship and
whether he would understand if she made such a big accusation. Earlier she had
thought that Shyam would change if she gave him a chance. But now it did not
seem very likely. But, now would not be the right time because Di will not be
able to bear it in her condition and it might harm the baby growing inside her.
She would have to bide her time. In the mean time she would have to make amends
in her own way.
The doctor
had told her that the painkillers lasted only 5-6 hours and that he might
require another dose after that. She came awake to hear Arnav’s moan and
realized that the pain had woken him up. She checked the time to see that it
was 5 hours since he had gone to sleep. She took the pain killer and some water
and gently woke him up.
‘Arnavji, please
get up and take this tablet.’
When Arnav
accidently used his right hand to push himself to a sitting position he winced
with pain.
‘Arnavji,
let me help you up.’ Khushi immediately put down the glass of water and held
him by his shoulders. She realized he was too heavy for her to manage just with
her hands. She went closer and used the body strength to pull him up. Their
eyes met and they stared at each other for countless seconds and then there was
flash of pain in Arnav’s eyes. Khushi realized that she was practically lying on
him and suddenly she shot upright and gave him his tablet and water. He took it
and was ready to go back to sleep. She went back to her position on the
recliner.
In the
morning she went down to the kitchen to help in the morning breakfast. She
assured everyone that he was doing okay and proceeded to make tea for Arnav.
When Khushi
took up Arnav’s tea she saw that he was sitting up with his back against the
head board.
‘I brought
your tea Arnavji,’ she said, ‘Would you like me to help you with anything?’
‘Uhh…,’ he
said slowly, ‘Could you just bring me my lap top?’
‘You are not
supposed to work,’ she said immediately.
‘I am just
going to check e-mails,’ said Arnav, ‘It’s very important Khushi.’
Khushi
brought him the lap top and said, ‘I will go and get your breakfast while you
get ready then.’
‘That won’t
be necessary. I will come down for breakfast.’
‘But ____’
she protested.
‘I said I
will be fine. It’s just a small injury. I am not handicapped ok?’ he said firmly.
Arnav had
worked for an hour looking at e-mails and then on the phone with Aman. He
craved for a bath right now but the pain in his body was too much for him
manage one. Just then Khushi walked in with his breakfast.
‘I said I
would be coming down for breakfast,’ he said though he was relieved for not
having to walk down.
‘Well….
everyone has finished eating. You might as well eat here.’ she said bringing
his tray up to him.
‘Leave it
here. I will take my breakfast after I take a bath.’
Khushi went
into the rest room and came back after a few minutes. She came back and stood
next to him.
‘Come on,’
she said,‘Your water is ready.’
‘What?’ he
asked her incredulously.
‘I have a
lot of work. Please come with me without wasting more time.’
When had she
become this authoritative he thought to himself. But he was too weak to argue
and he really wanted a shower. Inside the bathroom he found a plastic stool and
a bucket of water. Khushi then looked down at his track pant indicating him to
take them off. Arnav shook his head at her absurdity, but conceded. Once he had
stripped down to his boxers, she directed him to sit on the stool.
Khushi took
a mug of water and poured it on him making sure no water fell on the cast.
Arnav closed his eyes as the hot water soothed his bruises and hurts. She then
took a wash cloth, took a blob of shower gel on it and began to rub it on his
shoulders in circular motions. Sensations
assailed him in spite of the pain. Her hand had moved to his chest,
continuing down to his flat stomach, his waist and around to his back. She was
extremely gentle making sure not to hurt his bruises. God! If she continued like this, he would need a cold shower instead of
a hot one. She then moved in front of him and moved the wash cloth over his
hands, first the right and then left. If
he hadn’t been in intense pain she would be in big trouble right now. Then
she bent down and did his legs. Did she
know what that was doing to him? Her hands then moved to his face. She had
discarded the wash cloth and was using her bare hands now. A memory of their previous encounter in the bathroom came back to him
and as he looked at her eyes he realized that she was remembering it too.
She quickly poured the remaining water on him washing away the foam from his
body. She took the towel from the holder and began to dry him.
Back in the
bedroom, Khushi went up to the wardrobe to pick out a t-shirt and track pant
for Arnav. She closed her eyes and composed her quivering body. She hoped he
would be fit soon enough. She didn’t think she would be able to endure this for
long.
She quickly
gave him his painkiller and escaped out of the room unable to look into the
intense eyes boring into her.
After Arnav
ate his breakfast Anjali, Akash and Naniji came to meet him and he assured all of
them that he was doing okay. After they left, Arnav switched on his laptop, checked
his meeting schedule and found that he had a meeting right away. He dialled in.
Once the meeting was done he called Aman to brief him about follow up. Aman
also reminded him that he was supposed to send an e-mail to a very important
client. He began to type. Just then Khushi entered the room. Seeing him slowly
typing on his lap top with one hand Khushi went up to him.
‘Let me do
it for you.’ she said.
‘That’s ok I
will manage.’ He said curtly.
‘Just
dictate. I will type it for you.’ she said.
Arnav was
irritated but began his dictation in usual fast paced manner.
‘You know,
we have already done this before. I can record your voice and go over
everything word by word. OR…..you could dictate a little slower and make this
easy.’ She said looking into his eyes.
Arnav
conceded and in the next one hour they had progressed a lot when Khushi had
typed at least a dozen e-mails for him and sent it out on his behalf.
After lunch, Khushi had cajoled Arnav to sleep for some time
and he had agreed. By evening he was feeling much better and had gone back to
attending some more meetings. He had to send a few more e-mails for which he
would wait for Khushi to come up after dinner. She had come up with his evening
tea and then gone back ----probably to her tuition class. He was not in a big
hurry.
After dinner,
Khushi had gone up to Anjali’s room to give her the badam milk she liked so
much.
‘Khushiji,
please go up and take some rest. I know you haven’t slept yesterday night.’
‘No Di. This
is the least I can do for him as it is all my fault that he is in so much pain.
He was unable to go to work today. You know how much that bothers him.‘ Tears
started to well up in her eyes and she quickly left the room.
Shyam stepped out the bathroom relieved that Khushi had not
said anything about their encounter previous night.
‘It is so
nice to be in love, isn’t it?’ Anjali asked Shyam a little wistfully.
‘What do you
mean, Rani sahiba?’ he asked her surprized at her sudden comment.
‘I am
talking about Khushiji. She loves Chotey so much.’
‘What?’ he
exclaimed, then softened his tone and carefully asked, ‘How can you say?’
‘The way she
has taken care of Chotey in the last 24 hours. And I am sure Chotey does too.
He doesn’t express it but I have been seeing it in their eyes since they
returned from Nainital.’
‘Is that
so?’ he asked in a low voice.
‘Yes. I
think my surprize for them worked out really well.’ she said happily.
‘What
surprize?’ he asked her unable to stop himself.
‘I had
booked them a honeymoon suite in the hotel they were staying and on the last
night I had the hotel staff light candles and put flowers all over the room,’ she
said with a twinkle in her eyes.
No! It cannot be! Shyam’s face began to
twitch.
Back in the
room, Khushi watched Arnav sleeping on his stomach again. She had applied the
ointment on his bruises. She knew he would be alright tonight. She went to her side
of the bed and lay on it. Sometime in the middle of the night, Khushi woke up
to feeling of someone touching her. She opened her eyes to see that Arnav’s
head was resting on her arm, his face snuggled in the crook of her neck, with
his arm around her waist. She raised her hand to run her fingers through his
hair, and closed her eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.
