The Malhotra Bride (13 page)

you have any sense at all, girl? Do you know what the time is? No decent girl would be out at this

time of the night. What’s wrong—”

“Gokul
ji
,” Raj interrupted in a soft voice, “This is Raj Malhotra. There’s been an emergency—”

Gokul was too upset to care. “What emergency? Whatever it may be, where’s the need for Sunita to

stay out so late Mr. Malhotra?” His tone was insulting. “What’s the use of your being good at

business? You don’t have a daughter and have no clue of the responsibility that comes with bringing

one up. It’s such a shame. I—”

“Gokul
ji
,” Raj interrupted, controlling his irritation and speaking in a calm tone, “as I told you,

there’s been an emergency. I’m calling from the hospital.”

“Hospital?” Gokul’s voice rose further. Grandpa Ratan snatched the receiver from his son’s hand

when he heard, ‘hospital’.

“Hello. This is Ratan Rishi.”

Raj was glad to hear Grandpa Ratan’s voice. “Ratan
ji
, Akshay had a small accident on the way to

your place with Sunita. He had to be hospitalised immediately.” Raj hugged Sunita close as he spoke.

“Sunita’s presence of mind saved his life.”

“Which hospital, Raj? I’d like to see Akshay.” Grandpa Ratan was shaken. He had become too fond

of his new grandson.

“Not this late, Ratan
ji
. He had to undergo an operation. They aren’t allowing visitors. Sunita’s safe

with Tanuja and me. Please don’t worry. Here, talk to her,” Raj passed his cell to Sunita.

“
Dadaji
,” Sunita’s voice almost broke. She pulled herself together and said, “
Dadaji
,” once again.

“Hello, my dear.” It was a relief to hear Granpa Ratan’s gentle voice. “How are you?”

“I’m perfectly fine,
Dadaji
. It’s Akshay,” she caught Raj shaking his head in her peripheral. “He’s

badly hurt. He’s okay now, the doctor says.”

“Don’t worry, little one. By the grace of God, Akshay will be fine. You stay beside him and take

care of him—”

Gokul grabbed the phone from his father and shouted, “You come back here immediately. Do you

hear?” he thundered. “The old man’s senile. I’ll not have any daughter of mine staying away from

home at night. Do you hear me?” shouted Gokul Rishi once again. Sunita just disconnected the line as

she saw Tanuja walking out of Akshay’s room.

“Aunty, how’s he?” she asked.

“He’s sleeping peacefully.” Tanuja smiled for the first time that night as she hugged both her

husband and daughter-in-law. “He’s okay, thank God! You saved his life, Sunita. Thank you, dar—”

Sunita pressed her fingers against her mother-in-law’s lips.

“No, Aunty. Akshay saved himself. He told me where to bring him before passing out,” her voice

trembled as she recollected the nightmare. Raj went to see his son.

“Aunty,” Sunita’s voice pleaded. “Please let me stay here at the nursing home with Akshay.”

Raj came out with a satisfied smile. “You go on in, Sunita. I’ll drop you home after you see

Akshay.”

“No Uncle, please.”

“You go on, Sunita. I’ll talk to Raj,” said Tanuja gently.

Sunita smiled gratefully at her mother-in-law before going into Akshay’s room.

Only a night lamp was burning in the room. An IV tube was connected to Akshay’s forearm. He was

fast asleep. Sunita went close to the bed. Tears welled in her eyes as she recalled the amount of blood

he had lost. Thank God the bullet had hit only his arm. She placed a gentle hand on his forehead. He

was running a light temperature that the doctor had warned them about because of the operation and

blood transfusion. There was a big white bandage on his right arm.

Sunita put her hand in his as it lay on the bed, palm open. Akshay’s fingers curled around hers,

holding it in a loose grip, very much unlike his. Tears flowed freely down Sunita’s cheeks as she

realised that he must be in quite bad a shape. She gently freed her hand from his and stepped out of the

room after wiping her face.

There were a couple of policemen talking to Raj Malhotra. They turned towards her as she came

out. “Come here, Princess. Tell the police all that you know.” He was sorry about this so late at night,

but it had to be done.

Sunita recounted the events of the night while one of the policemen jotted down everything in a

notebook. They kept questioning her repeatedly to get the details right.

Raj put out a hand and said, “That’s enough for today, Officer. I don’t think Sunita’s fit enough to

take any more.”

The policemen left at that, promising to come back the next day to talk to Akshay.

“Uncle, I don’t want to go home. Please let me stay here with Akshay.”

“Tanuja did mention that, Princess. I’ve arranged for them to have an extra bed moved into Akshay’s

room. Do sleep well. He’ll need all your help tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Uncle, Aunty,” Sunita smiled tiredly. The day had been packed to the full, first the

engagement ceremony, then the accident and surgery. Sunita sighed.

“Goodnight, child.” Raj and Tanuja left the nursing home.

Sunita walked into Akshay’s room to find a bed placed beside his. She removed her shoes and lay

down in the same clothes she had got engaged in, fully prepared to stay awake. She fell asleep soon

secure in the knowledge that Akshay was out of danger.

Fourteen

Sunita woke up suddenly when she heard someone groan in pain. She opened her eyes and couldn’t

make out where she was. Slowly she recollected the events of the night and turned to look at Akshay.

He was moaning in his sleep, a deep frown on his forehead, restlessly shaking his head.

“Akshay,” she laid a hand on his left shoulder. The IV tube had been removed sometime during the

night. He was sweating profusely despite the air-conditioner going full blast. Taking a fresh towel

from the side table, she gently wiped the sweat on his face. The fever had broken and so had the effect

of the painkillers.

Sunita filled a glass with water and approached her groaning fiancé once again. “Akshay,” she

placed a hand on his left shoulder. He suddenly opened his eyes and stared at her for a few seconds

before recognising her.

“Sunita, what are you doing here in my bedroom in the middle of the night?” He looked at his

watch. “My God! It’s four. Sunita?” He frowned at her. He suddenly realised that he could not move

his right arm freely as he became conscious of a dull ache. He slowly raised his right hand as if to

find out how far it would go.

“Akshay, don’t,” cried Sunita, her soft voice anxious.

He turned around to look at her, recalling the events of the night. He gave her a weak smile saying,

“I’m so sorry you were dragged into the middle of this.”

“Akshay,” Sunita looked at him strangely, “What do you mean?”

“You must’ve been scared out of your wits,” Akshay continued as if she hadn’t spoken. “And,” his

eyes were pained, “you could’ve been shot.” He raised his left hand and covered his eyes, trying to

block out the thought.

“Akshay,” Sunita spoke gently, “would you like some water?”

“Oh yes,” he turned his head eagerly towards her. He tried to get up and fell back on the bed in

frustration as his body refused to co-operate. There was a heavy scowl on his face as he looked at

her. “No Sunita, I’ve changed my mind. I don’t want any water.”

“I thought that’s a lady’s privilege.” Her face broke into a smile as she guessed correctly that the

macho man did not want her to see him in this state. Placing an arm under his shoulders, she raised

him carefully to a half-sitting position and placed the glass of water against his lips. Pride warred

with thirst. The latter won as he drank from the glass without stopping for breath till the last drop was

finished.

“Go ahead and laugh all you want,” he growled at Sunita’s smile.

“Oh Akshay,” Sunita placed the glass on the side table before hugging him close and planting a kiss

on his forehead. Then she laid him down on the bed with great care and continued, “Thank God

you’re alive.”

“And thank you,” he said.

“Who’d want to shoot you?” She couldn’t quite get around to using the word ‘kill’.

“Must be thieves wanting to rob the rich. They must’ve been lying in wait for a lone car to pass by.”

It was too pat a reply and he refused to meet her eyes.

“No, Akshay,” replied Sunita seriously. “I don’t think they were common thieves. They came

nowhere near the car. If they were thieves, they would have taken my jewellery and your wallet.

He had underestimated his fiancée’s intelligence.

“Well—” he automatically shrugged his shoulders and winced in pain as his right side convulsed in

protest. His forehead broke out in a sweat and Sunita apologised immediately.

“I’m so sorry, Akshay. You’re obviously in pain and here I’m giving you the third degree.” She

moved as she spoke. “I’ll call the nurse. I’m sure she’ll give you something to ease the pain and you

can get some rest.”

“Sunita,” He called out. His voice was fainter than earlier but stopped her in her tracks. She turned

around and went to him. “Don’t call the nurse. I don’t want to be doped. I can’t think clearly.” He

frowned.

She caressed his cheek and pushed back the strand of hair that had fallen on his forehead. “Akshay,

take the medicine just this once. You need to heal.”

“No.” She raised her hand to ring the bell for the nurse despite his protests. He tried to give her an

angry look but it was lost as his face twisted in agony. He gripped her fingers tightly, gritting his teeth

hard as the pain was excruciating by now.

The nurse walked in and understanding the situation administered an injection without uttering a

word.

She left the room with a smile and wave at Sunita. She watched Akshay’s frown ease little by little

as the medicine took effect and the hand holding hers fell back on the sheet. She pulled the comforter

that had slipped down his bare chest right up to his shoulders, switched the main light off and went to

lie down on her cot, mulling over her talk with Akshay.

It was obvious that there was more to the shooting then he was ready to admit. She was surprised

that he had an enemy, one who wanted to mortally wound him. She shook her head. ‘No, no,’ she told

herself, ‘that can’t be.’ Akshay was too nice a guy.

Fifteen

Sunita woke up to sunlight streaming through the windows, the curtains pushed aside to let in the

morning. She turned her head to see Akshay propped up in a sitting position. She returned his smile

shyly as he wished her a cheerful, “Good Morning sweetheart!”

“Good Morning!” replied Sunita before muttering, “Excuse me,” and rushing to the bathroom. She

must be looking a mess.

She washed her face free of make-up and hand-brushed her teeth, feeling sorry she hadn’t woken up

earlier. It was almost ten. Akshay was up and fresh despite his operation while she had slept like a

log. ‘Silly me,’ she scolded her mirror image as she brought some semblance of order to her tangled

brown locks.

She stepped out into the hospital room, sniffing appreciatively as the fresh aroma of filter coffee

greeted her nostrils.

“Compliments of Puja Aunty, Doctor Uncle’s wife! They live behind the nursing home. I’m not sure

you’ll remember them, but they came to our engagement yesterday,” said Akshay as he pointed to the

two steaming ceramic mugs standing on the side table.

“Oh, lovely,” said Sunita as she went to pick up the coffee, her eyes avoiding Akshay’s bold gaze.

She was scared of even looking in his direction as his bare chest was visible again. His
kurta
was

obviously in no state to be worn.

“Just a minute,” he placed a restraining hand on her arm, “haven’t you forgotten something?”

“Yeah. I was just coming to that. How’s your wound?” she stared studiously at his arm.

“Damn my wound!” She turned her startled gaze to his face as she heard her fiancé swear so

vehemently for the first time since she met him. He pulled hard at her arm, making her lose her

balance. She fell on his chest, and his left arm went around her to hold her tightly against his chest.

“Look at me,” he ordered. His strength was obviously restored.

She obeyed him instinctively, saying, “Careful, Akshay.” He bent his head and gave her a passionate

kiss that left her breathless and trembling.

“That’s better.” He smiled at her red face and thoroughly kissed lips with immense satisfaction,

saying “You look beautiful,” which only made her blush all the more.

She tried to get out of his embrace. The shock of lying on his hair-roughened chest made her reel.

And also there was the small matter of the unlocked door. What if someone walked in? “Let me go,

Akshay,” she told him.

His eyes shone with mischief, his eyebrows touching his hairline.

She said, “Please.” He let her go with obvious reluctance, his eyes laughing.

Sunita lifted the coffee mugs and handed him one before drinking from the other. “You must be

hungry. Let me find—”

“No need, Sweetheart. I’ve already had breakfast. This is my second round of coffee. Just ring the