chapter 79

My mother in law??"Your gaurdian?" , the officer asked and I only stared at her blankly. " You are here for Vibhavari?", she asked aunty who immediately nodded. " I need to talk to you first. ", the officer gestured her out for a private talk. " She's fine. Don't worry ." , the officer assured her but aunty still looked at me and waited for me to confirm it for her before she followed the officer. I turned to Aru who didn't need me asking the question to offer an explanation." I tried calling uncle but he didn't pick up. I called my dad but his phone was switched off. I had no option so I had to call mom and ask her to come over."" Why would you make aunty come all the way here?" " Who else was I supposed to call?"" Well, I mean. I just don't know. I don't feel I should be bothering aunty about this that too so late at night-", I mumbled as I looked around to see for timing. Why ain't there any clocks. " It's fine. She would have been more mad if she wasn't informed."" Mhmm. " We sat there in silence. Dad had an important meeting and I guess the entire team must be busy so it's obvious none of them picked up calls. Even dad's phone must be on silent. " So what did the officer say that got you so hyped up?", I finally dared to ask noticing she was calmer. " She said they found the guy who stalked you lying there and the one who reported the accident also found him carrying acid. Perhaps it was an attempt of acid attack. They found enough evidences on him to confirm that . Even the CCTV footage at the signal shows it. But they believe there's more to it."" More to it , as in?"" Like , they believe it ain't doing of him alone. Perhaps there are more people involved and currently Abhijit is their primary suspect. "" That moron? Of all the people? Really? They got to be kidding me. Man he never would have dared to touch the acids in our chemistry labs leave alone attempt such a thing."" I don't know. They said his timing and relation to you can be considered as ground for suspicion. Also he has been stalking me according to the officer. They will probably investigate him more but for now this is all I was told. To keep you away from him ."" I don't believe he'd pull a stunt like that. I mean -"I paused when I saw her expressions. She wasn't really happy with me siding him. " See. I am not saying he's totally innocent but I wouldn't believe he'd go to that extent. Even though this stalking thing was Sahil's plan. He too won't be going to that extent. Not to harm me atleast."" I don't know. But I don't see why would you even justify them right now. All I know is you aren't hanging out with them anymore. Please?" " Come on . It's not like they-"She was annoyed. I can say. " Fine do whatever the hell you want! First when I told you tell uncle, you didn't! Why ? Because you could handle it. Now when even the officer says stay away from them , no, you want to apply your own logic and assume , no no, trust your belief they won't do such a thing. As if that so called friend of yours wasn't the one sending stalker after you who literally tried to- you know what ? Do whatever you want. I ain't saying anything .", she was annoyed , worst , hurt. She tried to hide her tears but I could see them. Her voice cracked throughout to tell me she was hurt and I was the reason. " Aru- , babe its not-", I couldn't say anything as aunty stepped in. " I'll be back. Washroom." , she excused herself. Aunty must have not seen her glossy eyes or perhaps she did see but didn't consider it right time to comment. She headed to my side and I tried to sit up more mannerfully." How are you?", her voice was too soft or maybe I felt as she placed her hand on my shoulder. I smiled and nodded," Not really that bad. They just don't let me get off."She laughed at it. " You really cannot stay in one place right? This hurt and still want to get off the bed ?", Aunty sat besides me and took out something from her bag. Even the rush she had bought apples. I appreciate the effort but now I am getting a very sick person vibes. She got them washed and sat besides me cutting them. " I can do it -", " You rest! And listen. Don't worry. You are my child. Just as is my Arushi to me , so are you! Okay? Don't feel that you are bothering me or something. Ofcourse not. I am a mother and mother is always ready to face anything and anyone for her child. And remember you ' are ' my child.", she said that while looking at me with so much affection that I wanted just throw my hands around her and start crying." Ayy don't cry child. It's okay.", she held me closer and rubbed my back and hairs as she tried to comfort me. Maybe I did cry. I let myself feel those heavy emotions that made me want to cry. All the while in world where I hadn't felt I had anyone but my dad for family, this was my first time witnessing what a mother is. Aru is really lucky in this essence. My injury wasn't that bad so the doctor did let me off after what felt like tons of checking. They said I could get the dressing changed tomorrow from any local clinic as well. But I wasn't to move much or stress my leg , not to a point of worsening my wounds and I was to avoid doing things that might cause infection. It wasn't even that serious as they made it seem. Aunty helped me get into the elevator with Aru following quietly after. She had her mother's bags in her hand since aunty was occupied with helping me. A few more joined us giving me opportunity to sneak closer to her. She paid me no mind. So that's how we play now huh?I scooted closer and snaked my hand around her waist gripping it tightly. I felt her jerk in my arm and had to bite my lip to supress my smile. She turned to me and gave a death glare but there was nothing she could say. Sad for her,  looks can't kill. " What? I need support to stand ." , I whispered to her. We were too close and aunty was busy setting boundary so no one would crash onto my leg . There was enough crowd to make us unnoticeable. And I was determined to make the best of it.  I let my hand roam all over her waist caressing softly. She shivered, I felt it. Her both hands were occupied by bags and there was no way she'd kick me , especially not when my leg was already injured. All she could do was give me warning glares which had zero effect on me. The elevator doors opened as we reached the ground floor, I gave her waist a last squeeze making her almost yelp. She is going to kill me for this. I tried to hold back my laugh as I let aunty help me out while she stood there traumentized. " Hurry up Arushi.", aunty called out to her and she had to dwaddle her way to us as her steps fumbled. I love the effect my mere touch has on her. It was pretty late when we got out . Luckily there were still rickshaws at this hour. I sat in one corner , aunty in between and she at the  other end . Being smart huh? How long will you avoid me ? I can't even look at her now since aunty kept talking to me throughout the ride. My wife didn't even turn her head to my side even once , kept staring out.  I gave up and engaged myself in aunty's talks. They weren't really that boring though. Also I do need to impress my mother in law and earn her favouritism. We arrived at our building's parking. She got off and paid the fare while aunty helped me out. Those bags were heavily dragged behind her as she stomped her way ahead. How long do you think you'll escape me darling? It took me almost half an hour to just get onto our floor. My eyes immediately searched for her the moment I stepped in. " Take a bath first . We came back from hospital. I will go prepare something to eat. ", aunty said and let me sit on the sofa to go heat water. Aru stepped already showered and smelling of her lavender shampoo. " You want to get sick? Why wash your hairs at this hour?" , aunty scolded her . " It's almost 6 in the morning. I will go to college straight. ", she said and walked to the kitchen . " You ain't sleeping?"" I don't think I have time to."" Skip for one day."" We have submission today."" She can't go but. "" I will take them for. She doesn't have to. "I only sat in corner hearing their conversation without a say. Not like I would even be allowed to go if I say I want to. So I ain't even trying." You help her shower. I will make something to eat till then.",  aunty has just washed up in jiffy and was headed to kitchen dumping my responsibility on my wife. This is what I was waiting for . Once aunty was out of sight I made grabby hands at her . She rolled her eyes but came to me nevertheless. I couldn't hide my smile as I got to hold her again. She struggled a bit with getting me up. I had to co-operate though I would have loved to tease her. She looked enough tired already. I put my entire weight on the other leg and only held her shoulder for support. I don't want to put my weight on her. Not being a burden you know. Finally we made it to the bedroom and she closed the door after her and let me sit on the bed as she went to get my clothes. " It's wet. Don't slip.", she warned. " Why? Won't you catch me if I fall?" , I teased her and she literally removed her hand letting me balance myself with the help of the sink. " You- seriously!??" , I yelled at her but she totally ignored me setting up the tables and another table for me. " Don't wet your legs . She warned me as she help me get down. " You leaving?", I asked as she stepped out. " Then what do you expect me to sit and watch you bathing?" , she asked horrified. " Not that I mind. "" But I do. So now don't call for me unless you are dying. ", she yanked off my hand and stepped out closing the door after her. I shook my head laughing. She had placed everything within a comfortable reach for me. Aww. This caring despite being angry , that's where I melt. It wasn't difficult showering. The challenge was wearing clothes. And this girl really won't help me. What's to be so shy? She's going to be my wife after all. I helped myself anyways. This must be the longest I have ever taken to shower. " Help me now. ", I called for her. There was no response the door just parted slightly. " Aishh. I am dressed. Don't worry. I won't pollute your eyes. ", I said and she finally stepped in helping me out . Once we were close to the bed and she helped me sit on it I pulled her roughly on my lap . That made me wince a bit as well. She tried to get up but I held her tightly. " What the hell. Leave. Idiot you are hurt. " " The pain is nothing compared to my longing for you.", I said nuzzling my head in her neck. She wriggled aimlessly to get out of my hold . " Vibha leave!" , she kept protesting. But I only held her hands and locked them together as I held them down with one of mine and used the other to make her face me. She stopped protesting and gave in. " You are the only one I need to bear all the sufferings in the life. You are my only cure, my only medicine. ", if she was flustered by my words her irritated face refused to let me catch it. She turned to me smiling sweetly and cupped my cheeks." You don't need medicine. You need to be sent to mental hospital!" , and said that with such a sweet expression that it took me a good few minutes to realise it was an insult. We kept smiling at each other until she went out. Aunty stepped in with a plate and glass in water. She placed in on the table next to me. " Thank you. I am sorry you have -"," I told you na! I am your mom ! You don't say thank you to your mom!" , she gently scolded me and patted my head. " Now eat up . You have to take medicines.", I quietly obliged before her motherly affection shoves that spoon into my mouth. "She  ate?", I asked in between and aunty . " She must have. I told her to .", aunty replied. I nodded. " You should eat too. ", I told her and aunty gave me her affectionate smile once more. " Look at you. Worry about yourself first child. I will eat. Watching my children eat is enough to make me full. ", she said and I had to press a smile . This was all too emotional for me. " Give here. ", aunty took the plate from me and went to wash it. " I will ask Arushi to give you medicine. And then you take rest. Don't worry about submission. She'll do it. ", aunty listed my further dos and don'ts as she went out.After she left Arushi came in with the medicine closing the door after her. " What's your plan to close the door huh?", I teased . She paid me no heed and placed the glass aside grabbing the medicines handing them to me. " I would rather have you to cure me than these stupid pills. You are my love pill. Only thing I need for living ." , I flirted as I held onto her hand on the glass. She didn't react nor did she try to get away. Instead she sat down next to me and hugged me. " Ayy baby. Being emo? Awww don't worry love. I am all good. No one can hurt me when I have you. It was just an attempt you saw- ahh. ", I almost whined loudly when she bit me. I couldn't move. My body just froze letting her do whatever she wanted to. I am hers afterall. " What- "" Uncle is coming in to see you and also mom is going to stay all day with you. I am going to college and then straight to class. ", she whispered near my ear and got off me and left a quick peck on my lips giving me no time even process any of it. She handed me a phone opening front camera and leaving me staring at the hickey she had left. " Byee best of luck explaining which big bug bit you so bad. " , she smirked and mocked a kiss at me." Arushi what the hell-" _____________________________________Author's note:I have a very little knowledge about the medical procedures and the procedures for police investigation and law and crime. So please feel free to enlighten me of mistakes if any. Also as I said I have no knowledge about it so none of the information in the story is to be used as a reference source , reliable source or for any educational purposes. It is only for the purpose of the entertainment and meant to be taken in that way only.