He could see the anger in her eyes. Anger on his behalf. He smiled and said.

“Mere badle ka gussa tumne kr lia na.”

(You took out my share of anger too.)

Nishtha rolled her eyes at his attempt to joke. He sighed and said.

“You’re right though. I was not justifying her…I just…”

“Khud ko pity kr rhe the.”

(Was pitying yourself.)

She completed and he lowered his head.

“I can’t stop it, Nishtha. Bhut koshish krta hu. Trust me. But it’s not easy.”

(I try a lot.)

She understood. It wasn't easy. Whatever he was going through and feeling.

“It’s ok. I understand. You’re allowed to feel that way. I just want you to not think about her anymore. She’s gone for good. Ab aap bas apne aap pr, apne kaam pr, aur apni recovery pr focus kro.”

(You just focus on yourself, your work and your recovery now.)

He nodded with a smile. She went out of the room, saying that she was getting something for him to eat.

Once alone, Vishesh took a deep breath and sighed in relief. He wasn’t lying. He did feel free. Maybe the relationship had become a burden. But he wasn’t at fault. He had tried. Tried his best he could in this condition.

Things were getting into line. His recovery had started showing visible effects. Vishesh was able to sometimes lift his finger. He even curled his fists for a few seconds. But other times, nothing moved.

He explained himself that it was good. A start. A positive sign. That he was doing good. The therapist had asked him to keep an object handy. To test his grip.

Sometimes, he could grip it for a few seconds, before his limbs went loose. A newfound hope had erupted in his chest. He would be fine. Soon.

Vishesh had been waiting for Nishtha to arrive. She was always on time, with only a day or two’s delay because of unavoidable circumstances.

The door to his room was opened and he saw her enter with a grin. She had something hidden behind her, making him frown in curiosity.

“What are you hiding?”

She giggled and put the box she was hiding in front of him.

“Happy birthday!”

He looked at her surprised.

“Tumhe kaise pata?”

(How did you know?)

“Kal aunty ka phone aaya tha. Ki wo log aayenge aaj.”

(Yesterday aunty called. That they will come today.)

He shook his head with a smile.

“Thank you. Par iski zarurat nhi thi.”

(But this was not needed.)

“Kaise nhi thi? Bilkul thi! Mai khol ke dikhau kya hai?”

(How come? It was needed! Should I show it?)

She asked excitedly and he nodded. She opened the gift and held out a teal green shirt. Vishesh smiled and looked at her.

“Thank you.”

“Aap na ye aaj shaam ko pehnna. Achhe lagoge.”

(You wear this in the evening today. You will look nice.)

“Aaj shaam ko?”

(Today evening.)

He frowned. She folded the shirt, while answering.

“Haan. Dinner pr jaane ka plan hai na.”

(Yes. We made a dinner plan.)

His smile fell and he looked ahead.

“Mai nhi jaaunga.”

(I will not go.)

She smiled softly, expecting this reaction. She kept her palm over his and said.

“I understand why you don’t want to go. We will not force you. Mere uncle ka restaurant hai. One of the elite ones in the state. Unhone hamare liye ek private booth book kia hai. No one would see us or judge you. But agar aapka phir bhi mann nhi hai toh hum nhi jaayenge.”

(It’s my uncle’s restaurant….He has booked a private booth for us….If you still don’t want to go, we won’t.)

He nodded and she went to get his food so that he could be given his supplements. His parents arrived a few hours later. Nishtha had informed that there was a chance Vishesh might not want to go out for dinner.

They understood and didn’t talk to him about it, not wanting to pressurize him. They just sat with him, talking and laughing about things. 

This was the family he needed. People who stayed together, no matter how hard the times were.

Vishesh looked at the time and frowned.

“Aap sab baithe kyu ho abhi tak? Ready nhi hona kya chalne ke liye?”

(Why are you sitting till now? Don’t we have to get ready to go?)

All three of them looked at him in surprise before nodding with wide smiles. Nishtha stepped out of the room when his father started to change his clothes.

Vishesh asked his father to leave behind the urine bag, saying that he could manage a few hours. Nishtha started to take the wheelchair when his father said that he would do it.

“Aaj aap bhi enjoy kro aaram se.”

(You also enjoy today.)

He said with a warm smile, making Nishtha smile and nod at him. They entered the restaurant and were immediately guided to their booth. Nishtha helped Vishesh take his seat carefully.

They gave their order and then indulged in another conversation. The door to the booth was opened and an elderly man stepped in.

Nishtha got up and smiled. 

“Hello uncle.”

She greeted and side hugged the man, who patted her head in a fatherly manner.

“Kaisi hai beta?”

(How are you dear?)

“Mai thik hu uncle. Ye hai Vishesh. The birthday boy. And ye unke parents hai.”

(I am fine uncle. This is Vishesh The birthday boy. And these are his parents.)

She introduced. The man stepped forward and shook hands with his father. He greeted his mother with a namaste, not sure if she would be comfortable with a hand shake. And he patted Vishesh on the shoulder.

“Happy birthday young man!”

“Thank you sir.”

“Aap logo ko jyada disturb nhi krunga. Nishtha beta! Kuch bhi chahiye ho toh mujhe bata dena. Please enjoy your visit.”

(I will not disturb you anymore. Nishtha dear! Let me know if you require anything.)

With the final words, he left. Vishesh’s mother kept a palm over Nishtha’s hand and said.

“Thank you beta. Ye sab organize krwane ke liye.”

(For organizing all this.)

“Arre aunty please!”

Their food arrived and they dug in. Nishtha first fed Vishesh and then had a bite of her own food.

He couldn’t help but admire her. The way she gelled up with his parents so easily. The way she always made sure he was comfortable. As if it was an unconscious thing. So effortless. 

But he always felt that it wasn’t just a duty for her. Not anymore. She wasn’t just a nurse to him. She was a friend. A companion. A partner in a true sense.

Not just because she did everything for him. But because she was in every manner. She was there when he felt emotionally weak. 

A fear came back again. What if he couldn’t repay her? What if he couldn’t care for the way she did when time came?

But the fear vanished as quickly as it came. He knew. Things with her won’t be the same as they were with Surekha. 

He wouldn’t be alone in this. She would be there equally. They would make it. If they gave this a try.