Chapter 30: chapter 30

CHAPTER -11GOWRI“….. and that is all for today,” I dismiss the teenager as the bell rings. I am in a happy mood today. Yes, you guessed it right. It is because of Shiva. He is impossible to predict. He is giving me heart attack after heart attack. I never expected him to ask sorry and today morning, it was so thoughtful of him to make me an extra cup. These new changes in him are ni-HOLY HELL! Why is the floor below me slipping? No, it is not the floor, it is my leg that slips at the top of the stairs. I try to catch the railing and steady myself but unfortunately, I am unable to catch it and I fall down the stairs and roll down all the way to the next floor. The world around me spins and I could feel the sharp pain of the uneven surface on my body. I land on the floor with a thud that attracts a small crowd around me. My legs and arms burn due to the fall and my face in the embarrassment of tumbling down the stairs. I try to get up but a searing pain shoots through my left leg and I bite my lip in pain. My eyes fill with tears that I blink away. “I think she hurt her leg,” someone in the crowd says.“Help her up,” another says.Teachers and students try to help me up but I shake my head vigorously. My left ankle is aching and I don't think I will be able to walk.“I think she fractured her leg. We should take her to the hospital,” one says. There is a collective nodding of yes among the crowd.What the hell? Why is fate cruel like this? Can't I be happy for a few minutes? I rub the place on my ankle where it is paining but the pain doesn't disappear. Super! Now I may or may not have a fractured leg.Suddenly someone lifts me in their arms. I know who it is by his strong perfume smell.“Put me down Jay,” I hiss.He shakes his head. “Where are you taking me?” I ask as I see we are going to the parking area.“To the hospital,” he replies putting me down before a car.“No, that is not needed,” I say through gritted teeth. My left ankle aches and I lean on the car to ease the weight on it.“It is needed. Just get in.”  “I don’t thin-” I start but someone cuts me off.“Gowri, just go with him and have a check,” tells Renu madam entering the parking area. She is having my bag. She throws it in the backseat of the car and continues in a warning tone, “That was a terrible fall and I am sure you have fractured one of your body parts. Better to treat it at the early stage.”Her words have the desired effect on me. I nod my head as visuals of me losing my leg swim across my head. Jay opens the car door and I get in. He goes to the driver's seat and starts the car.I try to divert myself from the pain but to no avail. I bite my handkerchief to keep my tears in the bay. It has been ages ago since I was physically injured. So, this pain is new to me.Jay notices my discomfort, “Just a few minutes and we will reach the hospital. Is it painting too much?”Unable to open my mouth and answer, I nod my head. He tells, “It will be alright.”“Thanks for this,” I tell motioning to the car and the fact that he is taking me to the hospital. “I will do anything for you,” he tells in a gentle tone. That should have given me butterflies but instead, I feel bad and guilty. I don’t want him to be sweet and caring. I don’t deserve his affection. I am a liar who hides about her marriage. 🍀🍀🍀🍀“It is a mild sprain,” the doctor tells checking my left ankle.Thank God! Not a freaking fracture.“How many days will it take to recover?” “Two weeks at most. You can walk but don’t strain too much. Follow the R.I.C.E. Even after two weeks if you have pain or inflammation then you must come again for a checkup.”“Okay Doctor,” I tell grateful that it is not as serious as I imagined.I slowly walk out of the room. My ankle pains and I stop for a moment to get accustomed to the pain. But Jay mistakes my pause and asks, “Should I carry you back?”“What? No,” I gasp.  He gives me a grin indicating it was a playful question. I sigh.   “Ok, lean on me for support,” he tells moving closer to me.I protest but he puts his hand on my shoulder and I get the smell of his perfume. I don't want him to be kind to me. I don't deserve this. We walk towards the parking.  The hand on my shoulder slowly slides down my arm and moves to my waist. A shiver runs down my spine and I feel very uncomfortable with his touch. I don't like it. I try to move a little away from him and walk on my own but his grip on me is tight.“Tell me your house address I will drop you there,” Jay tells me when we reach the car. No way, I am telling him my address and letting him know my secret. Shiva wouldn't be home now. Still, I don't feel flexible to give Jay my address. “No, I will book a cab to my house. You should head back to school. I was already so much of a burden to you today,” I tell wriggling myself out of his grasp and leaning on the car for support. “Come on,” he tells stepping forward and placing his both hands on either side of my shoulder. “You will never be a burden to me.” His voice is low and his eyes shine with desire. He leans towards me.“Jay, stop,” I shout and duck down his hand and move farther away from him putting some distance between us.I am not naive to not understand what is happening here. First, I don't feel comfortable with Jay trapping me between him and his car. Second, I can see his emotions written all over his face. And people it is not gentle but rough and hungry with desire. His eyes narrow to silts and he gives me an angry look.“Gowri, can’t you see how much I love you? I have classes but I came here to the hospital just for you. You don't understand my feelings. It hurts me when you move away from me. What else should I do?”I don't know what to do. Maybe I should reach out to him and tell him the truth that I am married. How could he still be in love with me? He takes a step toward me again but I move back instinctively. I don't understand why I feel like this towards him. He is a good friend but I don't like it when he comes near me. I feel uncomfortable with his close proximity. His eyes burn with anger and he is about to take another step toward me but I hold up my hands to stop him.“Jay, I am sorry. I appreciate that you care for me but please stop doing it. I don’t deserve your affection. No matter how much hard you try, I will not be able to return your affections,” I plead hoping he would understand.“Get lost,” he yells and he goes away in the car leaving me all alone in the parking area. I sigh as I bend down and pick up my bag that he threw out before going. I have to apply for half a day's leave and have a lot to process now.🍀🍀🍀🍀