chapter 16

"Bhumi, Are you okay?" Neeraj asked her, shaking hastily."Don't worry, it's a small scratch" He tried his best to calm down her.She stood there frozen without a word, She could feel the metal cutting her hand elbow deep, it's paining like hell.Kunal stood there chilled like rock, Speechless.He didn't expect this, not a single percent, though he felt she care for him, staking her life for a person who hates her is really something beyond imagination.He didn't expect this concern and love from Bhumi, His eyes become moist for a second and he couldn't see her face properly.She loves him and accepts him as a brother, he felt a huge epiphany, even saw it with his eyes, he can't lie to his heart anymore.He can't! She is a sweetheart.Neeraj is shouting at the nurse, holding her hand, she got a big scratch on her hand below the elbow, on the left hand while fiddling, grabbing the knife from Rajeev.Thanks to her, She quickly grabbed the knife in time. It saved Kunal, he is not in a position to run even. What if she didn't react?Neeraj caught Rajeev tactfully, Bhumi pushed him on the floor, while Neeraj lunged on him and caught him.Neeraj's anger rose to peaks and he kept kicking him till Rajeev fell on his knees, and begged Kunal to forgive him. If Sanjay was here he would kill the Rajeev without a second thought, Neeraj missed him, for sure.Rajeev is successfully sent to Police and three of them felt relieved.They could breathe some air, finally.What did he do? Frightened them to death for a second.Rajeev didn't think, it's a hospital, and he can hurt some patients there, Psychopath.Bhumi thanked god, She broke into tears but didn't want to meet the gaze of Kunal.Both the brother and sister are holding their emotions, tears.Neeraj can feel the lot more tension in the air, He knows they both need some time to talk.Guilt piled up in Kunal's nerves and tears are gushing through his eyes.He is feeling sorry for his worst behavior, was truly blinded by overwhelming hatred, pure spite, right now going through an emotional turmoil.Neeraj left them at home and talked to Police about protection.Kunal sat in the hall with a grumpy face, watching Tv.He badly wants to know,how Bhumi knows about Rajeev? When did she see him? He is so curious to know yet something called ego couldn't allow him to ask his sister.Bloody Ego. He shut his eyes.He woke up slowly and reached her rooms stumbling all the time.He saw her sitting on the bed, staring at the wall with earphones in her ears."Bhumi" He called her, his voice became soft, almost inaudible.He faked a cough and called her again, She felt something, quickly removed her earphones and turned towards him with a gleam in eyes, with a bright face."Bh...Kunal" She controlled a sob and spoke slowly."Bhumi" This time he spoke with all the hidden love and affection.It surprised Bhumi, He called her with her name, that too with love and affection.She gasped some air, shook her head slightly and saw him with a grin ear to ear.Her actions are revealing how surprised she is? How happy she is?Kunal tried to smile, still, he failed miserably, Bhumi stopped a chuckle, for her his efforts are enough, nothing more is needed."Can I?" He asked pointing at the bed.She quickly removed the books, she placed on the other half of the bed.He sat quickly, she can see the pain, he is bearing, his leg couldn't take all the weight, he is bellowing in pain sometimes. It did cut deeply."How are you feeling?" He opened his mouth and asked her pointing at the bandage to her hand."It's fine," She tried to smile, convince him that she is fine."Did you take medicines?" He is searching for words, topics to converse with her.Though it sounds awkward they are appreciating each other's effort."Yes.." She nodded, closing her eyes, trying to stay calm, not to shed any tears."Can I ask you one thing?" He squeezed his eyes shut and pursed his lips.She felt worried, Her heart is fluttering, sweat beads formed on the forehead."What will he ask now? About Sanjay?"She shook her head.And she doesn't know why her thoughts end with Sanjay."Are you okay?" Kunal got confused with her sudden change in the expression."Or should I....?" He thought she doesn't want to answer his questions, He thinks she wants some space."No, no, no..." She waved her hand n air and tugged his hand to sit.Kunal smiled, Smiled for a second."You can ask me anything Kunal." She spoke lowering her head, gazing somewhere."How do you know about Rajeev?" Finally, he asked, What he wanted to ask her."Rajeev..."She faked a grin nervously."Yes, Rajeev, Do you know him before? how?" He looks so serious and particular, Her heart sank, Should she reveal her pretty conversation with her sister in law? What if it angers her brother? He just started talking properly with her from a moment ago."Rajeev...Rajeev" She is stuttering, Sat there looking at her lap."I think you don't want to reveal, it's your wish" He got disappointed with her answerBut he can't blame her, He couldn't give her the faith and trust a big brother could give her in a lifetime.He is about to get up, she tugged his hand again."Sit...please" She kept a sulky expression, with a pout on her face, she looked like a kid for him for a second."Bhabi told me..." She said lowering her head, hiding the expressions of her face."She sent me his picture, told me about him, She requested me to take care of you" She said squeezing her eyes shut and holding her ears.He sat there looking at her with the mouth is agape, Bhumi felt sad, hope this information won't create a further rift in their relationship."Sukriti..." Kunal smiled a second and turned away, wiping a tear at the corner of his eyes."Really?" He wants to confirm it again."Yes," She smiled with a surprise."Does she care for me?" Kunal is asking like a kid, it clenched Bhumi's heart.She can see how much he is missing them, both her wife and child."Yes Kunal she loves you, she called me and told me every single detail of you. She is worried about you."She said at a stretch."She called you?" He asked with anxiety."Believe me, She did, Otherwise how could I know about Rajeev?" She placed her hand on his palm and gently pressed it.She felt a tear on her palm, She lifted her head and saw a tear rolling over Kunal's cheek."Kunal" She sat on knees and hugged him from aside."I miss Prajwal a lot" He confessed with a lot of pain and anguish..."I am sorry" She mumbled.To be continued...Please let me know how it is.Please vote and comment.Thank youTake care