"No, you have to finish it." Kuhu insists making me pout at her but she doesn't budge from her decision. I grumble under my breath yet open my mouth so that she can feed me the corn soup.
"What are you both arguing about?" Maa asks walking inside the room holding some folded clothes in her hands.
"Your precious daughter-in-law doesn't want to finish the soup so I have to scold her." Kuhu replies making Maa looks at me sternly.
"That's not nice, Ishita. You have to eat three full meals a day to get better. Also, you take so many medicines that if you don't eat enough food then the medicines won't work." Maa says sitting beside me.
"Then let me go out of this room." I whine which I know is childish but you gotta do everything to leave the room where you are stuck for more than two weeks.
The doctor has told me to take bed rest as much as I can but my family thinks that I should be in bed all the time. At first, it felt good to be pampered but now it's getting on my nerves. I am not saying that they are doing anything wrong because I can't be more blessed to have them with me, yet I want to go out of this room and walk freely. Surprisingly, I have gotten only a few scratches on my feet despite jumping from so high which is good or someone had to carry me around till I get better. On the other hand, I have a cast on my left hand which I have to keep for one more week.
Everyone is taking care of me like I am some fragile thing which can break easily, especially the elders of the family. Maa, Dad and Papa literally fight with each others when it comes to feeding me so now Kuhu or Rudra are the only one who is allowed to feed me. Not that I can't eat on my own but yeah I can't complain though.
Gautam Bhaiya and Roshni Bhabhi have gone back to Delhi as Janki Phui's health is not well after learning about Kunal. She is in bed since my accident so Mithila Kaki has to look after the household work alone and that's why Papa has asked Bhaiya, Bhabhi to go back to Delhi. I am really sad hearing about my Phui's health and at first blamed myself but then Rudra made me understand that I shouldn't blame myself for every little thing. Because Kunal is the reason why both Phui and I have to suffer.
Speaking of that man, Rudra has told me that there will be court hearing against Kunal in two months where I need to be present. I freaked out because I never wanted to face that man again in my life because just looking at him, all those horrible memories comes back in front of my eyes. However, Rudra has promised to be with me all the time and wants me to see the monster get punished by my own eyes. I don't know if I will be able to fulfill my husband's wish but I want to try because only that way I will be able to overcome my fears which has been curved deep inside my heart.
"What are you thinking so hard, beta?" Maa's voice pulls me out of my thoughts making me look at her to see that both her and Kuhu is looking at me with worry.
"Nothing particular." I reply giving them a big smile but Kuhu glares at me.
"You know well that you can't speak lie so why try? Now, spit it out the exact thing that is going through that brain of your." Kuhu remarks sassily. I heave a long sigh because there is no way that I can hide anything from my overly smart best friend.
"Rudra wants me to go the court hearing but I am still not sure if I can face that monster." I let out looking at them helplessly.
"I can't say that I understand what you are feeling because the trauma, the fear you have kept inside you for all the years is not something you can forget so easily. But I would say that you are not alone, neither before nor now. Especially Rudra who will not sit still till that Kunal gets punished for his misdeed. You know, I have never seen him so broken before. Not even when he got cheated years ago but when he saw you lying on pool of blood he literally froze for some time. Not only that, he broke down after learning what happened years ago with you. That's why I am telling you that if that boy can cry for you then he will surely do worse to the person who is responsible for your trauma." Maa says while I have tears prickling in my eyes but I am not going to let them fall so easily. I have enough crying so no more crying for me.
"I will not back out again, Maa. I have so many people to support me so I don't have anything to fear." I reply.
It's now evening and thankfully Maa has allowed me to walk in the garden but not alone. I don't mind that because Kuhu is accompanying me along with my baby Candy who keeps sniffing every single flowers of the garden. Rudra and Lakshya Bhaiya haven't come back from office yet as they need to catch on some important works. Suddenly, a thought comes on my mind so I look at Kuhu who is typing something on her phone. Maybe texting her mother or something else.
"Kuhu, can I ask you something?" I let out making her look at me.
"Why are you talking to me as if I am some stranger. Ask whatever you want." She replies faking an angry look which makes me smile at her silliness.
"I don't want to give a you a long lecture because I know my bestie don't have that much patience in her blood cells. So, I am going to straight forward and ask what you have thought about Lakshya Bhaiya's proposal." I tell her because I only know that Lakshya Bhaiya has confessed his feeling to her but I don't know what she has replied.
"Ishu, I have rejected him." My eyes widen hearing her reply.
"But why? I can clearly see that you like him a lot then why you are hiding your feelings." I remark.
"It's not so easy for me to get into a relationship. You know me well that I want to become financially successful before settling down with anyone but now I have just started my job, so in reality I am scared to be with Lakshya." She explains which I can understand well from her point of view.
"Do you fear that if you let Lakshya Bhaiya in your life then you won't be able to fulfill your dream?" I ask in which she stays silent.
"Kuhu, if you really think that by accepting your feelings for Lakshya bhaiya will put a dent in your career then I would tell you have done the right thing by rejecting him. However, as far as I have known him I don't think he will stop you from fulfilling your dreams. I can say with confidence that he will be the happiest one out of all of us to see you getting the success you have always dreamed of. So, try to think from your heart not mind and then decide what good for you." I suggest while bending down to pet Candy who is now running around my feet.
"Ishu..." I hear after a few minutes so I look up to find my bestie in tears in which I don't get worried, instead I smile at her and hug her gently.
"Cry as much as you want but I hope you have understood that, it's not easy to hide your true feelings." I say while rubbing her back to comfort.
"But I am scared." She replies still crying.
"Then talk to Lakshya Bhaiya and tell him about your fear. I know my brother-in-law so I can guarantee that he will definitely give you the best suggestion. You know he was the one to help me in my first day of cooking." I say making her pull away from the hug.
"How did he help you?" She asks making me smile remembering the memory of me being so worried that day.
"As you know, I didn't know much about cooking before my marriage but I couldn't tell this to Maa at first. So, when she asked me to make Kheer for everyone I got worried. I tried to call Phui, Kaki but there was no luck. I made the Kheer by myself and just in time Lakshya Bhaiya came there to taste the Kheer. Turned out I had put salt in place of sugar so he helped me to make Kheer for everyone. Actually, if I say so myself then I should say that he is the first person in this family who have made me feel like home. Maa and Dad were always there but my Lakshya Bhaiya is special to me." I let out truthfully because not only Lakshya Bhaiya has become a very good friend of mine but he is also nothing less than a big brother to me.
A Few Weeks Later
My health is getting better which is a good thing because now I am allowed do simple works like folding clothes, taking Candy on small walks, chopping vegetables, watering the flowers in the garden etc. I know these works seems like nothing but with a overly caring family as mine these are like big milestone. Not only that, the cast of my hand is no longer needed so now I am able to use both hands.
As of right now, I am folding Rudra's washed clothes while waiting for him to come home from the office. He has been spending more time in the office because the deal with Mr. Teuku is still intact which is a very good thing. If the deal was not done then I would feel bad because whatever happened is neither Rudra's fault nor Mr. Teuku's. Although my stubborn husband was against the idea but then both Papa and Dad talked to him and made him understand that Mr. Teuku wasn't the wrong one.
However, when it comes to me joining my job I get scolding from Rudra saying that I still need to get better. I have told him numerous times that I can work from home but no, that over protective person isn't letting me do that too. At the end, I have stopped asking for his permission and decided to resume my work after the court hearing.
Just then I hear footsteps coming into the room so I look up to see that, Rudra is the one who has walked inside followed by little Candy who is jumping around his legs trying to get his attention. But the look on Rudra's face is telling me that he is extremely tired which makes me worried about his health.
"Candy, come here. Let Daddy get freshen up." I call out to the little one who whines but complies eventually.
Rudra smiles at me before going into the closet to put his briefcase and other things there. On the other hand, I give Candy a small bone to chew otherwise she won't let me work. This girl has been spoiled beyond words and if things don't go her way, she starts to throw bark very loudly.
Soon enough, Rudra comes out of the washroom before plopping down on the bed beside me and lies his head on my lap. I put the folded clothes on the other side of the bed and starts running my fingers through his hair which needs trim. Before the Diwali incident, we used to be close but we have become more attached and free with each other. I don't shy away from him and he doesn't hold back to joke around me. It's like the incident has opened a new part of our lives which I am not complaining about. Because I am loving the bond we have created over time. No rushing, no yelling at each other, no diplomatic situation, only respect and trust for each other which I think is the most we have given this relationship.
"Feeling tired?" I ask when I notice that he is falling asleep.
"Hmm, there are a lot of meetings I have to attend nowadays that are getting impossible for me to concentrate fully." He replies snuggling closer while wrapping his arm around my waist.
"Then why don't you hire a few more employees? That way, you can have a little rest." I suggest although I don't know much about his business.
"New employees won't be able to catch up with the big projects so easily." He remarks.
"But if the new one handles some easy works then the old ones will get more time to concentrate on the projects." I let out messaging his forehead with my fingertips.
"Umm, that can be arranged. Let me talk to Lakshya and set up interviews to appoint some new employees." He mumbles making me feel bad for him. He doesn't even get to take a break from his work nowadays.
"Have you taken your medicines today?" He asks looking at me.
"Yes, I have. You know right Maa will scold me badly if I don't take them." I remark while he chuckles in response.
"You have a tandency to forget about your medicines so I don't thing Maa has another option left." He retorts making me pout.
"You guys are so mean." I let out still pouting.
"We are not mean, we just love you too much to let you skip your medicines." He says making me eyes widen but when I look at him, he is already sleeping.
I can feel my stomach doing flip-flop hearing him say that he loves me but then he said everyone love me. I think it just slips out of his mouth. Can it be that he is developing feelings for me like I am doing for him? But if it's true then he would have told me because he is very straight forward. No! Stop thinking about things which can never happen. yes, I agree that he has accepted our marriage fully but to love me after learning about my past, I don't think it so easy to have feelings for me. I don't talk any further and let him sleep for some time because there are still two hours for the dinner to be made.
When I feel like he is in deep sleep, I put a pillow under his head and get up from the bed before covering his body with a blanket as it is getting a little cold. I silently pick up Candy in my arms because she has started to get restless sitting in the same place. I walk out of the room and go to kitchen where I find Mom along with Lakshya Bhaiya cooking dinner. I put Candy on the floor who straight goes to the living room from where Dad and Papa's voices can be heard.
"Where is Rudra?" Maa asks rinsing the rice out of the water.
"He is taking a nap." I reply standing beside Lakshya Bhaiya who is pealing potatoes.
"Is he okay? It's unusual for him to sleep at this hour." Maa says worriedly.
"He is just tired, Maa. Don't worry, I will wake him up when dinner is ready." I reply smiling at her.
"Lakshya Bhaiya, have you talked to Kuhu?" I ask when Maa is talking to the maid.
"Yes, I did and I am not surprised hearing her reasons behind rejecting me. She really thinks that I will hold her back from being successful? I don't know how much she understands me but I know myself that I want her to be more successful than me. She may not understand it now but hopefully one day she will understand my point of view." Lakshya Bhaiya smiles with a sad smile indicating that Kuhu still hasn't accepted her feeling. But I can't force her to do something she doesn't want so it's better if I let things happen in their own pace.
"Don't lose hope, bhaiya. I am sure that silly girl will definitely understand your value and morals one day." I assure making him nod his head.
Finally when the dinner is ready, I walk up to the bedroom and start calling out to Rudra who is not budging from his place. I am feeling bad having to wake him up but I can't let him sleep empty stomach. So, I put Candy over his chest who starts licking him on the face non-step making me giggle while he wakes up looking annoyed. But then his eyes fall on the little fur ball and me so he just shakes his head before getting up from the bed.
"Why are you being so naughty, Ishita?" He asks after coming out of the washroom where he went to wash his face to get rid of the slobbery kisses from Candy.
"I am not being naughty, it's Candy who licked you." I reason out.
"Okay, fine you win. Now let's go and have dinner. You have to take two medicines after that." He says making me whine because I don't like them at all.
"You can whine as much as you want but nothing can help you from taking medicines." He says sternly while I huff in response.
Suddenly, he wraps his arms around my waist pulling me towards his chest but I still don't look at him. I can hear him sigh before he lifts my face putting his fingers under my chin.
"I know you don't like medicines but they are for your good health. I am promising you, once you get better no one will force you to take any medicine." He lets out kissing the top of my head.
"Pakka Promise?" I ask holding my right hand's pinky finger.
"Yes, Pakka Promise." He replies attaching my pinky with his own which makes me smile brightly at him.
"How about we go for an ice cream ride after dinner?" He asks making me nod my head quickly because I don't want to let go of the offer.
"Okay then let's eat dinner and then we will go outside for ice cream." He says bopping me on the nose.
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