*Hello my fellow lovely souls how are you all doing? I am back as usual after ages. Let's start the chapter.*

Both shivang and sulabh's families left the hospital to return later. Shivang remains sitting at his previous position a few steps away from Sulabh's bed, eyes fixed on him. A few hours passed like this. Sulabh is still not awake from sedation making Shivang impatient.

After a while, Shivang felt stiffness in his back so he decided to move a bit. He gets up and walks near the window to stand leaning towards it. His eyes are still fixated on Sulabh.

After a while, Sulabh opened his eyes with great difficulty. His whole body was aching badly and his eyelid felt so heavy to open. He moves his eyes to look over the surroundings only to find himself in a hospital room and as expected his best friend was staring at him lost in his thoughts. He realized that Shivang was so lost in his thoughts that he didn't notice him awake.

"Stop starting me like a creep Vairagi. If someone sees you like this they will misunderstand you into my psycho lover." He joked in a hoarse voice with a faint smile to get his friend's attention.

Sulabh's voice broke shivang trance. Though his eyes remain fixated on Sulabh's face, unable to register a single word he said. His mind was a mess with emotions. All he was able to decipher was Sulabh's open eyes and moving mouth.

After a few seconds finally, his mind registered the situation. He rushed outside to fetch the doctor. Doctor asked him to wait outside till they examined Sulabh. In between, he called both their families to inform them about Sulabh's state. Doctors run various tests and give clear results. Sulabh was fine to get discharged. Both families remain surrounding him fussing over him.

From the corner of his eyes, he noticed the blank look on Shivang's face. He realized something is seriously bothering him. Subhra came to pay him a visit with some fresh fruits and a bouquet of white lilies.

Sulabh was uncomfortable with all this attention on him. He was the kind of person who is always shy from all the limelight. He avoids attention at any cost. Shivang was able to understand his discomfort but after such an incident he couldn't tell people to leave Sulabh alone. He knew all were scared and worried when they almost lost him.

"What happened all of a sudden? Yesterday, when we met you were alright then. And today I got the news that you are hospitalized." Subhra voiced her worry. Today when she called Shivang to apologize and ask the reason for his absence from college, Samay answered the call.

He informed her about Sulabh's condition. She was worried sick for both of them. She knew if anything happens to Sulabh, Shivang will be lost too. She acknowledged it long ago but her stubbornness didn't let her admit it out loud. Also, she was stressed to know about Sulabh. She was the last person he met before falling into a coma. This thought made her feel guilty and perplexed. She was thinking of asking this question since she stepped into that room so when she got the chance, she voiced it out loud.

The words left her mouth and every pair of eyes were on her. Especially three pairs were scrutinizing her facial expressions to confirm their thoughts. Shivang, Samay, and Anubhav all are skeptical about her visit, especially considering their history together. They were well aware of their equation. They knew these two could barely stand in a space together. How come they suddenly started being friendly? Her question increased their doubt.

Sulabh can sense the storm brewing in these people's minds. He knew Subhra will be bombarded with questions and looking at Shivang's grave expression he was sure the result won't be in her favor. In such situations, he won't listen to anybody. Debating with him too brought them no good. He suddenly decided to divert the focus from her.

"Ooo Subhra yes I was fine in college. I fell ill in the evening. That's why you are surprised. Don't worry, I am fine now. Thank you for the flowers and fruits. They look fresh. So how was college today? I am sorry I wasn't able to attend and Vairagi stayed back because of me." Sulabh finished hurriedly.

The elders relaxed at his explanation however the trio was still not convinced. They still don't have the answer about where Sulabh was yesterday before he fell ill. They knew for sure if he was in any kind of business-related work his father would be aware of but he was as clueless as they were.

Subhra looked at Sulabh with confusion, the look on his face however gave her the clue to go along with him. She realized Sulabh didn't mention their meeting to anybody and he doesn't want them to find out too so she decided to play along.

"Of course you were all happy and in a chill mood, bouncing in the corridor when I saw you during recess, and then today I suddenly heard the news of you being hospitalized. How are you feeling now?" Sulabh sighs in relief that Subhra got his hint and played along.

"Aye, I am fine. I just lost consciousness. You guys are freaking out like I was dead or something. Relax, I am alive yet not dead. Though nobody knows the future so can't promise about that." Sulabh spoke nonchalantly, trying to lighten everyone's mood.

But as the words left his mouth the expression on everyone's face made him realize his mistake. Nobody liked the way he worded it after such a grave night. Shivang stormed out of the room after hearing this.

"What did I do now?" Sulabh asked, confused at his sudden reaction.

"As expected neither you realized nor understood." Anubhav too stormed out of the room after stating this. Sulabh scoffed at the childish reaction of both his brother and best friend.

"Bhav was always dramatic but what happened to Vairagi all of a sudden," Sulabh asked, frowning still not able to comprehend the reaction.

"Son, you always act ignorant. You are in a hospital bed talking about death so casually. What reaction you expected after such a spectacle." His mother clarified the situation, still unhappy with the way he talked. Subhra stood to go behind them but Samay stopped her.

"I will go fetch them back. You guys stay here." He said to no one in particular. Samay was well aware of his brother's emotions. He knew in this situation Subhra won't be able to comfort him. She is a very good girl but she is very precise. She is not able to understand the complicated dynamic of Shivang's relation with Sulabh, especially his emotions. He is a man of very few words. Only those who saw him in his growth years are completely able to understand him.

Anubhav found Shivang sitting on a bench outside the hospital building as usual lost in his world. He went and sat beside him quietly.

"Bhai is a complete idiot, you know right. He loves us, especially you very much. He just doesn't have a filter on his mouth. Sometimes he utters complete nonsense. Don't take his words seriously and blame yourself. His condition has nothing to do with you. It just happened plus he is completely fine now." Anubhav spoke looking at Shivang's lost face with a faint smile.

Shivang turned to look at him. The look on his face broke Anubhav's heart. He looked so sad and broken with tear-filled eyes. Anubhav comprehends Shivang is hurt but he is unaware of its extent. Now when he realized he left speechless.

"I thought we lost him. I was there when he fell. He looked dead. I wasn't able to do anything to help him. This wasn't supposed to happen. I was supposed to protect him. What kind of friend does this make me? He always protects me from everything. He stood by me at my worst. But when it was my turn all I did was just stare. I did nothing. I failed him as a friend. I failed." Tears rolled down his eyes. Anubhav hugged an emotional Shivang.

"Stop blaming yourself for everything. You are no god who can control everything. Even gods are helpless in front of a person's destiny. You did nothing to fail him. We all were there at that time but no one was able to do anything. We are humans, we have our limitations. You never failed him ever." Anubhav patted Shivang's back to make him feel better.

He began again when Shivang was a little composed.

"Also why do you think he did too much for you but you did nothing. This is friendship, not a trade where you have to return support and care with interest. Friendship has nothing like giving and taking. This is a pure bond that simply states to be there for each other always. There is no such thing as returning the favor that exists in friendship. Look at your brother and me, I always create troubles he always handles them for me. Still, we are best friends so stop thinking like that. Also, Subh bhai will be hurt if he hears something like this from your mouth. Trust me, being with you made him the person he is today, The better one. You are his light." Anubhav finished with a smile. Shivang felt at ease hearing him. This guilt has been eating him since yesterday.

"You are more mature than you get credited for. This was a sensible talk."

"I guess your company is rubbing off on me instead of Subh bhai." Both of them laughed, feeling content.

Samay was looking at this commotion from afar. He felt relieved after watching his brother and best friend laugh. Subhra who joined him a few minutes back took a step to go towards a laughing shivang when Samay's voice stopped her in her tracks.

"Let them be. Don't interrupt them now. You came here to visit Subh bhai and I guess you are done with that. So I request you to take your leave now. Talk to them when they return to college. Till then I suggest you leave them on their own in peace. I don't want any more interruptions in their lives for now." Samay voiced his concern to Subhra calmly and collectively.

Subhra was stunned at Samay's sudden hostility. If Anubhav was at his place it is understandable because her relation with Sulabh was always restrained. But it was Samay, Shivang's brother. His hostility left her dumbfounded. She looked at him with a hurtful and questioning gaze. Samay shook his head before starting again.

*Ahh so finally our Sulabh is back and so do his charm.*

*Do read and tell me how you find the chapter.*

*Stay tuned for further updates. Till then take care.Bye.*