Next morning, It was still raining but comparatively lighter.
Mini woke up early morning due to Rani's call. Rani called her to inform that she will not be able to come today also because of the continuous rain.
She didn't disturb Neil seeing him sleeping on the couch so peacefully.
She herself made the breakfast and got Arya ready.
She dropped Arya to the school bus and returned to haveli.
Mini: (from downstairs) Neil!.. Neil!...(She didn't get any reply)...Abhi tak so raha hai kya?
She came upstairs to wake him up. Mini looked at him still sleeping on the couch. His face was looking dull again. His smile too had become pale.
She kept her hand on his cheek and he was burning with fever.
Mini: Isko to bahot tez bukhar hai.
She quickly brought the thermometer and kept it in his mouth.
Mini saw the temperature to be 104.8.
She immediately called a doctor.
Dr examined Neil.
Dr.: Kal baarish me bhigne ki wajah se thand ke kaaran bukhar ho gaya hai. BP thoda low hai. Maine injection de diya hai. Aap gili pattiya rakh dena to better lagega unko. Vo uth jaye to kuch garam garam khila dena. Back me pain bhi ho sakta hai, body stiffness ki wajah se. Aur aaj bhi thanda hi weather hai to... blanket me hi rehne dena unhe.
Mini: Any medicines?
Dr: (giving her a strip of medicine) Yeh din me 2 baar khaana khane ke baad de dena. Strong paracetamol hai to ho sakta hai weakness ho aur neend me kuch badbadaane lage....
Mini: Any thing to take extra care of?...
Dr: Weakness aur dizziness ki wajah se movement nahi kar payenge jab tak fever nahi utar jaata....
Mini: Ok.. I understand.
He left.
Mini called Simpy di to inform her that she and Neil will not be able to come to restaurant today as he has high fever.
Mini went to Neil.
He was still in deep sleep with pain lines on his forehead.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage
Mini gently pressed his forehead.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage
She brought a bowl of water and handkerchief.
Kiya Re Jo Bhi Toone
Kaise Kiya Re
She dipped the folded handkerchief and kept it on Neil's head.
Jiya Ko Mere Baandh
Aise Liya Re
Sometime later, He opened his eyes to see Mini beside him.
Samajh Ke Bhi Na
Samajh Main Sakun
She was dipping the handkerchief.
Neil: Mini?
Mini: Ab kaisa lag raha hai..?
Neil: Weakness hai thodi si...
Mini: (keeping the handkerchief on his forehead) Thodi si?.... Hila bhi nahi ja raha hai tumse...
Neil: Ha.... Matlab... thodi zyada... But don't worry... I'll be fine. (He was getting up but Mini stopped him)
Mini: Tum utho mat... Main soup laati hu.... tumhe better lagega.
Neil: Ok.
She came with a soup.
Saweron Ka Mere
Tu Sooraj Laage
Neil sat on the sofa but was feeling cold, so he had held the blanket close to him.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage (x3)
She took a spoonful, blowed a little and made him have the soup. Mini smiled at him and fed him the whole bowl of soup. He felt the warmth eventually.
Apna Bana Le Piya
Apna Bana Le Piya
Neil was looking at her lovingly.
Apna Bana Le Mujhe
Apna Bana Le Piya
Mini: Feeling better.
Neil: Hmm... warmth feel ho rahi hai...better lag raha hai...
Apna Bana Le Piya
Apna Bana Le Piya
He removed the blanket feeling better.
Dil Ke Nagar Mein
Shehar Tu Basa Le Piya
She then poured water in a glass and took out the medicine.
Neil: (making faces) Medicines zaroori hai kya?
Mini: Hmm... Doctor ne bola hai.
Neil: (frowning) I don't want to have medicines yaar... Injection ka option nahi tha kya?
Mini: Injection already de diya hai tumhe... Aur bheego kal baarish me... Raincoat mangwa lete to dawai nahi khaani padti.
Neil: (like a small kid) Nahi leni mujhe koi dawai... main theek ho jaunga aisehi...
Mini: Kya baccho ki tarah nakhre kar rahe ho?
Neil made faces but Mini gave him a stern look.
Neil turned his face to the other side and folded his hands like a zidd pe ada hua baccha.
Mini kept the glass of water on the table in front of them.
Mini: Pakka dawai nahi loge?
Neil nodded in a no.
Mini: Aise zidd karna hai?.... like a small kid?
Mini held his face and turned his face to her.
Neil: Mujhe nahi khaa...
She kept the medicines in his mouth and made him drink water before he could even react.
Neil after gulping the medicines.
Neil: Yeh cheating hai... Tumne samjhne tak ka to time diya nahi...
Mini: Ziddi baccho ko aisehi medicines khilaani padti hai.
Neil frowned while Mini chuckled at his antics.
Mini went to the kitchen to keep back the bowl and saw Neil shutting his eyes tightly trying to control some pain.
Mini: Pain hai?...
Neil was about to nod in a no.
Mini: (coming to him) Jhoot mat bolna... Chupa nahi paoge...
Neil: Ha hai back pain thoda... But I can manage...
Mini: Thoda sa turn hoke baitho.
Neil turned a little. Mini kept her hands on his back and shiver ran down his spine.
Chhoone Se Tere
Haan Tere Haan Tere
Feeki Ruton Ko Rang Lage
Mini massaged him on his back and pressed firmly on the pressure points.
Neil sighed with relaxation. She slid her thumbs up by his spine and his body got arched naturally. His heart raced.
Hmm.. Chhoone Se Tere
Haan Tere Haan Tere
Feeki Ruton Ko Rang Lage
She massaged on his shoulder and back of his neck to relax his stiff body.
Teri Disha Mein Kyun Chalne Se Mere
Pairon Ko Pankh Lage
He clenched his fists to control his moan when she pressed his pressure points.
Raha Na Mere Kaam Ka Jag Saara
Haan Bas Tere Naam Se Hi Guzaara
After the massage, He was now at ease.
Ulajh Ke Yoon Na
Sulajh Na Sakun
Mini: Ab better hai?
Neil: Better hai?... Pain jaise gayab hi ho gaya....
Mini smiled.
Neil: (smiling weakly) Thanks yaar.... Itna relax maine last time kab feel kiya tha mujhe yaad tak nahi hai.
Mini: Hmmm... Good.... Now lie down quietly. Strong paracetamol hai...Weakness bhi badh jayegi abhi...
Neil lied down. She wrapped the blanket on him.
Neil: Hmm... Weakness to badhti hui feel ho rahi hai ab....
Mini sat near his feet and held his foot.
Neil immediately took back his foot.
Zubaaniyan Teri
Jhoothi Bhi Sach Laage
Neil: Kya kar rahi ho?.. Don't touch my feet.
Mini: Shh!... (placing his foot on her lap) Just relax...
She gently gave him a foot massage.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage
Neil wasn't able to retaliate much because of his weakness due to the medicine.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage
A few mins later, He closed his eyes. He was feeling so weak that he was not even able to open his eyes.
Tu Mera Koyi Na
Hoke Bhi Kuchh Laage
She came towards him and gently caressed his face. He still had fever.
She sat on the table beside him and started keeping wet handkerchief on his forehead after dipping in water.
Apna Bana Le Piya
Apna Bana Le Piya
While she was keeping handkerchief, Neil held her hand and placed it on his chest close to his heart with his both hands wrapped around hers. She was able to feel his heartbeats. He had slept keeping her hand close to his heart.
Apna Bana Le Mujhe
Apna Bana Le Piya
She changed the handkerchief with her other hand.
Neil: (in sleep) Mini... You know na... I need you... Tum kabhi nahi jaogi na mujhe chodke...?... Haina?
A drop of tear fell from the corner of his closed eyes. She kept her hand on his forehead.
Mini: Bukhar to itna zyada nahi hai ab.... Phir bhi badbada raha hai?
She caressed his forehead to relax him.
Neil: Main phir se akela nahi hona chahta... 18 saal ki age me hi itna akelapan dekha hai maine ki ab main dar gaya hu shayad... akela ho jaane se... Mujhe pata hai ki maine bahot si galtiya ki hai zindagi main..... par ab main vo sab chodke ek naye sire se.... ek naye tarike se shuruwat karna chahta hu.... Lekin main yeh tumhare bina nahi kar sakta... Pata hai na tumko?....tumhe subah subah dekhne bhar se hi na... din ban jaata hai mera.... Tum rahogi na hamesha mere saath aisehi?....
Mini: (holding his hands tightly) Ha Neil... Main hu tumhare paas hamesha...
Neil smiled in sleep.
Apna Bana Le Piya
Apna Bana Le Piya
Mini smiled seeing him smile.
Dil Ke Nagar Mein
Shehar Tu Basa Le Piya
Mini: (in mind) Neend me bolne me koi problem nahi hai par jagte hue bola nahi jaata.... idiot kahin ka...
A few hours later,
Ho Sab Kuchh Mera Chahe
Naam Apne Likha Le
Neil woke up to see himself holding Mini's hand on his chest and Mini was sitting on the table but leaned on him, sleeping on his chest, with peace on her face.
Badle Mein Itni Toh
Yaari Nibha Le
He caressed her face and kept his hand on her cheek.
Jag Ki Hirasat Se
Mujhko Chhuda Le
She woke up and smiled keeping her hand on his hand.
Apna Bana Le
Bas Apna Bana Le
Mini: (with her head still on Neil's chest) Ab bukhar thoda sa kam lag raha hai... How are you feeling?
Neil: Much better...
Mini got up and saw the clock.
Mini: Main Arya ko lekar aati hu... Rani di nahi aayengi aaj... (in worry) Tum yaha se uthoge nahi.... Ok?
Neil: (lying on the couch).... Ok (as he was still feeling weak)
Mini : (smiled) Good!
Apna Bana Le
Apna Bana Le
She went to bring Arya.
Some mins later,
Neil sat on the couch but was feeling weak.
Arya came running upstairs.
Arya: Neil! Tumhe bukhar hai?
Neil: Ha... But aapko chinta karne ki koi zarurat nahi hai... I'll be fine.
Arya: Ha... Ab Veerbalika jo hai tumhare saath tumhara dhyaan rakhne ke liye...
Neil: (smiled) Hmm... Aapko padhna hai na aaj?
Arya: Ha... Bohot saara padhna hai... kal exam hai na...
Neil: Main help karwa du?
Mini came upstairs and listened him.
Mini: Nahi.... Tum aaram karo... Itna tez bukhaar tha subah utha tak nahi jaa raha tha... Ab bhi normal nahi hua hai.
Arya: Ha... Veerbalika bilkul sahi keh rahi hai... Abhi bhi bahot weak lag rahe ho tum...
Neil: Nahi choti madam... I am fine...
Arya: (angrily) Bilkul Chup!
Mini and Neil were surprised at her reaction.
Arya: Baithe raho shanti se... Tum aur Veerbalika bilkul ek jaise ho... I am fine... I am fine hi bolte rehte ho bhale hi tabiyat kitni bhi kharaab ho...
Mini: (smiled and came to her) Ek difference hai Chutanki...
Arya: Kya?
Mini: (backhugging Arya) Tumhari Veerbalika ko injection se zyada dawai better lagti hai aur tumhare genie ko dawai se zyada injection.... Zabardasti dawai khilaani padti hai isko....(and she laughed)
Neil: (frowning) Ha... toh?... mujhe nahi accha lagta dawai ka taste... aur injection se problem hi kya hai?...
Arya: Vo to tum Veerbalika se pucho jo injection se...(Mini kept her hand on Arya's mouth)
Mini: Chup raho na tum... Sab kuch bata dogi tum to apne genie ko...
Neil: (teasing) Aisa bhi kya bol rahi hai vo... Bolne do na...
Mini: Kuch nahi bol rahi... Tum let jao.. Lete lete batao ki kya kaise karna hai.... Main lunch bana deti hu... phir khaate hai saath me..
She went to the kitchen, cooked pulao getting Neil's instructions and served it on the table.
Mini: Aa jao... Lunch ready ho gaya hai.
Arya ran to the dining table and sat on the chair.
Arya: Mujhe to bahot bhook lagi hai...
Neil also got up from the couch but was weak and feeling dizzy.
He walked towards the table but stumbled in between.
Mini saw this and ran towards him.
Mini: (held him tightly by his shoulders) Weakness lag rahi hai to baithe raho na...
Neil: Nahi... Vo bas thoda chakkar aa gaya tha...
Mini made him sit on the couch again.
Mini: Isiliye to keh rahi hu... baithe raho... Main yahi lunch le aati hu.... Blanket me hi raho... Doctor ne bola hai.
She wrapped the blanket around him.
Arya brought two plates of pulao.
Mini: (To Arya) Good!... (to Neil) Dekho Arya tumhare liya bhi le aai... Ab khalo yahin baithke... Main apni plate lekar aati hu.
Arya held her hand.
Arya: Tum Neil ke saath hi khaalo na... Vaise bhi usko weakness lag rahi hai... Tum hi khila dena usko.
Mini: Ha... yeh better rahega.
She sat and started feeding Neil.
Neil smiled.
They had the lunch.
Mini brought the medicine.
Neil: (making faces) Ab better ho gaya hai na bukhar... Theek bhi ho jayega... Medicine ki zaroorat nahi hai...
Mini: Abhi nakhre karne ki zaroorat nahi hai... Khalo medicine... warna phir se zabardasti khilaungi....
Neil made faces.
Arya: Tum to Veerbalika se bhi zyada nakhre karte ho.
She held his hand, took the medicine from Mini's hand and kept it on his palm.
Arya: Khalo chup chaap.
Neil had the medicines with a frowned face.
Mini had a hifi with Arya.
Mini: Ab aaram karo.... Lie down.
He lied on the couch.
Arya: Mai study karne jaa rahi hu.
She went.
Neil slept on the couch and Mini started keeping wet handkerchief on his forehead again.