𝐌𝐘 𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐑, 𝐅𝐄𝐔𝐃𝐀𝐋 𝐋𝐎𝐑𝐃

CHAPTER ➊➌ • The Unwanted Guests

8:00 A.M.

"Nandani... Nandani.." Murtasim screamed as he ran towards ward.

"Murtasim.. " she called out while still on bed. Weak and feeble trying to get up by ger own.

"Utho mat... Kya hua. Why were you crying. Why weren't you taking medicines. Kya hua hai." Murtasim asked holding her.
(Don't get up. What happened)

"Kuch nahi..." She pushed him away and sat on her bed trying to roll the thread of the blanket around her pinky finger.
(Nothing)

"Kuch nahi..? Nandani tum mujhe pagal kar dogi ek din. " Murtasim was losing it. His heart stopped when he got a call from the missionary church regarding Nandani's deteriorating health and her refusal to further treatment. He wanted her to get well sooner, so that he could execute his plan.
(Nothing..? Nandani you will make me mad)

"Khaani aapko subah se yaad kar rahi thi Sardar. She wanted medicines from her own doctor. " Nurse Thomas said while placing a tray with soup, water and few medicines.
(Khaani was remembering you since morning. She denied taking medicines from anyone else)

"Tum mujhe yaad kar rahi thi.." He looked at her grumpy hung face, she chose to look down still trying to pull out the thread. That's when he held her tiny hands..."stop playing with blanket and look at me.."

"Tum kahan chale gaye thhe.. you are my doctor. You are supposed to be with me as per the deal. I knew this, you will abandon me.." her voice broke, as tears started their free flow. They ran down along with her nose. She sniffed occasionally while she spoke. "Dekhna band karo.. jawab do."
(Where were you. Stop staring and answer me)

Murtasim leaned and wiped her nose with his shawl and caressed her back. That was the most gentle he had ever been in years. There was an adrenaline rush running down in him. His patent smirk crept on his lips, as he ran his fingers through her raven hair, opening the knot of the ribbon tying it.

"Khaani ka gussa thanda hua.." sister Martha smiled looking at the couple much in love.
(Has Khaani calmed down)

"Khaani..?" Murtasim asked.

"Main hun Khaani.. tumhari begum.. tumne bataya hai sabko. Itni jaldi bhool gaye.." Nandani was pissed, Murtasim could make out from her demeanour. She was more than just pissed.

"Meri Begum.. tum, meri begum.." he repeated, trying to sink in her words. His heart fluttered with the thought of it. He scanned her, his eyes travelled through her curve dips. His eyes were in a never ending voyage, it travelled further before meeting hers again. Her doe eyes, full of life. Her steady gaze held him, she looked at him without blinking, her eyes burnt his insides. They looked at each other, no one spoke. It was then she couldn't hold any longer..."bas kariye Sardar" she said with quivering lips and looked at the open window.
(My wife... You, my wife)

"I am sorry may be..." He cleared his throat and looked at her again. "Iss baar maaf kardo Begum, agli baar aisa nahi hoga. I will never abandon you." His words were loud and clear proclamation of his intentions. He wasn't going to leave her again.

This wasn't the first time, but years ago he had uttered something similar to this. *I will never let you go again Nandu* she pulled back into her cocoon once again as the painful memories of the past started to resurface. This was a pure deal, she reminded herself. With that she tried to create space between them. Sister Martha and Nurse Thomas had left the couple alone. It had started pouring again. Everything was damp and gloomy. And she was wet...! She pulled her blanket and curled her legs. There was wet...there was moisture down there. She gulped in fear, what if he found out. She clenched the steel bed stand trying to look elsewhere. Waiting for him to leave may be..