|Eshan|
Innaya was shivering badly. It was my fault. I was careless enough to not check the temperature. Instead of warm water because of my carelessness, we stood under the cold one.
All I could think at that moment was to make Innaya respond. In that haste, I had not bothered about anything else. And, that was where I messed up.
Innaya's complexion turned worse. Her wet clothes clung to her body, her teeth were chattering. Her whole frame shook. She couldn't keep her eyes open, and it looked as if she would collapse at any moment.
Feeling relieved that she took my name, I had failed to notice her condition. I needed to work on paying more attention because lately, all I had been doing was to screw up things due to my negligence.
She needed a change of clothes, urgently. Moreover, she needed a doctor. However, I didn't think she could change in her current condition. She required help. And, apart from me, there was no one else to do the needful.
I had to do it for her. Because staying in those wet clothes, or asking her to do it was out of the option.
'You are her husband. What are you thinking so hard? Just get her out of those wet clothes, you stupid.' My mind taunted.
I couldn't refute it. Of course! I had to help her. But, then again, would I be making things awkward between us?
'You can worry about it later. What if she fell sick because of your dillydallying?'
This time I made my decision. I could not afford to watch her fall sick because of my incompetence. I brought her out of the shower area towards the dry area near the washbasin, which soon turned wet because of the water dripping from our clothes and bodies.
I pulled the towel from the shelf. Supporting Innaya on my left side,
I held the towel in my right hand. I wrapped it around her head. Water dripped from her long dark traces. Handling those long hair with one hand seemed particularly difficult.
I liked her long hair, but in the present situation, I thought it would have been great if they were short. I somehow managed to wrap them with the towel. After changing her into dry clothes I would need to dry them with the help of dryer. I could not let her stay with the wet hair.
Innaya tiredly leaned against me. I took the second towel from the rack because I could not locate the bathrobe. I needed to change her clothes.
Firming my resolve, I closed my eyes. I had to do it. I pulled Innaya in my arms with her back facing away from me. Fumbling with my hands as I put them under her wet pajama top, I somehow managed to wrap a towel around her upper back.
I had to mindful of the places to avoid. She was not in her senses completely. So, it made things more problematic. Even though she was my legally wedded wife, I did not want to take advantage of her.
In my opinion, physical intimacy between the couple depended on the consent of both the parties involved. Just because I was her husband, I did not get the right over her body. She had to agree to that. Innaya's consent mattered. Right now, I did not have the one.
I opened my eyes when I was sure that the towel was securely tied against her body. Innaya looked at me through her barely opened eyes. My heart jolted as her eyes trailed at her body. I did not know how was she was going to react to it. I had changed her clothes.
Innaya raised her half-opened eyes at me. Instead of shock, anger or disappointment, I was taken aback with complete trust in her those slightly wet orbs. I felt compelled to not let her down. The gaze with which she looked at me before closing them, my whole being shaken.
My hands holding onto her top trembled a little. I hurriedly pulled that wet top and camisole from her head as I raised her arms above her head. I should hurry up and call the doctor. At the same time, I needed to rush and provide her warmth.
"Cold," Innaya mumbled.
"It's almost done, sweetheart. Just a minute," I answered her as I quickly removed her out of her remaining wet clothes. Her eyes shut down and she seemed to have fallen asleep. Was she unconscious? I could barely determine what was wrong with her.
Picking her up in my arms, I left the bathroom. Reaching near the bed, I gently laid her down. Some water droplets fell on her face, and she stirred a bit. How foolish I was? I got her out of wet clothes, but I forgot to change mine.
I quickly pulled away from her. Holding the end of the quilt from the foot of the bed, I pulled it over her body, covering her with it. I picked up my mobile from the bedside table as I dialed Dr. Mittal's number. I hated to disturb him, but I could only think of him at the moment.
I rushed to the wardrobe while I waited for him to answer. Unfastening the buttons of my wet white shirt, I opened the wardrobe. Getting out of my clothes, I dumped them on the floor in our bedroom. I even did not think of going inside the bathroom to change. I did not care about my nudity.
"Hello, Eshan!" Dr. Mittal greeted as he answered the call.
"Are you at home? Can you please come over? Innaya is not well. She had a panic attack. She'd stopped breathing for a while, and now she's barely conscious," I rushed to tell him. I hoped he was at his home. I knew he would come over even if he was at his clinic, but he being at his home would save a lot of time.
"Calm down, I'll be there soon. Till then make her lie down on the plain surface and elevate her legs. Give her salt and sugar water. I'm on my way," he instructed, and in the background, I could hear the sound of things being moved.
"Okay." I disconnected the call, throwing my mobile on the chair beside the wardrobe.
I slipped into the bathrobe and strode back to the bed with another robe in my hand. It would be inconvenient to let her be in the towel as Dr. Mittal was coming over.
I placed pillows underneath her feet. This time putting a bathrobe on her over that towel was not that difficult. Moreover, the quilt covering her also eased my worries. I could tell her that I did not see anything.
*