Chapter Eleven

"Move!"

Arnav was yelling out, nonstop, making people move out of the way. Him, the team of nurses and doctor ran down the halls, heading towards the ICU. Once they got to it, the doors opened and the nurses went in, taking Khushi. Arnav was about to follow in, but they stopped him.

"I'm sorry Sir, you can't go in," the doctor said.

Arnav tried to debate, but the doctor went in, the light bulb coming to life above. Arnav went to the wall and just stared at the floor.

All of this is happening because of me, he said in his head. It's all my fault.

Mamaji came running in with Arnav's mother. She saw Arnav and ran towards him.

"Chote! Chote, where is she," Anannya exclaimed. "Where's Khushi?"

Arnav couldn't make his voice work, so he pointed at the ICU. Anannya looked up a it and then back at Arnav.

"Is she okay?! What happened?"

Arnav said nothing.

"Tell me! Chote!"

But he said nothing.

"Arnav! Tell me!"

She never called him Arnav unless she was teasing him or exceptionally mad.

Arnav looked at his mother. "Ma," his voice cracked.

His mother had never seen him like this. "Chote-"

Arnav hugged his mother tightly. "This is all my fault! It's all mine! Not hers! Mine!"

"Chote-"

"It's all my fault. Sh-sh-she never should've married me. She..."

"Shh, Chote no," Anannya soothed, wiping her sons face clear of tears. "You don't mean that-"

"But I do!"

Anannya sighed and caressed his cheek. "No you don't."

Arnav didn't listen and sank down to the floor. Anannya followed and rested on her knees.

"Chote, you're only saying that-"

"Ma-"

"You're only saying that because-"

The door opened and a nurse came out. Arnav got to his feet immediately and tried to ask her how Khushi was, but the nurse didn't reply. She stormed past and Arnav sighed in exasperation. The nurse reappeared, but still didn't say anything.

"The fuck man," Arnav exclaimed.

"Chote," both his mother and Mama scolded.

"Sorry! But still!"

Soon the doctor came out and Arnav ran to him.

"Doctor, how is she," he asked.

"Don't worry. Mrs. Raizada is fine."

All three of them sighed.

"But-"

"But what," Arnav asked.

"Chote let her speak," Anannya said.

"It's alright," the doctor said, and then turned to Arnav. "She's fine, but extremely tired. She seems stressed out so I'm going to suggest that she relaxes for a while; do no work and only rest."

"Not a problem," Anannya said.

"Good. And also, she has a big lump on the back of her head, so she'll have to be careful of that. If she gets head spins, that'll be normal. Just make sure she gets rest so it doesn't happen often."

"Okay," Arnav said.

"Alright then Mr. Raizada. We're just gonna do a few more tests and then tomorrow morning, you can take her home."

Arnav nodded. "Can I see her?"

The doctor nodded. "Of course. But one person at a time," and she left.

"Chote, why don't you go first," Mamaji said.

Anannya agreed and Arnav agreed. He went into the room and saw the nurse checking on the monitors and Khushi laid there with an oxygen mask over her.

As the nurse left, Arnav sat beside Khushi. She was asleep, her chest moving lightly up and down. Arnav took her right hand in his hands and held onto it tightly.

This really is my fault, he said in his head. Had you never married me...

He kissed her hand and rested his forehead on their hands.

Outside, Anannya and Mamaji realized that Arnav was still in there and got curious. They peeked in and gaped. Arnav had fallen asleep beside her, still holding Khushi's hand.

Anannya smiled. "And he felt guilty."

"The boy doesn't understand yet," Mamaji said.

"True. Little does he understand that he's only saying that because he loves her." She sighed. "At least, I hope he does. And that she does too."

*Extension*

The couple slept peacefully and quietly thought the night, only the nurse coming in to check up on Khushi. She removed Khushi's mask, since she was back to breathing steadily, and looked at the couple.

The media was buzzing on Arnav and Khushi, but so far had no news on them. Finding this a great opportunity, the nurse took a picture with her phone and sent it to a news station and Arnav and Khushi became breaking news within the second.