My One And Only - Chapter 56 Running To The Hospital

It finally dawned upon Sofya the reality of what he had asked. How could she forget that he had been with countless other women in bed? Maybe saying the same thing over and over to everyone? How could she be so foolish? This time she was feeling like a stupid little girl for losing her virginity to him!

She did not answer immediately, because the reality of what she’d done was beginning to seep through her, and she didn’t want to let it. Not now, not yet. She didn’t want anything to spoil this. Her heart was not ready, afraid to hear his answer.

Sofya closed her eyes and listened to the lovely things he continued to say to her while he laid his hand against her cheek, idly brushing his thumb over her skin. And then he asked something that did need a response and the magic faded, receding beyond her reach.

” Why? ” he asked her quietly. ” Why did you do this tonight? With me? ”

She tensed at the difficult, probing question, sighed with a feeling of loss, and pulled out of his arms, wrapping herself in the blanket lying over the end of the sofa. She’d known about the physical intimacy of sex, but no one had warned her about this strange, uneasy aftermath. She felt stripped bare emotionally; exposed, defenseless, awkward.

” I think we’d both better get dressed, ” she said nervously, ” and then I’ll tell you whatever you want to know. I’ll be right back. ”

In the washroom, Sofya put on her top and jeans, tied the belt around her waist, and went back in the room, still barefoot. As she passed the clock, she glanced at it, it was almost midnight.

Arnav was on his cellphone, speaking rapidly and fully dressed. By the way he was speaking, Sofya guessed there must be some emergency. However, the colour was draining from his face as he put down the phone and looked at her; ashen faced, his lower lip trembling.

” What happened? What’s wrong? ” she asked hurriedly.

Arnav did not respond immediately, but collapsed on the sofa. He looked like a man who was lost at sea; not knowing what to do next. Sofya was momentarily surprised. She had never seen Arnav loose control like this. In fact she had once even thought that he had no weakness, nothing which could make him tumble over. But seeing him now, she knew how wrong she was.

When she realised he was not going to speak anything because shock, she took the cellphone from his hand and checked the last call. It was from Fortis hospital, one of New York’s best. Her heart skipped a beat as she dialled the number, wondering what tragedy could have happened.

The line rang for a long time before it was picked up and a male voice answered, ” Are you coming or not? ”

” Umm.. Hello. My name is Sofya, I am Arnav’s fiance. Can you please tell me what you had earlier called for? ”

Silence.

” Where is Arnav? Is he all right? ”

Glancing at him, Sofya replied hesitantly, ” Apparently, he’s shocked, he — ”

” Then you need to get him here quickly. He may not respond to you much now but don’t worry he will be fine. Get in the car and call me. I will tell you on the way what has happened! ” the man said urgently, ” and oh, remember whatever you do, do not let him out of your sight. ” with that the line went dead.

Sofya cut the call and looked at Arnav. He was sitting still, staring at the floor with moist eyes. As he looked up at her, he clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. The expression on his face changed instantly from that of a helpless one to another who has full control. He stood up suddenly and taking Sofya’s hand in his own, dragged her to the car.

Once seated inside, he asked her to call Murat and tell him to come to the hospital.

” Are you sure? ” Sofya asked anxiously. It was almost 1 ‘o’ clock. She was damn sure he was sleeping soundly.

” Just do it! ” he shouted, starting the car.