Through fire & silence - IPKKND FF

Chapter 16: Fevered Whispers

"Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars." - Khalil Gibran

Feb 25 2012

Khushi woke with a start her breath ragged and her body drenched in sweat. The nightmare replayed in vivid flashes - terrifying faces from Lucknow, the men from last night and Shyam's cruel eyes. Every detail of the terror was so real, so close to home that it left her paralyzed with fear. Her limbs felt like lead and the weight of exhaustion was overwhelming both mentally and physically but she couldn't let herself crumble. She straightened as she forced herself to stand and stagger to the room, the weight of her own body pushing her down.

Arnav had already gone for his morning jog, a habit that gave him some semblance of control. NK however had other things on his mind. His flight was scheduled for later today but before he left he decided to visit Khushi. He wanted to make sure she was okay and remind her that he would always be there as a friend.

When NK entered their room his heart sank. Khushi was swaying, her body barely holding itself up about to collapse in the middle of the room. NK lunged forward catching her just in time, his strong arms steadying her as she faltered.
"Khushiji! Are you alright?! You need to lie down," he said his voice full of concern.

He carefully placed her on the bed noticing the warmth radiating from her. Her skin was flushed and her face usually full of life was pale and drawn. She shivered despite the heat. He touched her forehead and his heart dropped, her body felt like it was burning up.

He immediately rushed to Anjali's room and frantically told her "She's burning up Di, we need to get a doctor here. Now!"

"Who NK bhai?"

"Khushiji. Di hurry up and call a doctor!" NK said his voice urgent.

Within minutes Anjali had called for a doctor and he arrived swiftly.

The doctor examined Khushi quickly, "Her blood pressure is low and the fever is concerning," he said administering an injection to bring her fever down. He prescribed medicines, asked them to make her eat as soon as she woke up and said she needs to take rest completely for two days.

As the doctor packed his things to leave Nani who had been pacing the room spoke up, "Anjali bitiya call Chhote, he needs to be here."

Just then Arnav walked in with sweat on his forehead from his jog. His eyes narrowed at the sight of Nani, Anjali, Manohar and NK gathered in his room and instinctively he tensed. NK quickly filled him in explaining what had happened. His stomach churned as he processed the information.

He walked to Khushi's side and looked at her face that was pale and her breathing shallow. How had this happened? What more could he have missed? His heart pounded in his chest, the weight of everything overwhelming him. He wasn't sure if it was the events from the past few days, his growing frustration or the sight of her vulnerable state but something inside him moved.

As the minutes stretched on NK's worry for Khushi grew. He was pacing back and forth in his room feeling an unfamiliar sense of helplessness. The doctor had left but Khushi's condition still hadn't improved. NK picked up his phone and without hesitation called the airline to cancel his flight. "I can't leave now," he muttered to himself his resolve strengthening.

NK walked back to their room and heard Anjali asking Nani with worry. "Nani is she going to be okay?" she asked her voice edged with concern.

Nani paused glancing at Khushi. "I hope so bitiya but right now all we can do is make sure she's comfortable and let her rest. I wish Payal bitiya was here but I sent her and Akash to Lucknow to meet a few relatives there."