Shyam sat in his room frustrated Khushi had been back from the hospital for two weeks now. Arnav was with her all the time and when or if he wasn't Payal was and neither of them let him near her. Khushi's recovery was going well so if she was downstairs one day, Shyam had to be upstairs and he was most certainly not allowed in their room. It was as though Arnav had her caged, he had no way in, he didn't even know how she was. It was maddening, all day he listened to Anjali chirp on about her cravings, morning sickness and how wonderful an experience this was and what a blessing this child was. But for Shyam a child was like a curse, he knew Khushi would never accept him now, she loved him, she had to but this, this was too much, even he knew that. It was all Anjali and Arnav's fault. Had they not interfered Khushi would be Mrs. Shyam Manohar Jha by now instead of Mrs. Arnav Singh Raizada. Anjali had begun to discuss a nursery with Shyam.
"Vaisa, humara ghar khab tayaar hoga?" Anjali asked Shyam, it was logical for them to move out of Shantivan by now. After all how long could they live in her maternal home? Then they needed room for the baby. Anjali had decided they needed to move out.
"I don't know." Shyam said gruffly and Anjali grimaced. Shyam had very little to say recently, he was always so quiet and uninterested. That was at least until she mentioned Khushiji and her recovery. Maybe he was just stressed about who had been doing all this. After all Anjali herself had been the victim of an arranged accident and the police had suggested it was a repeat offender. Anjali knew it must have bothered her husband but as of late he just had a cold demeanour which Anjali disliked, she prayed for strength but found it futile in the face of his obvious boredom. Khushi was sat impatiently on the bed as the doctor checked her blood pressure. She felt fine now, she could walk largely on her own, she got ready in the morning by herself and she didn't feel confused or disorientated anymore. Yes there was a fogginess every now and then but the doctor said that was to be expected after what Khushi had been through. But no Arnav was not satisfied to say she was okay until the Doctor had checked her out.
"Well Mr.Raizada Khushi appears to have made a very strong recovery. I see no reason why I need to visit so regularly now. Maybe once every month or so, just to ensure she keeps this up and there aren't any other problems." The Doctor said as he packed away his belongings.
"So you admit it then." Arnav said blankly and both the Doctor and Khushi were confused.
"Admit what?" The Doctor asked.
"That there could be problems later, ones that you can't spot now." Arnav said his brow furrowed and his face serious. Khushi wanted to strangle him.
"Well yes, but there is no way of telling now if Khushi has any of these. From her most recent check-ups everything is in good shape." The Doctor said.
Arnav was not convinced and the Doctor could see this.
"Look Mr. Raizada I understand your apprehension but as of now there is little I can do to help your wife, she is perfectly healthy. If she has any problems feel free to contact me but I need to see to other patients who need my help." The Doctor said and Khushi agreed shaking her head. She knew in herself that she was healthy. Arnav reluctantly shook his head, he had been unsettled by Dr. Kothari's phone call two weeks ago. He still had no word from him and that worried him more. Their family physician Dr. Malhotra showed himself out and although Arnav knew he was more than qualified and was an excellent physician he just worried. Why was it taking so long to get back to them with Khushi's blood-work results? Khushi nudged Arnav and he snapped out of his thoughts.
"Khushi." He said in a warning tone, he was in no mood to play poke the lion with a stick.
"Woh saab kya tah?" She asked and Arnav rolled his eyes. "Nahi tell me. Kya aap chaate hai ki main yuhi hameshaa aise hi bed peh lethi rahoon aur kuch na karo. I'll become fat if I do that!" Khushi complained trying to lighten her husband's obviously dark mood.
"Khushi its not funny, I just want to make sure you are okay. There's nothing wrong in that." He said closing his eyes and lying down on the bed turning the other way. He was tired, it had been a long day and he just wanted to sleep but Khushi was not okay with that.
"Ucha, toh tumne kehe diya toh baath katham? I don't think so Arnav! You were interrogating that poor man just because he said I was healthy. What is your problem?" She asked irritated, she wasn't even sure why, she just suddenly felt a build up of emotion she couldn't quite understand or control.
"What the-? Khushi why are you so mad, I'm only asking for you!" Arnav said as he sat up sharply.
"Why do you think I can't take care of myself?" Khushi asked challengingly. "I did it for my entire life without you and I was still in one piece when you found me." Khushi said and Arnav scoffed.
"Hardly, how many times did I catch you when you were falling over or fainting. You weren't exactly in the best condition, now were you?" He asked and Khushi's mouth fell open.
"I...I....I...Main tumse BAATH NAHI KARNA CHATHI HOON!" She said and turned over quickly away from Arnav, pulling the blanket over her head. Arnav sighed, he didn't feel in the mood to placate Khushi and he really didn't have the energy, he didn't understand her erratic moods lately. Maybe it was because she wasn't up and about as much recently, but she had been cranky. Maybe it was good the doctor gave her the all clear.
"Its a shame he can't cure pagalpaan." Arnav muttered as he turned over and went to sleep also, Khushi heard his comment but knew acknowledging it would mean talking and she was not talking to him right now.
Arnav woke up in the morning to see Khushi still asleep, he knew she needed to get up now or else she'd miss the aarti. He gently tapped her to try to wake her up, "Khushi get up or you'll be late for the aarti." Arnav said but she didn't wake up. He shook her and she didn't respond. He checked her forehead which was burning and quickly rang up the doctor. The Doctor arrived promptly and managed to coax Khushi back to conciousness and prescribed her some pills to bring down the fever.
"Its just a fever Mr. Raizada, nothing to worry about. Waisa, Payal was telling me that when Khushi is upset or stressed she tends to get these fevers. So maybe something triggered it. Anyway she should be alright in a little bit." The Doctor said to Arnav who nodded in response and remembered their slight argument last night. It wasn't really worth it now Arnav thought about it. It wasn't worth fighting with her if this was the result, his heart had been racing from the minute he realised she was ill, he couldn't deal with the idea of losing Khushi again. He walked into their room and sat on the bed. Khushi turned her face the other way, still angry with him.
"...I'm sorry." Arnav said as he looked the other way also.
"Kya? Kya aapne kaha? Mujhe sunah nahi diya." Khushi said and Arnav groaned.
"You heard me." He simply said, he was not in the habit of repeating himself and he was not about to make it into a habit. Khushi smiled slightly.
"Tik hai, atleast you accepted you're wrong, I must be doing something right." She said with a big grin on her face. Arnav shook his head and enveloped Khushi into his arms.
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