“Haan toh kya hua? Tumhi ne bola na…hadiyan tuti hui hai. Hil bhi nhi skta mai khud se.”

(So what happened? You only said…I have broken bones. I cannot even move on my own.)

She turned to him and smiled naughtily.

“Mai toh hil skti hu na.”

(I can.)

He pretended to be scared for his dignity and held the blanket to his chest.

“Do I need to be scared for my dignity?”

She shrugged and they laughed.

“Aapke lower, t-shirts kaha rakhe hai? Mai isme nhi so paaungi.”

(Where are your lower, T-shirts? I cannot sleep in this.)

He pointed towards the closet and she came out 10 minutes later after changing into his t-shirt and lower which were too big on her. She had to fold the lower 4 times and it was still hanging. His t-shirt reached her mid-thigh. 

She showed him her outfit with her hands stretched out like a scarecrow and pouted.

“Hanger lag rhi hu mai.”

(I will like a hanger.)

Arjun laughed and shook his head.

“Meri lag rhi ho.”

(You look mine.)

She blushed again and waved her hand at him in dismissal. His words made her feel giddy and his gaze made her feel timid.

“Aapko freshen up hona hai?”

(You want to freshen up?)

Arjun and she helped him turn and keep both his legs down on the floor.

“Give me my crutches.”

He said and she got them but held his hand for support.

“Mai chala jaaunga.”

(I will go.)

“Pakka? Mai help kru?”

(Sure? Should I help?)

She asked genuinely worried but he teased.

“Bhut eager ho tum…dekhne ke liye.”

(You are too eager…to see.)

Saanvi gasped and left his arm in a flash. Her cheeks turned red and looked away.

“Chee! Arjun! Jaaiye yaha se!”

(Eww! Arjun! Go away!)

Arjun laughed and limped towards the washroom with the help of the crutches.

It had been two months since Arjun’s accident and he was recovering well. Today, his plasters were removed and his physiotherapy sessions were going to start. Saanvi and Arjun were sitting in the waiting area. 

Arjun’s session was just over and he was flexing his arm and leg. Saanvi held his arm and helped him when she heard her name being called.

“Saanvi?”

She turned to see Tanmay standing there with a surprised look. Saanvi’s eyes hardened and Arjun too clenched his fists.

“Tum yaha kya kr rhi ho?”

(What are you doing here?)

“None of your concerns.”

Her tone came out much harsher than he was used to. His eyebrow shot up and his gaze landed on Arjun whose arm she was still supporting. His lips curled up into a sinister smirk as his eyes darted between the two.

“Ohh! So the rumours are true.”

Saanvi wasn’t unaware of the nasty rumours going on about herself and Arjun. But she didn’t care. They didn’t understand the bond she and Arjun shared and what all she had been through. 

“Once again…none of your concerns.”

She gritted her teeth and Arjun kept a gentle palm on her knee. She calmed down just a little.

Tanmay snickered. Not wanting to leave a chance to taunt her, he spoke.

“Right! None of my concerns. I was just surprised to see you outside the paediatrician’s room. But tumhara yaha kya kaam? Right?”

(But what would you here?)

The fury on Saanvi’s face on seeing Tanmay before her vanished and in place of it, a sadness settled over. The reminder that she couldn’t conceive hit her hard and tears welled up in her eyes. 

She blinked them away, not letting Tanmay get the satisfaction of seeing them but Arjun saw red. He got up. He walked towards Tanmay, even with the slight limp he still had, he looked dangerous when angry. Arjun stopped just a foot away from Tanmay and looked dead into his eyes.

Tanmay could hear the bells in his ears ringing. Warning bells. 

“Next time you speak to my woman…mind your fucking tongue. You hurt her once when she was married to you. Now she’s my woman. And nobody makes her cry. You try to hurt her once again, and I’ll end your existence. Mujhe kahi jaane ki bhi zarurat nhi padegi and you’ll be finished. Yaha khade khade khatam kr dunga. Just one phone call. Actually not even a call, just one message would do. And you’ll be finished.”

(I won’t even have to go anywhere and you’ll be finished. I will finish you right here.)

Tanmay gulped and Arjun patted his shoulder giving him one last warning glare. Before Tanmay could utter another word, his new wife and newborn came out of the paediatrician’s room. The baby was crying, probably because he got his vaccine. 

His wife handed him the crying baby and Tanmay walked away. Arjun sighed seeing Saanvi look at the baby with a longing in her eyes. He held her chin and kissed her forehead making a lone tear escape her eyes.

6 months later

Saanvi felt her heartbeat fasten when she heard the door open. She had been in his room so many times before but this time felt different. It wasn’t just his room anymore. It was hers too. And he was her husband now.

Today was her wedding night. It wasn’t like she would be doing anything for the first time, but the thought of Arjun doing things to her made her feel giddy all over.

Arjun smiled at her and loosened his tie. They had a court marriage. Since none of them had anyone else to call their families, they decided to keep things simple and private. They had a court marriage, followed by a simple temple wedding.

Saanvi looked at him and bit her lip in shyness. Arjun chuckled with amusement. His own heartbeat matched hers. He was nervous. 

He sat in front of her and caressed her face. 

“Hi…wife.”

He breathed out and she melted against him.

“Hi…husband.”

He sighed and rested his forehead against hers. 

“You’re my wife.”

He whispered and she smiled.

“I am. Your wife.”

She felt a soft, brief peck on her lips and blushed. His thumb caressed her cheeks and she heard him whisper.

“I can sit here all night and just look at you. Watch you. Make myself believe that you are real.”

She smiled and then bit her lip mischievously.

“I can make you believe I am real. And you won’t have to just look.”

She teased and his eyes widened. The tips of his ears turned pink at her sudden boldness and he cleared his throat. He looked at her and raised his eyebrow.

“Is it? What do you have in mind then?”

She leaned closer and whispered against his lips.