Chapter 37
'Dadi, aap ko araam ki zaroorat hai!' Viren stood up as Dadi looked around the hospital room and then down at her bandaged arm; she looked at Viren as he spoke in surprise, 'Viren...tu yahaan? Nivi kaha hai?' She sounded a little groggy and Viren told her Nivi was outside and that she needed to sleep because of what the doctors had given her. 'Mujhe yahaan nahi rehna beta, ghar chalte hai' She tried to get up again but Viren pushed her back down lightly and told her she could go home in a few hours if she just slept off the medicines and she seemed to understand.
She lay back down and then called his name quietly so Viren leaned forward to listen, 'Viren, tu Nivi ko ghar le jaa... uski koi baat mat sun naa, teek hai? Tu sun raha hai naa?' Viren was wondering how he would manage that but nodded and said he would and then Dadi patted his cheek with her free hand muttering 'Mera accha baccha...' before she fell back asleep.
Nivi walked in just then and asked if everything was ok. 'Haan bilkul, except Dadi gave me an order' Viren smiled as Nivi frowned. He nodded, 'Yep, she gave strict instructions that I had to take you home right now' He held up a hand as Nivi opened her mouth to argue, 'Kuch nahi chalega Moti, she said I had to carry you out if I had to!' He raised his eyebrows and Nivi rolled her eyes, 'No she didn't!' Viren took a step forward and Nivi's eyes widened, 'Viren! I can wait here, it's fine...' He took another step and pretended to roll up his sleeves and Nivi started laughing.
'Accha teek hai! Fine...but only because Papa said he'd come here in a couple of hours and bring her home with him!' She hugged Dadi lightly as she slept and covered her up properly before they left the room. After they'd handed in the hospital forms, they walked to the entrance and Nivi turned to Viren and shook her head, 'Who were you kidding Viren; there's no way you could have carried me out!' Viren just shrugged, 'I'm sure I could have...try kar ke dekhte hai?' He put his arm around her lightly while he spoke and Nivi laughed and elbowed him, moving away as they got to the bike.
Nivi felt happier than she had in a long time now that she knew Dadi would be ok and it felt good to tease Viren. She remembered her decision to not waste any time and she suddenly realised she wasn't scared anymore. After what had happened in the kitchen the other evening, it had scared her for some reason to think that maybe Viren felt the same way about her; now although it still made her nervous, she was beginning to feel hopeful too. She smiled at Viren, wondering what would happen and where they would end up as they reached his bike.
As they got on the bike, Nivi realised something; 'Viren, where's your helmet?!' Viren started the bike and shrugged, 'Bhool gaya...I was in a bit of a rush remember?!' She felt guilty, he'd put himself in danger for her...and he didn't even seem bothered about it...? 'Viren! Tumhe kuch ho jaa tha toh?!' He just laughed, 'Well at least I was going in the right direction...' He seemed so flippant about it, Nivi couldn't help it; she smacked him on the back of his head.
'Oww!' Viren rubbed his head and turned around. 'Why did you do that Moti?!' He expected some sort of apology but Nivi just smiled and said sweetly, 'See what happens when you don't wear a helmet Viren?!' He rolled his eyes and tried not to laugh, he was glad she was in a better mood but his helmet had been the last thing on his mind when he'd run out of the house thinking she was hurt. 'I'm fine Nivi, mujhe kuch bhi nahi hua, and I'll go carefully now too, ok?' Before she could argue any further, he drove off.
When they got home Viren walked Nivi to her door and asked if she needed anything else but she shook her head. 'Thanks for today Viren...' Nivi didn't know how to put into words how much he'd done for her by just being there. 'There's no need to say thanks Nivi, I'll always be here if you need me.' He smiled and Nivi felt her heart skip as she smiled back. She turned to go into the house when Viren said, 'Nivi wait! Woh...mujhe kuch kehna tha tumse...' Nivi turned back to him and Viren stepped closer to her and she felt her heart stop as she waited.
But after a few minutes he still hadn't said anything. 'Umm what did you want to say Viren...?' She held her breath, wondering if this was it... 'Nivi, I uh...I still have your note!' Nivi let out a breath, 'Kya?! That's what you wanted to say?' Viren watched Nivi's disappointed face and felt like jumping up and down but instead he smiled innocently and said 'Haan...I took it home in my pocket by mistake the other night...wait here, don't move; I'll be back in 2 minutes!' And he left, leaving Nivi looking a little stunned.
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