Video call

Mukul looked at Surbhi, stunned. He found himself unable to utter a single word for a second, despite all the questions he wanted to ask. He subconsciously placed his hand on the back of his neck, stroking his hair and then prompted Surbhi to confirm what he had heard.

"What did you just say, please repeat it- I think I have misheard something!"

Surbhi looked up at Mukul with teary eyes, repeating her words again. "No Mukul, you have heard it correctly! Nitya is in the hospital because she fainted due to high fever this morning. What should I do now?"

Mukul was pacing anxiously by now. "What do you mean by what you should do, what should we do now? Do you think we can go back and postpone our trip? I promise, I will take you to a longer vacation next time at your favourite place; or anywhere on this globe, wherever you want to go! But please-"

Surbhi cut him off, "Do you think that I care about the vacation? My only best friend is in the hospital, all I care about is how I can reach her by the quickest medium possible. You know I am afraid of heights and that's the reason I have never wanted to travel via flight...but I think I will manage to board the plane this time, please check the tickets!"

Mukul looked at his girlfriend, thinking how blessed he could be that he had found this girl; this thought somehow helped ground him as well. He gave a quick peck on her forehead, saying, "Relax Suro! Let me check the trains, you don't have to suffer through your fears for this; and I know Nikku will also understand. I was flustered at first, but I think we can calm down a little; or maybe even stay for a few days. She might be sick but don't forget the fact that Mehul bhaiya, Naveen bhaiya,Veer, Siddhant and Samarth- everyone must be there with her already!"

The mention of Siddhant and Samarth's names was enough to freak Surbhi out all over again. She had barely even managed to calm herself down and turn her thoughts around; but she got worked up once again. She had bean meaning to explain to Mukul how Nitya was not just a best friend to her, but was the extended version of herself; that she was willing to fight every fear of hers, only to be with be her. But after hearing those two names, she cringed internally while yelling out at the same time "No, no! We can't afford any delays, we have to reach there as soon as possible!"

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Naveen and Veer entered the room to see that Nitya was at the verge of crying and Mehul was chuckling quietly. Veer quickly stepped forward to reach Nitya and asked, patting her back gently, "What happened Di? Why are you crying; is something hurting you? Do I need to call the doctor? Say something!"

Nitya manage to whisper "Injection…" which was enough to make everyone burst out in laughter, leading Ruchi to enter the room on hearing the noise as well.

Naveen sat beside Nitya, holding her other hand and said "It's okay, Nitya, they are not going to give you an injection again."

Nitya shouted like a petulant child who was convinced that the grown ups were deceiving her, "No! I am not going to listen to your explanations, take me back to my home!"

Mehul knew that once his terror cat started to shout, no one could calm her down other than their Dad or her best friend. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number, while Veer and Naveen were trying, fruitlessly, to console her in the background.

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Surbhi was stuck in the trap of bad memories, when she heard her phone ringing. She quickly picked up the call when she saw Mehul Bhaiya's name appear on the screen. She looked around the hallway for Mukul, who was leaning against the wall, engrossed in trying to find the tickets.

She spoke out as soon as the connection was established, "Hello Bhaiya, how is she now?"

After listening to Surbhi's anxious voice, Mehul realized it might not have been a good idea to call Surbhi. He had thought his Dad would get stressed and his blood pressure might shoot up after finding out that his only princess was lying on a hospital bed; but calling Surbhi to tell her about her best friend's condition wasn't really a great option either. 'But how did she know that Nitya is not alright?' He was lost in his thoughts when Surbhi repeated her question, her voice cracking now.

"Bhaiya, please don't stay silent,tell me something! How is she now, Mukul and I are returning; don't worry about anything, we will get on the next flight we out and be there in no time!"

Mukul overheard the conversation from the doorway and knew instantly that Surbhi must be talking to his brother. He made his way to the bed, sat by her side and shouted from the background "Yes Bhaiya, don't worry I am just going to book the tickets!"

That was when Mehul had an idea. "Surbhi, can you please switch on your camera and receive the video call? And let me tell you both, that you guys really don't need to return as she is perfectly alright now." Meanwhile, the video call connected and their faces became visible to each other.

Surbhi shouted out after seeing her best friend in the hospital, "What happened to you Nikki, are you alright baby? Don't worry, I will be back by tonight by any means; you don't have to listen Mehul Bhaiya!"

Nitya looked into the phone screen and saw her best friend's face, who was about to cry but holding back tears so she wouldn't tease her for crying. She thought, 'This is the reason I didn't text her at night, and now she is returning back here for nothing!' She shouted right back "No, don't come back!" Seeing Surbhi's look of confusion and surprise at this, she continued "Just ask these people to take me back home, they want me to stay in this ugly hospital gown! I promise, I will be good and won't be running here and there; I will watch movies and stay on my bed only, but please take me away from here!"

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