Her Second-Hand Husband!

Anika's PoV

I could not meet his eyes. I could not manage his presence around me. That feeling of acquaintance is something I could not shake off. He is the most charming and handsome man for sure. He is for sure a good man at heart because he never hesitated even a second to help us. He carried dad in his arms like he was no burden and literally ran. All along the drive to the hospital, I could not take my eyes off of him. I could see the genuine rush in his driving to save my dad.

My rational mind ordered me to stop this nonsense at a time like this. It kept on reminding me that this mishap happened because of me. Dad is in this condition because of me. Even though one part of my mind strongly believes that my dad will be alright and will come back to me, the other part kept scaring me of the endless possibilities of horror. In the midst of all this chaos in my mind, I felt a pure attraction towards this stranger man. I could not even believe myself for doing this at this time.

After admitting our dad in the hospital, me and my mom stood outside the ICU ward holding hands together. If I am scared, mom is devastated and crying her heart out. I tried to stay strong to hold her up but as the time passed our fear was getting stronger. We couldn't even imagine a life without my dad. At last, the door of the ICU opened and the doctors came out.

"How is he, doctor? He will be alright, right?" my mom asked the doctor.

"His life is out of danger. But unfortunately, he is paralyzed. His left arm and leg lost its control. The brain nerves are heavily damaged because of the high Blood Pressure he had. Looks like he missed taking his medicine. It is because of the clot in the nerves that made him go unconscious. You must be happy that he is alive." the doctor said which shattered us.

"Oh no!" My mom started crying and I don't know how to react to this news.

"Is there a cure? Can he be cured?" I asked the doctor.

check always from now on, for if it shoots up again, he will go to critical conditions and even end up in a coma. He is

because of me. I know that dad has BP. I know that his health is not at its best. He had been unconscious before when he skipped his medicine for 2days straight in a row. The doctors then said the same. His bp should be normal all the time and he can never skip

can go see the patient. But he is sedated. So don't try to have a conversation with him yet." The doctor left us. I have no courage to go and see my dad like this. I sat on the bench and started crying my life out while mom

had a strong magnet in it. I looked up to see that stranger standing near me with pitiful eyes filled with concern. I stood up as

sit down." he said and looked inside the room through the door. He then sat on the other corner of the bench. I felt goosebumps on me and struggled hard to hide them.

so much for your timely help. Doctor said it would have been impossible to save him if we came late." I told him truly from

recover soon." he said

will kill me!" I said, unable to

do with us. Don't blame yourself." he tried to console me and when he said my name, it was too natural. I am scared of myself now. I am feeling intimidated by his presence. I am not myself and I

this to him!" I said trying to deviate

Anika. You are in no way responsible for

for us. I cannot ask for more." I said looking him in the eye. I cannot have this feeling on him while I am in love with Arun. I tried to

his card. Somehow, it brushed my self-respect. What did he think of himself? He thinks that we are poor and we couldn't survive this? I don't want his help. I hate this pity look that