'Aashi... you should go.' Suchitra urged Aashi when the doctor finally told them they can see him. Suddenly, Aashi felt nervous. Himanshu also urged her to go in. She nodded and with great difficulty walked towards the door. Her legs suddenly felt heavy, her heart beat raced and her palms felt sweating as she opened the door.

Rishabh was lying flat on his back wearing the depressing blue hospital gown, his left arm heavily bandaged. He stared at the roof unblinkingly. Had it not been for his rising and falling chest, to anyone he would appear to be dead. Aashi closed her eyes, took a deep breath and exhaled before walking towards the bed. Hearing her footsteps, Rishabh turned his head. He smiled meekly at her, but she didn't.

'Rishabh.' She said placing her palm on his shoulder, he looked at her and kept the smile on his face. Before Aashi knew anything, she had broken down crying badly, - 'I am sorry, I am sorry.' She kept chanting. Rishabh extended his other hand and placed his bruised palm over hers.

'Hey, hey ...Don't cry and don't be sorry for my mistake.' He said, his voice hoarse and low. Aashi looked up teary-eyed at him.

'Your mistake? It was me who was driving.' She cried.

Rishabh smiled caressing her palm, - 'And it was me who was crossing the road carelessly.' He said calmly.

Aashi shook her head, - 'I was careless... I am the careless one.'

'No, Aashi,' Rishabh extended his hand and wiped her tears, - 'I was the careless one... I had always been the careless one, you were always the careful and intelligent one.' He said. Aashi noticed his eyes twinkle with pride.

'Oh, Rishabh.' Aashi threw her arms around his neck and hugged him. Rishabh winced and she quickly moved away chanting sorry again. Rishabh smiled at her.

Aashi took a seat beside him and held his hand, - 'How are you feeling?' She asked wiping her tears.

'Awesome.' Rishabh joked and Aashi chuckled. She saw a glimpse of earlier Rishabh for few seconds.

'Doctors will be discharging you tomorrow and you will be coming to stay at my place till you are okay.' She said. When Rishabh protested she gave him a stern look.

'I have landed you in this mess and I will help you out of this... and how can I leave my friend all bandaged and broken.' Aashi said.

There is strange silence for a minute before Rishabh said, - 'Aashi.' He began. She remained quiet and looked on hopefully, it looked like he had something to say to her but was hesitating.

'Yes, Rishabh?' She asked when he didn't say anything further. Rishabh shook his head dropping the idea. Aashi was little disappointed but didn't probe him further as he was already unwell.

'Okay, you rest I will do the formalities and come.' Aashi said softly. Rishabh nodded. Aashi then turned and was about to leave when Rishabh called her, she turned around instantly.

'Can you please adjust my pillow.' He smiled pointing at his pillow. Aashi smiled nodding her head.

********************************

Aashi got the forms and paid the bills at the counter.

'Rishabh will stay in my room and I will stay with you, Suchitra, cool?' She asked her friend before filling the form. She nodded. Aashi was happy that doctor has permitted them to take Rishabh with them tomorrow. Still, Suchitra had to coax her friend to come home with her and rest.

'Okay, I will go. I have to arrange the room for Rishabh.' Aashi said happily.

'And take a bath. Pheew, you stink girl.' Suchitra said pinching her nose and looking at Aashi. Aashi glared at her and playfully slapped her arm. The two girls laughed.

Aashi rushed home, took a quick shower. As she stepped out from the bath she felt alive. As she stuffed her clothes into the laundry bin she realized Suchitra wasn't kidding, she was really stinking bad.

Aashi then quickly changed, combed her hair and left the apartment for some shopping. She felt nervous getting into the car and driving but she mustered courage and drove to a mall.

Aashi returned home a few hours later, she shopped everything and anything from the mall. She got groceries, bedsheets, curtains and many other things, all of Rishabh's favorite. Aashi felt tired but the thought of having Rishabh here at her home rejuvenated her, motivating her.

She re-did her room, stuffing all her belonging in a huge cardboard carton, and decorating the entire place differently. She hopes Rishabh's taste hasn't changed much. Finally, after she was done she breathed in relief and smiled looking around the room. Her room didn't look like her anymore, she has successfully transformed it.