Hospital

Mayukh POV:

I was on call with Mom, who was praying to God for a safe delivery.

"Mom it'll be fine. We'll call you once everything's done okay. I need to be there with Bhai."

"Okay."

I cut the call and sat outside the delivery room. Bhai had gone inside while Bhabhi's screams echoed outside the hall.

My eyes shut. I felt goosebumps and suddenly it reminded me off Nikita's screams that day. The same agonizing screams. Life and death can make you scream the same way.

"Bhai?" I asked, once he came out.

"Congratulations Mayukh! It's a boy!" Bhai said and hugged me. I felt tears in my eyes and his eyes. Bhai never cried and for him to cry like that made me cry.

"Congratulations Bhai!"

"Congratulations Ruyash Bhai!"

"Bhai how's Bhabhi?"

"She's okay, she's a very weak right now so she's resting. Baby is also sleeping."

"Be with them Bhai. I'll finish the formalities."

Nikita POV:

I woke up with the same pain in my muscle again. Ever since I came back to Indore, my muscle had been hurting. The same muscle where I had my burn mark.

The cream used to subside the pain but when I got it checked, I found out that the mark had gotten into the muscle and so it's causing a lot of issues if it touches other muscles at times. The doctor had suggested me creams and pills, but they didn't seem to be helping as much. I panicked because the only option left was a surgical fix to the wound. I was avoiding that.

I showered and got dressed in a simple chikankari pastel pink kurta and jeans with minimal makeup and made my way to the hospital. While I waited for my  turn, I saw a family rush into the ward and saw them crying. My interest peaked so I followed them but before I could reach them, I was called.

"Doctor. How's it?" I asked after she saw my reports.

"Nikita there's an improvement, but you need to be taking better care of yourself. I've told you not to put a load on your muscle."

"It's just basic cleaning I do."

"Your muscle is coming in contact with others too much and that's slowing down the process. If you want to avoid a surgical procedure you need to take as good as bed rest, just for a few weeks."

"Okay."

"How is your health otherwise?"

"It's fine."

"I don't know what's scaring you but don't be scared. Your body language directly impacts your health."

"I'm okay, just some work stress."

"Try to relax yeah! I'm giving you the same pills but a little higher concentration. Please bed rest for a bit as much as possible till it gets better."

"Yes doctor. Don't worry."

"Perfect, wait outside. I'll get these medicines to you in around 10-15 minutes."

"Sure! Thank you."

I made my way outside and handed the reports to the nurse and was about to go get a glass of water when I bumped into two men.

"I'm sorry."  I said unknowingly.

I looked up and my eyes widened in shock. Bhai and Mayukh?! I looked behind them and found Armaan talking to a nurse.

Why was Bhai crying? Why was everyone crying? Is everything okay? I felt really scared but I knew I had no rights to ask them anything.

"Sorry Sir." I looked down and tried to walk away when Mayukh caught my hand.

"What are you doing here?"

"Nothing, just... picking up a few things for a friend." I looked down trying to avoid conversation.

I couldn't help but look at Ruyash Bhai, who was looking at me with tears in his eyes.

"Sir," I said, turning to Bhai, "Is everything okay?"

I couldn't see him cry. He was like the older brother I didn't have. I cared a lot about him.

I saw him come closer and I got scared.

Did I say something to offend him?

"I.. I'm sorry, I just got curious, I'm sor—"

I was cut off by Ruyash Bhai engulfing me in a hug. His arm came around my head, comforting me just like Baba does. I felt my kurta's shoulder get soaked.

He let go off me after a minute and I looked at him, utterly confused. I noticed Mayukh still had my hand held while he watched me and Bhai.

I was really getting scared now. Is everything okay?

"Come with me." He said and held my other hand as Mayukh let go of my other hand and followed us. We stopped outside a room. Ruyash Bhai wiped his tears and gestured me to keep quiet as we entered. I nodded.

The door opened and I saw Manisha Bhabhi lying there. She had an IV tube attached to her and she looked weak. What?! I felt tears coming down my face instantly. I'm seeing her after a whole year and I see her like this.

"What...what happened to her?" I asked between tears.

"Hey, Nikdu. It's fine." Bhai said. I cried more at the use of the nickname Nikdu. Bhai and I had came up with that name for me because Bhai said it's unique.

He pointed to a small box- kinda bed next to Bhabhi. I walked towards it and my eyes lit at the sight of what I saw.

Oh my God! Bhai is a father! Bhabhi is a mother!

I felt tears streaming down my face as I gently held Bhabhi's hand and pressed it gently.

"Congratulations Bhabhi." I whispered slowly, hoping they didn't hear.

Only I knew she's my Bhabhi too. I couldn't say that out loud.

I turned and looked at Bhai. I wanted to run and hug him, but I composed myself. He's not my Bhai. I have to stay professional.

"Congratulations... Sir." I said, looking down.

Mayukh POV:

I saw Nikita observe the baby. Her eyes were lit up as if it's her own baby. I mean, she's the Chachi. She said "Congratulations Bhabhi" so softly hoping none of us would hear, but we both did.

We both smiled at the fact that she considered Bhabhi as her Bhabhi, because she is. She then got up, wiped her tears and came to Bhai.

"Congratulations... Sir." She said, looking down.

I felt my heart spice into two. I saw Bhai look at me with the same expression. We hated it when she called us that, especially since we know that we're all family here. Why are you being this way Nikita?

When Bhai didn't answer and Nikita waited for an answer, I intervened, "Bhai?"

I understand that Bhai is angry but ignoring her in front of her would really hurt her.

"Yes Mayukh." He said, looking at me.

I could see Nikita's eyes watering more. She was upset at being ignored.

"Bhai... I—"

"I'm sorry. I'll leave. Congratulations Sir." She said and ran out. I was about to grab her but she had already left.

I turned to see Bhai muttering, "Shit."

"Bhai, what was that? I know you're angry that she says that but at least don't ignore her."

"Mayukh, I—"

"She looked so sad Bhai. She was crying."

"Mayukh. She's my sister. I never meant to hurt her. I just... I hate it when she calls me Sir. She's supposed to call me Ru Bhai, like always. Having only a brother, when I met her, I felt the urge to be a brother to her. She gave me such a small sister vibe. She helped me plan a date for Mani, she helped me get ready also...."

"Then why'd you ignore her Bhai?"'

"Yaar I was going to joke around. I was going to tell her that I won't respond to Sir and I'd only respond to Bhai."

"Oh."

"Why's she so scared of us Mayukh? What happened between you two?"

"I told you everything already."

"She didn't write that letter. Why is she so scared then?"

"Because she left. Maybe that's why?"

"Yeah because of a misunderstanding."

"I don't know."

"Bring her back here Mayukh. I want her to meet Mani and I want to meet my Nikdu. I have to apologize.

"Ji Bhai."

I ran outside, only to find her talking to a nurse. I stayed behind until I saw her going towards the washroom. Using that chance, I went to the nurse.

"Hey. What was the lady, in the pink kurta you were just talking to here, saying?"

"She was here for a checkup Sir."

"Oh. What happened to her? She's my wife and I'm surprising her in the city but I'm surprised as well now." I added that so she'd tell me.

"Sir, I think you should talk to the doctor. I'm not able to say."

"Which doctor?"

"Sir, Doctor Rozina. Room 20."

"Alright. thank you."

I waited and soon I saw Nikita walking out. She was wiping her tears. That broke me.

"Nikita." I said, turning her around, "Where are you going?"

"Home."

I pulled her closer and moved us so we weren't near to the washroom and to anything. We were in a small alley with barely any people, just near the exit.

"The baby wants to meet his Chachi."

Her eyes widened and I internally chuckled.

"W..What?"

"Why did you leave? Bhai wants to talk to you."

I saw tears coming in her eyes again. "Sorry Sir, I need to go."

"Stop it Nikita. Stop calling us that. Can't you see how much everyone misses you?!" I didn't realise my tone was increasing, "You keep running away from everything. Just for once, stop and see how much people have to pick up from the void you leave behind." I held her hand tightly.

I suddenly softened my tone seeing her shaking and looking down crying. I let go off her hand.

"I'm... I'm sorry Nikita, I—"

"I'm sorry for the problems I caused. Sorry Sir." She said and ran away through the exit doors. I stayed rooted in my spot, not realizing a drop of tear falling from my face.