“How can I ever mind your presence? Mere jeene ki wajah ho tum.”

(You are the reason of my existence.)

Her mischievous vanished and she smiled at him with adoration and love.

Arjun was discharged two days later. Thankfully, his reports were clear. There were no concussions or other internal injuries. He had multiple fractures in his arms and leg but nothing major to worry about. 

Saanvi helped him to his room and carefully made him sit on the bed. She put his leg on the bed and covered him with a blanket.

As soon as he was settled, he looked around.

“Saanvi…mujhe mera laptop pass krdo.”

(Saanvi…please pass me my laptop.)

She turned to him sharply and glared at him.

“Hadiyan tuti hui hai. Laptop pass krdo. Aaram kriye chup chap.”

(Your bones are broken. Pass me my laptop. Rest quietly.)

She mocked and scolded and he frowned.

“Arre! Important kaam hai yaar. Please. Sirf thodi der. Phir pure din rest krunga. Pakka.”

(I have important work. Please. Just for some time. Then I will rest the whole day. Promise.)

He tried but in vain. She continued glaring and he lowered his head in defeat. She patted his head like he was a baby.

“Good boy! Ab aaram kriye. Mai kuch bana kr laati hu khaane ke liye.”

(Now rest. I will get something for you to eat.)

“Boy? Mai bacha thodi na hu.”

(I am not a kid.)

She leaned in mischievously and shrugged.

“Mujhe kya pata?”

(How would I know?)

He raised his eyebrow at her playfulness. She gasped when he snaked his uninjured arm around her waist and pulled her down besides him. 

“Toh bata du? Ya dikha du?”

(Should I tell you? Or show you?)

Her eyes widened. He poked his tongue against his cheek, trying to control his laughter. She bit her lip, playing along and leaned closer.

“Kya dikhayenge?”

(What will you show?)

The playfulness in his eyes vanished and a desire erupted. He held the back of her head and pulled her closer.

“Filhaal toh ye.”

(For now, this.)

He whispered before claiming her lips in a deep, passionate kiss. One of her hands rested on his thigh and the other moved to his shoulder to balance herself. He tilted her head for better access and she released a soft moan when he deepened the kiss.

She pulled back slightly and whispered.

“You’ll get hurt.”

He kissed her jaw and neck and whispered impatiently.

“I’ll not.”

He kissed her again and pulled her closer. Her body pressed against his, trapping his injured hand between them. He hissed and she pulled back.

“Kaha tha na maine. Lag jaayegi.”

(I told you. You’ll get hurt.)

He grinned sheepishly and started leaning in again but she stopped him.

“Medicine leni hai aapko. Kuch khaana padega usse pehle. Mai laati hu kuch. Aaram kriye aap.”

(You have to take medicine. You have to eat something before that. I will get something. You rest.)

Before he could say anything, she went out of the room. He smiled and shook his head. He loved seeing her at his place. It felt like a dream. She loved him. His Saanvi loved him.

Saanvi came back half an hour later, she placed a hot, steaming bowl of soup before him and took her place beside him. He smiled and eyed her plate before frowning and looking at his own. She was having pasta.

“Ye discrimination kyu?”

(Why this discrimination?)

He asked and she chuckled.

“Kyunki aap beemar hai.”

(Because you are not well.)

“Beemar nhi hu! Chot lagi hai bas thodi si!”

(I am well! I am just a little hurt!)

He exasperated and she giggled at his cute frustration.

“Haan lekin aapko recover hone ke liye healthy khaana chahiye na.”

(Yes but you should eat healthy to recover.)

“Toh tum unhealthy khaaogi?”

(You will eat unhealthy?)

“Unhealthy nhi hai. Bas different hai.”

(It’s not unhealthy. Just different.)

She shrugged and had a bite of her food. She motioned him to have his and he took a spoonful with a sullen expression.

She chuckled and fed him some pasta from her bowl. She gave him his medicine after they had their food.

“Saanvi! Yaar please mujhe mera laptop dedo. Bhut important kaam hai. I promise bhut der nhi baithunga. Please! It’s really important.”

(Please give me my laptop. I have really important work. I promise I will not sit for long.)

She sighed and picked up the bag.

“Sirf ek ghanta.”

(Only one hour.)

“Do ghante!”

(Two hours!)

He countered and she stopped.

“Nhi! Ek ghanta.”

(No! one hour.)

“Please! Sirf do ghante. Usse ek second bhi upar nhi rakhunga. Please please!”

(Only two hours. Not even a second more.)

She sighed and kept it before him, setting it on a table.

“Sirf do ghante. Phir mai band kr dungi ek dam se.”

(Only two hours. I will come and close it.)

She warned and he nodded with a grateful grin. He kissed her knuckles and she left the room to give him privacy. Arjun immediately connected with the clients he was supposed to meet in Switzerland.

Saanvi entered his room and Arjun looked up from the laptop. She showed him her wrist, indicating that the time was up. Arjun looked back at the screen and spoke.

“Apologies gentlemen! I’ll have to logout.”

“Everything alright, Mr. Rathore?”

The client asked and Arjun nodded.

“Yeah! Everything’s fine, Mr. Keller. I was on a time limit. My girlfriend’s here to confiscate my laptop.”

The client laughed in understanding and Saanvi looked at him surprised. She blushed and looked away. 

“She is right. You should take care of yourself. We can discuss this anytime later. Take care, Mr. Rathore.”

Arjun signed off and kept the laptop aside. Saanvi twisted her lips pretending to be annoyed.

“Stop making me look like a bad cop.”

Arjun chuckled and opened his arm, indicating her to come there. She sat beside him and he kissed her head.

“You can never be bad. Kyunki tum sabse best ho.”

(Because you are the best.)

She smiled and hugged him, careful of his hand.

“Caretaker aa gaya hai. Mai thodi der mai nikal rhi hu. Aapko kuch chahiye?”

(Caretaker is here. I will leave in some time. Do you need something?)

His smile fell and he looked into her eyes. He wanted to ask her to stay. But he didn’t want to force her into staying. Saanvi understood his silent request and whispered.

“Aap chahte ho mai ruku?”

(You want me to stay?)

He shrugged, leaving it on her.

“Ruk skti ho toh.”

(If you can.)

“Aap kahenge toh ruk jaaungi.”

(I will if you ask me to.)

He looked into her eyes and softly whispered his wish.

“Ruk jaao.”

(Stay.)

She smiled and rested her head against his shoulder.

“Apne mann ki baat bola kriye. Haq hai aapka.”

(Tell me what you want. You have the right.)

He shook his head and spoke.

“Haq tab tak hai jab tab tumhe pasand hai. Pyaar kia hai. Khareed nhi lia hai.”

(I have the right only when you like it. I love you. Not purchased you.)

She kissed his bicep and started to get up.

“Mai guest room mai hi hu. Kuch chahiye ho toh bata dena.”

(I am in the guest room. Let me know if you need anything.)

He frowned and said.

“Agar guest room mai hi rehna tha toh kya faayda rukne ka? Yaha ruko na.”

(What is the use of staying if you will be in the guest room? Stay here.)

She bit her lip at his request and looked away.

“Yaha? Pr yaha toh aap soyenge na.”

(Here? But you will sleep here.)

Arjun chuckled at her sudden shyness.