The trio broke the hug soon, with eyes still moist with tears. It was still evening time. Ramnath left for The Club as he had a meeting fixed with His old friends, while Nirmala set off for Tiwari Killa. Shravan insisted to drop her but she said she'll manage in her own. So finally, after seeing off his Mom and Dad, Shravan left for his home.
He was on his way, when he recalled the moment Suman had left abruptly. He couldn't even express what he had to say. Now when he sums it up, he recalled how on every step, on every turn, on his every decision she had been with him. She had thought of his good more than him and there wasn't any more proof needed that she loved him deeply and will stay with him forever.
Their past moments flashed through his eyes: their childhood, the school banter, the moments that they stole from the world to be together. His return, their small date, the terrace hug, the Khosla case , everything seemed so beautiful now. He regretted shouting on her like that. How foolish of him! But now it was time for conveying feelings, it was time to Confess.
He called her, if they could meet right away. But her phone was out of coverage area.
This sounded a bit fishy. She had left the park without a word. Had she reached home safely? What would she be feeling? Millions of questions popped up in his mind.
He dialled the Landline of Tiwari Killa but no one was answering. His heart throbbed in his chest. The mere thought of some mishap killed him every moment.
He immediately set off to find her, his lady.
He followed the sane route, from the park to Tiwari House. He kept his eyes alert for any sign of her or the Ambassador. After a kilometer, on a deserted road, stood her car. In a tattered shape. The bonnet and the right side was completely crushed. The glass panes were strewn all over the seats.
Shravan broke from within seeing this. Tears started dripping from his eyes. His heart pierced with sorrow, remorse and grief. Why did it happen with them?
After gaining composure, he asked a stall owner nearby, if he knew of the whereabouts of the victim. He told him that a passerby had rushed the last to Lilavati Hospital.
Shravan rushed to the Hospital. He ran to the Reception, where he was instructed to go to the Third Floor.
Room 6, Third Floor
He saw Mami, Mama and Daboo crying bitterly. Since Nanu wasn't well, he and Preeti along with Masi were at home. Daboo refused to stay back, when his Suman Didi was so much hurt.
Suman was being operated currently. Her head had received severe injuries.
Finally, after an agonising wait, almost three painful hours, the OT lights went off. The doctor emerged, tired but triumphant.
"Congratulations. She will be OK. But... You come with me.", he said pointing to Suman.
He took him to his cabin. The silence was so deafening to Shravan, it seemed he himself may die any moment.
The doctor explained, "She has received head injuries. Usually in these cases, there is a slight chance of the victim losing memory. So you have to take care of that. Not that I'm sure but it MAY just happen."
He was left so numb. Death was better than Suman forgetting HIM. Living like unknowns was worse than not living at all.
With a cold face, he returned to her room. Heart tightly stiffened, he was to face the decision of the Almighty.
Mama had gone to complete paper formalities and Mami was silently weeping. She left the Room to call Masiji as he came, leaving them alone.
Suman's head was bandaged. The only sound that could be heard was the constant beeping of the Machine. Needles of medicines, glucose and what not had been pierced into her soft skin. That itself must be hurting so much.
Her eye lids had turned dark.
Chhuteya na chhute mose
Rang tera dholna
Ik tere baajo dooja
Mera koi mol na
Bolna mahi bolna
Bolna mahi bolna
Hmm... aa...
Tere liye aaya main toh
Tere sang jaana
Dholna ve tere naal
Jindri bitavaan
Kadi naiyo chhodna
Ishq di dor na
Saare chhad jaayen maahi
Tu na chhodna
Bolna mahi bolna
Bolna mahi bolna...
After about two hours
Mami had gone home to fetch dinner. Mamaji had too gone home, to take some rest Shravan's insistence. So Shravan decided to stay back with her.
Suman weakly moved her eyes. They were too heavy for her weak body. She gingerly opened them, to see a blur figure. After a few seconds, she could see him.
"Sh... Shravan..", words barely escaped from under her breath. She gave a very weak smile to find him near her.
But Shravan seemed over the moon. Not only had she escaped death by inches but also her memory was in place.
"Shravan, are you alright, why are you crying?", she asked worriedly.
"Suman, I was scared, very very scared, to lose you. Because I ... I love you. I just love you too much!", he babbled. "I'm sorry, I insulted you, said to you all the mean things one can say, but I didn't mean anything of it from my heart. And trust me, I've hurted myself more than you by saying all this. Will you forgive me, my love?"
Suman gave a wider, stronger smile. His words gave her power to deal with this ordeal.
"I love you too. And I FORGIVE you, my love... Ouch", her head hurted.
But that needn't be said. The eyelock they shared was enough to convey a sea of words. The presence of each other was enough to gain strength.
----------------------------------
Its truly said that nor bricks, nor the house makes a Family. Its the strong bonds that make a family. Relations were just like soft threads, they needed tender care. Ego, attitude, misunderstandings destroys and cripples them. Whereas Forgiveness was the ultimate medicine that could heal the deepest of wounds.
The fact is "Us" is stronger than "You" and "Me".
