Chapter 38: Chapter 38

*Palak Pov*

I frowned, looking at the number I was sure will not appear on my phone screen again instead of the one I was expecting.

It's been nearly a week since he went to the meeting and he continued to call everyday in the evening and then at night. He already knows my schedule, but he still calls during my work timings and ask about Eli.

I just have to reply that I am at work before hanging up. He will never call me again until nine at night when Eli generally spends time with him every day.

However, when I heard my phone ringing at his casual time, I found it is actually from my Dad instead of him. I sighed, picking up the call because it's been so long since he contacted me.

"What is it, Dad?" I asked without greeting him and can hear him sighing.

"Don't worry, Palak. I am not going to ask for anything and just wanted to have a talk with you." He assured and I am definitely not feeling guilty for my earlier question.

"I met David yesterday after the meeting, but couldn't meet him. But when he was about to check out earlier, I stopped him for a chat." He added and this time I excused myself from the department room to walk out towards the garden.

"Why?" I asked because he just had a chat with the person who already took a revenge on his company and continuing to do every time they get a chance.

I thought he would stop after getting my brother thrown out of the company, but he is continuing his plan at a small pace and didn't reduce the security around each one of us.

I wanted to tell him that there is no need to do all this, but then I can't take a chance with Eli. So much happened for her safety from the time I was carrying her and we can't take a chance now when I still remember my brother's act that day towards me.

"I was embarrassed to call you and talk to you about my granddaughter. So, I asked him generally but he didn't utter a single word about her. He said you have every right regarding her and if I want something, then I need to ask you. I really want to meet her, Palak. She will be one year old soon, right? Can I meet her during that time?" he requested while I am still stuck with the reply he got from him.

"I know that every time we met, I asked for absurd things and I don't think you are wrong regarding the share issue. I am fine with your decision of marrying James and everything else. I just... just want to be present in both your lives at least from far." He added and this time I sighed hearing all the right words but it is definitely late.

"Dad! I can't have trust in you that you will not support Bhai again if he ever causes a trouble. I have seen you doing it for the past so many years and habits never change. I even got myself separated from both of you by choosing a different profession and a different place because I didn't want to see both of you supporting wrong things. I don't know how important I was for you, but Elisha is everything for me. Until I can trust you to be a right figure in her life, I can't allow this." I stated without hesitating for a moment.

"All this time the people I am allowed in her life are the ones I know for sure who will care and protect her. Maybe... maybe I need some time, but I can't trust Bhai and can't trust the ones who support him." I added closing my eyes never thinking I will ever say these things to my Dad.

"But he... he took revenge..." he didn't continued when I cut him off saying, "He cares for her and wishes to protect her with all his efforts and those are more than the ones I am trying to give her."

I am sure of this and I am not that blind. I have seen his every action from my pregnancy time and till this day. I ignored his actions, but never forget them all this time.

I may be hurt or angry or anything else but even I can think positive about him and this is his main point I focus on and maybe will be the only one.

"Maybe I will be able show someday that I genuinely care for both of you." He mumbled before hanging up saying he needs to catch his flight and also to contact me as frequently as possible.

I turned around to walk back into the building but stopped hearing my phone ringing again. Why is he calling me today? Isn't he supposed to return already as per his flight details?

I just forgot about it for a second earlier when subconsciously took out my phone, but now hearing my Dad, he left the hotel as per the details he gave to Aunty yesterday.

"Why are you calling me even today?" I asked, picking up his call.

"Right! I am actually in my car travelling to our home, but called you after hearing the alarm like usual. Sorry about that." Saying that he cut the call while I frowned staring at the phone.

I didn't ask him to apologize, right? Did I? I frowned shaking my head to clear the thoughts before walking back to my department to wait for my next patient.

****

"Palak! Dr. Palak!" I turned around hearing the Chief's voice calling me in a hurried tone when I was about to get into the car to leave.

"Is something wrong, Chief?" I asked, frowning and he took a deep breath to control his panting.

"David! David got into an accident. He just called me that he will be coming to this hospital and to help him to make arrangements as his driver is in critical state but not to inform anyone at home. I thought I should inform you, because he will need a guardian if it is anything serious." He rushed out his words without pausing.

I stiffened hearing the first sentence itself. Accident? How... how can this happen? Wait! He called Chief after the accident about the driver and that assures him to be fine, right?

"What about his injuries?" I asked, closing the door before walking back into the hospital while my driver was ordered to not tell others about it and be in contact to answer whenever I call for him.

"His shoulder! He got injured there while his secretary actually was not there with them. So, only his driver is in critical condition." He explained walking towards the emergency department where the patients will be brought into from the ambulance.

"Which side?" I asked when I heard his reply.

"I didn't ask, but why... wait! I forgot that he got previously injured and it will be difficult if he gets injured on the left side again." I nodded when he finally realized why I was asking.

After a few minutes, they arrived and the driver was immediately handled by the doctors we called to be on standby when Chief got explained about the condition of the driver.

I glanced around and finally found him walking slowly towards us ignoring the wheelchair. I frowned rushing towards him before making him sit down.

It's a good thing that he got injured on the right side and not left like last time otherwise the complication would have risen more than the present.

"Will he be fine?" he asked, glancing at the driver who is being checked upon.

"They will take care of it. You should have laid down on the stretcher. What if it gets worse?" saying that I rushed beside him when he was pushed towards the other doctors waiting for him.

For the next half an hour everything was kind of a blur, but I rushed between both of them when he continued to cask the situation of his driver.

"There is a slight dislocation, but there is no need for the surgery. He needs to wear sling for six weeks minimum. You already know what therapy, he should undergo but I will write down the details. I will check upon him again after two weeks." I nodded, hearing the instructions while staring at his shoulder being placed in a sling and the bandaged forehead.

It's a good thing that there were few scratches here and there for him, but the driver had to go through immediate surgery.

"I already called his family and took care of medical bills. I will appoint some helper to take care of you along with taking care of the therapy." I mumbled checking the contacts and thought of appointing someone from this hospital itself.

I would have asked James's helper but he is at present caring for a patient and it is not right to just get him to come here leaving his patient.

"Don't! Don't call anyone. I will take care of it." He rushed his words to stop me while I frowned at him.

"Why?" I asked, not understanding his reason as he is bearing a serious expression right now.

"Let's not allow any strangers into our home. I will do something about it." He assured while checking his phone and I felt he was hiding something from me.

"Did you call your secretary?" I asked and he shook his head.

"I need to do something before calling him. You can go home and tell Mom I will come tomorrow. Don't tell her anything until I stand before her." He requested glancing at me.

"You can get discharged today itself." I pointed out, but he shook his head saying he will get discharged tomorrow and again asked me to leave as it is getting late.

Somehow I walked out of the room and left for home, but couldn't take a step into the house. I am definitely missing something with the way he just reacted to each and everything.

He didn't want to call his secretary and didn't want me to hire someone as a helper. He didn't want to allow the strangers into this house. Why? Is the accident not a normal one and there is something he is hiding?

"Palak! Was there too much work? You were late today and even David didn't return home. He said he will come home tomorrow as he missed the flight." Aunty asked the moment she saw me walking towards the living room.

Should I hide it from her like he wished me to? Wasn't I in this position earlier? But he said he will tell her tomorrow itself, right?

"Palak! Is everything okay?" she asked, frowning when I didn't reply and just continue to stare at her lost in my thoughts.

"Where is Eli?" I asked, looking around, but she smiled, saying that she is already sleeping as she didn't take a proper nap the whole day.

I had dinner with them normally and even got freshen up to sleep, but somehow I couldn't sleep no matter how much I tried to. His words are still ringing in my head and I am scared to think that this accident was a planned one.

And if it is really a planned one, then the first suspect would be my brother. I could be wrong too and I want to be wrong. But if I am wrong then we wouldn't even know the one who is responsible which is more dangerous than the earlier one. So, I just wish this was a normal accident and not a planned one.

****

"David! You should have informed me instead of hiding it like this." Aunty shouted while I guiltily glanced at Eli thinking even I hid it from her after listening to his request.

"After everything that happened, I am being too sensitive about anything. Then why did you hide it?" she continued while he calmly listened to her.

She then glanced at me asking, "You knew?"

She didn't scold me when I gave her a nod, but she was angry at me too. After that, she calmed down before asking about his condition and I calmly explained everything.

"We need to hire a helper." She mumbled, but he immediately shook his head.

"It's better if you don't do that, Mom. I will manage with everything and for therapy I asked Harsha to come and help me with it every day." He explained and I stared at him in surprise while she asked the reason behind it.

"Is your assistant a part of it? Is it because of my brother?" I asked without hesitating and he stared at me in surprise before nodding.

"It's both!" he whispered and I closed my eyes, hearing the confirmation for my doubts.

"We don't have an evidence as of now, but the investigation is going on. I felt it in his gaze when we won the client's deal and even when I was conversing with your Dad. And the accident was not a normal one. My secretary is definitely a helper for this and we have the evidence for that but he is missing. So, the police are searching for him." He explained honestly and I opened my eyes to stare at his guilty expression.

Why is he guilty when I am supposed to show that? When will this end? When will my brother stop hurting this family? At least earlier, it was unintentional, but now it is not to be let go.

"I will handle with everything and it is better to not involve chief as he is already busy with his work. How will you manage your work?" I asked, walking closer to them as I stayed near the kitchen all this time.

"There is no need for you to do that. Jasmine will help me as she has holidays right now. I will manage with everything and even you have work to do." He mumbled shaking his head.

"I don't want to let any stranger come here because it will endanger all of you." He added, glancing at Eli in my arms who is waving her hands at him from the time she saw him.

"I am sorry!" I whispered, glancing at three of them while they just shook their heads.

"You didn't do anything wrong. And we both will manage while you can suggest us what to do to help him." Aunty mumbled giving me a smile.

"Yes! Even I can learn some work by helping him, Bhabhi. Don't worry about all of this." Jasmine assured me and their words is making me feel more guilty.

"You need to go to work. You can't take anymore leaves." He pointed out after checking the time on his phone.

"Yeah! We can't take advantage of your work place just because we have power." Jasmine added while Aunty nodded taking Eli into her hands.

I stared at three of them for a few seconds before walking out of the house to leave for work with a heavy feeling inside. I am just going to work from... from my home.

****

"It's been a week and you still can't do it properly." He shouted while hissing in pain and she threw the ice pack back into the bowl hearing those words.

"I am trying by best. You are the one who is acting like this so that she will do it by herself." Jasmine accused him before glancing at me.

I stared at them from the couch not being able to concentrate on the files I am going through right now. He thought to make me go through the files during his therapy so that I will not waste my time.

However, Jasmine couldn't do it properly no matter how many times I showed her and by the end, I had to do it instead of her.

"No! You are just concentrating more on the suggestions I am giving her regarding the files she is going through than helping me with this." He accused her back.

"That's because those are easier than this work." She pointed out and I sighed, standing up before walking towards his chair while gesturing her to sit on the couch to see what I am doing.

"You need to be very patient with this, Jasmine. This doesn't help with just a few seconds work and needs to be done carefully." I explained while pressing the ice pack on his shoulder ignoring his stare at me.

"Are you saying I don't have patience, Bhabhi?" she asked with a hurt expression.

"Yes! Now, help her with that work so that her time doesn't get wasted. Make the important notes of everything you heard about the next meeting." He ordered frowning at her before glancing at me with a soft expression.

"You both are really cruel towards me. I will not do anything you ask me to anymore. I will go and play with Elisha." Saying that she stood up before walking towards the door and before I can open my mouth she turned around to stare at both of us.

"I am not hurt, but I think I need to give you both some privacy. I... I saw that day what you were doing... in the kitchen. I particularly made those noises to stop you otherwise Mom will not take it lightly." She explained while blushing at the same time.

"I don't know why you guys were... or what is your plan, but I don't think Mom will support it. However, I think I am fine with it. So, I will go and be with Mom, and you can have the discussion regarding whatever you want to." Saying that she rushed out of the room while closing the door behind her.

I stood there in silence for the next few minutes still not able to process her words before glancing at him as he is trying to hide his laugh after hearing those words.

"Why does it feel like we were just caught by her while having an affair?" I asked, frowning at him and he burst out laughing hearing my words.

He cleared his throat when I glared at him and suddenly pulled me onto his lap with his other hand, giving me no time to stop his action.

"What are you doing?" I asked, frowning at him while making sure to not place my hand on his injured shoulder.

As he placed his injured hand around me too, I couldn't push him away to get up. I frowned staring at him while trying to control my heart beat because of his sudden action.

"Are we really having an affair?" he asked, placing his head on my shoulder while hugging me tightly with his other hand and I don't have an answer to his question.

"And you are not pushing me away because you are treating me as just your patient and didn't want to hurt me, right?" he asked when I stayed silent.

"Before I used to force you to not treat me just as your patient. Now, I am more than fine even with being just your patient instead of a stranger." He added and I closed my eyes not being able to control the rapid heart beat because of his words and the close proximity.

"I am sorry about my brother." I mumbled to distract him and myself but he just sighed.

"Palak! The moment he tried to harm you, I no longer considered you as his sister at all. In my eyes, only your Dad is your relative and his actions will decide if that stays forever. You are my family, Palak. There is no reason for you to feel even 0.0001% guilty about all this." This time I literally stopped breathing after hearing those words.

He shifted his head and moved it press his lips to me, but I immediately pushed him away saying, "Don't!"

"Ah! My shoulder is paining." I paused my actions, hearing those words and tried to check whether I hurt him, but subconsciously I was careful to not put any pressure there and he just played me.

Before I could continue to push him away, he pressed his lips to mine, kissing me with the same passion he showed a few days back.

"David!" I shouted, pushing him away to get up from his hold, realizing I am on verge of kissing him back right now.

After that, he sat there in shock while I finished his therapy in silence before adjusting the sling and walked closer to the door holding the files and the ice pack and bowl.

"It's... it's been so long... so long since hearing my name from your lips. It's been so long, Palak." His voice is shaking while uttering those words and I know even my voice will shake if I reply to that sentence.

So, without saying a word or reacting to it, I walked out of the study room before walking into my room to control myself so that I will not be this shaken when I go near Aunty and Eli. I don't want to be this shaken with every word he is uttering and every action of his. I really don't want to.