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Her cheeks flame as if she visualized every word I said and then Jhanvi shifts her gaze to Aarvi who is still sleeping peacefully.
“I’ll check her fever,” I say. “You go take a shower. As it is, you take long to come out.”
“Itake long?” she argues.
“You did before. Don’t know if that’s changed now or still the same.”
She opens her mouth to answer but then she shuts it again, probably disliking the idea to share her bathroom secret. I quickly grab the thermometer and check Aarvi’s temperature which is still high.
“She’s still having a fever but better than yesterday.”
Jhanvi’s face drops. I get down from the bed.
“Her morning medicines can’t be given until she eats something. I’ll ask the chef to make something light for her.”
Tears cloud her eyes which I don’t miss noticing. She’s still admiring Aarvi whilst swallowing those tears when I reach Jhanvi and press her shoulder to give her some strength.
“She’ll be alright. Now that you are back, everything will be alright.”
Jhanvi wipes her tears and then shoving my arm away from her shoulder, she heads to the bathroom.
The morning passes as the team of doctors come again to diagnose Aarvi’s health. As her fever is reducing, we hope she’ll be fine soon. It takes an hour for Jhanvi to feed Aarvi cereals with milk as the latter is too cranky and unwilling to eat anything. I am the one who is carrying Aarvi in arms while showing her the pigeons in the garden from the window while Jhanvi is feeding her a few morsels in between. We have done this before when Aarvi was sick. It’s only that Jhanvi doesn't remember. Now that she is back, I can’t wait to take her to a neuro specialist to know what the status of her memories are and if she’s ever going to regain them anytime soon. Though it really doesn't matter to me until Jhanvi is okay with making new ones without thinking of the past. But I know that’s the only way she’ll ever know the depth of my love for her.
It’s afternoon when Aarvi is taking a nap and we leave her at the Nanny’s care to quickly finish our lunch. Today, Jhanvi has worn a simple salwar suit from her wardrobe though I know she isn’t very comfortable in it either. Her choice has changed in terms of the outfits if not the color and I don’t mind if I have to change her entire wardrobe again to fit in her new choices.
Jaya is here at AR Mansion to meet us again and I am thankful how she’s making time for Jhanvi and Aarvi by keeping her daughter, Amaya in the Nanny’s care and her husband Aman’s who is also working from home today like me.
Jhanvi is very formal with Jaya too but I know she’ll be the first one my wife will bond with, in the coming days. Even before she starts bonding with me.
“I’ll need your car for an hour.”
Jhanvi’s voice breaks my trance.
“For?”
“You know what for, Aarav. I’ve to collect my stuff from the Villa. I’ll come back in an hour.”
It’s evident she needs her stuff and I can’t stop her from bringing those but letting her go alone to Rudra’s place is a risk I am not willing to take.
“I’m coming along with you.”
I rise from the couch.
“Don’t. One of us has to be there with Aarvi if she wakes up. I can drive your car-”
“You are never self-driving,” I snap, louder this time that even scares Jaya.
Jhanvi stares at me in disbelief and since I don’t want to scare her more, I lower my tone.
“I can’t take the risk of losing you again in a car accident. That’s never going to leave my head. So, from now on whenever you want to go out, you’ll take the driver along.”
“Oh God, Aarav. This is too much. I can drive better than you and I know how to keep myself safe.”
I drag her to my chest.
“Last time you self-drove I lost you for two years, Jhanvi. Don’t give me that excuse. This decision is non-negotiable. You take the car and the driver and you’ll come straight home when you collect your stuff. Am I clear?”
Jhanvi’s expression tells me she is up for a fight and I’m not ready to lose this argument either no matter how hard she debates. It’s Jaya who interrupts us.
