Chapter - 7

Past

Author POV:

One fine evening, Arun and Arjun went to their cricket ground. Arjun was in one team, and Arun was opposite.  They were playing and grinning at each other.

On the other side of the road, two cute little kids were talking to each other. Sri and Naina decided that they would go to the cricket ground where Arun and Arjun were playing. After the match, they wanted to talk to their brothers and resolve their issues.

" Naina , I think you should rest at home . Already you are suffering from fever and now you want to solve the problem" Sri concerned on Naina's health .

" No problem sri just normal fever , you can see right I m fine and still " as she completed her words she felt dizzy and stumbled her steps .

" See I told you , you are not feeling well let's go , come "

" No , let me go please, i promise I will tell you when I will feel worse , then we can head back home "

" You have to promise me "

" Yes I promise"

Naina and Sri both headed towards the ground and saw their brothers playing the match in opposite teams.

On the other hand , on the ground. It was a firey match in the mid afternoon. Both the teams wanted to win and it was second innings of the match .

Arjun's teams was batting and they need to score 95 runs in 10 overs . Initially they thought they would win but Arun's team bowling was making it difficult to win .

Everyone was getting out and then it was the last over . They needed 15 runs in 5 balls to win .  Then Arjun came to bat . Everyone was hoping Arjun would definitely score good and they would win the match .

In the 2 balls Arjun scored  8 runs and everyone was celebrating his runs .

Seeing their celebration Arun got pissed of and ran towards the bowler.

" What the hell are you doing Niteesh , he is hitting non stop do something. "

" I can't Arun , my hand got twisted while bowling and I m feeling difficulty in bowling"

Then they discussed and Arun came to the pitch to bowl .

Now it was an eye to eye argument between Arjun and Arun . Everyone present there can see the anger on eachother.

This made both Naina and Sri tense .

Then Arjun decided he wont let his team to loose . Arun came running and throws the bowl which Arjun hit a big six.

But here the ball was flying in the sky towards the place where Naina and Sri were standing.

Arun from the far shouted at them " Naina sri move from there " but it was too short to register what was happening and the ball came and hit Naina on the head .

This made Naina fall on the ground and her head hit a rock and her head started to bleed.

Seeing this, Arun rushed to Naina, who was unconsciously lying on the ground .

"Naina , wake up, open your eyes. Please Naina " shouted Arun at Naina who was in no state to respond.

Arjun also went near Naina to check her, but a hand stopped him.

"Because of you, Naina is injured. Don't come near her. Go away." Arun pushed Arjun away and made him fall on the ground.

"What did I do? I just hit the ball. I didn't know this would happen." he said while worrying about her.

"You—" Arun was going to fight with him but Sri's words made him hault at his steps .

"Stop it, Arun. Take Naina home fast."

Arun took Naina into his arms and moved fast towards their home. After seeing them, everyone got tensed . Veer took the car and drove off to the hospital.

Sri informed their parents about the issue. Leaving Arjun at home, all three went to the hospital.

(In the car)

"Ma, why isn't she opening her eyes? I don't want anything to happen to her." Said Arun with tense , was trying to control his tears.

"Nothing will happen to her, beta. Veer, drive fast." Said his mother who was crying seeing her daughter in that state.

(In the hospital)

Naina was in the room, and doctors were treating her. Outside, everyone was worried. They insisted Arun and Sri go home as they were children, but neither of them wanted to leave Naina.

After some time, the room doors opened and the doctors came out of the room .

Arun ran towards them "Is everything okay, doctor? How is my sister?".

"She's good and super fine, don't worry. She didn't have a major accident. You can take her home tomorrow, no worries, relax." Said the doctor patting Arun's head .

Arun and Sri got excited and tried to enter the room at the same time.

"Let me go, Sri. I want to see her."

"Let me go first, Arun."

"She is my sister."

"Of course, for me too."

She pushed him and went inside the room. Naina was still unconscious.

"sister, when will she wake up?"

"Soon." Said the nurse who was giving injection to Naina .

Arjun's POV:

(At the Seghals home )

Shit, what have I done? I hurt her. Why did I do this? Even though it wasn't intentional, I feel bad for her. I'm sorry, Naina, I'm sorry. What is her condition? Is she okay? She is strong, I know. Nothing will happen to her. But they still haven't come back home. I'm getting tensed . I should call Dad.

(On the call)

"She is okay, thank God. She doesn't have any major wounds. Arjun, don't get tensed. I know you didn't do it intentionally. Relax. She will be discharged tomorrow. We will come home late tonight, so eat and sleep. Don't worry." Said Raghu.

After listening that Naina is fine and good, my shoulders feel relaxed, but  still I felt guilty because she is in the hospital because of me .

Author POV:

(In the hospital)

"Sri, come, let's eat in the canteen." Said Arun to sri .

"Yeah, let's go. Arun, can I ask you a question?"

"Yeah."

"Will you forgive my bhaiya?"

"Leave this, Sri."

"But he didn't do it intentionally."

"I can't forgive your brother, Sri. Naina never liked hospitals and its smell from childhood, but because of your brother, she is injured . I love Naina and can't see her in pain.  Arjun has changed, it's hard for me to forget what happened."

This made Sri even more tense . To divert him she took him to the canteen and they had their favourite snacks.

At night, Veer and Raghu decided to stay in the hospital, while Arun and Sri, along with the ladies, went back home.

The next morning, Sri got up as it was Sunday and freshened herself to go to the hospital. Arjun also wanted to go with his father and sister.

Raghu, Arjun, and Sri drove off to the hospital.

At the hospital, Arjun and Sri are walking towards the room while Veer and Raghu are at the counter. Arjun doesn't know that Arun is in the room. Sri is getting tense each second as she knows Arun is in the room. What if they meet? What if Arun and Arjun fight again? Arun doesn't like Arjun near Naina.

(In the room)

"I am full, bhaiya. I don't want to drink this." Said Naina closing her mouth . She was drinking the tasteless vegetable juice as doctor said she needs strength to recover fast .

"You should drink this, Naina. Don't be stubborn. I will go to the canteen and bring your favorite sandwich. Before I come back, you should complete this drink."

Naina nodded her head eagerly, excited to get her favorite sandwich in return.

When Arun left the room to the right side of the corridor, Arjun and Sri were coming from the left side of the corridor. They both entered the room to see a Naina drinking juice on the bed .

"Naina." Screamed Arjun .

Naina opened her eyes slowly, removing her juice glass from her mouth. Seeing them, she got up from her bed. Both Naina and Sri hugged each other. Naina and Sri sat together on the bed, while Arjun settled himself on the stool beside Naina and the bed.

"How are you? Are you okay? Is it hurting anywhere?" Questioned sri .

"I am absolutely fine, Sri, don't worry."

They were talking to each other, forgetting that another person was also in the room. Arjun cleared his throat to get their attention.

"I am sorry, Naina. I didn't know that you were coming onto the ground. I accidentally did it." Said Arjun looking at the floor not able to make a eye contact with her .

"You haven't done anything, Arjun. You just hit the ball, and you can't control the ball after hitting it."

"But..."

"I know you're feeling guilty, but forget it, Arjun. I trust you. You will never harm me or hurt me intentionally." Said Naina with a smile .

Arjun looked into her eyes after listening to her. They both shared eye contact. Their eye contact broke when they heard a voice behind them.

"How dare you, Arjun!"

The three of them flinched upon hearing Arun's voice.

"Listen, Arun, I'm not here to fight with you. I came here to talk to Naina."

*clapping his hands* "Wow, the one who harmed her yesterday is now here, seeing her and taking care of her."

"Arun, I know I made a mistake, but it was an accident."

"I don't care about you, Arjun. You're the biggest liar in my life."

"Not more than you."

"Just go out, Arjun. I don't want you to be with Naina."

"Why should I go ? She is my friend ."

"No, you guys are not friends anymore." Said Arun stepping close .

"And who are you to decide?" Countered Arjun stepping a little close .

"I am her brother, damn it!"

Right then , Raghu and Veer came into the room, only to witness Arjun and Arun fighting.

"Stop it, guys. Why are you fighting again? Can't you see Naina is recovering, and Sri is smaller than you , she will get scared?" Shouted Raghu .

"I don't want him to be here, Chachu." Shouted Arun .

"Don't behave like a brat, Arun. Arjun wants to see Naina, that's all. Why are you making it a big issue?"  Veer made a serious glare at Arun .

Arun stormed out of the room. They all took Naina home after her discharge.

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