I was standing in the corridor, with Naina beside me. Not even a single word to be uttered. I looked around sharply, my brows furrowed.
Where was that family who always blamed my wife for no reason at all?
Were they satisfied now?
A frustrated sigh escaped my mouth.
"B-bhaiya....how was bhabhi when you found her?" she looked at me hopefully, as if I'd answer this Nth question of hers.
I stayed silent.
How was bhabhi? Well... for a matter of fact—fragile. Almost on the verge of death. Barely breathing. Her pulse was faint.
"Unconscious." I said finally.
"That toh I can sense. She's still unconscious." she said, disappointment evident in her voice.
How could I tell her something which I myself never wanted to be reminded ever again!
Silence again.
Click
Click
Click
My head shot up, hearing the faint, yet sharp footsteps approaching us.
"The family doctor wants to talk to you personally Vivaan." Ayesha, who was holding a tray of tea and cookies spoke gently.
I nodded my head and went inside our shared bedroom.
Ms. Patel, who was sitting beside Kruthi, looked up from examining her before administering an injection into her arm.
"She has mild breathing issues," Ms. Patel said finally.
"Breathing issues?" I repeated, my eyes widening slightly.
She nodded.
"It's not severe—not asthma either. It's more like mild airway sensitivity, probably developed during childhood due to prolonged exposure to smoke or polluted air. While I was examining her, her breathing briefly became irregular."
"Is it dangerous?"
"Nothing life-threatening, Mr. Malhotra," she reassured calmly. "Smoke, polluted environments, enclosed spaces, or excessive physical exertion can trigger breathing difficulties. As long as she avoids those situations, she should be fine."
I nodded, rubbing my chin thoughtfully.
"How is she now?"
The doctor glanced at Kruthi, her expression softening.
"Much better. When she was brought in, her breathing had almost stopped. That storage room was exactly the kind of environment she should never be exposed to. She'll recover completely within a week."
I nodded in consideration. But my eyes remained fixed on the floor.
Breathing issues?
Why wasn't I aware before?
The doctor left the room, leaving me and that sleeping beauty alone.
I stepped towards her and sat on the bed. She was calm now. Her eyes closed, her breathing soft, hair sprawled across the pillow.
She looked serene, too serene as if unaware of the very chaos I found her in.
My lips twitched slightly.
She was fine now.
Almost instinctively, my hand reached for her head and caressed it gently before tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"You have a great experience of getting in trouble, right?" I asked her unconscious form gently, in a low voice as if afraid to disturb her slumber, but at the same time wondering if she could hear me.
"Do you even know how worried I got there? you are not allowed to make me worry so bad."
I took her soft hand in mine.
"But no matter what...(Kisses her hand gently) I won't ever let anything happen to you."
I don't know why, my eyes moistened slightly.
Yes, I dislike her botherance.
Yes, I dislike her when she defies me.
Yes, I hate when she is angry with me.
I even hate when she talks about leaving me.
But...
Even after all that...
I want her to stay.
I want her here with me fit, fine and well...happy.
Because she stayed... even when I was at my worst.
I looked at my hand which was holding hers now.
The same hand which grabbed her throat when I lost temper, the same hand which hugged her gently when she cried right after that in fear...
The same hand which touched her face mask and made her delusional. A soft chuckle escaped my lips.
Then looked at the red diamond pendant she was wearing.
I can't imagine what would have happened to her. It was because of me that she was in this situation.
Either why would someone hold a grudge against her?
A knock on the door suddenly brought me out of my thoughts.
I suddenly took my hand back from Kruthi's and fixed my hair hastily.
What were you doing Mr.Vivaan Malhotra? My internal voice questioned me.
"Enter." I said in my deep voice.
Naina entered with a tray of soup and freshly cut fruits. Her eyes were lowered, but moistened. Her hands somehow found it difficult to hold the tray properly.
"It's okay. Your bhabhi is fine now." I took the tray from her hands and kept it aside. "She's just resting now."
Naina didn't say anything for a moment, just nodded and stared at Kruthi.
For a moment, I almost saw the little Naina in her, who was crying at our parents' demise.
Why did such natural parts of life have to become a trauma for both of us?
She forwarded her hand slowly to hold Kruthi's hand.
But my hand moved faster and I took her hand in mine again.
Naina looked at me dumbfounded. "W-what? let me hold my bhabhi for a moment..."
"Before that she's my wife. I made her your bhabhi. So I'll hold first."
"You were already here. Why didn't you hold her hand then?" Her emotional voice slightly turned defensive.
"I was..." I paused for a moment.
"You were what?"
"Checking emails. I left my meeting for all this charade." I said finally.
Naina didn't say anything more, instead held Kruthi's other hand. My eyes squinted slightly. Why does she have to express her care by holding her hand?
"We should let her rest." I said standing up suddenly.
Naina looked at me surprised for a moment. "Okay, you let her rest. I will stay here and make sure she is fine."
I looked at her dumbfounded now.
"T-that's not what I meant." Sh*t. Why did my voice crack now?
"I mean, I am her husband, I'll take care of her. You should rest too."
"But I was at home only. You should rest bhaiya, you returned from an international flight and suddenly started working again." Naina responded, her hand still clutched to Kruthi's.
"Fine. Can I have a cup of tea then?"
Naina squinted her eyes in confusion, standing up to leave. "Since when did you start drinking tea?"
"Today onwards, now go." I said pushing her out gently after wiping her tears.
Soon, after locking the door, I rubbed my forehead with my thumb and forefinger. What have I done? A light chuckle escaped my lips before I looked at her unconscious form.
"What are you doing to me, my wife? I hate you." I shook my head lightly at my own actions with Naina.
I paused softly, before finally admitting.
Not to her.
But more to myself.
"Yet somehow... the thought of losing you scares me far more than loving you ever could."