Chapter 42 - It is my responsibility of chasing your demons away and I would.

|Innaya|

"First thing- you are not staying here." My head whipped in the direction of Eshan, as those words fell out of his lips. It took me some time to believe, that he refused having Arjun stay. The feeling that he did not want me, went away as soon as it came as his words registered in my mind and instead something overpowered my senses, hope.

"Second thing, you are explaining right this instant, what made you lie regarding something that is, so beautiful and precious... I did not expect this from you Arjun. Why would you play with their feelings?" Eshan's eyes were so furious that for a moment I was scared.

"Play?" Arjun mocked, his eyes turning hard as he glared Eshan. "Why did I need to play with anyone's feeling? You have mastered in that department, haven't you?" he spat those words furiously.

"And, what did you say- hmm, I remember. You did not expect this from me. So tell me Mr. Eshan Singhaniya, what do you expect from me? Tell me honestly, we all want to know, right guys?" However, his voice was calm, but the clenching of his jaw, and the way his fists were clenching, anyone could say he was far from being calm.

Eshan lowered his eyes as guilt flashes in them before he turned his head in opposite direction. I looked up to others only to witness some sort of understanding crossing over their faces. I couldn't understand, why was Arjun blaming Eshan. It wasn't like, he fell ill on his own, anyone could fell ill. Why no one was stopping or interrupting Arjun?

"Arjun, can we please do this later, please. Eshan needs rest." I requested, upon noticing Eshan's tired face and the conversation was not going anywhere. Honestly, my mind was not ready for more stress, or drama.

Ayush dragged unwilling Arjun from the room, who struggled in Ayush's hold. Sameer, Barun and Sahil too left behind them but not before they all shared a look with Eshan. I couldn't decipher the look exactly, it was close to disappointment but their eyes held concern too, for Eshan. I felt awkward not knowing about what just transpired between Eshan and his friends.

I just stood there, not knowing what to do. I should have left when I had time. I had no courage of looking at him without feeling utterly emotional. Somehow, he always managed to bring the rapid change of emotions within me.

"Innaya."

I looked down at my feet unable to meet his eyes. I couldn't decipher myself, what was I feeling. Somehow, I held myself responsible for not looking after him. Anything could have had happened to him because of his carelessness and somewhat mine too.

"Innaya." Eshan's voice dropped a notch below and it was almost desperate for my attention. It pained me physically to hear the hurt in his voice.

"Ahhh." His anguish cry had my full attention. I was by his side as soon as Eshan being in pain registered in my mind.

"What happened? Are you in pain? Let me call the doctor." Frantically, I bombarded him with the questions, simultaneously, checking for the reason of his pain. His left hand that was free of IV came to rest on mine on his cheek. He entwined his fingers with mine from back and brought it closer to his lips before pressing his lips on inside of my palm.

"Shh... I am fine as now that you are talking to me." He smiled as he gazed at me with relief.

He faked it. How could he? He was amusing himself on the expense of my plight. Oh, right! It was his revenge for all the distress, he felt due to me. What a way to get back at me, for something, which was not in my hand. My temper increased as the thoughts started piling one by one in my mind.

"How could you? Do you think this is some sort of joke? Oh, now I get it, you are doing this to take revenge on me because you think that I made you worried knowingly. You think all those episodes, nightmares were my way of gaining your attention. Oh, God! You... you think I am... liar. I... am liar..." I chocked on my own words as the harsh realization slapped me brutally. I tried pulling my hand back from his hold. It became extremely painful to stay in the company of the man who I had assumed to be the one to understand my unsaid words and emotions and yet here we were, the reality was more than hard to digest.

The hot tears stung in my eyes but I held them, not wanting to shed them in his presence. I doubled my efforts of removing his hold on my palm only to get him tighten his hold.

"Quiet." His voice boomed in the empty room. With a one powerful pull from him, I almost landed heavily on his chest if not for my other hand that held my weight above him. I refused to be close with him and struggled to get away from him. He left my palm for a split second, only to pull me back on his chest wrapping his arm around my back almost caging me by his only one arm. My struggle instantly ceased as my eyes landed on the needle inserted in his skin. I would never want to cause him slightest of pain. I closed my eyes tightly holding back the tears that were so close to start falling.

"Let me go please." At this point, I did not care if my voice started sounding desperate of helpless. I just wanted to curl up in a ball and cry out all the pain in my heart, far away from him.

"Innaya, if you are angry on me, then take it out but not this. I won't hurt you- never, please, I am sorry. I am truly sorry sweetheart." His apology broke my heart once again. He sounded so sincere and I knew he was being honest. Deep down, I knew, he would never hurt me, at least not intentionally. My past did make me apprehensive of trusting people or new relationships but I never felt that with Eshan.

"Now you will listen to me carefully, without making a sound and without trying to run away." His command left no room for further argument, not that I was going to put up a fight when my one move could hurt him.

"First of all, I don't think you are liar because for the fact I know you are not." He stressed on last three words proving his point. "You don't need to do anything to gain my attention because the day you accepted me, you had and have all my undivided attention. I have every right to worry about you, the very same you have that right over me."

My heart skipped a beat as the weight of his words dawn on me. How could he so simply say something like this and even remain calm? I downright accused and insulted him and yet here he was instead of getting angry was being patient.

"I admit. I want to know about it. However, I want to make you comfortable enough that you, yourself, will share everything with me. Forcing you or avenging would be the last thing I would do ever to anyone and would never do with you. You are my wife not some criminal to interrogate. You my beautiful wife, you are my life and everything that concerns you, it concerns me as well. It is my responsibility of chasing your demons away and I would. You just need to let me in. You get me?"

The damn tears broke free from their restraints and flowed mercilessly from my closed eyelids. His words hit the deep chord of my heart and had me feel more remorseful of my earlier actions. The rusty metallic taste made me realised that I had bitten hard on my lip at the very same point unconsciously.

"Shh... I am here. Stop crying, sweetheart."

I broke into another sob at his pained voice. Eshan brought his hand towards my chin and raised my tear stricken face for his eyes.

"Don't cry please." He shook his head before he wiped the tears from my face.

"I am sorry." That came out almost breathless.

Eshan caressed my cheek tenderly; his eyes visible softened but were apologetic as he spoke, "Don't be. I know you were worried about me and this atmosphere of hospital must have taken toll on you. You should go home. I know you hate hospitals. I am truly sorry for everything."

He was right about me hating hospitals but I did not want to leave him. I had forgotten about my dislike towards hospital and remembered only when he mentioned. Even in his discomfort, he was thinking about mine comfort. How did I get so lucky?

The sound of door opening had me straighten in my position. I hurriedly wiped my face and stood beside his bed when Eshan reluctantly loosened his hold.

"I just brought the doctor to make sure— that troublemaker husband of yours, is good and we can take him home." Arjun announced as he walked in followed by rest of the guys and the doctor. We stood in silence as the doctor did his work.

My eyes though were trained on Eshan, I just couldn't take out the conversation we just had. How understanding he was being and was wonderfully handling everything, even me.

I could see why Grandpa was so sure about him, about us.

I could finally see why Grandpa was so sure about him, about us