Aarush ran straight out of the elevator, directly to the counter.

"Mr. Malhotra. Shrey Malhotra." He panted while palming the counter, staring at the girl in a nurse's uniform. She wasn't bothered by his sudden appearance. It was her all day work to suffer worried people like him, he thought. "His room? I was told at this floor."

Without giving a response, she checked the name and looked at him. Aarush's eyes widened immediately as he recalled where he had seen her before.

"Wait. I know you," he mumbled, narrowing his eyes on her.

"You are Sakshi's friend," she told him, bored. "You came on Diwali with her to hand me a gift."

Realization hit his mind as he smiled widely. "Oh yes, the nurse. I remember. But your name," his smile faded as he searched for her batch, but unluckily, it wasn't there. Though, his eyes caught beautiful round curves she had.

Something shivered inside his chest, his lips parted.

She cleared her throat immediately. "It doesn't matter. Mr. Malhotra is in Room 5106. He has woken up just an hour ago. And please don't worry him about anything," she told him. Her eyes lingered on his hands. "Do you know him? Or are you here on Sakshi's behalf? Wait. Are they together now?"

Aarush laughed, "Woah. Woah. Calm down, ma'am. He is a good friend of mine. No. They aren't together."

"Do you know what happened to him?"

He raised his eyebrows, now slightly bothered by her asking questions. He could see the girl was in foul mood. "Um, yes. He suffered an anxiety attack. He hasn't woke up since last night and just now, an hour ago. Like you said," he gave her a cheeky smile.

"Even then you didn't bring anything for him?" She asked, looking unimpressed. "People with anxiety disorders need positivity all around. You should have-"

"Been thoughtful," he muttered, cursing. "But I guess, I was in a hurry to see my friend."

She stared at him sternly. "You don't seem to be in a hurry now."

What the. . . Aarush stared at her in shock. This girl was way too frustrated with her job today. Her light brown hair with those dark patches near the skull were beautiful. The main jewel were her eyes, light brown in color, completely filled as if someone had colored them with a sticky crayon and a kid drew the lashes.

He smiled goofily at his thoughts. "510. . ." He asked lightly, still amused by her aura.

She rolled her eyes and breathed, now turning her attention on to the computer. "5106. Straight from here. Take left and the right. The second or third door maybe."

His eyebrows raised as he was impressed. "Well, Thank you." She didn't look at him but he could see the small smile curving her lips.

He sighed and turned around, walking straight and too left. He took first right that came and there he was numbers beginning from 5. He didn't have the visitor but he knew Malhotra's approach. He just had to take the name and the lift man didn't ask him a single question.

The room numbers were increasing and he reached a little hall full of couches. He could see a man sitting there, reading some files with a frown on his face. He turned to the right and saw the door and number on it.

He looked at the couch and saw a man sitting there quiet, holding the bridge of his nose.

"Excuse me, sir." Aarush gulped just as the man looked up, his eyes bloodshot. "I am here for Shrey. Can I see him?"

"Who are you?" Came the direct question.

He nodded. "Aarush. I met him two weeks ago. We are good friends. He wasn't picking up my calls and I came to know. . ."

The man sighed tiredly, as he nodded at him. "Go inside, dear. He's awake."

Aarush smiled softly and saw the man resting his head back on the couch tiredly. It must be his father by the looks he guessed.

Pushing the door, he opened it lightly only to see a bed in the middle and curtains. He couldn't understand what turned worst. How could a mere anxiety attack led him to getting hospitalized? The more he had read, he knew that the more worse was panic attack.

He blinked and got inside, closing the door. His eyes fell on the woman who was talking to the patient on the bed. The woman was short and pretty in a saree. Personality as same as of his own mother.

He smiled. "Hello. I am Aarush."

The woman widened her eyes and nodded. "Oh! Hello, Aarush. Come, meet the celebrity here."

Aarush's eyes fell on Shrey who was barely opening his eyes but was awake. His health seemed but face looked dull as if he hadn't gotten any sleep. The irony!

"Bro, what happened to you?" He started, getting closer to the bed. "Just yesterday, we celebrated your victory. Within a span of hours, you reached hospital." He chuckled nervously.

He glanced at his mother, catching her eyes glistening as she smiled at him encouragingly.

Shrey blinked slowly, not saying anything.

"What are the doctors saying?"

His mother sighed. "They feel as if it was a nightmare. Anxiety attacks don't last longer. But he was choking when I caught him in the morning. Heart palpitations and out of air. . . They were using so many terms," her voice cracked. "I don't understand what else does he need to be happy."

Aarush looked back at Shrey. "You've got to share the reason, man. This isn't gonna work this way," he told him. "You were taking the pills finely. What did you feel before sleeping last night?"

Shrey bit his lip, glanced at his mother as if wanting some privacy from her. Aarush's eyebrows narrowed as he shook his head. "No. She needs to know. . ."

"It's okay, dear. If he tells you even a word, that's fine. He isn't talking since he has woke up." She said shakily while moving away from them.

Aarush's mouth opened in disbelief as he watched her leaving the room. He turned his head back to look at the man, his best friend was in love with.

"You will tell me now, what's wrong?" He nearly glared him.

Shrey gulped. "Sakshi rejected me."

Aarush was shocked. "What?" He almost laughed.

"I told her about my feelings, yesterday. She didn't answer-"

Aarush chuckled. "She didn't answer. That's what it is. It's not rejection, man. You are being ridiculous."

"That's what she said. But it was all clear." Shrey whispered, his eyes on the ceiling. "She didn't seem bothered by my confession. She was numb. Since then, she had been ignoring me. I called her, but she never gave the answer."

That's why, she was crying last night. Aarush thought deeply, he decided to ask her any soon.

"You can't just assume things. She might have gotten scared."

Shrey nodded. "I know, we talked about her parents and I did the mistake of approaching her just after that."

Aarush clicked his tongue. "See, you understand that it all was stupid. Give her some time. It's not easy for her to accept everything. Of all, she can't be numb when you are around her. You know that. She had told me each and everything, Shrey."

Shrey looked at him, watching him nod.

"She must be confused or wasn't ready for what was coming. You should have waited. But no, you freaked out and got anxious. Man, you harm yourself so easily. Now, I want to complain it to Sakshi, no matter how worried and hurt she would be."

Shrey stared at him stunned. "No. Don't do that. Please."

Aarush sighed heavily. "What did you feel? How worst is this?"

"I felt like I couldn't breathe. Her silence was bugging me. I couldn't sleep. My heart was aching. My mind was about to blast. I felt rejected because I know in any other time, she would have jumped on me. She doesn't feel the same way for me anymore, I guess."

Aarush let out a sarcastic laugh. "Man, you don't know what you're talking about. She has been calling you since the night. But you switched it off, because your ego was bruised. She came to University today and you don't even know how broken and worried she looks."

Shrey's heart started drowning. "What?"

"She too wasn't talking to us. It's only Aditi who noticed her trying to call you again and again. Aditi told me everything because Sakshi isn't being normal. And you say, she's numb. You don't even know what's going with her heart there," told Aarush while sitting beside him on the chair.

Shrey closed his eyes, now guilt surfacing his face for the act. "The pain was so much, I couldn't accept the calls anymore. I know, it's my fault."

Aarush rubbed his forehead.

"Bro, I understand what happened with you. But you feel something for someone, you don't hurt them. You don't get restless. You will have to be patient and keep the calm," he said, running fingers through his hair while noticing the IV and glucose.

Shrey looked at him.

"Do you think, she likes anyone else?"

Aarush rolled his eyes. "I wish I could say that. But she's stuck on you. Though that doesn't mean, she will be there spreading her arms for you. She isn't the same as she was when young. She is independent and more mature. She will take time and think carefully."

"Time," muttered Shrey. "I don't feel like giving her time, truthfully. I can't wait to be with her."

Aarush raised his eyebrow.

"I know that she herself has waited enough for me. She wouldn't have helped without a thought, if she hadn't loved me. She cares about me then, why would she even be doubtful about me. There's no choice of her heart but to accept me," said Shrey while thinking hard.

"She's upset with something," Aarush mumbled. "Or what if she was overwhelmed? After all this involves years of love and wait. You got to be patient and careful with her if you really love her. And if you don't," Aarush looked at the IV, "I am going to kill you."

Shrey, for a moment, was horrified at seeing his expressions. The faces of those frauds flashed in his mind. But just as Aarush smiled and touched his elbow in support, he breathed.

"I think, you guys need to meet and talk. You ask her what's wrong and sort it out," suggested Aarush.

Shrey bit his lip when he guessed, "What if she is scared of her brother? He hates me." He shook his head feeling again like a loser.

Aarush snickered, "That's awesome. He likes me," he winked at him.

Shrey felt his hands fisting as he felt restless to go and see Sakshi. "When can I meet her?"

Aarush looked around and nodded. "Let me ask your parents, if you're discharged today or tomorrow. Then, I'll take Aditi for a movie. She's bugging me about it too since last week. Till then, you both can talk."

Shrey raised his eyebrows, "Will that be fine with you?"

Aarush chuckled but immediately looked at Shrey sternly. "If you touch her, I swear I'll call her brother and remember, he likes me."

Shrey rolled his eyes and nodded, trying to get up. Aarush helped him with one hand and handed him the glass of water that he wanted.

"Hey, by the way, that nurse of yours is cute."

Shrey gulped down the water and looked at him. "Now, I remember the age gap between us."

Aarush widened his eyes cheekily. "Oh! come on. You know, I like Aditi. Even falling for her, I guess." He chuckled, "But man, she is cute."

Shrey narrowed his eyes as he suddenly remembered the girl. "Aakriti?"

Aarush's eyes widened as he remembered the name too. He laughed, "Yes. Thanks. Okay, listen. I am going. I'll come tomorrow and might bring Sakshi if she'll irritate with the sad face."

Shrey looked at him. "Dude, please."

Aarush nodded quietly. "If you say so. But know that, you are all dead here. And she is dead there. You both perfect for each other. Lost souls." He grinned.

Shrey smiled to himself. "She'll be upset with me. I don't even know how to make it up to her."

Aarush's eyes twinkled in delight.

"Just get better, first. And we'll see."

He helped Shrey with laying him back and left the room. He talked to his parents and got to know that he'll be discharged day after tomorrow. Hiding this from Sakshi would be so tough. He could already feel the worm tickling his stomach to tell her everything.

He said goodbyes and walked back to through the corridors, reaching the counter. A smirk came upon his lips when he saw the nurse working on the computer. But she had lifted her eyes for a second and lowered her gaze just as she saw, it was him.

He reached the counter and put his arms on it, bending slightly.

"Thanks for telling me the way. I found him easily and glad to know, he is fine."

He watched her eyes lifting and sucked in a breathe at again realising her beauty. "I can't believe, I didn't notice you that night of Diwali," he mumbled to himself.

"Good to know," she muttered, ignoring him.

"After all, that's what friends do. Help each other," he said, watching her raised eyebrows. "I mean, you helped Sakshi. Sakshi's friends are my friends. Mine are hers. So, you are my friend too."

She stared at him keenly, wanting to say bluntly that he was flirting with her.

"And friends' names are important to know. They truly matter, Akriti." He chuckled, seeing her surprised face. "Or else how would I greet you next time."

"There shouldn't be a next time," she smiled cheekily, then turning back to her computer. "Mr. Malhotra will be better soon."

"He is smitten with love," said Aarush. "It will take time. I'll come back tomorrow to see him. As what goes around, comes around," he teased, reminding her own dialogue that she had told Sakshi.

A sudden warmth filled her cheeks and Aakriti lowered her eyes, blushing furiously.

"Have a great day, Miss Aakriti."

He smirked, straightening up and walking towards the elevator, feeling a heated gaze on the back of his head. Entering the elevator, he turned around and winked at her before the door finally closed.

_______

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