Thursday 30 August 2012

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 7

- Chapter 7 -
 
The rain poured over the streets of Delhi unceasingly. The wipers in almost every car visible on the road (which was not many, mind you) were working in a furious attempt to overpower the rain. With an enormous storm on the way, however, this was not an easy task.
Arnav squinted through the thick glass of his equisite black car realizing that it was going to be much harder to reach his goal than he had once presumed it to be. Dammit, she could be anywhere right now! He thought feeling a thin lace of guilt line his worry. If anything happens to her, I won't ever be able to forgive myself. But it wouldn't come to that. He wouldn't let it come to that. He had to find her.
His foot pounced on the accelerator with an increased vigour.  With every sound of thunder that tore the sky, Arnav's worry grew ten-fold. In a few moments, it would begin to rain like never before. That meant road blockages. It meant accidents. And who, amongst the speeding cars on the dark road would be able to spot a woman not even his shoulder height with barely enough energy to walk down the street? He knew the answer. No one. Not a chance. And that meant that she could be anywhere. That meant that she could be in any state. Possibly hurt.
He had been searching for her a good four hours. He had looked everywhere that he could think to go, searching every corner for the girl who had etched herself into his brown irises. But each time, he was left disheartened. 
The sound of water slipping under the tires of his car was prominent. And he decided to concentrate on it, instead of the worry that was nagging away at him in the back of his mind. Khushi, where are you...?
He didn't know why she meant so much to him. He didn't understand then why a girl he had met not even two days ago held so much importance in his life. Why was he so desperate to find her? She was not his responsibility after all, and he had clearly mentioned this to the doctor in charge of her. And yet... and yet he had gone to the trouble of enquiring about her from the hospital staff and now was spending not one or two, but four staggering hours trying to find the same girl. Why?
He didn't know. How would he find her? He didn't know. How long could he continue to drive in the deathly darkness of the night? He didn't know. He didn't care. He would continue to try with all the strength in his body as long as he didn't find her. Because he knew that even though she hadn't come out and said so directly to his face, she still needed him. Now, with a storm approaching, with no clothes, no money and no shelter, she needed him even more. And it was this fact that kept him motivated to continue his search.
Suddenly, he heard felt the loud vibration of his cell phone. Quickly attaching the bluetooth to his ear, he clicked on his phone, murmuring a tense greeting to his caller. "Arnav?" Was the response he got. His hand grew cold. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, in order to avoid doing something he was sure to regret later. He wanted to say so much to her. He wanted to do so much to her. But he didn't. He reached for his phone, and was just about to click the "end" button when the voice broke through once again. "Before you cut the phone, just listen to me once...." She pleaded. Arnav felt a coldness arise within him that he never knew existed. "Don't you think that the three years I've wasted with you are more than enough?" He spat into the phone, still trying (and failing) to keep his cool. "I know, Arnav! I know I was wrong and I wanted to tell you, but-" It took all of Arnav's inner strength to control himself. "But what?" He murmured in a deadly whisper. "But you were too busy seducing him to talk to me, right? But you forgot? But you didn't think this was important enough to let me know? But you were having too much fun spending my money? But WHAT dammit?!" He asked, fury ignighting his very soul. "Arnav please, it's not what you think! I...I wanted to tell you! But I was scared... scared that-"
"You know what, Kiran? I just. don't. care. You can do whatever you want with whomever you want. You didn't bother to tell me? Fine. But it's over between us. We're done. I'm done...with you." With that, Arnav at last clicked the button that he had been desperate to click since the beginning of the conversation - "end".
His eyes were moist. He didn't know when he started to cry. The tears rolled unstoppingly down his cheeks. The one woman that he had trusted. The one woman he had truly loved. And this is the betrayal that she gave him. Ditching him for another man. He felt his heart break at the thought. She's not worth it Arnav. She's not worth you. Said a part of him. But his heart refused to listen and the tears continued to fall. If he hadn't spotted the pale figure crouched on a nearby bench, he may never have stopped crying. It was her. The same girl he had been searching for like a mad man. His foot hit the breaks as if by reflex action and a flood of relief came over him. He had never liked lightning. Truth be told, he was slightly scared of it. But today was different. It was solely thanks to the burst of sudden light that had illuminated the girl's face that he had seen her. He parked the car, quickly unbuckling his seatbelt and rushing over to her side. She looked exhausted. No, exhausted had to be an understatement. She appeared as if she hadn't eaten for days straight and he could tell she had given up all hope of survival. She sat on the park bench, head facing upwards and eyes closed. Her pale blue salwaar kameez was drenched and clung to her body like a second skin. And there she sat, shivering, hair unbrushed, dark circles under her eyes with the palest of skin he had ever seen in his life. He felt choked up. Suffocated. This was all because of him. No one was to blame but him. He cursed himself for letting her go...for letting his ego come between righteousness. A new round of tears fell from his eyes - this time from the relief of having her in front of him.
His hand reached for her cheeks, subconsciously. He heard her sharp intake of breath as his hand came in contact with her skin. She was colder than ice. "I'm here...I'm here now..." Arnav whispered, soothingly. He shook her slowly, trying to awaken her. But she lay still. Her eyes were closed. Her lips quivered and her skin continued to deprive itself of colour. Arnav felt his breath hitch. Why isn't she waking up?! He shook her with vigour. But she was motionless. Oh my god. Oh my god. This is not good. He thought to himself. Heart thudding violently in his chest, he lifted her into his arms, quickly rushing to the shelter of his car.
"It's going to be ok, I promise!" He whispered to the silent girl, while changing the gear on his car from parking to drive. He stepped on the accelorator, knowing full well that it was now or never. He had to get her home - get her changed as soon as possible. Despite the fact that he was driving as if his life depended on it, the journey home seemed to be unusually long. Throughout the drive, he stole quiet glances at the unconscious girl next to him. Everytime he looked at her, she seemed to weaken. So when he stopped the car next to his enormous guest house at last, a mixed feeling of worry, concern, guilt, regret and relief took over him. He lifted her gently in his arms, as if she was more delicate than porcelin. He strode into the guest house, while gazing into her white face. For the first time in a long time, Arnav Singh Raizada was terrified. For her. He picked up a dry towel from the washroom cupboard and tossed it over his shoulder before softly placing her on the grand four poster bed.  I won't let anything happen to you. He whispered, sincerely meaning it. He took the towel in his hand, gently wiping the drops of water from her face. His hand ran from her forehead, to her eyes, to her nose, to her lips, forbidding even a single drop of water to adorn her face. His hand lowered then, to her neck. He slowly pulled off her dupatta, patting the area dry. She is beautiful. He thought, in spite of himself. He lowered his hand, running the towel on the exposed skin just above the neckline on her suit. He lingered, feeling entranced. How can a girl be so beautiful and so innocent at the same time? He wondered. His hands moved to her arms. He caressed her gently, leaving the towel aside and taking her wetness on his own fingertips. His fingers left a hot trail from her shoulder, covered by the blue kameez to her arm, all the way to her hand. He paused, feeling a new kind of emotion arise within him. He had never felt a desperation like such. Slowly, hesitantly, he entwined his fingers with her. It felt so breathtaking...so heavenly....so..so perfect. She looked so peaceful when she slept. So angelic that he wanted to continue to gaze at her, simply transfixed.
Wait. What??!
He opened his eyes (which he hadn't realized were closed) shuddering at what he had just felt...at what he had just done. He immediately released her fingers, picking up the towel and quickly drying her other arm. He felt shaken up. How could he have thought of her in such a way?! Especially after such a bad break up with Kiran. Hadn't he promised himself the very same night that he would not allow himself to trust any woman again? So what was he doing now?! And to top it all off, he didn't know a damn thing about the girl that was now sleeping on his bed! She could be a murderer or a prison runaway for all he knew! Looks can be decieving could they not? But then...there was a part of him that knew she could be trusted. A part of him that said that the innocence on her face was not a mask, but a mirror of what lay inside her.
He was broken out of his thoughts by the pained moan that escaped her lips. Her mouth moved, creating inaudible syllables. Her face was controrted and he could tell that she was having difficulty breathing. Quickly, he stood, reaching for his cell phone. Almost instantaneously, he had reached the person on the other end - a doctor. He described her symptoms rapidly, barely taking a moment to breathe in between. "...She's trying hard to get oxygen, but the colour is draining from her face pretty quickly!" He announced, feeling the tension rising. "What should I do doctor?" He finished at last.
"Is she still unconscious?"
Arnav gazed at her form, feeling warm tears line his eyes. "Partly. She's awakening now."
"She needs air." Was the response he received from the other end. Arnav felt a bout of frustration. As if he didn't know that already! "She won't make it to the hospital. She's suffocating. You have to get her out of the house. Into the fresh air. But she'll still need to be examined. She's faced a lot and this incident could have caused a lot of trauma to her brain. I'm coming over there right now."
Arnav looked at her, his entire body quivering. What was he saying? She was suffocating? Examinations? Head trauma? His mind whirred in a whilpool of thoughts. But out of them all, there was only one that was knawing at him each instant. He hadn't planned to voice it. He hadn't planned to ask it. But he did. "D-doctor, she has to be ok. She will be ok. You can save her, right?" He didn't know if it was a statement of a question. Maybe both. But the answer he got was far from the comfort that he had been searching for.
The doctor was hesitant. And in those two seconds of delay, Arnav died a thousand deaths.
"...we will try our best Mr. Raizada."
And saying so, the line was cut.
Arnav's actions were almost robotic. He didn't even have to think about it. He went to her side, picking her up in his arms as if she were weightless and proceeded out of the room. It was only upon hearing her muffled moans that Arnav eased the tension in his arms and resolved to a gentler grasp on her. She was in pain. And something about her being in pain caused him pain.
She had already been hurt enough because of him. She didn't need any more of it.
The burst of cool air felt comforting to his hot skin when he pushed open the front door. The girl lay limp in his arms. She tried to move. Tried to fight the force of his arms away, but she was too weak.
"Shh..." he whispered soothingly. "I'm not going to hurt you." And although she didn't entirely stop struggling in his arms, she began to relent. There was something about his voice.... It was so familiar.... As if she had known it for ages. She suddenly wondered who the owner of the husky voice was. She knew him. Or at least... it felt like it. Something about his voice was comforting, telling her that he was being honest...that he wouldn't hurt her....
Even in her subconscious state, she was fighting a battle within herself. Should she trust him? Would he help her, or hurt her? Who was he? She wanted to know. She needed to know. But her eyes felt as if they weighed a thousand pounds. She couldn't open them if she tried.
And then she heard him.
"It's ok.... You need help. And I'm here to help you! Don't be scared...."
It felt as if he could somehow control her mind. Control her heart. Somehow, she didn't feel frightened anymore. His voice had an unexplainable calming effect.
But that wouldn't change anything. She still had to know.
"P-Pl..ea..se... wh...o are...y..ou...?"
Her voice escaped as a mumbled whisper. "No...not now. Just relax. Breathe."
Slowly, he helped her down on the decorative porch swing that adorned his guest house. Her breath escaped in ragged gasps. But the initial paleness that he had witnessed on her face was dispersing. He decided to take it as a good sign. He didn't know what was helping her more - the fresh air, or his soothing voice. Whatever it was, he would go to any length to put her out of her pain. "You'll be ok.... I'm right here...right beside you.... I won't let anything happen to you.... I promise...." Her eyes were still closed but a calmness was overshadowing the look of fear he had seen earlier. A sudden pain stabbed his heart. He knew he was responsible for her state. If only he hadn't acted out of anger in the hospital. If only he hadn't left her alone like that. If only he hadn't wasted so much time. If only....
"I'm sorry...." He said. It was barely a whisper. He himself could barely hear
Suddenly, he felt a light squeeze on his hand. When he gazed downward, he was dumbfounded. It was her. Even in her subconscious state, she was holding his hand, almost forgivingly. Had she heard him? But how could that be? His words had barely been audible, even to himself! Shaking his head with disbelief, he admired her sleeping form, full of inquisitiveness. She was really something. Suddenly he heard the deafening noise of an ambulance approaching. Quickly snapping himself out of his thoughts, he turned, moving towards the speeding vehicles.
"Over here!" He yelled, running towards them, although he knew his cries over the sound of the ambulance alarms would be inaudible. Still, he would try. Two doctors rushed out, followed by their assistants to examine her. She was losing air by the moment. Arnav closed his eyes, memories from the past filling his mind. He remembered how his mother had passed away. He had seen the colour drain from her face the same way. He shuddered. He couldn't see another person die in front of him. He wouldn't be able to bear it. It would surely be the end of him.
He was shaken out of his thoughts by the words of the doctor. "Oh my god. She has a very high fever. I didn't know this when I asked you to take her outside. Nurse!"
He called, turning to a young woman behind him. "Get the stretcher over here now. We're going to need to hospitalize her." Arnav felt his heart skip a beat. Hospitalize? "N-No! I won't allow that!" He exclaimed, surprised at his sudden outburst. The doctor turned, shocked. "Excuse me?"
Arnav's mind was blank. Why had he refused it? "Uh... Mera matlab hai... I mean... if the treatment could be done from home.... I would like to keep her near me actually..." The minute the words escaped his lips, he knew it had come out wrong. He hadn't meant that. At least not in this way. But he remembered what happened the last time he had left her at the hospital. He resisted a shudder at the thought. The doctor gazed at him silently for a moment, before nodding. "That's fine. But keep in mind that you'll have to take extra care of her here. She's worse than she looks." Arnav's heart skipped a beat for some godforsaken reason. He nodded. "You don't have to worry about that, doctor. She'll be receiving the best care here."The doctor smiled. "Something tells me I can count on you for that. Nurse! Take her inside!"
"No." Arnav shook his head. "Let me do that." Without waiting for a response, he bent down, taking the frail girl into his arms. Her body was limp against his and he could feel her struggled breath caressing his neck. He sighed, at the proximity. Having her close gave him a feeling of utmost serenity. But as much as he loved the feeling, he hated the way his body was reacting at that moment.
His eyes lingered a moment longer before he set her down on the bed.  He heard her utter a soft whimper of pain which sent his mind into complete fear mode. He moved away, allowing the doctors to examine her. Please... He prayed. Let her be alright. He thought, although he was not entirely sure as to whom this prayer was being sent. He closed his eyes, sinking down onto a chair beside her bed. It had been such a long day. He had never received so many shocks all at once... first being insulted, and then losing her at the hospital... and then finding her in THAT state... outside...sick.... And now, of course, how could he forget the strange reactions that his body was experiencing by merely looking at her? He turned away, disgusted at himself. Stop being such a pervert Arnav. He admonished himself. He had never looked at any woman till date in such a way. And then she had come along. Just the way she looked at him seemed to turn him on. What is wrong with me? He thought. This type of behaviour was definately not his type.
Sighing, he bent down on his knees, gently resting his head in her lap as he watched her. She was the definition of serenity. Even after all that had happened, she looked peaceful...calm...unaffected...just like a lotus on water. She was beautiful.


Sunday 26 August 2012

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 6

- Chapter 6 -
 
"I asked for a coffee dammit, not tea!" roared Arnav Singh Raizada at his petrified secretary.
Her face suddenly controrted into a pained expression. But this was only to be expected. Everyone at AR companies was well aware of Arnav's anger. When he was angry, he transformed from the business tycoon Arnav Singh Raizada to the devil itself (minus the stereotypical horns on the head and the fiery tail of course). Lucky were those few odd people who managed to avoid him in his times of anger. And those poor souls who faced Arnav's wrath were scarred for the remainder of their employment at his company. Unfortunately, it seemed that today was simply not a good day for the employees of AR.
"Next time you bring me what I ASK you to bring, got it?!" He continued, fury swimming in his eyes. The young woman stood trembling in front of him. She was certain that he had told her to bring tea. In fact, most of the her co-workers had heard him say the same. But she had not completely lost her mind yet. She knew better than to argue with Arnav Singh Raizada.
"Y-yessir! I-I'm sorry sir! Right away sir! Will there be anything else?" Lisa felt more like a waiter at a hotel rather than Arnav's secretary. But if she wanted her job, she would have to stick with being a waiter for now. "Did I ASK for anything else?!" He screeched. Lisa's heart was at her feet. She seemed to be doing everything wrong today. She bit her lip, tasting her own metallic blood as she shook her head. There was another moment of silence before Arnav smacked his hand on the table. "Well then?! What the hell are you waiting for?! Go get my damn COFFEE!" She could feel the tears brimming in her eyes. In all her six years of working at AR, she had faced Arnav's anger numerous times. But nothing like today. The frustration seemed to be pouring out of him to such an extent that it was becoming unbearable to even be near him let alone speak to him. His secretary nodded before making a hasty exit out the door lest she be scolded once more.
Arnav sank down in his revolving chair after hearing the door come to a tight close behind his secretary. He let out an exhasperated sigh. He was upset, hurt and furious all at once. Not a good combo. And when it came to Arnav Singh Raizada? DEFINATELY NOT a good combo. The worst part of it was that he himself wasn't sure of the reason behind his bad mood. He would never admit that the girl in the hospital could have played a part of it. A part of him was anxious. Maybe it hadn't been the best idea to leave her behind - especially when her mental state was not exactly what one would describe as "stable". Another part of him was angry at the absurd accusations that had been thrown upon him by the girl. Had she really thought that he was just waiting to take advantage of her? OF HER? She thinks too highly of herself. His hand was fisted so tightly that his knuckles had turned a strange shade of white. Me - Arnav Singh Raizada - interested in that...that THING of a girl?! She obviously hasn't seen her face in the mirror. Messy hair, swollen lips, fat nose...oh yeah, that's just BEGGING for her to be taken, isn't it? But he knew that she wasn't completely wrong to doubt him. She barely knew him after all! He was just a stranger to her! So it was only natural for her to misunderstand him...right? But after all I did for her.... I stayed up the whole night for her, dammit! And then a sudden burst of guilt filled him. And who was the one who brought her to such state in the first place? Me.... He closed his eyes, rubbing his temples meekly. You're the one who caused the accident Arnav. You're the one who took her entire life away from her. He thought, in spite of himself. You have absolutely no right to believe that you did a favour for her by staying up the whole night. And what did she say, anyways that made you so angry?! All she told you was to leave. And it was becuase YOU suggested to HER that she should live in your house. Any sane girl would misunderstand it! But instead of correcting your mistake, you decided to WALK OUT OF THERE because your damn ego was so hurt? What kind of a man are you?! Arnav felt his head spinning with thoughts. Was he right or was he wrong? Should he have left her or should he have not? Should he have brought her home with him or not? Was she safe right now? Was she feeling better? Should he go to the hospital now? Should he talk to her? Try to correct her misunderstanding? Try to convince her to come home with him? To say that he was totally confused would be an understatement. But right now, the only thought he had was whether or not the girl he had seen this morning was alright. He had to know.
Quickly, he picked up the phone, searching in the directory for the hospital number. He had just about managed to find the page when he heard three light raps on the door. "May I come in, sir?" It was his secretary. "Come in." He declared, gruffly. She walked in, balancing a mug of coffee with a plate of biscuits on the silver tray. Arnav glared at the coffee and then at the cookies, as if they had committed a sin simply by existing. "I...I know you like these biscuits... so... so I brought them along with the coffee." She answered, meekly. "B-But if you don't want them, I'll take them away right now, sir." She added, seeing his eyes harden. There was a moment of silence, as Arnav contemplated on whether to send another round of fiery insults at his employee or not. After moments of thinking, he finished with, "No. Leave them here. You may leave." Lisa gazed at him, surprised. She had expected something more...erm...dramatic to say the least. With papers flying, some screaming, loud enough to break the glass walls around his cabin and perhaps a few tears as well. And upon not receiving any of them, his secretary was left with quite a shock. She nodded, not wanting to push her luck as she stepped out the door.
Arnav's eyes trailed back down to the directory as he scanned the page for the hospital's number. In the next two minutes, Arnav had efficiently found the number, dialed it, and had already begun conversing with the hospital staff. "Hello, is this City Hospital?" Upon receiving a confirmation, Arnav continued. "I need details about a patient in your hospital." He bit his lip, feeling suddenly nervous. But the response he heard next, reignited the fire within him. "We are sorry sir, but we cannot give you personal information about any patient in this hospital unless you are a relative of that patient." Arnav stood up, shocked. Who the hell had the audacity to refuse an order from Arnav Singh Raizada himself? "Do you have any idea who I am? I can close down your hospital in 30 days, I can get all the workers of your hospital jobless in 3 days and I can get YOU fired in 3 SECONDS flat. So you might want to put a little more thought into it before you refuse me." There was silence. And then he spoke. "Alright sir. Which patient do you want to know about?"  Arnav smirked to himself, satisfied with the reponse. "There was a woman in room 306. She was diagnosed with retrograde amnesia. Came in yesterday. I need to know how she's doing." He could hear files being opened and closed and also the rustling of papers. After some brief moments of wait, the man answered. "It says in her file that her physical state was perfectly fine...no change in mental health.... She's been prescribed with some antibiotics. They'll help with the pain that she'll be experiencing these next few days. She was discharged about an hour ago." Arnav almost choked on the coffee that he was sipping. "WHAT?! DISCHARGED?! WITHOUT INFORMING ME?!" His rage escalated to a new level altogether. How could they have been so irresponsible to have done such a thing?! Not one phone call to him? Was that even legal?! Where would she go? What state would she be in right now?! She had no money, no clothes, no food, no shelter, no nothing! How would she survive?! And then he felt his heart sink. It's your fault. He realized. All your fault Arnav. You're the one who told the doctor not to inform you of anything to do with that girl.... That's why they didn't call. That's why she's been discharged without a word to you. Because of your own stupidity. But it was time to correct matters now. If he had created problems, he would fix them as well. He wouldn't let her suffer. He wouldn't see her be hurt by his foolishness anymore...first with the car accident... and now by simply letting her go.... He would have to find her. No matter what it took he would find her and he would protect her. No Matter What. Hang in there, sweetheart.... he thought. I'm coming. 

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 5

- Chapter 5 -
He gazed at her sleeping form. The large, brown eyes that he had seen earlier were now closed. Locks of her black hair caressed her pink cheeks lovingly as she slept. The rise and fall of her chest, and the small smile playing on her lips were enough to melt him. And oblivious to the flurry of emotions arousing him, she slept. She was truly an angel.

And because of his sheer ignorance, he had managed to hurt her. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
But he knew that words were not going to reverse the damage that he had already done.
It was 2:30 in the morning.

He sat near her bed, waiting for her to awaken. The doctors had given him permission at last to stay beside her. And since the moment he had entered the room, his eyes had not left her face. He didn't close his eyes for more than a second at a time, afraid that she might just dissappear into thin air if he did so. But she slept peacefully. Undisturbed and uncaring of his presence.
He didn't know how long he had been staring at her. Simply running his eyes over every part of her face... her pink cheeks... the mole near her mouth... the curve of her lips... But when he finally looked away, at the window in the corner of the room, he noticed the first rays of light make their way inside.

The girl winced, sensing the sudden brightness in the room. It was the first movement he had seen in her for hours. His heart fluttered. I'm just nervous. That's all. He told himself, trying to find a solution for the way his body was reacting. But nervous of what? He had yet to find out.
Arnav stood, stiffly, walking towards the window. He reached for the thin thread of the curtain, pulling the blinds further down. Darkness filled the room once more. He turned to her. The brows which had been furrowed only moments ago were as peaceful as the water on a still lake. Arnav exhaled, feeling relaxed. His head felt heavy from the lack of sleep and the over-indulgence of alcohol. But he didn't want to fall asleep. Not yet.

He walked back towards his place on the stool, resting his head on the girl's pillow. I won't fall asleep. He thought. I won't fall asleep. I won't fa-


***
It was about mid afternoon when the girl awoke. She looked around her, confused. Where was she? And then it hit her. The hospital... The man. Her eyes slowly fell on the side of her bed. And there HE lay. His head on her pillow, sleeping soundly. She was shocked. Who was he? At first he had told her that he didn't know her. And then he had said that he saved her from the accident. And now? Here he was, lying on her pillow. She shifted, trying to maintain distance. Slowly, hesitantly, she touched his shoulder, trying to awaken him.

His head shot up. "What?! What happened?!" He looked at her, stunned. And she looked right back at him. His heart raced. Her heart raced. Arnav cleared his throat. "Ahem. Uh... Sorry about that." He mumbled, referring to his light nap on her bed. She nodded, waiting for him to continue. "H-How are you feeling?" He stammered. She was silent. He looked away, feeling slightly embarrased. How could he have fallen asleep like that?! He hadn't meant to. He had made the situation all the more awkward. "I...I still don't remember anything." She whispered.

He felt his heart sink. So what did you expect? He asked himself. To be perfectly honest, he himself didn't know what he expected. He just wished that she would remember. That she would remember something of her past. Make some progress. So that the massive guilt holding him each minute might lessen. It's hardly been a day. He reminded himself. He would have to go easy on her. Not have too many expectations.

"Don't worry. It's normal. It happens." He declared comfortingly. Tears began to line her eyes. "Really? This..." She whispered, waving her hands, "is normal? This is what happens after an accident?" She raised her knees up to her chest and wound her arms around them. "I feel like I've lost everything. Or maybe, I've never had anything to begin with. I feel... so alone... Like I don't have anything to live for... like my life doesn't have any meaning left..." She buried her head in her knees and began to cry. It was small sobs at first, ending with loud, full-fledged crying.
Arnav didn't know what to do. He wanted to comfort her. But what could he do? And then he did it. He said something which he himself did not expect to say.

"I'm there for you." Her muffled cries stopped at once. "Wh-what?" She asked. She was as stunned as he was. What had he just said. "I...I mean, don't worry. You can come to my house. I'll...uh... i'll take care of you." Khushi's eyes widened in shock and hardened soon afterwards. "Who the hell do you think you are, sir?!" She screamed. Her chest heaved. "All men are the same. Taking advantage of women just so that they can fulfill their own pleasures. Disgusting." She looked away, ashamed. "Get out." Arnav was bewildered. "Wha-at?! No! I mean- You're getting me all wrong! Please!"

Her eyes roamed over him in distaste. "Didn't you hear me? Get. the. hell. out. of. here." For some reason, Arnav felt a zing of pain jolt through him. "Please, just hear me out once..." He pleaded. But the girl was unrelenting. She looked away in sheer disgust.
Feeling his heart sinking, walked towards the door, turning one last time to look at her. Trying to motion with his eyes of her misconception. But her expression was as hard as it had been moments ago.
Slowly... hesitantly, he took the few remaining steps and headed out the door. He sighed, shoving his hands in his pocket to retrieve his sunglasses. He was Arnav Singh Raizada. THE Arnav Singh Raizada. The one who didn't beg for the mercy of anyone. Especially not a girl. Especially not after what had happened last night with Kiran. He winced, feeling the pain resurface.
Forget it Arnav. She's not worth it. He thought to himself, fiercely as he masked the expressions in his eyes with the glasses.
"Mr. Arnav Singh Raizada?!" The voice came from behind him. A male's voice. He stopped. The man walked forward with a smile on his face. He wore a white coat and had round wire-rimmed glasses. "Hi. I'm Doctor Anand." Arnav didn't smile back, nor did he raise his hands to meet the doctor's outstretched ones. A cold uncomfortable silence followed.
"Erm... I..uh... I presume you're a relative of the patient in room 306?" He asked, motioning towards the room Arnav had just come from. Arnav stiffened. "Consider it something like that. What about it?"
He smiled. "Well, my fellow doctors and I were expecting another episode of yesterday..."
Arnav remembered the panic attack that she had faced upon losing her memory the day before. He forced back a shudder. "Look, Doc. I'm a busy man. And I don't like having to repeat myself. But for your sake, I'll ask again. What about it?"
The doctor's smile faded. He coughed, clearing his throat. "Erm... I... just wanted to tell you that you handled the situation pretty well. She seems much calmer than she was yesterday." Arnav shrugged. "It's got nothing to do with me. Anyways, I've got to go. If you need anything - "
He was about to say, If you need anything, you can inform me. But remembering the events that occurred that morning and the insult that he faced he finished with "If you need anything, don't bother to call me."
"But Mr. Raizada!" Called the doctor. "She is being released from the hospital tomorrow! Where will she go?" Arnav shrugged. "Not my business. Not my problem."
And saying so, he walked away without a second thought.

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 4

- Chapter 4 -
It took him a moment to stabilize himself.
What was she saying?
What did she mean she didn't remember anything? How was it possible?
He gazed at her, with utmost shock in his brown irises.
Her hand flew to her head, in a frantic attempt to remember her past. Tears flooded down her red eyes, scarring her pink cheeks with their presense.
And then he knew.
He knew that for her sake, he would have to remain calm. He would have to pretend that nothing was wrong. That she was perfectly fine.
"Well... of course you don't remember anything!"
He began. She paused briefly, looking at him pleadingly for the answers that he didn't have.
"I mean, after an accident like that, it's only natural..."
He sputtered, feeling thankful for fishing out a half logical answer.
"You're tired. Plus, with all the medications the doctors have given you, you can't possibly be expected to remember anything straightaway."
He forced a smile on his lips and neared her. "Give it some time..." He said while helping her to lie down. "Just watch, you'll be perfectly fine by tomorrow morning!"
His explanation seemed to have worked. The imminent worry that was once in her eyes had morphed into a relaxed exhaustion.
She closed her eyes, a slow smile forming on her lips. He gave a sigh of relief before proceeding to the door. Just as he was about to leave the room, he heard her voice call out.
"Uh, th-thank you..." She whispered. "But... wh-who are you...?" His heart stopped. Who was he? He was Arnav Singh Raizada, of course. But who was he to her? He had just told her moments ago that she did not know him. Then... what excuse could he give?
"I...I..." He was frozen. What could he say?
"I saw the accident happen. So.. um... I... I brought you here." She was silent. He closed his eyes, praying that she would believe the lie.
"Accident..." She rolled the word around her tongue. "What happened to me?"
Another question that he wanted to avoid.
"We... We'll talk tomorrow. When you feel better."
He rushed out the door. The relief of being away from her was overwhelming. For some reason, he couldn't bear to see her in such a state. He couldn't bear to lie to her... She was too innocent.
He sank down, onto the floor of the hospital, wishing to drown in his own tears. He had hurt her so much... He had killed her from within. She couldn't remember anything now. She couldn't even remember herself... And she was so young. He had ruined her life.
The guilt was destroying him with every passing moment.
But what had happened to her? How had she lost her memory?
He sat up straight. He had to know. He had to help her. He had to save her.
And he would do so at any cost.
***
"Retrograde Amnesia."
Declared the doctor, reefing through the scans.
"What?"
"She's suffered retrograde amnesia." He repeated. "It means that she's lost all memory prior to her accident."
Arnav's heart sank. "But... but how is that possible...?"
The doctor nodded. "Take a look at these scans. The accident has caused a lot of trauma in the brain. And from what you've told me about her, she's clearly facing retrograde amnesia."
His heart was thumping in his chest and he could feel himself growing hot as he asked the next question.
"Will she...Will she ever regain her memory...?"
The doctor shrugged.
"It's possible. But there is no way to be sure. She could get her memory back in the next instant, in the next week, month, or year. But there's also a good chance that she may never regain her memory at all."
Arnav felt himself crumbling. How had it come to this...? How had all this happened...? If only he had listened to Kiran. If only he hadn't driven out in the raging storm. If only he hadn't been drunk. If only...

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 3


- Chapter 3 -
"Where is she?"
His heart thumped violently in his chest, threatening to break free.
Was she hurt? Had he killed her?
He suddenly felt nauseous. It was as if someone had ground a knife through his skin. He rushed forward, clutching the doctor by his arms.
"Answer me damnit!!!"
The man looked petrified. "B-Behave yourself sir. Sh-she's two doors over."
Arnav quickly released his hold and made his way, as quickly as he could, out the door.
 
"But you can't see her yet!" Called the doctor after him. "She's serious!"
His heart sank. It felt as if he had died a thousand deaths. If something happened to her... whoever she was... because of him, he knew he would never be able to forgive himself.
The door to her room, sure enough, was closed. Hesitantly, he limped forward, peering through the round glass window, hoping to catch a glimpse of her.
The room appeared much like his own. The decor was a blinding white. Colourless and bland. Large machines snaked around the room, connected, here and there to plug points.
Suddenly, he saw her.
The girl he had very nearly killed.
She looked so frail. Childlike. Innocent. And in so much pain. He winced.
If only I could take it away... He thought to himself. If only I could heal your wounds. He thought, as he gazed helplessly at the bedridden figure in front of him.
He wasn't sure why he felt so strongly for a girl who was nothing but a stranger to him. But everytime his eyes fell on her form, he felt a strange pull at the strings of his heart. A yearning.
He closed his eyes as he backed away from the window, all the while consoling himself that it was just the guilt taking effect.
He took a seat on the bench, waiting for the doctor to deliver the news. His heart thumped rapidly in his chest. She had to be alright. She had to come back. He didn't know why. But she had to.
There was a need. A desperation in his heart that he hadn't felt in years.
It was as if there was some sort of connection between them. He sighed, resting his head against the wall behind him.
A wave of pain coursed through him.
It's nothing compared to the pain you've given the girl in there.
If something happened to her... If she died... He knew he would kill himself the very next instant. He wouldn't be able to live, knowing that he had been reponsible for her death.
He closed his eyes.
Her angelic face was haunting. In the one instant he had peered through the window, he seemed to have gone crazy.The eyes... there was so much innocence... Her face... controrted with pain.
So much so that his pain seemed minute in comparison.
I deserve worse than this. I deserve to be in that hospital bed. She shouldn't even be here.
A lone tear rolled down his eyes. He felt scared. As if something precious was leaving him forever. It's the guilt. I'm probably just feeling responsible for her state.
As much as he tried to persuade himself to believe it, he knew it was a lie. There was more to it than that. But he was too exhausted to analyze his emotions any further.
It's probably nothing.
He concluded.
Suddenly, he felt a light tap on his shoulder. He sat up immediately, startled.
Another doctor.
"Are you a relative of the patient?"
He hesitated a moment before replying that he was. "How is she, doctor?"
The doctor nodded. "She's better. Much better actually. But of course, she's still weak. We've been giving her medicines, but after an accident like that, she's bound to be a little shaken up."
"Can I... Can I see her?"
The doctor shook his head. "Not yet."
"Please doctor." He begged. He felt desperate. He had to see her. To ensure that she was alright.
The doctor sighed. "Are you going to die this very moment if you don't see her?"
Arnav knew he was being sarcastic, but he replied with utmost honesty, "I won't die, but I'll get pretty close to it."
He frowned, scanning Arnav's form with curiousity. "Well... we don't normally allow this sir... But I'll make an exception this once. Five minutes."
Saying so, he walked away, reefing through a bundle of files along the way.
Blinking back the tears, Arnav rushed into the room, wanting, simply, for a moment's view of the perfect stranger.
He felt his heart stop at the sight he witnessed.
She was beautiful to say the least.
Despite the scars on her forehead, her skin seemed to glow. Her round brown eyes grew wider as they fell on Arnav. She was thin but not unhealthy. With every movement she made, her hair flowed behind her, grazing her waist tenderly. As he made his way towards her, he noticed her chest heave with nervousness.
She was perfect.
She sat up slowly... Suddenly, the colour from her face began to fade. She closed her eyes, clutching her head as she let out an agonizing scream.
Her lips were quivering with fright and hot tears rolled down her eyes.
Seeing her in such a state sent a searing pain through his heart.
"It hurts!!!!" She wailed. "It hurts so much!"
He knew she needed help. But his mind felt frozen. What should he do? Should he try and comfort her? He wanted, so badly, to simply rush to her side and take her in his arms.
But the more alert part of his mind willed him to call the doctor.
She needed help.
He rushed outside, in a hysterical attempt to find a doctor.
She needed help.
***
...Ten minutes later...
The orders were flying. Nurses were pinning the girl to the bed, trying to gain control of her. Machines whirred around him. Doctors were swarming around the girl, some holding down her arm and surpressing her screams with injections and others flipping through medical records.
She was frightened. Her eyes flew across the room, never lingering for a moment too long on any object. She seemed confused.
At last she turned to me.
His breath caught in his throught.
For a moment, it felt as if nothing existed. As if the world was no longer the same. All the pain in his limbs were melting away...simply by looking at the girl in front of him.
But the feeling lasted only for a brief moment.
Her eyes quickly changed from a look of confusion to helplessness. It was as if she was pleading. Begging him to rescue her. To save her.
He died a thousand deaths.
"Let her go..."
He whispered. But his voice escaped as an inaudible sigh.
"Let her go." This time, he sounded more confident. But the bustle of doctors were too busy examining their patient to even toss a fleeting glance in his direction.
"I SAID, LET HER GO DAMNIT!!!!"
Pindrop silence.
The crowd of people in the room turned towards him, shocked. "Excuse me, sir. But it would be better if you didn't advise us on how to do our job properly. Now, do us all a favour and please leave the room."
"How much money do you want?"
He hadn't even meant to say it. He didn't know why he said it. All he knew, was that he would go to any extent to help this girl. He didn't know why. He didn't care, frankly.
"How much money do you want to leave her alone?"
There was no reply. An uncomfortable silence lingered in the room.
"You realize, sir, that your behaviour is extremely inappropriate..."
It was a murmured response.
"You don't know the kind of power that I have..."
Arnav whispered, dangerously.
"Didn't you hear what she said? She doesn't want you to touch her. Dare you even place a finger on her, and I swear, I'll make your life HELL. And trust me. I'm a man true to my words."
Hesitantly, the doctors shuffled their way out of the room, leaving Arnav alone with the girl.
She was beautiful. Everytime he looked at her, he felt all his worries cease to exist.
He gave her a small smile before sauntering to her side.
"Hi."
He began. It felt awkward. But at the same time, it felt so right. She looked at him. Her eyes were a mixture of emotions. She was lost... confused... scared.
"I-I don't remember anything..."
It was the first time he had heard her speak. He closed his eyes, shivering. The velvety tone to her voice was soothing...angelic.
"You don't remember me because you don't know me." Chuckled Arnav, softly. She shook her head. Her hands flew to her head, holding it with desperation.
"No... I - I don't remember anything..." her voice was shaky. Slow tears made their way down her cheek. "Wh-where is my family..? D-Do I have a family...? Wh-where am I from..? What's...what's my name...? Who am I?!"
She began to grow hysterical. She was rocking back and forth on the bed, holding her head, trying to remember. "I don't r-remember anything! I... I don't know... I don't remember... I need to remember! I need to know! How is this possible? How can I not know?"

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 2

 
- Chapter 2 -
Pain.
It seemed to course through his very being.
He was drowning. With each passing moment, the water swallowed him up a little more.
His lungs were on fire.
How long had he been holding his breath for? A minute? Two minutes? Had it been anymore, he wouldn't have been alive to endure the agony.
It felt as if an eternity had passed.
Icy waves of black water smothered him. His heart screamed for help. His mind was too numb to react.
He wanted to end the pain. End it all. End life itself.
His entire life seemed to flash before his eyes. His life had been simple. So simple that one could describe it in a mere three words.
Anguish. Abandonment. And lonliness.
Hot tears rolled down his eyes, becoming one with his icy prisoner. It hurt. Oh. It hurt so bad. Splotches of black began to shade his vision. He tried. He gave on last futile attempt to free himself. To swim up from the depths of the ocean.
But the strong currents pulled him right back down to where he had begun.
He was helpless.
He could feel his once steady heart rate slow to a silent stop as a new wave of darkness took the life out of him at last.
***
"Can you hear me...? Sir... Can you hear me?"
The voice was deep. Male's voice. But it seemed so far away. So unbelievably distant. He strained to hear. Mumbles. Quiet mumbles. It was all he could make out.
His entire body felt numb. It hurt to think. It hurt to breathe. Was he alive? Dead? He didn't know. All he could think about, all he could remember, was the ocean. The way he had nearly suffocated. The pain he had endured. Had it been a dream? Or a near death experience? Or perhaps death itself.
He winced.
"Sir...? Can you hear me...?" This time the sound was much clearer.
Yes... Yes I can hear you.
He wanted to reply. But his lips felt as if they were sealed shut. He couldn't find his voice.
So he tried, slowly, to open his eyes.
An agonizing pain surged through him. It was a pain so terrorizing that he very nearly forgot to breathe. But he had to do this. He needed to know.
"W...Wha...What...-"
It was torture. He opened his eyes, biting his lip to avoid screaming.
He was met with a blur of white.
Blinding beams of lights cascaded upon him. It felt as if he hadn't opened his eyes in days. He let out a low groan.
The walls had been completely white-washed. Large white machines sat beside him, some which were straddled to his arm. People were swarming around him. All with white coats draped over them.
"We've given you some pain killers, so you should feel fine in a couple of hours." The man who had spoken was young with a boyish smirk on his face as he examined his patient with curiousity.
"Wh...where am I...?"
He scribbled quick notes on his clipboard before replying, "In City Hospital. You're lucky you know. If you had been brought to the hospital a little later, you wouldn't have seen the face of this hospital at all."
His eyes drifted upwards. "You'd be somewhere up there, in heaven! Now, of course, as a doctor, I have to ask you for some formalities, before you can be released. What's your name?"
"Arnav Singh Raizada." He repeated without hesitance. The doctor nodded, pleased. "Good. Where do you live?"
"Shantivan." He replied once more.
"Family?" The doctor asked. Arnav sighed. "I think it's clear, doctor, that I haven't forgotten my past."
The doctor shrugged. "But as I said, it's formalities Mr. Raizada. Want to be released? Answer the questions and you can go."
He sighed. He felt sick. Nauseous. "My sister and her husband, my grandmother, uncle, aunt and cousin brother."
The doctor stopped writing for a brief moment and glanced at Arnav with increased seriousness. "And that girl?"
Arnav frowned, confused. "What girl?"
"The one that was brought to the hospital with you."
Arnav shook his head, slowly limping to his feet. "I have no idea what you're talking about. Please. I need to leave."
As he made his way, unsteadily, out of the door, it suddenly hit him.
Last night. Kiran. Her betrayal. Drinking. The accident.
His heart sank as realization hit.
The blood. The scream.
The girl.

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Chapter 1


- Chapter 1 -
Thunder lashed in the sky, followed soon after with flashes of lightning. A storm would soon be approaching.
He wanted to forget his pain. To forget the deceiving woman he had once loved. But the more he tried to forget, the more his heart ached.
Arnav's head was pounding. Every inch of his body pleaded for him to stop drinking.
But he would listen to no one tonight. Not even himself.
He placed the bottle to his lips, swallowing the liquor in mouthfulls.
17 long years.
It had been 17 long years since he had felt any pain remotely close to the heartache he felt now.
Frightening memories of his parents' abandonment filled his mind. And although he knew it wasn't possible, he felt his heart break a little bit more.
Maa... Papa... I miss you... Why did you leave me...? I want to be with you...
For the first time in a long time, Arnav felt weak...helpless... 17 years had been time enough for him to build up a barrier around himself. He had buried his feelings so deep within himself that it was difficult even for himself to dig them out.
That was before he had met Kiran.

He sighed.
He couldn't deny that Kiran had brought a change in him. He felt free around her. He was able to let himself loose. Express himself. And as he slowly became involved with Kiran, that hard, cold barrier had broken.
And now, he felt like the weak, innocent child that he had been years ago.
The swirl of liquor burned as it washed down his throat.
The more he drank, the more it hurt. He felt dizzy. Sick.
But he knew he couldn't stop the car. He could barely tell apart the accelorator from the brake.
So tired... So unbelievably tired...
He closed his eyes.
It was only for an instant.
But an instant was plenty time to destroy his life.
An ear-piercing scream and the splatter of blood on the windshield.
They were the last things he had time to register before collapsing into a much needed sleep.

ArHi FF Answered Prayers - Prologue

 
- Prologue -
The rain pounded ferociously onto the dark streets of Mumbai.
Mumbai.
The place where dreams came true. Or so he had heard. Images of his fiance's betrayal swam in his mind, destroying any signs of solace that he may have had. He fought back the tears. He was Arnav Singh Raizada. He didn't cry. He wouldn't cry.
He reached for the bottle of liquor beside him.
His only remaining companion. At least it would remain faithful to its owner. He gulped the beer down in quick swallows trying, in vain, to drown his pain and anguish alongside it.
The windshield wipers were working in full force. He couldn't see a thing.
Kiran had insisted that he stay the night, apologizing profusely for her betrayal.
As if that would do any good.
A new kind of bitterness flooded over him. She had given him a scar that would never be healed.
Love. It was painful. He knew the instant he had fallen for her that it was wrong. Love was not meant for a guy like him. And perhaps, after this incident, he would never be able to love again. She had killed him.
For a brief moment, he wondered if she knew how much she had hurt him. But he concluded that she couldn't possibly know. The pain was too deep. No one would understand. Definately not Kiran.
He winced. Even thinking about her name was painful.
He trained his eyes on the road, groggily. His eyes were closing on what seemed to be their own accord. Too much alcohol.
He felt dizzy...sleepy... But an odd sense of fear admonished him to focus. To stay awake. And it was with this fear that he continued along the road.
But it was late. Past midnight. The rain was pelting down harder each second, blurring his vision more than it was already. He couldn't see. He couldn't concentrate. All he wanted to do was close his eyes. Forget his pain. Forget Kiran. Forget life itself.
The car swerved. Slowly. Mildly at first. But a few more sips of liquor changed that. He could no longer keep his car under control.
He was just too tired... exhausted.
A few seconds. He thought. A few seconds of sleep couldn't possibly hurt.
His thoughts became slurred.
Little did he know, that the decision he made next would change his world forever.