55.

NOTE : *Dear readers, this chapter doesn't mean to promote any kind of superstition or any such deceitful acts in any way.

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“She will get back her consciousness in hour or two, Mr. Roy. Please take care of her, her condition is not right now. Her blood pressure is very low and can be threatening for her health. For now I give her injection for that but make sure to keep a look at her blood pressure. Also it seems she is stressing her body and mind a lot which is again not good. And about her wounds, I dress them. They are not serious. Make sure to dress them two times a day and also don't let her walk or put pressure on her feet for few days,” Ruhaan nodded at doctor as she tell them about Aaruhi's health.

Ryan stare at Aaruhi, sitting beside her on the bed. But he can hear the doctor's words.

Siya look at Aaruhi with worried eyes running her hand gently on Aaruhi's hair.

“Thank you doctor. Kabir walk doctor to his car," Kabir nodded and accompany the doctor till gate.

As the doctor left, Ruhaan turn to Ryan and sigh softly.

“She is okay, Ryan. Take care of her," Ryan nodded, looking up at his father.

"Let her rest. Ryan is here for her…” Ruhaan said looking at everyone.

Everyone left the room, leaving Ryan with his wife.

Running his fingers through his hair, Ryan let out a deep sigh, feeling his heart paining at the sight of his wife. Leaning toward her face, he kiss her forehead lightly before going into the closet to change his clothes as now he is not going to office.

After almost two hours, Aaruhi started walking up. She move a little and groan, feeling her head heavy and body weak.

Slowly she open her eyes and felt a warm touch on her cheek. As her vision become clear, she saw Ryan's face infront of her eyes. He is looking at her with worried expression and gently stroke her cheek softly.

“Ryan.." she whisper and give him a weak smile.

"How are you feeling, now?” he ask her running his fingers lightly through her hairs.

She nodded her head and sigh before saying,

"My legs are paining badly,” she whispered.

He place his lips on her head and then look at her,

"How all this happened, Ruhi? How you manage to hurt yourself like this, huh?” he ask looking into her eyes and notice her nervousness.

His straight face is making her nervous. She fidget with her fingers looking at him and gulp.

“Ruhi! I am asking you something," he said giving her serious look.

"Woh…I went to temple and hurt my feet by little stones and throne…”

“By stones and thorns,..seriously! How? Tell me everything, Ruhi, Everything!" She felt her breath turn heavily as she look at his angry face as he is looking straight into her eyes.

Walking bare feet to the temple which was about two kilometres away from their house. She felt her sole hurting because of the rough road. After she reached the temple, she first pray in from of God before began doing everything that the lady in the video told. As she said in that video, Aaruhi fill a big pot with a water from the nearby lake and climb the stairs of the temple to pour the water on shivling. She had to do it for 108 times. She get exhausted as she finished 50th times. Feeling breathless she sat on the stairs for a moment to give some rest to her legs but she stood up as Sun began to arise. She had to complete it before the sun complete rise.

Her feet is hurting badly due to pointed stone and stick on her way when she walked to take water from the lake.

She get out a huff and fell on her knees in front of Lord Shiva and Parvati's Ma, feeling her leg numb.  Joining her hand in front of them, she cry silently, telling her pain and worry to them. She sat there for a while with her head bow infront of her almighty.

Revealing her tears eyes as she look up. Cleaning her face, she touch their feet taking their blessings.

Now sitting on her knees infront of her creator, she realises she didn't come her to pray for baby but she just wanted to cry infront in front, sharing her pain and distress. Asking her God to give peace to her restless heart.

“Please end my pain and bless me with solace. Why my heart is so restless…" she ask them as tears again started flowing from her eyes which are pleading.

She don't know for how long she crying, sitting on the cold floor. She wanted to feel happy and live her life with her husband. But her heart and mind keep reminding her about her inability.

Due to her sudden break down, she didn't complete other rituals that video lady asked which is too stand on her one leg on the south west corner of temple and chant a mantra for 1100 times which she told her in her video. And feed grains to birds every Sunday.

After crying and completely exhausting herself, she stood up when the crowd started increasing in the temple.

Taking Prasad and blessing from the priest, she left from the temple. After her emotional breakdown, she felt little better. But her mind and heart are still distrub and restless. She again walked back from temple to home bare and wounded feet.

With every step, she wince feelings her cut getting worse. Temple being situated in a deserted area, she couldn't take any vehicle to go back. She is sweating due to hot weather and also she started feeling unwell all of the sudden as she reached near the Roy mansion.

Present

Aaruhi look up timidly and gulp in fear, seeing Ryan blank face and clench jaw as if he is trying to control himself from bursting at her.

“Ryan…" Ryan stop her showing his palm and glare at her making her heart drop.

“Are you mad, Aaruhi?! Seriously how can you believe in those stupid videos?!! It's unbelievable, you are educated and knows everything still…God!!" He shout angrily making her flinch at his hard tone.

She felt her eyes turning teary as he never raise his voice at her and now he is shouting at her in rage.

He stood up to go but she quickly hold his wrist stopping him.

“Ryan,I am sorry. I know I shouldn't believe but I don't know what happen to me that time. When she said that baby-" she stop in middle when he jerk his hand from her hold and look at her in anger.

“Baby? Huh...” he clench his jaw looking into her eyes. She look down.

“That’s the only thing she chant now. I don't wanted to hurt you but I am tired of making you understand. You forget everything in the desperation to have baby. Everything! I feels like I failed you as a husband and couldn't give you the happiness and love you want, seeing you so lost and sad. I failed to give you assurance that you want. I really failed you, Ruhi… Am I not enough for you that you are searching for happiness in a baby. Is our love is enough for us to live a life like everyone without a child?" Aaruhi crying, shaking her head in no.

That not she meant and want.

"No, Ryan. It's not like that. I am happ-”

“You are not, Ruhi. You are not happy. Sadness and distress is all I see on your face these last few months. Didn't I tell you, I am happy and content with you. You are more than enough for me but seems like you are not. I tried to understand you emotions but now I am tired. For once try to understand me, Ruhi. I don't want you like this, so depressed and broken. Having a child is beautiful feeling I know. Even I also dreamed about our baby and my fatherhood. I also wanted to experience the joy of being father but I know it's not in my hand. I also get sad thinking about it but I can't forget the other beautiful things that I am blessed with. I am not telling you to not hope. But this is last string of my patience, Ruhi. Believing in superstition and hurting yourself, I can't accept this. This is too much for me to take. You know now I am even scared to touch you and make love to you, thinking it will arise your hope and again you fell into the same cycle of depression and sorrow. And I hate this. You want time, I am ready to give you. You want to try again and again, I am ready. You want to cry, I am always there to hold you and cry with you but not this…" with this he storm out of the room, leaving sobbing Aaruhi alone in their room.

"I am so sorry..so sorry. I don't know you are so hurt by my behaviour, Ryan..i don't know,...” she thought, looking at the close door with tears filled eyes.

After half an hour, Siya come into the room. She saw Aaruhi sitting with her legs up touching her chest and staring out throught the window and lost somewhere.

Placing the food tray on the bed that she brought with her, Siya watch her so lost in her thoughts that she didn't even notice her presence infront of her.

“Aaru.." Aaruhi startle when Siya touch her shoulder and call her name softly.

Aaruhi look at her and quickly wipe tears from her face, turning her face down. Again she look at Siya and give a forced smile.

Siya sigh looking at her pale face and give her small smile.

“I bring your lunch. You have to take your medicines,.."  she said softly taking the plate from tray and started serving food for her.

Aaruhi look at her for a moment.

“Where is Ryan, Ma?” she ask her in a whispered and her voice crack at the end.

“He went to office," her eyes again started burning but she close her eyes and gulp back her tears not wanting to worry Siya.

Mixing dal and rice, Siya forward the spoon near her lips for her to eat and smile softly when she take the bite.

“I hurt him, Ma…” suddenly Aaruhi whispered in broken voice and let a tear slips from her eyes.

Placing the empty plate on the tray, Siya give her glass of water to drink still having a small smile on her face.

Taking two three gulp of water, Aaruhi place the glass aside and cry silently.

Taking her crying child in her arms, Siya pull her in a hug and rub her back. Feeling her warmth, Aaruhi started sobbing hiding herself in her motherly embrace.

“He is angry and hurt because of me. I hate myself, Ma…"

"Mera bachcha…don't cry. He is not. He can never be angry and hurt by his Ruhi. He is just little mad, just a little. He will be back to normal and coming running to his Ruhi. Don't be so harsh on yourself, Aaru. Now stop crying…I know he will be alright by the time will be back from office. Don't stress yourself. Doctor told you not to take stress, baby..” Siya console her in her warm loving tone and stroking her hair. After a while, Aaruhi went silently but keep hugging her.

Giving her sometimes to collect her emotions, Siya give her medicines and made her sleep by patting her head softly. Due to medicines, Aaruhi doze off in few minutes.

Siya's heart ache seeing her red nose due to crying. Cleaning her tears from her face, she place a light kiss on her head and tuck her properly in the duvet.

She can't do anything in their matter no matter how much she want. She shouldn't interfere in their married life.

She walked out of the room with the spoiled plate and silently close the door after turning the lights off except of night lamps.

On the other side, Ryan is sitting in his office penthouse. He is upset and mad that Aaruhi's irresponsible act. He couldn't believe she believe those nonsense things. Just so she can get pregnant. She didn't even think about her health. He can endorse anything but not her hurting herself. She is precious for him.

He always understand her emotions and feelings but she is now hurting herself both physically and emotionally and mentally. And that thing made him furious. And he is not letting it go so easily until she understand.

Letting out heavily breath, he close his leaning his head against the couch backrest.

Aaruhi is staring at the door, waiting for her husband. Siya made her eat the dinner and medicines. She again look at the time. It's 11:30 in the night yet he didn't back from office.

As the time passes, she began dozing off feeling sleeping. With sleepy eyes, she again look at the door before she completely doze off in a haft lying position.

After an hour later, Ryan entered the room and his eyes directly fell on Aaruhi. He close the door and walked inside with quiet steps.

Seeing her sleeping soundly, he felt his heart at peace. He sat on the bed near her feet and check her feet bandage. Finding the new bandage around her feet, he sigh in relief and stood up to freshen up.

Covering her properly with the duvet, he laid down on his side. He look at her peaceful face before turning his eyes on the ceiling and close his eyes.

The next day, Aaruhi wake up quite late than usual. The moment she open her eyes, she look beside her and find the bed empty and look around the room to find the person she is craving.

She check the dressing table and couldn't find his watch and his phone and car keys on the nightstand.

With heavy heart, she sat up  and get down of the bed. She went inside the bathroom holding wall as support to take shower and get ready.

When she comes out of the room, she saw Siya sitting on the couch waiting for her and saw a plate of breakfast on the table.

“Aaru, you should call me or Kritika to help you. You shouldn't put pressure on your feet, beta.." she said as she help her to bed and check her wound.

“Let me dress up your wound…" saying she went inside the washroom and come back with a first aid box.

As she about to touch her feet, Aaruhi pull back her feet and shake her head.

"No, Ma. Don't touch my feet. I will do it,” Siya look at her with a playful stern face and put her feet on her lap.

“Shh…don't speak anything and let me do my work. You are daughter, Aaru…." She softly said while cleaning her feet with cotton and disinfectant. Then after apply a ointment, she wrap the cotton bandage around her feet and put her feet back on the bed.

"Now have your breakfast…” she said and bring plate in bed.

After having her breakfast, she look at Siya and ask her,

"Ryan left for office..” Siya nodded slowly and give her medicines.

She silent take her medicines.

"Now take rest, bachcha. I have to go orphanage. But if you need anything just call Kritika, hmm?” she said and kiss her forehead.

Aaruhi nodded and give her fake smile.

As Siya walked out, Aaruhi let her tears roll down feeling hurt and emotional. She is feeling guilty for hurting her husband who always think about her before him. She turn blind in order to have baby that she don't know she is hurting him so much.

For the next few days, Ryan didn't talk to her and ignore her. He left early for office and comes back late after she sleep. And due to her medicines, she become sleepy and doze off quiet early that usual. She had her meals in the room only due to her feet.

Although, Ryan is ignoring her but he make sure she is taking food and medicines on time and check on her through the servants or twins. He knows he should be so hard on her but he is not in state to face her. He want some time to gather himself. He is deeply hurt by her actions.

It's been more than a weeks since things are messy between them.

Today Aaruhi decide to have dinner with everyone as she is feeling suffocated staying inside the bed all day.

As she walked inside the dining room, everyone turn their eyes towards her.

“Aaru, come dear .." Raghav softly said with a sweet smile.

She smile weakly and walked further into the room and took her seat beside Siya.

Everyone ask her about her health to which she told them she is better now.

Siya serve her and pat her head smiling down at her.

They have their food with little talk in between but she stay quiet throughout the dinner. The absence of her husband beside her is now hurting her badly. Her heart filled with gloominess and everything seems colourless without him.

After having her dinner, she helped Kritika in cleaning kitchen to spend her time and keep her mind occupied from sadness.

Kritika and Siya tried to stop her from doing the work but she was adamant.

“Chachi, I will do this. You can go and rest," she told her, taking cleaning cloth from her hand to wipe the counter and gastop.

"Aaru, you should go and rest, beta ji. You need rest. I will do it,” she said but Aaruhi shook her head.

“I am alright, Chachi. I will do this.." she assure and smile a little after a while Kritika left from there reluctantly.

After cleaning the kitchen counter, she wash her hand and walked out of the kitchen and sat in the living room, waiting for her husband.

Taking a deep sigh, she lean her back on the sofa and closet her eyes for a moment before opening them and look at the door hopefully.

After a while, she straighten her back and sit up hearing a familiar car horn before the car engine died.

A soft smile formed on her face and she hurried stood up but stumble feeling a wave of dizziness hit her out of nowhere. She hold the armrest to steady herself and blink her eyes few time.

At the sametime the entrance door opened from outside and Ryan walked in tiredly running his fingers through his hair.

She look at him and smile when he slowly down his steps staring at her. But her smile fell back when he look away and walk past her towards the stairs, ignoring her as she is not present there.

She turn around and look at him going upstairs. She took a step towards follow him but suddenly she felt her stomach twisting in pain before feeling bile raise up to her throat. She cover her mouth and rashed inside the kitchen.

She bent down on sink and gag feel like vomiting.

“ahh.." she groan before she threw up.

Her fingers tightly held the edge of the counter when another wave of nausea hit her and she bent further to threw up more.

Tears appeared in her eyes due to twisting pain in her stomach and feeling suffocating as if something choking her.

After throwing up everything that she had an hour ago. She clean her mouth and drink water, feeling her throat sore.

Leaning against the counter, she close her eyes taking deep breaths to calm herself.

But her eyes snap open hearing a footsteps coming towards her. Wiping the sweat from her forehead and face with her kurta sleeve, she stand up straight. Ryan come inside the kitchen and saw her standing near the sink. He look away as she look at him innocently and walked to fridge and take out food to heat it.

“i will reheat the food-" she said walking to him and as she about to take the bowl.

He stop her and said,

“Its okay, I will do it. You should go to the room and rest," with this he turn around and walk upto microwave to reheat the curry.

His ignorance and silent treatment is hurting her.

She didn't move from her place and started at his back, longing for his single love filled gaze.

Aaruhi watch him, walking out of the kitchen with food container and sat on chair in dining table. He didn't even look at her as if she is invisible.

She also walked into the dining area with a water jug and placed it infront of him. He look up for a second before turning his attention back to his plate and started eating the food.

She sat on the chair beside him and stay silent as she don't wanted to disturb him while he is eating.

After finish his food, he wipe his hands as he use spoon and mouth with tissue and was about to stood up but Aaruhi hold his hand looking at him innocently.

“I am sorry, Ryan…." She whispered in guilt filled voice.

Ryan look at her fingers wrap around his wrist before looking at her face. Her eyes is begging his forgiveness.

"It's getting late. We should sleep now,” he said in calm voice but she is missing the warmth in his tone.

“Ryan,..."

"Did you take your medicines?” he ask her cutting her in between. She shake her head in no, making him let out a deep sigh.

“Why are you so careless about your well-being and health? Don't apologise, just take care of yourself, for God Sake Aaruhi..please! For my peace, please be serious about your health for once," he said greeting frustrated and furious at her for taking her health so lightly.

Aaruhi felt tears filled her eyes and his face turn blur due to tears in her eyes. Her hold loosen around his wrist and she left his hand.

His heart clench, seeing her tears. She is staring at him innocently like a baby.

“Go take your meds and then sleep," he told her but this time his voice is soft.

She nodded her struggling to control herself from sobbing so she walked out of the dining room. Ryan watch her, going upstairs and sigh as his expression soften and guilty flash in his eyes.

As she reached their bedroom, Aaruhi let her tears flow down freely. She sob badly while walking towards the bed. She sat on the bed and open the drawer to take out her meds.

Suddenly remembering his cold behaviour and the way he ignores her, she choke on her sob and hurriedly wipe her tears with the back of her palm.

“I a..am s..sorryy…na!" She crying taking out pills from tablets patch.

Taking them in her mouth, she sip the water but suddenly choke and started coughing badly as the water entered into her windpipe.

She threw up the water as the coughing turn furious. Her whole face turn red. She felt like dieing any moment.

“Ruhi!!" Ryan who just step inside the room saw her rubbing her chest and coughing furious.

He got panic and run to her before he started patting and rubbing her back.

“Relax…it's okay,.." he whispered to her.

After few seconds, she gets normal and taking breath deeply as she got breathless due to continuous coughing.

Ryan softly caress her back still worried looking at her deep red face.

“You okay??" Aaruhi look at him and blink her eyes, staring at him.

Suddenly she started crying and hide her face in his chest wrapping her arms around his neck.

She is not crying because she gets scared due to sudden choking. But crying for him. Seeing warmth and softness in his eyes for her, she couldn't control herself.

Ryan place his hand on her head and pat her head gently and sigh softly in relief.

“Its okay. You are fine. Don't cry…" he whispered softly and place his lips on her hair. For a second, he also got scared for her, seeing her struggling to breath.

Seeing her crying so badly, Ryan remove his sleepers and lay down on the bed with her in his arms. She instantly snuggle into him, hugging him tightly while sobbing in his arms.

“Shh…it's okay,…calm down, Jaan," he lovingly said and started stroking her back and pat her to sleep.

And soon, she went to sleep while crying. Ryan slightly pull back and look at her face. With his thumb, he gently wipe tears from her cheeks and kiss her close eyes before again cuddling her to himself.

“I hate seeing you hurt, Ruhi. Then why?" He though running his fingers through her hair.

"I am sorry, Meri Jaan,” he whisper to himself and kiss her head few times.

And they sleep together peacefully after so many days finally finding solace in each other's embrace.

Aaruhi jerk up from sleeping due a bad dream and started looking around for Ryan.

Her eyes again tear up thinking, he again left for office. Her chest tighten in pain and sorrow.

She got startled when the door open and her eyes fell on her Ryan coming inside in his gym clothes. And her lips curved into a smile when he look at her.

Ryan saw her staring at him and sat on the sofa to remove his shoes. He can feel her eyes on him but he didn't look up.

But his head snap up suddenly when the thud of something falling on the floor fell into his ears. He frown, seeing Aaruhi clumsily rushing toward the washroom covering her mouth with her palm.

He raise on feet sensing something wrong and run behind her inside the washroom. But his feet freeze on floor as he saw her throwing up into the toilet seat holding the wall beside her for support.

As she groan painfully, he comes back into his sense and run to her and hold her other hand and started rubbing her back.

His heart twisted in pain seeing her so vulnerable. Tears filled in his worried eyes as he saw her tears rolling down.

“Ryan.." she breathout and wince feelings her stomach paining because of vomiting.

"Ruhi, what is happening to you?” he asked her, looking at her pale face.

He wipe the sweat from her face with his hand and caress her cheek tenderly.

She fell back, leaning against his chest and close her eyes. She felt light headed and zero strength in her body.

Ryan pick her up and place her on the washroom basin counter. He made her gag her mouth and wash her face with water. Then he wipe the water from her face with a soft towel.

“I am not feeling good," she murmured in weak voice, leaning into him. Now he get more scared about her health.

He walked into the room with her in his arms and laid her on the bed as she almost passed out due to exhaustion and weakness.

Covering her properly, he take out his phone and dial the doctor's number who came to check her few days back.

The doctor answer the call.

“Hello doctor, this is Ryan Roy.." he said as soon as doctor received the call.

"Yes, Mr. Roy,..” as doctor said this. Ryan inform him about Aaruhi's condition and ask him to come and examine her.

“Mr. Roy, actually I am out of town for an emergency case right now. I couldn't come. But hearing about her, I suggest you to once get her check in the hospital," hearing his suggestion even Ryan felt the need to get her checkup in the hospital.

"I will. Thank you for the suggestion, doctor,” saying he hang up the call and glance at Ruhi who is sleeping, looking so peaceful.

He caress her head softly and kiss her forehead lovingly before he walked into the washroom to take shower.

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