[MEMBERSONLY] [NOCOPY]
Note: If my words affect you, and you feel the pain, the joy, the hope, the despair... I consider it a great honour!
My heart isn't steady, not even close... when I write these scenes
I am Sai when I write Sai, I am Virat when I write Virat and everyone else... But I feel Sai and Virat in me when I write always.. so you can imagine how my heart was breaking for them...
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Cupping his face in both hands, Sai replied, “Haan, Baba! Virat Sir theek hai! Nishikantji ne kaha ki thodi chot pohonchi hai, par theek hai, hosh me hai, aur Rescue team unko wapas camp me laa rahe hai. Doctor ne check karke first-aid bhi de diye… woh theek hai Baba!”
Scrambling up and moving over to her Aai, who was still sobbing her thanks to Bappa, Sai wrapped her arms around her, both women crying and laughing, the relief after close to 24 hours of trauma making them giddy.
Shivani grabbed Mansi in a tight hug, unable to contain her relief and crying tears of joy, while Karishma had wrapped her arms around a weeping Mohit, who had all but collapsed against the wall, finally letting out all the stress he had kept on a tight leash until now.
Squeezing her eyes shut, Pakhi had run out of the room, unable to handle herself and threw herself on her bed, sobbing out her relief that Virat was safe. Bhavani once again sank down on to the armchair, holding up a trembling hand to her face.
“Khandoba!! Tera khoob aabhaar, mere Virat ko sahi salamat wapas laane ke liye… iss ghar ka neev hai woh… usske bina parivaar bhikhar jaayenge. Aaj tumne is Parivaar ko hi bachaaya hai!”
Sitting down next to Ashwini, Sonali put her arms around her and Sai and smiled through her own tears. “Chalo, bohot ho gaya… ab Aai aur Beti dono haath-mooh dhoke khaana khaayiye, beez-beez ghante ho rahe hai dono ke ek nivala bhi khaake!”
Turning to Karishma, she said, “Karishma, Vahini aur Sai ke liye jaldi khana leke aana.”
Looking at Mohit, who was now steady and smiling in relief, and at his nod, she too smiled back at him, teary-eyed, and replied, “Ji Aai…”
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Part 6
Day 2 - The night is bright when there is joy in it
“Thoda sa aur khaayiye, Bhabi! Dada ke aane ke baad aapko unka khayal rakhna hai na, usske liye taaqat chahiye! Khaa rahe hai aap ya mai Mohit ko bulaaoon?!” Karishma threatened, when Sai pushed her plate away after taking barely five bites.
Looking up from where she was eating, Ashwini smiled softly and said, “Karishma… jab tak iss ki Virat se baat nahi hoti naa, ye tasalli se reh nahi paayegi. Tum dekh lena, ek baar mere Godu ka call aane do, ye bhukkad-devi teen logon ke hisse ka khaana khayegi!”
“Aai!!!”
Smiling from where he was sitting, on the armchair facing the bed, Ninad smiled, his heart lighter on seeing his wife and daughter-in-law back to their usual selves… well.. almost, he sighed, seeing how Sai was looking at her phone every five seconds in between eating half-heartedly.
It had been close to an hour since Nishikant’s call came, and there had been no further updates. But the family was well trained in the waiting game, seeing how Nagesh, Ninad, Samrat and Virat were all in Service; and took it in their stride, as much as they could.
And Ninad especially was just grateful, having been part of recovery missions, that they had found Virat before nightfall, knowing how things would have been horribly different if they had lost light before finding him.
Blissfully unaware of such possibilities having existed, Sai and Ashwini had freshened up and were finally eating something, Mansi and Bhavani had gone to lie down a little, seeing how it was nearing almost midnight. Sonali and Karishma had taken over feeding Ashwini and Sai; and Omkar and Mohit too were watching over them with fond smiles, Omkar’s expression surprising Ninad, at how soft it was.
Looking over at Sai, Ninad sighed, this incident had finally removed the curtain they all had firmly and stubbornly kept on regarding her.
Now, it was as if all that they had refused to see when it came to her was on high-definition, magnified display. Her innocence, her love, her humour, her courage, her resilience, her sincerity and her sheer goodness.
“Moophat hai, ziddi hai, bachchi hai… lekin Sai jaisi koi aur nahi ho sakti Virat ke liye… au shayad iss parivaar ke liye”, he smiled gently.
Looking up suddenly and seeing her husband’s expression as he looked at Sai, Ashwini too smiled softly. She knew, without a doubt, that Sai had won over Ninad completely.
For all his faults, Ninad was just like her Godu. Once he decided to like someone, it was absolute and complete. Sai would have him in her corner forever now.
It was in the middle of all this that Sai’s phone rang. Seeing the number that now signalled an incoming radio call from Nishikant, her whole body trembling from the force of emotions flowing through her, Sai answered the call and almost collapsed again at the sheer relief, joy and love that washed over her in waves as she heard the voice dearest to her in the whole world again.
“Sai….”
That familiar tone, drawing out the last syllable of her name, undid her completely. Clutching the phone to her ear with both hands, Sai leaned forward crying hard, barely able to form the words and sobbed out, “Virat Sir…”
Leaning against the central pole of the tent and resting his aching head too upon it, Virat Chavan smiled through his own tears, “Sai....”, his wife’s name falling from his lips again, almost as if it were a prayer; his gratitude to the almighty for keeping him alive, for equipping him with enough survival skills to make it out of the floodwaters alive, for letting him hear this beloved voice again, for letting him go back to his wife and family.
“Virat Sir… aap theek toh hai?” Sai cried, her tears clogging her throat and choking her voice.
“Haan Sai, mai theek hu. Nishikant ne tabhi tumhe inform kiya tha na? Thoda banged up hu, dard ho rahi hai poori body me, par mai bilkul theek hu… tum ro mat, please… Sai… ro mat…”
“Pakka… aap mujhe shaant karne ke liye jhoot toh nahi bol rahe?”
“Haan, baba… tum khud dekh lo! Aa raha hu wapas… ab rona band karo please…”
Jerking upright at this, Sai exclaimed, wiping her tears, “Sach?! Aap aa rahe hai?! Aaj?!”
Ashwini and the other too straightened, intently listening as they had been.
His smile evident in his voice, Virat replied, “Haan. Aaj, abhi bas dus-pandrah minute me niklenge. Rescue Operations chaalu hai, lekin mujhe rest advice kiya hai Doctor ne toh mujhe duty se relieve kiya gaya hai.”
Anxiously suddenly hearing that he has been advised rest, Sai asked, “Rest advice kiya hai! Kyu? Aap sach sach bataayiye, aapko bohot chot lagi hai kya?!”
“Sai… sach bol raha hu mai… kuch nahi hai aisa! Beh gaya tha, flood water me, tha lag-bhag baarah ghanton tak! I’m exhausted, bas… aur thoda dehydrated bhi… aur kuch nahi.”
Raising her hand to show the others that he was fine, Sai sat back again and replied, “Theek hai phir. Aap jaldi aa jaayiyega… mai phone Aai ko deti hu.”
“Hmm… aa raha hu…”
And she passed the phone on, watching with teary eyes, hugging Virat’s pillow tightly to herself, at the emotional conversations between Aai and Virat and Ninad and Virat.
Ninad had cried as if his heart would break, all his repentance of past actions coming out as soon as he heard his son’s voice.
Mohit too wept hard, and once the rounds were complete, she got the phone back, handed to her by a teary-eyed Karishma.
“Virat Sir…”
“Haan, Sai… aa rahu hu. Nikal raha hu abhi. Char-paanch ghante lagenge, roads itne kharab hai na, iss liye. Tum so jaana.”
Wiping her tears, that had started flowing again, along with the rains that started up lightly outside, she replied, “Aa jaayiye jaldi… hum sab besabri se intezar kar rahe hai…”
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A while later, after Shivani had forcibly sent everyone off to bed, seeing how everyone was exhausted from an 24 hour vigil, she came around to check once on Sai and didn’t find her in the room. Seeing the bathroom door ajar, and then seeing the balcony door ajar, she walked to the door, only to come to a sudden stop, staring at the scene outside.
Sai was standing on the balcony, getting drenched in the rain, her arms raised to her sides, face upturned and eyes closed, a blissful smile on her face. Shivani was about to call out to her, but something stopped her, and looking at Sai for a long moment, she sighed with a soft smile and went away quietly.
As for Sai, the same rain that had tormented her till now seemed to wash away all the grief for the past day.
She raised her face against the warm downpour, her soul being washed clean of all the stress, the worry, the agony and behind her closed eyes, Virat’s smile, her favourite one, with his eyes twinkling in mischief as he drove her mad with his teasing was shining.
Thanking all the Gods that be for returning him to her, she slowly swayed in place, finding solace in the warmth of the midnight rain.
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A couple of hours later, everyone was gathered in the drawing room, impatiently watching the clock.
As for Sai, she was pacing non-stop in front of the entrance door, looking at her phone every few seconds. Once they had left from the camp, they couldn’t call via radio anymore and the networks still patchy,there had been no communication.
Mohit had checked the distance on the map and estimated that the normal 3 hour drive might have taken much longer in the rainy conditions. Even then, it had been close to five hours since Virat had called, and Sai was nearing the end of her patience now.
Turning around, she walked to the foot of the steps and was about call upstairs to Karishma who had been keeping watch from the terrace when Karishma’s shout reached downstairs, followed by herself, rushing headlong down the steps, “Bhabi… do Police Jeeps aa rahe hai ghar ki taraf!”
By the time Sai turned and ran to the door, the jeeps had reached the front yard. She stood, as the rest of the family also came rushing up, as if she needed the support of the doorframe to remain upright.
Under the anxious gaze of the family, Virat slowly got out of the front seat of the second jeep, under the careful hold of Nishikant himself.
Seeing him in front of her, alive, bruised and bandaged, but standing on his own two feet, the ever-present soft smile on his face, Sai took two steps forward, and overcome, started to slowly sink down, when Ninad and Ashwini, who were just behind her, rushed up to flank her, and grabbing her with a steadying arm around her, Ninad lifted her up gently, and kept her upright, much to the shock of Virat.
Not taking her eyes of her Virat Sir, Sai pressed Ninad’s hand in thanks, and taking a deep breath, steadied herself and walked onwards, then breaking into a run, before coming to a stop in front of him.
Frantically running her eyes and then her hands all over him, making sure he really was alright, she slowly cupped his face, gazing at him unblinkingly, sobbing her heart out, smiling through her tears.
At this, Virat too, who had been drinking in her dear face, thanking the Gods again that they had brought him back to her, slowly lifted his hands, and framing her face in both palms, leaned his head to rest his forehead against hers.
At this, Sai gave up, and crying in earnest, wrapped her arms around him and buried her face in his neck, Virat mirroring the pose instantly.
Watching them both with streaming eyes, Ninad and Ashwini gave them a few minutes to themselves before walking up.
At her Aai’s touch, Sai lifted her head, and smiling, moved back to let her check over and hold her son close, crying out her relief.
Watching them, Sai leaned against Ninad, his arm coming up to hold her close, resting her head against his shoulder, making Virat gape in surprise.
Oblivious to how confused he was, Ninad gently handed over Sai to Ashwini and moved up to grab Virat in a bear-hug, his happy tears soaking through Virat’s shirt, unable to say a word.
Overwhelmed at getting this emotional response from his Baba, like the old days, Virat too let his tears flow, feeling safe and protected in his father’s arms.
Once these three had their turn, the rest of the family came up, Kaku’s and Mohit’s reactions making everyone cry all over again. Sonali, Shivani, Omkar, Mansi and Karishma followed, Pakhi’s absence going unnoticed. She had come running out just in time to see Virat and Sai hugging each other, and had stood frozen at the porch, before walking back inside.
Watching the family surround Virat with a fond smile, Sai was surprised at a gentle voice behind her, “Sai Bhabi…”
Turning around, seeing Nishikant to smiling, teary-eyed, she walked to him and grabbing both of his hands in hers, pressed them in gratitude, tears flowing from her eyes.
“Nishikantji…. Aapke mai zindagi bhar aabhari rahungi! Agar aap nahi hote toh Virat Sir ke koi khabar nahi milte aur hum jeete ji mar jaate! Thank you, Nishikantji, for everything!”
Smiling, glad beyond measure that he was the bearer of happy news for this family, he replied, “Maine vaada kiya tha na, Bhabi, jaan deke bhi Virat Sir ko aapko lauta doonga? Mai bas Bappa ka shukriya ada kar raha hu ki mai ye vaada poora kar paya!”
Wiping away the tears that had formed in his eyes seeing Sai’s wordless, trembling, gratitude at his words, NIshikant nodded at her once in understanding, and turning to Virat, he continued, “Virat Sir, mai nikalta hoon. Aap aaraam keejiye.”
Nodding his thanks, his gratitude to Nishikant for everything he had done for him and for Sai evident in the few words he said in response, Virat waved his team away, asking them too to go rest before rejoining the rescue mission.
Once his team left, he turned slowly to find Mohit next to him already, holding him with a gentle, firm arm around his shoulder.
Smiling his thanks, Virat was about to say something when Mohit took a deep breath, and suddenly leaned his forehead against Virat’s shoulder, “Dada, mai bata nahi sakta hum sab kitne darr gaye the, aur Sai Vahini ka kya haal ho gaya tha. Bappa ka lakh, lakh shukar hai ki aapko sahi salamat wapas kar diya unhone.”
Weakly lifting one hand and softly stroking his younger brother’s head, Virat was about to reply when he spotted Sai behind him, wrapped tightly in Ninad’s arms as she cried hard, talking to Nishikant bringing out all the memories of the previous day.
Standing stunned, he stiffened, making Mohit look up and following Virat’s gaze, smiled through his tears, “Parivaar kya hota hai, mushkil khadi me hi hume pata chal jaata hai, Dada….”
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Helping Virat inside, Mohit brought him to the dining table at his request. Sitting down at his usual place, Virat looked up, wincing slightly, to see everyone standing around, staring at him with varying degrees of relief and disbelief.
Smiling softly, he said, “Arre, aap log chinta mat keejiye, mai theek hu! Dekhiye naa aap sab khud, kuch zyada chot nahi hai, scrapes aur bruises hai, kuch toota-phoota nahi hai, theek hu mai!”
Smiling and wiping her eyes, his Aai said, “Kuch khane ka mann kar raha hai? Ya peene ka? Kya laaun?”
“ORS aur protein bars khila diya tha Doctor ne, Aai. mujhe bas nahana hai pehle, fir kuch halka khaake sounga. Ab kuch mat laayiye. Mujhe bas ek baar sab ko reassure karna tha ki mai sach me theek hu.”
Flicking a glance at Sai, standing at the foot of the table, not taking her eyes off him, but uncharacteristically silent, he continued, “Mujhe pata hai, infrmation mile bina aap sab bohot stressed ho gaye honge. Haan, pata hai Nishikant ne update kiya tha, par fir bhi. Bas ye maaniye ki aap sab ki duaayein, Bappa ke aashirvaad aur Kamal Sir ke diye hue endurance and crisis training, sab milke mujhe salamat rakha.”
Her head jerking up at her Aaba’s name, she saw how Virat was looking straight at her as he talked, giving her a small nod, letting her know that yes, he meant it. Her Aaba had trained her Virat Sir… and it had saved his life today.
Once again, her lips trembling, she blinked back her tears and stood straight, sending her silent thanks up to her beloved Aaba.
Feeling a hand slip into hers, she looked down to see Karishma next to her, holding on to her hand and pressing it in understanding, that simple gesture of support and affection touching her deeply.
Looking around the table, noticing how exhausted everyone looked, Virat said, “Aap sab thoda aaraam keejiye. Mai nahake, kuch khaake, soke shaam tak theek-thaak neeche aa jaaunga. Mujhe teen din ki chutti di gayi hai, Medical Leave for recovery time, toh ghar par hi rahunga mai, hum aaraam se baat karenge.”
Nodding, Ninad replied, “Haan, tum jaao aur araam karo. Hum sabko TV ke woh visuals aur communication nahi hone se jo sadma laga, tum shayad andaaza bhi laga nahi sakta, Virat.”
His voice trembling, he continued, “It is not something you would wish on your worst enemy! Mai armywala hu, waqif hu, aisi ghatnaaon se, fir bhi mujhe khud ko sambhaalna kitna mushkil tha, ye mai hi jaanta hu, toh Sai aur tumhari Aai, aur baaki sab par jo beeta hai… “ he trailed off, before taking a deep breath and continuing, “Chalo, achcha hai ki tumhe chutti mili hai… hum baad me baithke baat karenge. Tum jaao ab.”
Turning to Sai, he put a hand on her shoulder, “Beta, tum Virat ko tumhare kamre me leke jaao”, not realising the shock he just gave to his son, by addressing her that way.
“Ji Baba”, Sai replied, and looked over at Mohit, expecting that Virat would need help up the stairs, and nodding, Mohit moved over to his Dada, and helping him up, started walking, when Virat put a hand on his arm, “Thanks Mohit, par mai chala jaaunga, chal sakta hu mai.”
“Chal paayenge aap?” Mohit asked, eyed Virat as he limped along, not seeing how Sai had narrowed her eyes at Virat’s statement.
“Haan, haan, bilkul. Tum bhi jaao aur aaraam karo. Mai chala jaaunga.”
“Aap na, chup rahiye! Hamesha apni chalani hoti hai! Mohit, haath mat chhodna inka. Chal paa rahe hai, lekin seedhiyan chadne par ye jo thak jaayenge, usske baare me nahi soch rahe! Mohit, le aayiye inhe.”
So absorbed was Sai in scolding her Virat Sir that she missed the glorious smiles that came on the faces of every single person there, seeing how she was back to her normal self, the firecracker Sai, as she spoke to Virat. Gone was the lifeless, subdued girl they had seen for the past 24 hours, and Virat’s toofanmail was back. All it had taken was one glimpse of her Virat Sir.
It was enough to make Ashwini and Mansi extremely emotional, which they quickly hid, not wanting to interrupt the moment.
Grinning wide, Mohit whispered, “Dada, aap chupchap chaliye. Vahini na, kal ka pura stress gusse me convert karenge aur aapko sachme phatke padenge!”
Scowling, Virat whispered back, “Tu mera bhai hai! Jabse ye Gadchiroli Express aayi hai, chamcha bann gaya hai usska!”
“Dada, maan hi leejiye, aap bhi darte hai Vahini se!”
“Soch ke bolo! IPS Virat Chavan kisi se darta nahi hai!”
“Haan, haan, IPS Virat Chavan bahadur hai, kisi se nahi darte. Lekin Sai Vahini ka Virat Sir, apni baiko se bohot darta hai!”, Mohit sputtered with laughter at the offended expression on Virat’s face, which slowly turned into unwilling acceptance when Sai cleared her throat, and gestured to the stairs, her face impatient.
The entire family watched fondly as Virat was led away by his wife and brother, and sighing great sighs of relief, dispersed to their own rooms for some much needed rest.
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