Their Equal Share

20.First closeness.

Niranjana 's p.o.v.

"Now stretch your leg.Now again bend your leg.Hmm...good you have to do it few more times.It will help your muscles to move." I instructed the old man to do his physical exercise.Day by day his leg has improved and our friendship too.

He started to feel comfortable around me and treats me as his grand-daughter.And his wife, she was friendly from the beginning.We three would be having good and funny conversations whenever I come for rounds.

"Ah..now I feel better than before.Really child you have magic in your hands.I already had a fracture in my hand during my young days.The doctor who treated me almost killed me by his treatment.He stretched and folded my hand,it only increased my pain.From then I decided not to go to any physiotherapist.But see I am here again.But you are nothing like that doctor.Really you have magic in your hand."He said now comfortably leaning on his pillow.

"Ah...Why didn't you say how you got the fracture to Niranjana?"His wife said teasingly at her husband.He just chuckled at her and his eyes lightning from the memory.

"Yes you have to know.I and my friends jumped from the compound wall of our college hostel during night to watch a movie.As it was dark,I was not able to see properly,but somehow I jumped.But my bad luck the ground under was slippery,so I skidded down after jumping and got a heavy fracture on my right hand.Then our plan was cancelled and my friends pulled me to hospital not before cursing me.Because they all landed safely.I had to lie with my professors and parents that I fell in bathroom.If I had opened my mouth to tell the truth and I would have been suspended from the college." I laughed at his story.

He had really enjoyed his college days.By that time,it would have felt bad for him to get hurt and getting scolding from his friends and lying all.But now by seeing his eyes twinkling with the memories.He is feeling indeed good and happy by the memory.Sweet memories.

"May I come in" we heard a knock and a familiar voice shocked me by stopping my heart.

"Ah...surya!What a pleasant surprise?" Mr.Ashok,the old man said positioning himself to sit properly.I slowly turned my head to face him and the moment stopped when our eyes met each other.There was no hint of surprise or shock in his face but I knew my face was clearly showing it.

We both were staring each other and came out only after hearing the voice."Any how Do you both knew each other already?" the old man asked us.Suddenly I couldn't find my voice."Yes Mr.Ashok, she is my wife." The old couple grinned at us.

"Wow...is it really nice. Niranjana is a nice girl.You didn't tell me about it, that you are married.Last time I checked you were single,right!." he asked looking at us.

"Yes Mr.Ashok,but I got married last month.It happened all of sudden due to our family.It's an arranged marriage." He said curtly in his professional tone which for the first time I am hearing.

"You both look good together.Your parents had made a right choice for both of you. Isn't darling! this couple is beautiful." the old lady interrupted making me flush.If only she knows the truth.Her husband nodded still smiling at us.

We both stood awkwardly front of this old couple.And he was the first to break the silence. "How is your leg now sir?" he asked.

"Now better,I am recovering faster than expected all thanks to your wife.You must really know Surya.Your wife has magic in her hands.You are one lucky man." by now I know my cheeks had turned red.From corner of my eyes I saw him nodding his head,his lips formed in thin line.

"Shall we start our discussion sir,you are really an important client, that is the reason I came myself to meet you.I also wanted to know about your well being hence I decided to come myself than sending any other person." he said giving a file to Mr.Ashok

"Is it Surya,but Why do I feel like you had come here to see your wife,using my well being as a reason" his voice was teasing.Oh god my face flushed more than before.Damn this old man,I am really tempted to punch his fractured leg.He is embarrassing me.I excused myself to check my next patient.

I breathed in relief once I was out of the room.After an hour I was heading down to my cabin by elevator.When the door was about to close,someone entered hurriedly into the elevator.My heart jumped seeing my husband in elevator with me and we both were alone.The door closed with a ding sound.Silence floated in the air inside the elevator.

Suddenly it started to shake and lights started to flicker.I lost my balance due to the shaking of the elevator and landed on him with a force.I clutched his shirt to hold myself.And then the elevator stopped and lights went off completely.

I can feel his hot breath on my temple.Mine fanned on his neck.I clutched his shirt tighter due to sudden darkness.I cursed inwardly,out of all days it had to be today and that too me with my husband alone in this elevator.Is this fate or coincidence?

When I tried to move away from him,I felt him,his hands around me,taking me even closer to him.My heart started beating faster I feared,really feared that he could hear me.I could hear the commotions outside the elevator,shouting and murmuring voices about elevator.May be they are seeing through the problem caused in elevator.

He pulled me even closer,first time he had touched me willingly and that too a hug,I felt a sudden joy and spark pulling me to him.I released my clutch on his shirt and placed my hands on his chest.His chest felt hard and stiff under his shirt.

And I felt it,his heart racing faster just like mine.I lifted my eyes to look at him in this dark room and he was already looking at me.I cannot see him clearly in this darkness but I surely knew by his shadow that he is already looking at me.

He came closer and nuzzled his nose on my neck,a shiver ran down my spine,a knot formed in my stomach and goosebumps arose just like that day of engagement when he took my hand to slip the ring.He nuzzled deeper into my hair inhaling my scent.I pulled him more closer and laid my head on his chest.We remained like that for few minutes without speaking anything.Just enjoying our close proximity for the first time in each others embrace.I could hear his heartbeat now slower than before.

And suddenly,the lights were on and elevator came to its life and we parted ourselves slowly avoiding each other's eye.And finally the door opened and I rushed out immediately after replying the people who were standing outside to ask us whether we were alright.