CHAPTER 47

Janaki's POV

Everyone in our family is present here in the hospital, even Akash is here. Except for one person; the only person I wanted to see and to get some comfort. But he seems busy with his ex-fiancé.

I don't even want my worst enemy to suffer what I had gone through the past few hours. I blinked the tears and closed my eyes and leaned on Akash's shoulder. He is the one keeping me in one piece by whispering positive words into my ears. I must have done some great thing to get him as a friend. Yet my heart is longing for the person who didn't even have time for me when I am in agony.

The level of fear and pain I felt when I realised my appa was not breathing while we were in the auto, couldn't be explained in words. I couldn't even tell my amma as she was already weeping at the unconscious state of her other half. Gratefully we almost reached the hospital at the time. We are informed that he got a cardiac arrest. We are devasted when the doctor mentioned it would be more complicated even if we reached there after five minutes. Fortunately, we didn't wait for an ambulance. I don't even want to imagine something happening to him.

I love him so much to let him go, even though I had enough spiritual knowledge to know that death is inevitable and everyone has to die one day or other. When it comes to our loved ones, our brain will fail to work, and the heart will overtake our mind. I could realise how much my appa devasted on seeing them together that his heart really pained too much to cease to function.

I didn't allow my amma to watch when the doctors did defibrillation. She would be broken even more. But I stood there and watched his struggle to get back his life into his body while muttering 'Appa is a strong man', 'He won't leave us alone' and 'He will be alright' to myself. 

It's like I got back my breath when I saw him regaining his breath. A lump of pain stuck in my throat relieved on seeing him looking at me and trying to give me a smile. I mouthed and signalled to him that I love him and his grin widened. Then a nurse asked me to sit and not to disturb him. I complied to her.

My amma called Vidhu as she needed support as I distanced myself from her after she snapped at me for the fourth time just because I told her not to cry. I understand her grief, but she needs to stay strong to look after appa. He is her husband, but he is my appa too. My Hero! My World!

They have been running tests for the past one hour to check his stability and to check if there are any other problems. My amma cried her heart out, embracing Vidhu, and told her everything that had happened. She looked at me sadly, but her eyes held fury. She informed her parents and Akash about appa's health condition.

Akash came here directly from the railway station to console me. I hugged him and broke into tears immediately on seeing him as my suppressed emotions broke past its walls. Even though he looked so tired, he never left my side and comforted me. My athai and mama arrived a few minutes ago. Vidhu filled everything to everyone. I didn't speak a word as it might cause an outburst from my amma as she strongly agrees with my appa's words. My mama and athai went silent after listening to the reason for my appa's health deterioration. As time passes, my worry for my husband increased. And the image of their hug flashed before my eyes adding fuel to my flaming rage.

I noticed Akash walking towards me with anger. I looked at him confused. His eyes softened without the trace of any anger. He sat next to me just when his mobile vibrated. He pursed his lips and walked away and returned after a few minutes with an exhausted look. I almost begged him to go home and get some rest, but he didn't budge. My mama went out to get medicines that are not available in the hospital pharmacy.

The ICU door opened, and the doctor attending my appa greeted us with a smile and asked two of us to see him and not to disturb him as his body needs more rest now. I took my silently crying amma inside. He looks little pale and exhausted, unlike the happy and enthusiastic man I welcomed a few hours ago. Lots of tubes have been attached to his body, making it hard not to let my tears slip past my eyes. My appa smiled at my amma, making her weep more. He gently took her hand and pressed it reassuringly. I kissed my appa's forehead and nudged my amma to leave, remembering the doctor's advice.

But suddenly the beeping tone on the machine next to us started to make sound alarmingly. I found his eyes holding painful expression and focusing on the door. Before I could turn around, the doctor and nurse rushed inside and injected him with something. The nurse asked us to leave and told he is okay. The machine too went back to normal. We breathed in relief and made our way out glancing at my passed out appa.

My breath hitched as soon as I got out upon looking at my husband, who was looking so broken. I noticed my amma's face hardened as we realised the reason for the sudden rise in my appa's heartbeat. My amma harshly removed my hand went to the opposite direction of him. Others haven't realised his presence, and my mind is quickly processing how to react as my face is void of any emotions.

Before I could process, Vidhu walked past me furiously and punched him across his jaw. He looked shocked at her action as he was still oblivious of anything. Akash was the one to quickly pull her before her hand made its second-time contact with his face.

"I told you not to do any stupid thing for that bitch. But see what you have done. You almost killed our mama. How dare you show up your face here? You don't deserve my Janu. Get the hell out of here. Go to that bitch and rot with her in hell."

 She yelled at him completely forgetting we are in the hospital. The first time, I am hearing her swearing before our family. But surprisingly no one said anything including hospital staffs as this might be a regular drama for them. And despite my anger toward him, I feel so bad for Vidhu's harsh behaviour. Even his amma is looking at him with the blank expression.

I took a step forward towards his direction but halted in my steps as I felt my amma's hand holding my wrist, stopping me. I looked at her. She nodded her head 'no' with a hard expression. I removed her hand and walked towards him. Vidhu shot me Don't-you-dare look, but I caught his wrist without looking at his face and dragged him to the entrance. His face held confusion, hurt, anger and concern. I released his hand and took a few steps away from him.

"Why didn't you even think to call me? What happened to mama? Why Vidhu..."

 I cut him off with a blank face.

"Go back to your home! We will discuss this later."

 I told in a strong voice without any emotions. I don't want to know what happened back at home. At least not yet!

"My home? That's our home, Janu. Why no one is telling anything to me?"

 He asked anxiously while yelled the first part with anger. I let out a deep sigh and rubbed my forehead to ease the increasing headache. His eyes softened on seeing me rubbing my head.

"Hey darling, what is happening here? Why are you behaving so distanced?"

 He asked with so much worry and hurt. 

His endearment almost broke my walls, but the image of him and his ex's embrace flashed before me and made me regain some senses. I don't have the energy to argue with him. I am going to ask Akash to deal with him right now. I turned around and started walking back into the hospital. But he caught my wrist and pulled back into his chest. His breath is fanning on my face making my toes curl. His eyes were holding hurt and anger.

Ah! It should be me who has to be angry, my dear husband!

And is it my mistake that my heart commenting that he looks so hot even when he was angry.

But I masked my emotions and glared back at him.

"You can't just walk away from me, Janu. Tell me. What the hell is happening here?"

 He spat out every word with anger and equal sincerity. That actually scared me.

"Why can't you just leave me alone? I need to take care of my appa. He needs me there. Let me go."

 My voice broke, and it came out as pleading, which I hate. He let go of my wrist and walked back towards his car with long strides. I watched him till he disappeared from my vision as a lone tear made its way past my cheek.

Even though my lips asked him to go away, my heart secretly wanted him to stay with me. 

 I wanted him to hug me tightly until my complaints die down, and I hug him back... 

 I wanted him to lend me his shoulder to cry out my heart and to show my scared self behind the mask of being strong while he held me and make me feel stronger...

 I wanted him to hold my hand and tell sweet nothings into my ear till I feel better... 

 I wanted him to stand his ground and make our family realise his innocence...

 But he left!

He left me alone...

 My heart wept for him...!

I turned around and found Akash leaning near the entrance with a sad smirk.

"Are you thinking he cheated on you, Jaans?"

 He asked when I reached near him. I looked up at him and let out a sigh.

"No. He would never do such a horrible thing."

 I said without the second thought.

"Good!"

 He said and studied my face for a few seconds and continued.

"Your father is better now and his reports are good. The doctor spoke with your amma. He would be back to normal in a few days. We need to see the doctor later to get instructions. Go and get Vidhu. Let's drink some coffee and buy something for your amma and athai."

 I nodded happily knowing my appa is now better and went inside to fetch my handbag and asked Vidhu to come with me. I ignored my amma's glare and athai's sad look.

As we walked towards the canteen, Vidhu spoke to me.

"I thought you would be the one to punch him first, Janu. (sigh) He called me a few hours before and asked me what happened at that party..."

 I halted in my steps as gears turned inside my head.

"What did you tell him?"

 I asked curiously to know where this thing leading us.

"I told him about the truth of seeing that bitch with that bastard and how we never got a chance to tell the truth to anyone by her drama."

 She shrugged as if nothing happened.

This explains lots of things. I knew its Sanjeev's plan to stop the marriage. But Vidhu didn't know the other side of Nandhini and still blaming her. Akash joined by that time, and we walked to the canteen while my mind was almost confirming the reason for my husband's behaviour.

But what is his promise? 

 What is the mistake he did? 

 Is he feeling bad for marrying me? 

 Is he regretting our consummation because now he knew his ex didn't betray him?

Akash snapped his fingers in front of me. I looked at him, annoyed at him for interrupting with my thoughts. He signalled me to sit. I did as he said.

"Are you angry on him, Jaans?"

 Akash asked handing over a coffee cup to me. Am I?

"Yes"

 I breathed out as I felt the flames inside me raging just to think them together. He chuckled and shook his head at me, and it irritated me a bit.

"Why are you laughing?"

 I snapped. Vidhu silently rubbing her temples and watching our drama while savouring her coffee.

"You are not angry on him, Jaans."

 He stated with a calm smile. I looked at him more puzzled than angry.

"What do you mean Akash? My head is already pounding. Don't beat around the bush."

 I said, showing my annoyance clearly in my tone for bringing this topic now.

"You are jealous, Jaans!"

 He said calmly making me choke on the coffee.

"What? Are you out of your mind!"

 I asked him irritated. He smiled in return.

"Okay, Jaans. Tell me the reason why you are angry with him?"

 He maintained his calm composure. I narrowed my eyes.

"Don't you know what he did, Akash?

"Yeah! I know. But what caused you to be angry on him."

"Oh, cut this crap! So he can hug his ex and I should let them be however they want to be?"

 He laughed at my answer, making me rethink what I said. I raised my eyebrow at him as I don't find anything funny with my reply.

"Really! Jaans, you too hugged me when you saw me today."

"You are my friend; not my ex."

 I gritted my teeth as he was testing my patience. Vidhu laughed a little earning a glare from me. She showed a thumbs-up to Akash. He smiled in return.

"For you, I am a friend. For him, she is a friend. Is it a big crime to hug a friend to comfort her while she is crying?"

 He tilted his head and looked at me questioningly. What he telling is absolutely correct.

Am I jealous?

A small smile crept on my face on realising the answer is a big 'Yes'. I don't want him to hug some other woman!

I looked at him, not knowing what to say. Thankfully, he smiled at me and went to buy something for others, understanding my awkwardness.

"Wah! So my cousin is veryyyy possessive over her husband!"

 Vidhu teased me.

"Yeah. From next time, think before you hit him or your face will be bruised too."

 I replied smugly while her widened and showed her hands in surrender.

My mood lightened up. As you know, I wanted to go home, say sorry and console my mama.

I pulled my mobile out from my bag and found it switched off. I turned it on and found a message from him. I eagerly opened it and found his reply to my message.

'Sure darling, take care of that sexy ass of yours. Come back home safe and soon😘😘😉😉'

An involuntary blush crept on my face. I looked down to hide my face from my devil friends. But I think it’s too late. I heard Akash clearing his throat.

"Janu, I think you need to reapply the concealer. It's worn off here."

 Vidhu whispered in a teasing tone and winked at me, pointing at my chin. My eyes widened in horror.

His bite mark! 

 Oh my God! 

 I covered my chin with a kerchief and rushed to the restroom.

I found an oval-shaped purple mark visible there on my left chin. My mind took me to the situation I got them making my cheeks heat up. I shuffled my handbag to find that stupid concealer and applied it to mask the mark as much as it would look natural.

Vidhu gonna tease me with it every time. God! Save me!

What would he be doing at our home? My poor mama. I shouldn't have behaved like that. At least I should have explained everything to him and asked him to wait at home patiently till I clear these things out. He must be worried now. Damn it!

I dialled his number without wasting any more time.