“Will he be able to see again?” The tightening in her throat caused her to pause and look at the man beside her, when he squeezed her hand. But she had no intentions of giving up. “Doctor, you are our only hope with the recent breakthrough with your research at the institute. Please, I beg you to include him in your new trial…”
She sighed, watching the couple sitting in front of her. Desperation was writ large on their faces, yet hope glinted through. The doctor in her ready to voice out the truth, along with the high risk that came with the intrusive, painful procedure. But, somehow she couldn’t, staring at the man in question. Perhaps knowing they had travelled thousands of miles from Delhi, and she was their last chance. Instead she looked at the patient’s file once more, before declaring her decision.
Name: Arnav Singh Raizada
Sex: Male
Age: 32
Symptom: Complete vision loss due to diabetic eye disease over the past five years. Patient has been diagnosed with severe type of proliferative retinopathy. Little to no chances to restore vision after multiple attempts of treatments and surgery.
“I can not make any promises. If you recall, it’s something I was upfront about last week during our phone conversation before you flew out to Geneva to meet with me. As you are aware there are complexities with Mr. Raizada’s case that makes it next to impossible to treat…”
“Dr. Gupta, I did not fly out here to listen to that excuse, that’s all I have been hearing for the past six years since his diagnosis. You are one of the top ophthalmologists in your field. Known to work miracles, giving so many patients their eyesight back when they had been told otherwise. And now you are saying you can’t treat him?”
“I think you should relax, and let me…” The doctor leaned forward, placing her hands on her desk. But it seemed the woman had no intentions of letting her continue.
“No, I can’t sit back and agree with you… do you have any idea what that man has gone through all these years?”
“Honey…” Her companion whispered, wrapping his arm around his wife’s shoulder. But before he could say anything further, a sharp voice caught the three occupants attention.
“Di, that’s enough… I am blind, not deaf! You don’t need to beg this doctor when clearly she is not capable. They might claim this is a futuristic eye institute with medical advances, and she is an expert in the field. But now that you have seen for yourself that is not the case, can we close this matter once and for all.”
He stood up abruptly, holding onto the side of the couch. Yes, he had been a spectator, listening to the words flying around him. But he could no longer sit back and listen to his sister and brother in law, practically beg the doctor.
Who the hell needed her advice?
What did she know about him anyway?
It was time he took back control as far his family was concerned. If he had come to terms with his blindness, why couldn’t they.
“Mr. Raizada, Anjali, I wasn’t done speaking, so if I may be allowed to finish…” She shut the file, and took it with her, walking towards the patient. Her eyes fixed on his stiff stance, as she stopped in front of him at the end of the beige plush couch. “Sit down.” Her stern tone had no effect, as the man refused to follow her instructions. He might not have said a word in the past hour, but it amazed her to see the arrogance filling the air. His taut expression was more than enough to see right through him. “Fine have it your way. Just be aware what I am about to layout out for your treatment is going to be quite lengthy.”
“Arnav, please sit down.” Aman helped his brother in law, though they were friends above all, back down to his seat. Anjali joined them, as the doctor also sat down on the adjacent arm chair.
And without any further objection, or interruptions, she gave them options for his treatment. She couldn’t help but observe her soon to be new patient, who couldn’t have cared less. And it made her wonder why had she agreed to take this case with his negative attitude. Her patients were always eager, contributing to the discussion and ultimate results for the cure they sought.
But not him.
**********
If only his earlier words were true. He would take being deaf, along with his blindness at this point.
What difference did it make?
In fact, being blind had not bothered him as much as the initial consultation with the so called eminent doctor and his family.
The lack of vision had become normal. His world now permanently etched in charcoal, the once vibrant hues were no more than a vivid dream. Darkness a part of his life.
Though he had signed up for a trial that would have him put his faith in the hands of someone else. While he was prepared, rather, certain of the outcome, he had agreed to the experiment for his family’s happiness.
Of course, his astute business mind had negotiated the terms to agree to move forward with yet another treatment. Top one being that no one from his family was allowed to stay with him in Switzerland, while he underwent a six month trial at the eye institute.
This in a way was the escape he needed from the pitiful life he had been living the past few years. His once independent life, living on his terms, was long gone. Being smothered by his family was what constituted his life 24/7. Not to mention being treated like a handicapped person, who would easily shatter like precious glass.
He could no longer bear it, losing his mind and himself with each passing day.
With the advancements of technology, he continued to run his empire alongside with Aman. But he missed the adventurous life he had led. One that had him backpacking around the world during his time off, trying anything and everything.
This city for example he had visited on several occasions to hit the slopes, being an expert skier. And now, he was stuck in the confines of a private room at the institute.
He was no longer the business magnate, Arnav Singh Raizada, the world knew in the aerospace arena, specializing in space aviation. And the reality was, he never would be again. Being a blind man superseded anything else.
What use was he, if he couldn’t even make visual recommendations or edits for a product his company produced?
No matter what this obnoxious doctor continued to lecture him about for the past month during his excruciating treatment.
Though a part of him enjoyed pushing her buttons…
“You’ve got to be kidding me! What is your problem, Mr. Raizada? Once again, you didn’t cooperate with my assistant for your dilation.” The doctor gasped out in disbelief, and hearing the sound of persistent tapping on a screen of her tablet, he was aware she was reviewing his chart. Probably cursing him out, making her notes. But he stayed mum, facing the window with a view of the Alps, so he was told. But what use was it for him. In fact it was cruel punishment to give a blind guy a room with a stunning view.
“If you continue in this manner, forget six months this will be at least a year long process…”
“Works for me, Dr. Gupta. As you can see from my condition, it’s not like I have anywhere to go. This place is growing on me.”
“Have you ever thought, the sooner we get through this, the sooner you may be able to see again. Then perhaps you can go wherever your heart desires.” Her tone turned softer, as he heard the sound of her footsteps approaching him. But it was laced with a hint of sympathy, just like the rest of world. One he had no patience for.
“My family is not around, so you can cut this heroine act… if other doctors around the world have failed to cure my blindness, what makes you think you can?!” He shut his eyes, shifting to sit up straight on the chaise, hearing the chair scrape against the marble floors. Even the slight, gentle breeze caressing his skin when she sat down, caused him to further tighten his clamped eyelids.
“Looks like someone woke on the wrong side the of the bed this morning. Cranky?” She asked, sounding amused, rather than annoyed at him. Which was unlike her, since she generally would argue until one of them gave in.
“The bed and food in this place suck! Feels like I am in the fucking hospital…”
“That’s because it is… a fucking hospital! Did you think you were checking into the Four Seasons, equipped with a Michelin star restaurant, Mr. Raizada?”
This woman was always armed with a comeback. And this time he couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped his mouth.
“Now I am confident that something is wrong with the universe today. Arrey wah, Mr. Crankypants is smiling for the first time! This calls for a celebration, what are you craving to eat, name it and I shall have it delivered.”
“If I were you, I wouldn’t make promises that you can’t deliver on. What I want might not be easily available…” He extended out his hand to the side, taking his walking stick, then stood up.
“And if I bring it, then what?”
“Don’t you want to know what it is first before taking on the challenge to feed me, Doc?” He smiled, mentally counting his steps to stop in front of the window. The warmth from the sun welcomed him, as he pressed his free hand on the cool glass.
He noticed she had not uttered a word, but any blind man would have felt her intent gaze on him.
“Aloo Puri.”
**********
To say she had been left speechless at his request, was an understatement. But then words often failed to make an appearance when it came to dealing with him. This man was a conundrum, complex as hell to figure out.
And two months later, her mind was still a surging perplexity when it came to the owner of the stormy orbs. Like the clouds, they swirled with determination and vigor when it came to his profession. But, despite the glimmer she often witnessed under the reflection of light during his treatment, they appeared blank and cold when he sat alone in the shadows of the night.
Darkness. The world beyond the depths of those exquisite grey eyes. No amount of light from the sun would brighten his life. Not until he allowed it. Wanted it. He was a man internally defeated at the possibility of seeing life again. It was obvious from the moment she had met him the first time. And the past couple months, she was able to do very little to change his mindset.
Devi Maiya knew she had tried. Even as far as befriending him to ease their relationship from doctor and patient. She had been proud of her little victories. Her favorite, bringing him aloo puri a day after his request. In fact she had personally made it to win the challenge. Not once, but a few more times to keep his spirits up. Along with getting him to cooperate when she needed.
Today she walked towards his room on a mission to change his mindset. By the end of the day, he would voice out loud that he wanted to be cured. To see again.
If that didn’t happen, then she wasn’t Khushi Kumari Gupta.
“I don’t give a flying fuck that the board wants me to step down, I refuse. Raizada Corp is the only thing keeping me alive, do you hear me, Aman. You take this away, then be ready to put a Goddamn bullet through my head.”
“Arnav, calm down. We will figure something out…”
“No, I will bloody not calm down! What did I tell you before coming to Geneva? That this is exactly what would happen… but no one listened to me. All of Shantivan was adamant about pawning me off to the miracle healer. Now tell me what fucking good has that done?!”
“You are not going to get better overnight… and from what I hear, you don’t seem to be cooperating. Whose fault is that?”
“Fuck off! Do me a favor and sell my shares to the highest greedy bastard. I am done with all of you!”
In what felt like slow motion she had arrived to the commanding tone of both men echoing out to the hall. While one was here, the other could be heard clearly via speakerphone. She had stood frozen at the entryway, witnessing the anger rising with every word spewed loudly. And now she could declare it had officially bubbled over, with his phone flying across the room.
She took a deep breath, one that unknowingly had been paused, seeing it securely land on the bed. Thankfully it had escaped the end landing on the floor.
The question drumming inside her mind… would she come out alive walking into the inferno?
“You can come in now, Doc. Hope you enjoyed the show…”
“Um… I…” She stuttered like a fool, walking towards him, as he turned from facing the window to her.
If she hadn’t known he was unable to see, she would have thought his penetrating gaze had been watching her every move. Infact she felt a shiver down her spine, as the grey ash remnants from the roaring fire lightened his eyes.
She needed to get a hold of herself, not allowing him to intimidate her. After all she was in charge, the doctor. Proud of her clear, concise tone, she stated.
“I was coming to check in on you. But didn’t want to interrupt, so I stayed back…”
Was he laughing at her?
“Now that’s funny! Actually Doc, you are quite amusing at times… let’s forget that you eavesdropped on a private conversation.” Her mouth widened, as he simply shrugged, walking to his bed with the aid of his stick. “Tell me what are you doing here on your day off? To see me at the crack of dawn, no less. Your least favorite patient…”
“Figured since Mr. Crankypants has been getting stuffy and stale in here, I would take him out today.”
“On a date?” He cocked his eyebrow questioningly, then winked at her.
“In your dreams! No, it’s not a date, since that would be unethical. Think of it as a friend taking another friend. I will send Robert in here to assist you with getting dressed.” She paused for a long moment, taking in his appearance. His daily casual look, today in a grey MIT sweatshirt and black sweatpants. But it was his rugged look, with the unruly locks and the beard that caught her attention. She smiled, crossing her arms across her chest, ready to wipe the smug smile off of his. “Anyway, you’re not my type.”
“And you’re not mine either.”
She heard his retort, just as she proceeded to walk away. She shook her head, watching him get comfortable on the bed.
“Now that our feelings are mutual, shall we go? Or do you plan on going back to sleep, old man?”
“Lead the way…”
**********
Not only had she led the way during the hour and ten minute car drive to their destination. But now, walking towards the ever so familiar resort, she gave him a glimpse of what his life used to be.
It all came flashing back. He might not be able to see, but the air was more pure than he ever remembered breathing. The numbing gust hitting his face, caused him to blink. And for a moment, the darkness gave way to the soft, dusty illusions of light, staring out at the unseeable horizon.
How he had loved snow when it was falling, and what he would do to…
No. There was no hope, he knew that. The first few years he had fought with everything he had to be able to see again. But now that was no longer the case. He had come to terms with it, and couldn’t allow those feelings to creep up again. It was better this way.
He would allow himself to dream of the memories he had made here right before he had lost his vision. Forever.
“How did you know?” He whispered, as she placed her hand on his upper arm, leading him towards the resort.
“Know what Mr.Raizada?” He smiled, then stopped in his tracks.
“If we are here as friends, then please call me, Arnav. Mr. Raizada is what people called my grandfather. And despite what you might think, I am not an old man. Far from it, don’t you think?” He tilted his head slightly, waiting for a moment. A long moment to be precise, before she spoke.
“Arnav.”
“Much better, shall we head inside? My ass is getting cold.” He extended his arm out, which she wrapped hers in, then proceeded to take slow steps forward. “Well, are you going to give me an answer to my question, Doc… not sure about you, but I have plenty of time in the world.”
“Persistent as ever. If you must know, your dear friend Aman told me how much you loved skiing in the French valleys of Chamonix Mont-Blanc. He also told me…”
“This is the place I realized that there was something wrong… and ignored it for a week, until I went back home.”
“It wouldn’t have changed the outcome, Arnav. Don’t allow that guilt to eat you up…”
He sucked in his breath, feeling the palm of her hand on top of his heart. And sure enough it decided to pick up its pace. Just as it had been doing recently with her touch.
Deciding to ignore it, he asked her a question, after she told him how many steps were in front of him to climb.
“Since I can’t ski or see, what are we doing here?”
“Oh, we are here to ski, the both of us. Depending on your skills, I might even race you. Unless you’re afraid of losing to a girl…”
His sly smirk served as the answer she needed to continue forward with her plan. Though she was scared as hell at how this would turn out. But then there was no other option.
The next hour, with help from the resort staff, they got into their skiing gear and took a cable car to a private area to accommodate Arnav. She took in the majestic 360° view from the summit of Mont-Blanc. But a part of her felt empty for the man standing quietly beside her. This was one of his passions, yet he couldn’t partake of the spectacular view that many came here for.
But she would help change that. It was one of the reasons why she had gotten into this field, passionate to make a difference in someone’s life. To help many like him.
“Is the forest still lush as it used to be? When I first started skiing I had visited La Verte des Houches. An unfinished painting almost, if you ask me. The white blanket thrown across the canvas mixed with a slight hint of green from the evergreen trees, the mountain peaks standing tall up ahead. A race trying to reach them, yet one never can… it isn’t that easy. Nothing in life is.”
She looked up at him as his voice trailed off suddenly. Her breath stopped as his words captured the view with sheer perfection.
“Don’t you want to see all of this, Arnav?” The question came flying out before she could stop herself.
A lone tear found its way down his cheek, which he quickly brushed away. But she had seen it, before the instructor approached them to assist him with his skis.
Arnav intently listened to the young gentleman, as he described the path they would be parallel skiing. She had ensured safety precautions were in place with two skiers on each side of him, and one ahead of them. Even a bluetooth to call out the specific snow bumps on the trail down the slopes.
There was a determination in his eyes, a longing to be set free. And watching him navigate through the snow ploughs, one would never say he was blind.
As they began heading down the slopes, he felt more alive than he had ever thought was possible again. The world, the worries of his life had been muted out taking in the moment for what it was, picking up their pace. No tensions about the past, no anxiety about the future. The adrenaline inside him was fuelled skiing down the slopes with the rush of wind against his face. He leapt towards the light of the sun permeating the winter sky.
He was in control after years, and feeling the sense of motion running through his body. It was like no other, as he and his skies glided through the snow.
But as they began to wind down the slope, his heart constricted tightly down to the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t breathe, dropping down to his knees when they stopped.
He couldn’t continue living like this. Not after getting a morsel of what life had to offer. How he desperately wanted to experience the visual landscape as well. One that was breathtaking, skiing the mountainous terrain navigating through the snow, weaving and passing the other skiers.
All of a sudden he felt alone in his world of darkness. A trapped world that suffocated him, more times than he had admitted to anyone.
Unable to take it anymore, he screamed with his whole body. His mouth rigid and open widely, his pale face gaunt and immobile, continuing to unleash his agony, the anguish echoing around him.
She placed her hand on his shoulder, as he looked at her, her breath catching at the tortured hell in his unseeing eyes. Her fists clenched with blanched knuckles, as her nails dug deeply into the palms of her hand, feeling helpless to not cure him instantly.
“Doc, I want to see again… this isn’t the life I want to live anymore, please help me. Please, do something…”
“If you want to see again, you will… I promise you, Arnav. Promise.”
**********
The next four months were a test of patience. For him. For her. With ups and downs when it came to his invasive treatments and the several rounds of surgeries.
It all depended on the day. Somedays it was her, frustrated when there were no improvement to his vision with a combo Anti-VEGF injections, laser treatments and steroids. Somedays, him, irritable due to the excessive pain. Or at times, the both of them. Though they coveted the same results. For his eyesight to return.
During that time their friendship grew significantly. There was a comfort level between them that allowed him to lean on her. He trusted her, giving her free rein to take the course needed for his treatment.
Though it was apparent, their feelings for each other went beyond friendship. Yet neither acted upon it.
She often wondered if she was his type. Even though the running joke stated otherwise. And who was she kidding, he was most definitely her type. Especially after she had forced him to trim his hair and beard.
She often felt their minds aligned together, finishing each other’s thoughts. Even the beat of his heart was in sync with hers. She had felt it when she examined him in silence. And somehow he knew it as well, keeping it to himself. Only the corner of his lip curving to the side, giving it away.
Even when she made her rounds in the morning, stopping at the entryway to his room, he would greet her before she could. He pinned it on her scent, when she had curiously asked. At one point he had admitted to feeling a slight breeze when she was nearby, giving her an opportunity to tease him. She had said it was cheeky, and cliched in terms of picking up women, accusing him of flirting. But it wasn’t, not in the least. There was this soulful connection that had developed between them in the past six months.
His words came out easily when she would probe. But with him, hers failed time and time again. Her feelings felt indescribable. It was only the sound of her heart that gave voice to them. She often hoped he would hear it too. Soon. Very soon.
“Doc, I realize you find me irresistible, and can stare at me all day. But, can I return the favor?” He voiced out anxiously, causing a small smile to play across her lips. “Come on already and unwrap this gauze from my eyes… I get to finally see you today!” The excitement in his tone contagious, as she smiled widely, taking a seat at the edge of his bed.
Though a part of her was on tenterhooks waiting for the results from his latest surgery twenty-four hours ago. Especially, since the last three times it had not gone according to plan. While the darkness had vanished this past month with a blurred grey light taking its place. But it wasn’t what she had hoped.
“I hope the miracle healer isn’t doubting herself. I can bet my company, your hands have worked magic this time.” He sanguinely stated, raising his hand out, seeking hers.
As she placed her hand in his, she couldn’t help but laugh at the situation. With her being his doctor she should have been comforting him, and here it had been the opposite.
“Remember, the sooner I get cured, the sooner you can kick me out of here. That was the deal.”
She looked down at their hands, as the reality of the situation hit her. A sense of loneliness swept through, greater than anything she had ever known before. Even when she had left her home, her family in Delhi a few years back to relocate to Geneva, she had not felt this way.
Was that why she was hesitant?
“Yes, a deal is a deal, Mr. Raizada. You will finally be free from my shackles. The evil ugly witch won’t be able to torture you any longer.” She let go of his hand, then stood up from the bed. But he clasped her wrist, shaking his head.
“I wouldn’t go as far as ugly, Dr. Gupta. Something tells me that is not the case.”
“Ah, don’t get ahead of yourself. For all you know, I might have blotchy rough skin from pimples covering my face. Or be overweight from my unhealthy eating habits, as you have pointed out on several occasions. And yuck, my hair is quite odd, shaggy and oily. Oh, how can I forget, my teeth! Just like Bugs Bunny, the top two ones…”
“Can we get to the task at hand? Then I can see for myself… and, Doc, I will take you the way you are. Choti, moti, ugly… all fine with me.”
There was no mistaking the soft gasp that escaped her at his declaration. But at this point, he could no longer hold back.
However, she quickly recovered, as she always had by ignoring what he had said.
Her doctor tone making it’s way through, calling out for the nurse and her assistant to join them.
A part of him had been looking forward to it being only the two of them. However, that wasn’t possible, since she needed their assistance. And as he had learned in her presence over the past few months, patience was the key. Once this was over, he would follow his heart, when it came to her.
And like a perfect patient, he sat there quietly while her skilled hands went to task. He smiled inwardly, hearing her refusing the nurse who came forth to assist her to remove the gauze wrapped around his head. He knew she needed to do this for herself. And he had preferred it that way.
The moment they both had been waiting for was about to be unveiled.
“Are you ready, Mr. Raizada?” She asked, handing the last remnants of the gauze strips to the nurse. Then reclined the bed back, and propped his head in a proper position that would allow for her to get a better view of his eyes.
“I have never been more ready for anything in my life, as I am now. Can I open my eyes, Doc?” His eyelids instinctively began to twitch, awaiting her permission.
“Yes, you can… but very slowly. It will take some time for your eyes to adjust to assess if the surgery was indeed successful. The room is also dark, so the bright light shouldn’t be a problem.”
Before she could finish, he followed her instructions, fluttering his eyelids open. Once again it was all a blur, like the previous times. The sharp pain consuming him, as it had often. But he knew just how to mute it. He raised his hands to his eyeballs and pushed firmly to apply the much needed pressure to subside the throbbing ache.
“Arnav, do not press down hard… loosen your hands for me, please.” She placed her hand over his, trying to remove them. But it was of no use, as he buried his head further into the pillow. “What’s happening? What do you see?” She enquired, after asking the other two to leave the room. After the few rounds of surgeries, she was aware how much he hated others to witness his torment.
She sat at the edge of the bed, moving up closer to him, when he finally removed his hands from his eyes.
“Beautiful…”
He whispered breaking the silence after twenty minutes. The time it took for the haziness to disappear around his peripheral vision.
“You can see, Arnav? Please tell me…” She choked on her words as he continuously nodded, a bright smile illuminating his entire face, with her own mirroring his at his revelation.
While there was still a slight hint of blurriness coming and going, but it hadn’t stopped him from finally getting a look at her. The sweven of the Khushi that he had dreamt of, was now in front of his eyes. For him to see.
“I had been numb inside for so long. Giving up, as days, months, years passed by, stuck in the world of darkness. Never had I thought the day would come that I would be able to see again. But you took my hand, asking me to trust you, which I did. Albeit slowly with a push down the slopes. I could feel again, breathe again. And you made that possible, giving me a part of my life back. Thank you.” She bit down on her quivering lip, unable to find her words. “Now that I have my eyesight back, there is something I have to do. Doc, you’re fired.”
Taken back, she furrowed her eyebrows as the tears that were ready to fall halted. But he simply shrugged, continuing.
“You had mentioned it’s unethical for you to have a relationship with your patient. Now that you have cured me, thought I would make this easy for you.” He smiled, seeing her shake her head in disbelief. But her smile nearly undid him, causing his heart to skip a beat. “The amount of times I have dreamt of this moment. You and me. Do you know the past couple of months, the only thing I have truly longed to see was you.”
“Arnav, Devi Maiya is my witness, how hard it has been to not express how I have felt about you. I wasn’t sure how you…”
“How I felt? Well, my Happiness, what would you say if I told you…” He paused, bringing her face closer to his, and whispered. “I love you, Khushi Kumari Gupta.”
Her eyes, a brilliant hazel, swirled with a smooth green and amber as he gazed at her. But it was her words that captivated his heart. Now and forever.
“I love you too, Arnav Singh Raizada.”
It felt great easing into writing the past couple of days, reminding me how much I truly love this escape. Writing is me time, and I savor every minute of it! More so with a story about hope, reminding us to stay strong and not give up. Hits home, doesn’t it?
This plot refused to leave me alone the past week in the midst of holiday mayhem. So I figured why not pen it down as a gift for my amazing readers that continue to support me on through my writing journey.
Hope you all had a wonderful Holiday, and enjoy this small token from me ❤️
Look out on January 1st for news about moving forward in 2017 with my stories.
Till then, loads of love,
Jigs
PS… can you please let me know if you received an email notification for this post? Thanks in advance!
❤️
😍❤
👌👌
Love it love it 😀 😍 ❤ 👌
Loved it!!!!
😆😆
Hey Jigs
Hope you enjoyed the Christmas madness 🎄🎄and are ready to bring in 2017🎉🎊🎉
Thanks for the early New Year present- what a lovely lovely OS.
Getting a taste of what you are passionate about and miss – is a huge motivator to give your best to overcome it, eh. The part where Arnav lets out his anguish after going skiing was the best.
A blind Arnav is so hard to imagine, but with Dr Khushi to the rescue it all ends well.😍
I recall having this conversation with my friends and the consensus was that we would all rather lose a limb then our sight or hearing.
I have been stalking my wordpress reader every so often – worried that the notifications may not work, so this morning it was a very welcome surprise when this poped up in my emails. I can rest easy now👀👀
🌹🏵🌸💐Thanks for this post as the withdrawal symptoms will abate for a few days now – really missing Temptation and Strippeb.
Just saying. 😉😉😉
It’s always to lovely to have you on this journey, thank you! And I have also always agreed that having your vision and hearing is far more important. We often take it for granted.
👌💞 will be back soon…💕💕
What a wonderful treat to brighten up a gloomy day !! (got an email to let me know too) Will be back to comment later xx
Exactly what I wanted to hear… I am dancing in excitement in spite of the gloomy weather we have today! How I wish the weather was beautiful like yesterday….
👌Thanks so…. much di 😘
Will be back soon…💕💖
Oh my god… it was great seeing you back with the story that is so heart touching and sweet…. I loved it a lot ………..waiting for your other stories to start again .thank you for the update
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
It feels great to be back, and seeing the acceptance for Sweven… thank you!
Your welcome..😀
Mind blowing… I just loved the way you expressed arnavs emotional state… Sometimes you need that push to achieve something great or believe in something… Khushi has been that driving force in arnavs life….I just loved it…
Makes me believe that happy endings do exist…
Thanks for the lovely one shot….
Thanks for allowing me to be part of this journey…😘
Thank for being part of this journey and so called you enjoyed this read. I am a sucker for happy endings, so can’t help writing that into my stories. 😉
Jigs, thank you for this delightful surprise! 😘🤗
Beautiful …
Thank you for the treat!! Wishing you a happy new year in advance.
Looking forward for the 2017 news…hopefully it is a good news!!
Love
sforswe
What a beautiful story. Just perfect for the end of the year. Saying goodbye to all negativities and holding on to hope, love and warmth in our hearts.
Happy New Year to you and your loved ones Jigs!!
PS Did receive a mail notification. Thank you.
Cheers to that… 2017 can’t come fast enough!
Oh, I loved this one-shot so, so much!
Up till the end, I was on the edge, hoping for Arnav’s vision to be restored.
Truly, it is commendable how you have managed to so wonderfully write this ‘nail biting’ romance.
The moment where Khushi teases him about how she might look like, his response and his final reaction on seeing her, so simple and serene.
Love this and I hope that you keep writing more and more…!
Thank you so much for reading!
Amazing update
Awesome. .. nice story…
Wonderful😊😊😊💐💐💐👌👌👌👍👍
That was simply beautiful Jigs. A great gift for us readers 🙂 A story about hope and about holding on. Such an important thing and the way you keep up the magic till the end makes it even more amazing.
Wishing you great holidays and a happy new year.
Raven
Great to see you here Raven, and thank you for your kind words 🙂
AD doesn’t allow me to indulge a lot but I am happy to have found this in my inbox. The new site looks wonderful, Jigs. A beautiful home for your beautiful tales.
you have not lost your touch my dear 👏Loved it😋
You make falling in love with your stories so easy, so simple. I really really loved it ❤ ❤. It was just so beautiful and kind of magical.
I received the email notification. 😊
Jigs first of all thank you for this delightful surprise….just a perfect way to say good bye to all your negative feelings in the end of the year. I just love the way you expressed Arnav’s emotion. I always admire Arnav in your stories….he is too cute.
I did get your mail notification.
Happy New Year to you and your family Jigs❤️
Stay blessed always😘
No better way to push aside the negativity, thank you for reading!
Thank u for a beautiful story.it was really heart touching.waiting for u to update temptation and stripped missing them .Wishing u and your family happy new year.
Waiting. ….
Beautiful loved it.A happy new year to you Jigs. I hope u had a wonderful holiday
Delighted to see u back.loved the story.it was wonderful n yes I got an email notification too.thanks
It feels great to be back, Thank you!
Loved the story, brilliant. A heartwarming tale of hope, friendship, perseverance and love.
This is such a beautifully woven plot. Where one falls in love with someone’s soul. And the joy to be able to see again, truly unequalled. I feel to happy to read this just before going to sleep :’)
Hey dii this was too good 🤗 Had tears in my eyes ☺️
I missed your writing so much and your special Arnav and Khushi🤓
You just have compensated for the past few weekly doses of your stories not that I’m not missing DrJi and her Hubby but it’s ok I’m willing to wait☺️
Hope you had a wonderful Xmas and wishing you a prosperous 2017 a year where you get to enjoy your me time peacefully without unwanted drama😬
Take care
I didn’t get a mail notification ☹️ But saw your tweet 🤓
DrJi and her hubby will be back soon 😉
Nothing but “Hope” keeps you going…
very beautifully written and explained…!!
❤😘😘
i love it…
it was great…
i receive the email notification….
It’s a very good story filled with lot of hope……got the email…..waiting for the other stories…..wish you your loved a happy new year
Hey I got an email too! So good to hear from you again!
Absolutely loved how their bond developed . Throughout their interaction as Dr. patient the elusive hint of their feelings kept tantalizing.
I did have a bad moment thinking what would happen if Khushi did not succeed! But consoled myself that how can two such beautiful souls NOT end up together!
Typical of ASR to fire her before confessing , as always determinedly clearing the obstructions in path of love LOL!!
#ArHi Hamesha… I could never write a story otherwise!
Meri Jaan,
Humongous problems logging in and even lost my WordPress password in the effort of trying to comment on this story….but here I finally am. Considering my decent comment got sucked into the Internet black hole will send you my thoughts soonish…..too sleepy right now. Thank you for the music and for all those lovely surprises through a year that gave us Trump and took away some of the leading lights of the showbiz world…..wishing you and all your readers a fantastic 2017, will sign off for now with a delectable tweet I read this morning:
“If you make it through to 2017, you may not be as important or valuable as you think!”
🤗😎🎆💐
Happy New Year, all! Hope to see each of you back here in. 2017!
Hugs,
Anu
So sorry for the inconvenience… WP can be a pain in the ass sometimes! Technology is a good and bad 🙁
Will come back for a more detailed comment..❤
FLUFFY 🤗🤗
This is truly captivating, a short aweet reminder that you’re so amazingly gifted and that you’re one of the greatest contemporary writers in my opinion.. you go 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻❤❤❤
And I indeed received an email
welcome back. …😍😍😍……lovely as always. ….arshi chemistry will never fade out…and with ur writing whether ff or one shot you always give it that spices with different storyline which make me more addict to them 😍😍😍😍😍
Thank you ☺️
Miss u very much dear 😊 such a wonderful story , Dr. & patient relation described so well it’s really true both need to strong will power & positivity for cure all though chance r less bt we should try. I’m eagerly waiting for new year to read u r stories. 😀
Feeling wonderful this holiday season with your story , and yes I did receive an email notification . Thank you .
Missing your work ….
It’s amazing. Loved it👌🏼👏
What a fantastic o/s….laaaaaaaaaauu it <3
And I laaaaaauuuuuu you! Muahhhh
Wonderfully written OS.
Loved it a lot.
Thanks for writing it.
Have a happy New Year Jigs 🙂
And thank you for reading 🙂
You love this escape (writing) and we love the result! Thanks for the “small token”. Love your “never say die” attitude and your courage – well reflected in this “token” too! You give pleasure … you are sure to get it too – may you get it in abundance in 2017! A very, very Shubhô Nôbobôrsho.
PS: Email notification for Sweven received, thanks.
How sweet, thank you so much!
Beautiful OS.
Amazingly beautiful shot.. loved it 🙂
Happy New Year Jigs! May the coming new year brings Happiness, Peace for all! God bless
Thank you 🙂
Jigs that was absolutely breath takingly beautiful. Love is the cure of everything.
Happy New year jigs. Have a blessed one. Happy holidays.
Jigs are you a doc? Couldn’t help myself from asking u this
Thank you for reading 🙂
No I am not a doc, it’s the corporate world for me.
What a wonderful story…. thank you for penning it down so beautifully… loved it so much … <3 <3 <3
this is me btw
Hey Jigs!
What a fab OS! You are an amazing writer!
Thats beautiful… Will lift up anyones mood….thanks a lot
Beautiful, story of hope and courage. Just wow. Did not get an email ..Happy Holidays. 🎆
awesome .. loved it
Aankhein khuli ho yaa ho band
Deedar unka hota hai
Kaise kahoon main o yaara yeh
Pyaar kaise hota hai
What a lovely tale you have told today Jigs.
Arnav is the person who has lost hope, of not just of his eyesight but life in general. And then enters his doctor, who not only gives him his eyesight back, but brings back the zeal for him to live and fills his heart with her love.
Love strikes a person, at not just odd times, but odd places and odd circumstances too, isn’t it.
Thank you for this wonderful Holiday gift Jigs.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year to you and your family, and to all your readers too.
PS: I got the email notification. Thank you
Kavi, As always your generous words leave me humbled, thank you 🤗
Wonderful write up…u uprooted me from my place to the room right in front of them …this is like a magic
Thank you 😊
Omg:)! I’m speechless😊! What a wonderful and cute story. Loved it😃! Please write more Arshi stories with happy endings😊! Thank you for this beautiful, simple and pure writing. Wishing you and your family a blessed Happy New Years!
😊💐😊!
Thank you 😊
Such a lovely os jigs😍😍, I really enjoy reading it. The concept was very different and was beautifully written👍👍. Arnav been blind and the emotional stages he went thru just so he could see again and during the process he fell in love with doctor Gupta, she also fell in love with him… Oh romantic sigh. Thanks for the update eagerly waiting for more of stories🤗😏..
P. S Happy New Year when it comes… Keep safe 😉
Love you Ker Ker for reading and your words. Great having you here!
Its of great pleasure for me, getting a chance to be apart of your arshi world of greatness
This is fabulous my dear! Hope is what keeps us going when nothing seems to work….
Loved the part on the slopes where he wants to break the shackles and be free, be himself again! You have done a great job of penning down their respective anxieties!
Thank you for such a perfect gift! It made my day😀Looking forward to read more from you in 2017….
I did get the email!
You my dear are the best and always make me smile with your love… for that I am grateful to have you along with me. Thank you for 2016, and bring on 2017 I say. Cheers!
Hi Jigs. Happy New Year. This was super. I guess he had to get out and realize what he was missing in order for Arnav to want to see again. Loved it.
A taste if something we love is all we need to want it badly again. Thank you for reading!
Fantastic update.awesome
Wonderful story!
Wonderful OS…beautifully written…
This was truly beautiful ❤❤❤
Woow..it was magical.. an advance new year gift…thank u dear 🙂
And yes, got ur email notification
Beautiful update!! I loved it really!! Nice break. Whatever happens writing is a great escape and the beauty in words can never be replaced with anything else. And I always enjoy your words like no other!
Thank you, it means so much to me to have my readers support!
Hello jigs
Yes, I got the notification.
Now coming to the story.
Beautiful,
There r few lines, where I felt the lines were poetic, the flow of emotions were beautifully narrated.
Can’t get enough of this story, pls can u continue, May be one more part, where they go skiing together.pretty please
Thank u
Be blessed.
You are way to generous with your words, thank you. As for continuing, I would love to but time is not in favor 🙁
Beautiful
Awesome update!!! Got the email invite. Thanks for writing.
Superbbb OS
Beautifullyy written
N yes i did get an email notification
Jigs yes I received a notification.
This OS as you have rightly pointed out is a symbol of hope…… It’s beautifully described by you…..
Arnav had given up but Khushi gave him the will to hope again so that her treatment can give his eye sight back & the same happened after a long tedious painful journey…..
I loved the way Arnav-Khushi confessed their love…..
Jigs hope so & I pray that 2017 will begin with ‘Temptation’ & ‘Stripped’ updates & no longer people will dare to copy anyone’s creativity & talent.
LOVE YOU FOR THIS GIFT….
HAPPY 2017 JIGS
(orchids8888 from IF)
Love you for reading and promise to back soon with my other stories 😘
Hope us what keeps all of us alive and keep up going , if we loose that there is no life , this story is a perfect example of that. Loved it
Jigs, I really miss your regular updates. Hope to read your stories soon. Have a wonderful time this holiday. Take care:)
I received email notification. Thanks 🙂
Thank you Jigs for the delicious Aloo puri you served us😘 Loved this sweet and poignant story, you have an amazing way with words and emotions. JIgs I pray that the new year brings better tidings and ways to protect your work. Do appreciate all the effort you put in to your writings. Thank you so much.❤️
Thank you so much Anu 😘
What a beautiful story we can imagine the beauty of the Swiss countryside and the serene calm that accompanies it we can also see his despair in not being the full active soul he used to be ,and the dream she challenges him to get back his sight .very well done ,keep writing don’t let go of your muse .
My muse will continue as long as idea and life flows around me. Thank you so much for indulging me 🙂
Wow jigs happy to hear from u…
Lovely plot.., u hav clearly given the pain of darkness n beautifully given hw the mt Blanc luk like..
Superb
Thank you 😊
Ps I did get a email notifications thank you
hi jigs i recd ur email notification.thanks.loved ur sweven.thanks to u iam learning a lot of new words.where did u get them from.happy new year to u and ur family
Picking up new words is daily thing for me via life and the world wide web 🙂 Thank you!
Hi jigs….what a sweet sweet story. Loved it. And I did get your email notification. Thank you 😊
Wonderful.. Loved it
What a pleasant surprise to get an email from you and this wonderful, sweet story about our favorite couple!
The “healing” process and their falling in love was so romantic despite the underlying seriousness of Arnav losing his eyesight.
She understood him enough to force him to acknowledge his loss and fear and try to do something about it!
Love seeing Khushi as a doctor – missing Temptation!
You are way too kind, and thank you so much for reading! Temptation is coming back very soon 🙂
A wonderful way to say all thing bad and 2016 goodbye, with the hope of keeping the good memories of 2016 alive and looking forward to having a wonderful 2017.
Winters, snow, sking and arshi, what else do i want for a bye bye 2016 gift. Thank you Jigs!!!
Good bye 2016, and cheers to 2017! Thank you and hoping all is well 🙂
That was a new year treat ❤️
Loved it totally ..
Beautiful combination of love and hope ..telling us never to give up and keep trying
Happy new year in advance 🙂
And yes I did get an email 🙂
Thank you 🙂
☺️
Btw the the heart and zero symbol is the like button right
Like I tried to like your reply ..now it’s showing a broken heart 🙈
The broken heart means you have liked a comment, and its that way you want to unlike 🙂 Thank you
yes got your email beautifully written loved it
Oh My God!! Omg! Omg! I loved it!!!!!:)
It was pure bliss. Divine love that is blind which ties the hearts of souls that are entwined in each other.
Romance is getting entrenched in my soul after all of these fanfic and books.
Thank you so much for such a wonderful and creative story.Loved your amazing work as usual.
Looking forward to read your stories and esp my sweetheart ‘Temptation’.
Wishing you a happy new year in advance. Hope you have great year ahead of you. 🙂
Such sweet, lovely words for this story… thank you! Temptation is coming back soon ❤️
Wow!! An amazing piece of work it was..
Loved and enjoyed it thoroughly..
Lots Of Love… 🙂 🙂
Wow.. That’s the New Year’s surprise I was not looking for ….
it’s very sweet, romantic and emotional…
Really loved it…
You nailed the emotions perfectly…
Thank You for this wonderful write-up.
P.S I hope you won’t mind me asking, but I am really missing “Temptation”, when are you updating next ??
Temptation will be back very soon, look out for my note on the 1st.
A part of me seriously thought he was never going to see but other die-hard-happy-endings’-fan knew you wouldn’t do that to our Arnav.. Beautiful story!
That’s my signature that makes them believe… a happy ending with ArHi Hamesha ❤️
Beautiful story…..Happy New Year
loved every bit of this story. so heart touching and wonderfully written. Thank YOU 😀 :*
Such a heart wrenching start and then a *happily-ever-after* ending!
This is what I have come to associate with your writings, and it all gives me hope for myself.
Thank you for this beautiful piece and I was left wanting more of it 🙂
And YES, I received the email notification. Thank You. 🙂
Always have hope, it helps you get through the most difficult situations. Thank you for reading!
Hello Jigs,
Got the notification in mail. Such an awesome story – Having been to Skiing over the weekend you have perfectly described the way I totally felt when I was on the top of the small skiing slope. I absolutely love the way you write these kind of stories. You do have a god given gift of being able to translate the thing that is happening and the feelings anyone gets seeing the surroundings down to T. Your writings are such a mood booster – Can’t wait for you to start Temptation back.
Take Care – Wish you a very Happy New Year
-Sharada
Thank you for your generous words Sharada. Having readers seeing what I am trying to portray is my biggest reward. How cool you were able to go skiing!
Beautiful story Jigs!
A different concept but wonderfully penned down. Loved the skiing part and arnav’s breakdown which was necessary for him to regain his lost hope…loved the emotional bonding between arnav and khushi.
Khushi as a doctor made me miss temptation more…
Hope you will be updating both the stories soon…
Wish u a very happy new year..
And yes I did receive the email.
Temptation will be back soon 😀 Thank you for reading!
Wow…dats a great news!
Will be waiting here… thnx a lot jigs..
Wow!! Beautiful story.. loved it 🙂
and I did get the email notification.
Wow! Amazing. So so beautiful and soulful…
Hello Jigs
Thanks for new story.
Got the notification via email.
Yes, I got the email notification.
It was beautifully written. It showed how to stay strong and not lose hope ever. It reeks of positivity, especially Khushi’s efforts. And what better way to end the year?
Let us welcome the new year hoping that people stop their stupid unethical acts and spread happiness and positivity. Waiting to read more such lovely stories from you Di.
Wishing you a very Happy new Year, a bit early! 😀
Love,
Arunima
Ending the year with hope for a better year ahead is what had kept me smiling… and so has all of your love and support, Thank you!
Thanks a ton Jigs for the year ending gift.Nothing can be better than Arnav and Khushi saying I love you to each other. It was very touching and it ended on such a positive note. I did receive your email notification.Thanks once again and hope you have a great year ahead.
Thank you 😀
Wonderful story!! loved it!!
One of your best works till date, Jigs! I absolutely loved this! (So much so that I went back to read it again haha!) Also, I did receive an email notification. Thank you for this once again!
And thank you for reading 🙂
This one is a beautiful piece of work Jigs .
Simply superb , loved it
I got email notification for this OS
Great, Thank you!
Jigs sis,
i got EMAIL NOTIFICATION.
i don’t know what to say,maybe i should thank God for finding this virtual world..
and i should say this to you,”THANK YOU for being you”..last night i kind of lost my hope on something which is so dear to me and i got the notification..THANK YOU..
HOPE is the single word which makes the whole world runs…thanks for reminding me about it..
and the story is awesome…from a lost man you made him realize the essence of hope..his frustrations ,anger,love and her helping mind and spreading happy heart..
seriously i wonder where did you get the courage and willingness to do something great even you were upset or hurt by it??your words and attitude are inspiring me to view the problems in different light..
The truth is I have always been this way, fighting for what is right and not backing away. Especially when it comes to my loved ones, in this case it’s my words.
Wish you all a successful and peaceful new year in advance 🙂
Yes i did receive email notification & was pleasantly surprised that u r bk so soon.. i just loved this piece.. maybe coz i love happily everafter.. both d characters r well defined even in this short piece.. apt for holiday season.. will wait for new yr…
Writing is something I can’t seem to stay away from too long, it’s the sharing part that has in a dilemma. But it’s time move forward with the upcoming new year.
I don’t know whether u have heard this song but i find these two lines apt for u..गाड़ी बुला रही है,सीटी बजा रही हैं… चलना ही ज़िन्दगी है, चलती जा रही है।
Lovely beautiful and simply heart touching is.
Thanks for this gift