15

∞Genes∞

Rudransh Singh Chauhan

Stubborn.

Fierce.

But, beautiful in all her forms.

My lady, I wonder when she will understand the power she holds over me and how her slightest discomfort can pierce my heart with darting pain. Her throat is still hoarse, the melody of her voice strained, but to persuade her to agree to see a doctor, I had to practically plead with my eyes. Yet, all her tantrums, all her excuses-everything she is made up of, the good and the bad-are mine to cherish, mine to bear, mine to take care of.

I wonder if she will ever know how that gentle curve of her lips, the adorable sound of her giggles, and the sparkling brightness in her eyes tickle the cockles of my heart. The light flinch her body makes whenever my fingers graze her skin, then the way she relaxes a second later under my touch. The daring glare she casts at me, a glare that only she has the power to wield, feels like an update on the spell she has over me.

My trail of thoughts was broken by the owner of those thoughts. She knocked on the glass of the car window, and I slid down the window pane to come face to face with her. "Unlock the car, Mr. Chauhan." Of course, my lady, your words are my commands. Just keep them coming. "Do it fast, Rudra!" came her best friend's command.

I unlocked the car, and both the ladies slid into the backseat. Wait, I'm not their chauffeur.

"Let's get going now. What are you waiting for?" Aahana's face was etched with frustration, the Indian summer doing nothing good for her. I kept numb, gazing at my love from the rearview mirror.

"I'm not sitting in the front," Aahana snapped as the front door opened and Abhir bent down, stretching his neck to inspect the car.

"Why? What special seat do you want? And what are you doing here anyway?" I hope my brother has answers to Aahana's questions. She pulled herself to hover between the front two seats, facing Abhir while I saw my lady heaving a sigh in the backseat.

"Warm water, have it sip by sip." I passed her the bottle, and to my surprise, she took it without any rejection.

"Firstly, I'm accompanying you three to the doctor. Secondly, I want the backseat. The front seat makes me feel nauseous," Abhir started with his reason while Aahana began to object, but he covered her mouth with his palm lightly.

"Let me speak. I needed to go with you three for two reasons: One, my brother is special to me and I don't trust you with his safety, you know," he wiggled his eyebrows at her, giving me a loving look. What kind of look is that? I am surely going to go mad because of this man for real. "Two, Dadi used to say teen tigada kaam bigaada. So I am your fourth good luck charm." Seriously, I can't believe this man plays internationally.

"Get in the car, Abhir!" I asked him in a stern, ordering tone, but he started whining again.

"No, I want the backseat!"

"Fine, you sit with Aru, I'll sit in the front seat." Aahana, being the smartass she is, shook off his hand from her mouth and tried to get to the front seat, crossing the bridge between the car seats.

"No!" Abhir pushed her forehead with his forefinger, leaning towards her. "You are an aafat, you will disturb my brother while driving. You are not sitting beside him." Great, my brother. I am so proud of you.

Their chatter was interrupted by my love, who cleared her throat, getting out of the car, pulling Abhir out, and opening the back door for him while sliding beside me. She is just so intelligent and considerate, knowing about everything I wish for.

"We are getting late, we need to get back too." She whispered, settling the chaos in the car. I ignited the engine and drove the car out of the Palace.

Her eyes remained fixed on the view outside the window. I couldn't help stealing glances at her. I know she isn't very happy about my reaction back in the hall, but her brother carelessly fed her the gravy that had cashews, knowing she is severely allergic. It could have been fatal for her. Seeing her red face and teary eyes, I wanted to burn down the whole world unapologetically.

I have my temper under control, but when it comes to her, it's all exceptions. I didn't care about anyone's presence around us. I know now I have to face her brother, who is probably not happy with my intrusion and will want to have the discussion, "What do you want from my sister?" very soon. How could I tell him that I don't want anything from her but to give her everything of mine?

She is still gazing at the blue sky through the window, and I can see her long, slender neck on full display as her hair is tied in a bun. Anything she wears complements her flawlessly. I took the ginger tea from Abhir to get a chance to talk to her and know her well-being after her glaring eyes practically ordered me to leave the hall. When she looked at me with those pleading eyes and told me she couldn't give me a chance, it felt like a stab in the chest. But I simply cannot give up now that I have found her after such a long time. I can live my life taking her wide-eyed glares at me, but those helpless, pleading eyes made me feel completely helpless.

If only she could tell me, maybe talk to me once about us. If only she could consider me her anything, if only she could give a glimmer of hope to my aching heart. I hate myself for hurting her, hate myself for even bringing us to the circumstances where the eyes that always looked at me with adoring shine now pull away to anything that isn't me.

I parked the car outside Dr. Singh's clinic. He had been my father's friend for a long time. I remember him from a family vacation when Dadi had a heat stroke and was treated here. Abhir and Aahana walked out of the car while my lady put the water bottle in the holder. I seized the moment to jump out and open the door for her, but before I could, Aahana already had it open. She flashed a fake smile at me. "When she has her best friend, she doesn't need any man." Of course, bestie goals.

Looks like I need to pester her before asking for forgiveness from her best friend.

"Lead the way, ladies," Abhir bowed his head, stretching his arm toward the entrance.

"Sure," Aahana hung her handbag on his arm, holding Dhaya's hand as they walked toward the entrance. The lady's got sass. Abhir chuckled, holding her hand and pulling her toward himself, while I instantly held my lady's hand to make sure she didn't get hurt in their banter.

"You come with me." I pulled her hand, climbing the first two steps, but she shook it off. Remember I mentioned she's stubborn? She turned toward Abhir and Aahana, who were still in the same position.

"Aap mera mangal sutra pehan lo gale mai, mai aapke saare bags gale mai taang kar khushi khushi ghoomu." Not bad, brother, but cliche. I don't know about Aahana, but Dhaya definitely giggled a little at his words. Those giggles were silenced when Aahana eyed her.

("You wear my Mangal Sutra around your neck, may I hang all your bags around my neck and roam around happily.")

"Maathe ka dard ho tum mere." This time I too chuckled, not at her words but the American-accented Hindi.

("You are my headache.")

"Chalo, dard hi sahi, kuch toh hun aapka." Wait, is my brother listening to poetry these days? I need to ask him for those lines; they're pretty smooth. Maybe they'll work on her too because she giggled at his words while Aahana just playfully slapped his face, laughing.

("Come on, even if its just pain, I am still yours.")

"Hayeee..." He dramatically fell back against the railing, releasing her from his hold as she walked toward us.

"What do you feed this man? Why is he always so dramatic?" She walked past us, and I tried to keep my pace aligned with Dhaya.

"Mom binge-watched Star Plus. It was new at that time, so a new addiction for her." She chuckled at my words, turning her neck to give an arching brow to my brother, who followed us along. "Justified."

"Koi ni, humare bachon ke time aapko sirf Discovery dikhaunga." Aahana's neck snapped as she halted right before the entrance. Dhaya and I could barely stop ourselves from laughing out loud.

("No problem, I will only show you Discovery during our children's time.")

"I am not birthing animals. I'm going to listen to all the mythological scriptures. Ankita Aunty read them all during Aru's time. I want my kids sweet, intelligent, and beautiful like her." What are these guys even discussing? But anyway, it's entertaining. I could only imagine how cute she would be as a child. God, I so want to have a daughter with her-little Dhaya walking around. I'm feeling so overwhelmed just by the mere thought.

"Koi ni, aaj hi order kar dunga. Bataayiye kab shaadi kar rahi hai aap mujhse." He took long strides to stand beside her while I saw Dhaya laughing at their antics. At least these idiots are making my girl laugh. I can bear them for the whole day if their actions help me witness this melody of laughter.

("No problem , I will order it today itself. Tell me when are you marrying me?")

"I can't afford to pollute my genes by having kids with you. Come, Aru, these brothers have lost it anyway." Okay, now that was a burn. "Bhai! Did she just disrespect our genes?"

"Looks like." I shrugged my shoulders, walking inside the clinic where a few patients were already in the queue. "But look at us!" Abhir's cribbing turned embarrassing when he tapped on the shoulder of a random lady walking past us and asked her, "Hey lady, how do you find us?"

"He didn't mean it." I tried to intervene, but the lady gave me an unknown expression, flashing all her teeth at me.

"Very handsome." That was the last thing I needed-to be creeped out in public because of my dear brother.

"Sorry." I pulled Abhir away. "Look, this Bhagaad Billi is just delusional." He kept sulking, taking validation from a random stranger.

"If you both are done, call the doctor." Aahana walked up to me and spoke in a monotone. I nodded and obliged; it was enough drama for the day anyway.

"I'll get it managed." I dialed the doctor's contact, explaining everything about her condition. He instructed us to meet him in his cabin. I asked Abhir to wait outside and went with Aahana and Dhaya into the doctor's cabin.

"It's not a severe allergic reaction. It was barely absorbed into your body, and it's good that you spit it out. I'll inject you with this bronchodilator; it will help relieve the cough. Drink plenty of water, and here are some antihistamines along with probiotics. They will soothe your throat or any rash or itching you feel. If you get a fever, call me anytime." After inspecting her, the doctor gave his diagnosis.

"Anything to worry about?" I asked, wanting to be assured. He smiled at me kindly, shaking his head.

"Nothing serious, Rudransh. There won't be any need, but feel free to call me anytime if she feels sick."

"Nurse, give her the injection," he instructed. The nurse followed his orders while Aahana and I stepped out of the cabin, thanking the doctor.

"How is she?" Abhir asked, walking up to us.

"She's fine," Aahana replied before I could.

Dhaya emerged a few minutes later, blinking at me reassuringly as I scanned her face for any discomfort. I don't know, but I just want to cling to even a fragment of hope that she will be mine, that she is mine and maybe I can be hers too. Even if she doesn't want me completely, she could keep my weeping heart; she could just smile at it once or twice a day. That would be enough for me to sustain living.

"I don't know if it's the scriptures, par aap ho toh ek dua hi," I whispered near her ear as I opened the door for her. She stood at her spot, and for a moment, she turned her neck toward me. I don't know if I'm delusional or whatever, but it felt like her lips curved. Maybe she just smiled.

("But you are a blessing.")

"Let's get going," she whispered, and we all hopped into the car.

Maybe one more sign, Mahadev. I'm not asking for the world from you, just my world.

I was driving the car through the light traffic, occasionally stealing glances at her. She was fidgeting with her bracelet, her fingers moving restlessly over the delicate links. Was something troubling her? Should I ask her? Would she even tell me? Please, Mahadev, why have you made this so tough? Lost in my thoughts, I suddenly heard a loud shriek from her.

"Careful, Ansh!" she screamed, clutching my forearm with a grip of pure panic.

My eyes snapped to the front, and I instantly turned the steering wheel, slamming on the brakes and shifting gears in a swift, instinctual movement. The car swerved sharply, and in a matter of seconds, it came to a halt. Just ahead of us, a car had collided with a truck, and the force of the impact had sent it careening towards our lane. If she hadn't seen it and warned me, we would have been part of the wreckage.

Her nails dug into my arm as her eyes clenched shut, her lips moving in a fervent prayer to Mahadev. I took a moment to assess our surroundings. The screeching of metal and the smell of burning rubber filled the air, but we were safe. She was safe. Relief washed over me.

I glanced back to check on Abhir and Aahana. Their eyes were scrunched closed, and they were clutching each other tightly, their faces pale with fear. I heaved a sigh of relief and gently rubbed her hand that was still clutching my arm.

"It's okay," I whispered, trying to calm both her and myself. "We're safe."

The chaos around us continued, with people running towards the accident, trying to help, or just standing in shock. But in that moment, all I could focus on was her. Her breathing was heavy, but it was slowing down, and her grip on my arm was beginning to loosen. I could see the tension in her body slowly easing.

She opened her eyes and looked at me, her expression a mix of fear and relief. We stayed like that for a moment, the world outside our car forgotten, as we absorbed the fact that we were unharmed. It was a narrow escape, but it brought a strange sense of closeness, a reminder of how fragile life is and how much she meant to me.

Finally, I broke the silence. "Let's wait for the road to clear," I suggested. "We don't need to be in another hurry."

"Abhir, Aahana, are you both alright?" I turned to make sure they were okay.

"Yes, Bhai. We are fine. Are you two okay?" Abhir asked, his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, we're fine."

"Thank you," I said softly, my voice filled with gratitude. "You saved us."

She nodded, still a bit shaken, but a small, grateful smile appeared on her lips. I could see Abhir and Aahana starting to relax as well, the initial shock wearing off. We were all safe, and that was all that mattered.

But she called me 'Ansh.' She called me by the name she gave me! She still has something for me in her heart, whatever it may be, but it's still there.

"I'll go and check if anyone needs help. You all wait here." I unclipped my seat belt to get out, but Abhir intervened.

"You relax for a moment, Bhai. I'll go and check. Have some water." He got out, and Aahana followed him.

"I'll come with you."

"You don't need to," my brother tried to reason, but she held his arm and walked toward the accident area.

"Dhaya, are you okay?" I touched her shoulder gently. She flinched but nodded. I could see panic in her eyes, her fingers trembling and sweat covering her face and neck.

"Dhaya." I slipped my hand into hers, clutching her cold fingers softly. She faced me, and I could see her lips quivering. I pulled her into a hug, and she let out a slow hiss. "Hsshh, we're fine, Dhaya. Nothing happened to us. It's all okay. Look at me, we're fine." I tried to soothe her, but she broke into sobs, stuttering her words.

"Not again, Ansh. Not again." She sobbed. I pulled her back, cupping her face and caressing it softly, wiping away the tears.

"What, Dhaya?" Her tear-stricken red eyes met mine, and her face turned pale. She pulled herself away from my hold.

"Nothing." She grew distant and cold, and before I could speak, Abhir and Aahana got back into the car.

"There is no loss of life. The truck driver is fine, but the car's driver has some injuries on his arm and forehead. They are taking him to the hospital," Abhir told me while I observed Aahana, who was rubbing Dhaya's upper arm from the back seat.

"Aru, we are safe. You are safe. Look at us. Nothing happened to us." She whispered near her ear while my love nodded, wiping her tears.

"Rudra, let's get back to the Palace." Aahana spoke softly. The rest of the ride back was silent, and I couldn't comprehend anything straight now.

The aftermath of the accident had left a heavy silence in the car. Dhaya was still shaken, her breath coming in shallow, uneven gasps. I reached out to hold her hand again, trying to offer any comfort I could.

"Dhaya, talk to me," I urged gently. "Please, tell me what's wrong."

She shook her head, her eyes avoiding mine. The distance between us felt palpable, a barrier I couldn't break through. I wanted to help her, to take away whatever pain she was feeling, but she was retreating into herself, putting up walls I couldn't penetrate.

As we neared the palace, I glanced at her again. Her eyes were closed, but I could see the tension in her shoulders, the way she clutched her hands together in her lap. When we finally pulled up to the palace, I parked the car and turned to her once more. "We're here," I said softly, hoping to reassure her.

She opened her eyes and nodded, but the haunted look remained. We all got out of the car, and as we walked inside, I felt a heavy weight settle in my chest. I needed to find a way to reach her, to help her heal, but I didn't know how.

Abhir and Aahana exchanged glances, their concern evident. They knew something was wrong, but like me, they were unsure of how to help.

⋆✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:* ⋆🌿✦🌺✦🌿⋆*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧⋆

Happy reading!

Have a beautiful day!