Making Up

Khushi's POV:

I was studying the file of a patient and the attender knocked on my room door.

"Yes, come in," I said.

"Madam, sir is calling you," the attender said.

"Sir?" I said.

"MD sir," the attender said.

"Ok, I am coming," I said.

"Why did Shajan call me to his office?"

I went to Shajan's room and opened his door pretending anger.

"Don't you know the manners of knocking on the door before entering into MD's room?" Shajan said.

"What? You are the one who called me," I said.

Okay, come in, Dr. Khushi. Take your seat."

"Shajan, don't waste my time. Tell me, why did you call me?"

"Dr. Khushi, I am your MD, not your husband. Don't vent your anger at me."

"Don't test my patience, Shajan."

"Yes. I too thought to say the same," Shajan said.

"What do you mean?"

"Why are you late to the hospital today? Don't you know the timings of our hospital? Don't test my patience. I hate my staff coming late," Shajan said.

"Don't you know the reason?"

"How will I know the reason? Dr. Khushi, don't you know how to talk to your boss?"

"Ok, sir. I am late because my husband is suffering with a mental illness. So, I gave medicine to him and came to the hospital. So it's late," I said.

"Oh, so sad doctor. How are you bearing him?"

"It's my fate, sir."

"But actually I heard that he is mad because of you."

"Thank God. However you too accepted my husband is mad."

"Yes, he is mad of you and for you."

I admired him and his love for me.

"By the way I called you because I am having a problem with my heart. Can you please check me as you are a famous cardiologist?"

I took my stethoscope and acted as if I am testing him.

"Oh, my God. Bad news for you, sir. The problem is you don't have a heart at all," I said.

"I know that," Shajan said.

"What?"

"Yes, I gave my heart to my wife."

I left him and moved from there. But Shajan pulled me towards him and I fell on his lap. He hugged me.

"Sir, this is not fair. I am not your wife. Leave me."

"Now it's lunch time, darling. So now you are my sweet wife."

"Now I am your wife, isn't it?"

"Yes," Shajan said.

"Then this is what your wife does with you," I said.

I turned towards him and started beating him playfully on his chest with my hands. Shajan caught both my hands, pulling me closer and kissed on her cheeks.

"Shajan, please leave me. I need to go. It's hospital," Shajan said.

"Ok. But on one condition."

"What?"

"Tell me I love you," Shajan said.

I looked at his eyes, released myself from his hands and got out from his lap.

"Love is not something which you can get through force, Shajan. You can't get love even if you use your whole money and power. I need to go. Bye."

I left from there. Shajan came to my room and I wiped my tears seeing him. I turned back. Shajan held my hand and took me to our home.

"What happened to you?" I said.

"Nothing. I know you will be crying. So, I came to your room. I brought you to our home as I want to end this today."

I didn't understand. Shajan went and brought water and coffee for both of us.

"If you want coffee, you can tell me. Why did you prepare it? I will do it for you."

"Why? Do you think this coffee becomes poison if I prepare it?"

I didn't say anything and took the coffee but Shajan sensed that I am regretting for my words. Shajan took my hands into his hands.

"Khushi, I know acting as if you are angry at me."

I got shocked listening to his words.

"You are not angry with me. You still love me a lot. But you know that knowing I am the reason for our child's death, I will be depressed. I will feel guilty throughout my life for it. So, you showed fake anger at me to divert my focus from regret to regaining your love.

You know well that in convincing you, I will forget everything. Your love is more important to me than anything. Am I right, Khushi?"

I hugged Shajan and we both have tears in our eyes.

"Shajan, we can never change the past. Regretting won't change the past but can make future beautiful. So please forget it, Shajan," I said.

"Can you forget it, Khushi?"

"It's difficult, but I can forget it with the naughtiness of this child," I said, caressing his hair.

"Don't you ever get angry at me?"

"I love you, Shajan. I never get angry with you. We can never hurt anyone whom we love the most."

Shajan hugged me.

"I love you, Khushi. I want to say something to you," Shajan said.

"Khushi, I know my past actions made you to get scared of me. But now I am changed. I never ever behave like that with you again. I don't like you fearing for me. I want to see only love and happiness in your eyes, not fear. Do what you want and be as you are. I am sure you never do anything wrong. Don't sacrifice your dreams and wishes for me. I want to see the old Khushi who is confident and courageous. Promise me that you will be as you were before.

"Yes, I promise you that."

Shajan hugged me and kissed on the forehead.

The next day, we were having breakfast.

"Today my friend is coming from the US. I am going to airport to receive her. Can you come home earlier?" I said.

"I am not going to the office today. I can't leave you to go alone anywhere until you recover completely. Let's go together and pick your friend from the airport."

We went to the airport. My friend came and I showed her to Shajan.

"Hi, Maya."

I hugged Maya.

"This is Shajan, my husband. Shajan, this is my best friend Maya," I said.

Maya looked at him with the mixed feelings of sorrow, anger, and confusion. However, they both greeted one another in front of me. I observed their face feelings but acted as if I didn't notice.