The Burning heart

"Good morning darling"the cheerful nurse had greeted her,the next morning she had woken up..

She had woken up,from a very long sleep in that rainy night. Khushi had a very special connection with rain. From childhood she would dance in rain,watch the waterdrops fall from heaven,a grace..Now she didnot remember why she was watching the window so longingly. Why did she want to lean on the frame and watch the pouring rain,or better,why did she want to run upstairs,to dance in the rain?

"Good morning Ma'am"Khushi greeted back..

Maria,the old nurse of Raichand Hospital sighed. Poor girl,she had lost her memory. Except a letter,A and Khushi..So Doctor Raichand had called her Khushi,watching her lips..She also knew that her Dev baba,had fallen in love with this girl. She prayed the lord to give the happiness they both deserve. Donot know why,she subconsciously prayed for Khushi's happiness too..

"Doctor has said that you,younglady are fit and fine to go home"exclaimed Maria,trying to cheer up the poor girl..

"Home? Ma'am do I have a place to go? I donot even remember who am I? Then where would I go?"Khushi asked tearfully. She was really lost..

Maria sighed. Her Dev baba had told her to handle Khushi with care. She is in very delicate condition now..

Maria hugged the girl who broke down in her embrace..

"Shh..You have us. You would stay with Dev baba and me,your Maria aunty,till you find out your family"Maria consoled Khushi,slowly running her fingers in her hair..She kept the wish to keep this girl for her Dev baba forever in her heart..

Khushi's eyes twinkled in joy. So she would not have to live in this place,with the white walls eating her,forever now. She too would have a home..

After packing her things,the dress in which she was found,except it,Dev had found nothing. May be her Mariatal chain had fallen..Ring,Arnav had never gifted her anything. The chain she wore as her symbol of marriage was also from the Devi Maa's temple..She never thought to ask for a symbol to tell the world about their marriage. Her vermillion was enough..

Yet at this moment,if the mariatal chain was there,then it would have stopped Dev from walking towards a heartache. But somethings are destined like that..

Maria packed her torn dress,the reports from hospital,the tiffin carrier she had brought from home to feed Khushi. Then both waited for Dev until noon. Dev had a surgery to finish..

Khushi wondered why she never felt out of place in that luxurious home of Dev Raichand. Dev and Maria too observed it. She never felt surprised with the antiques in his home,or the decor,the carpets. There was two possibilities,one either she was from such a place where she had never known the value of these priceless things,or she was from a place where these things were present..

Actually Dev and Maria were right for the both case. She was born in a poor family,and she never knew what these branded goods mean. Yet she had clashed into the world of ASR,where everything screamed richness, luxury. Even his aunty,Manorama's nail paint costed more than her monthly expenses. So obviously she had painfully learnt the life of riches,that too with the taunts of her dear husband,his family,some direct,some indirect..

Khushi was happy seeing the simple room Dev had given to her. There were few clothes in the cupboard. Few books were there too. But all serious, spiritual. She smiled a little.

Maria called her down for lunch. Lunch was simple Khichdi with some pickles and curd. She knew it was for her that both of them were adjusting to this bland food. Otherwise Maria could have cooked something good for Dev and herself. She again felt grateful to these kind people..

Actually Dev didnot like any outsider in his home. Maria was with him from his childhood. After the death of his parents,he had been living alone with Maria in different cities of the world to complete his education. After his degree in Medical science,he had finally opened the Raichand Hospital,that his mother had dreamt of. He had left all other business that he had inherited from his parents,to trusted managers. His focus was his hospital..And Maria cooked food for both. Since she was with Khushi,from early morning,no one was there to cook. And Dev was not a picky eater. Infact he preferred healthy food more. So he had no opinion about it..Maria was old already. And she too was like Dev..

The only person who had problem with Khichdi was Khushi. She was craving for something spicy and soemthing sweet.. And there was a particular memory of something sweet,that her palette was trying to remember..

Dev looked at Khushi playing with the Khichdi in her plate and frowned. He understood Khushi cannot eat bland food. So he decided to inform Maria to atleast cook something with less oil yet add some flavour through seasonings,for Khush