Viren stared lifelessly at the wall; his body had shut down, physically and mentally. It was only the tightening of his chest that reminded him of the necessity to breathe. And as if like clockwork, his lungs expanded wide, taking in another much needed gulp of air.
Dimly aware of a voice calling out to him, he continued his staring contest with the white washed walls of the waiting area. The growth of the audible noise failed to stir him, his mind too far gone to retain some semblance of reality.
"Viren… Viren honey, Viren?" Vanshika waved her arm in front of his eyes, all the while growing slightly fearful. She had never seen him so morose or pitiful since the day he'd heard of his father's demise. There were many times which came close, just like those numerous days when they'd receive a call from the Accident and Emergency department concerning a particular Virat Vadhera, but otherwise her eldest would never just – just shut off. It troubled her greatly to see him so inwardly distressed, his exterior sobriety just an illusion to the rapid beating of his heart.
She sat quietly beside him, gently placing her hand on his. She encompassed his larger hand in hers, squeezing softly as the lack of heat radiating from him troubled her. "Son, you're so cold…" She looked towards his face, her forehead creasing as he sat motionless beside her. "Come on Viren, you have to be strong. You have to push all the negativity from your thoughts."
The rapid twist of his head caught her off guard as his eyes bore into hers, the usually calm and mellow chocolate orbs now ebony balls of darkness. "What if something happens to her or the baby? What if-"
Vanshika placed her fingers on his lips, shaking her head softly as the words trailed off of his lips. "Shhh, everything will be fine Viren, it's going to be okay." She covered his cheek with her palm, smiling tenderly in order to ease some of his tension. She watched on as his eyes again became fixated with the wall ahead, all the time praying within her head so that everything would be fine.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
"Come on Rheya, it's time to wake up." Jeevika gently shook the sleeping child in the car seat next to her. Fluttering her eye lashes, Rheya soon stirred awake as her eyes began to adjust to her surroundings. She yawned, outstretching her small arms upwards in order to wake herself fully. "Hey princess, we're here."
Jeevika glanced out of the window, silently appreciating the architecture and sky line of a big city like Chandigarh. For a small town girl from Hrishikesh, the charms of the big city allured her; she couldn't help but feel at home among the liveliness and hustle bustle of Chandigarh. Soon enough the car stopped and Jeevika quickly unbuckled the restless toddler from the car seat, taking her into her arms as the passenger door was opened for her. Stepping out of the car with her daughter on her hip, she leant back in to retrieve her bag before standing up right again, this time flashing a thankful smile to Rohit who closed the door as soon as she was finished.
"Rohit-ji, what have you got planned for us today?" Dabbu made his way towards their side of the car, slightly awestruck after looking around at the tall buildings.
"Well, first I'd like to take you guys to my favourite place here – the Rock Garden of Chandigarh." He pointed down the long busy road before them, a charming smile on his lips. Jeevika smiled back as she recognised the road they were on.
"It's also one of my favourite places here." She pressed on ahead of the two guys, casually turning her head back to usher them forward.
"I forgot, this is your home." Rohit walked in step with Jeevika, sneaking glances at the mother and daughter duo every few moments.
"Was my home; not anymore." Jeevika corrected him instinctively, barely registering his words over the hubbub of noise from the busy market streets.
"Well, you must know this place better than me. I've only even been here before due to business trips and meetings, hardly having any time to actually explore and see the city. Jeevika-ji, would you be my guide today?" He looked expectantly towards Jeevika, inwardly musing at how beautiful she looked under the glow of the sun.
She watched him for a few moments, glancing into his eyes and enjoying the sincerity they held within them. Realising the delay in her answer, she smiled softly as she nodded her head.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
Virat sat himself down near Swamini of the large plush sofas of their lobby area. He peered at the book in her hands, laughing to himself at the self-help guide she held.
"Something amuse you Virat?" She peered over the book, her heavy eyeliner slightly spooking Virat.
"No… nothing." He looked away from her, instead gazing at the door as the sound of the door bell rang, and as if like clockwork, Tarun had appeared to open the door. Viren walked in, a grin on his lips as he placed down his messenger bag on the coffee table.
"Viren, you seem unusually happy today." Swamini placed down her book on her lap, noticing the strangely jovial mood of Viren.
"Well Bua-ji, how else would you think he'd be when Rheya's coming today?" Virat looked over towards the beaming man who sat opposite him on the sofa. "How many days will we have her for?"
"A week, or there about. I'll just be relieved when she's in my arms again. This has been the longest month ever." He looked down at his phone, checking the time and if he had any messages in the meantime. He smiled lovingly at the screensaver, a smiling Rheya sitting upon Virat's shoulders.
"Well it wouldn't have been that case if you hadn't have gotten into that argument with Bhabhi…" Viren glared at Virat, an irritated look upon his face. "I think I'll be best going now." Virat stood quickly, making his exit from the living area.
Swamini sat up from her seat, a frown framing her lips. "You got into another fight with that girl? Viren, seriously, you should just not make any conversation with that girl other than what is necessary. And when will that boy stop calling her that? She hold no relation to us or this house anymore."
"It's not a simple as that. She's still a part of my life whether you, I or anybody else likes that or not… I think I'm just going to go back to my room and relax for a bit." He stood, slowly making his way towards Virat's room. He stopped outside, leaning his shoulder against the door frame half glaring at his younger brother. "You know, sometimes I just want to beat the crap out of you man."
Virat looked up from his guitar, slightly surprised at Viren's use of vocabulary. "Ouch Bhai, that hurt." He feigned a bullet wound to his chest, a cheeky smile on his lips.
"What was the need Virat, seriously? She already hates her; there was no need to fuel the fire. Mentioning her, and calling her Bhabhi on top of that, dude, it's not the way to smooth things over. Do you really think I want my family to share some mutual hatred against the mother of my child for the rest of my life, or more worse, Rheya's life?" He looked unimpressed as he made his way into the room.
"Come on Bhai, you don't really believe that, do you? Besides, Bhabhi is Bhabhi. She'll always be Bhabhi so I don't care what anyone else thinks about that. I'm not going to pretend that she never existed so it'll make some people in this damn house happy. No, no, I don't work like that."
"I get that Virat, but you've got to realise this is not the way. Heck, to everyone concerned, she gave up on us and took away my child; how else do you think the family will see her?"
"You chose to give up on her, and by giving up on her, you gave up on your own child. Just because you decided that rather than sticking things through, it'd be easier to just give up, doesn't mean I believe the same thing. I respect you Bhai, but that's one decision I'll never stand with you by."
"After knowing everything, that's still the impression you hold of me? Wow, thanks kiddo." He turned quickly, leaving the room as quickly as he could as a sudden pang of dejection hit him. He disregarded Virat's calls, choosing to return to his room.
~~ ~~ ~~ ~~ ~~
"Di, I'm hungry." Dabbu prodded Jeevika's shoulder, his stomach grumbling loudly. He turned towards his sides, acutely aware of the masses of people surrounding them in the dark and quiet opera house.
"Dabbu, you just ate before. How can you be hungry again?" She whispered back to him, trying to pay attention to the ballet show going on.
"Di, I'm hungry though. I can't describe why, but I am." Dabbu spoke slightly louder, disturbing those adjacent to where they sat.
"Dabbu, Dabbu, it's okay. Here's some money; you can go get some sweets and drinks from the Reception counter. You can bring me back some iced tea." Rohit placed a few notes in Dabbu's hands, pointing towards the general direction of the exit from the second floor level. Dabbu smiled cheerfully before disappearing up towards the exit.
Jeevika leaned back into her seat, her attention again being immersed into the ballet performance in front of them. She felt a shiver run up her spine as a small pressure on her hand made itself evident to her; sneaking a glance down to the shared armrest, she was slightly surprised by the larger warm hand encompassing hers. Peering up towards his face, she almost felt her heart skip a beat as he flashed her that charming smile of his.
She blushed, averting her gaze back into her lap as a small smile encroached her lips. She turned to the seat beside her, wanting to hide her blush only to find a vacant seat. Her maternal instincts kicking in, Jeevika sat upright, cocking her head side to side. "Rohit-ji, have you seen Rheya?" She turned towards the man at her side, her eyes quizzical.
He peered past her form at the vacant seat to her side, a line of worry lacing his forehead. He could feel the growing anxiety coming from Jeevika; a sudden urge in him wanted to ease her tensions. "Relax Jeevika, she probably heard us talking about sweets and went with Dabbu to the counter outside. Just enjoy the show; they'll be back any time now." He flashed another smile, easing her back into her seat, although painfully aware of her tense body.
She sat impatiently awaiting the return of Rheya and Dabbu, repeatedly checking the minutes going by on her wrist watch. She began to shake her leg, agitated as to the absence of her daughter and Dabbu. Jeevika let out a shaky breath as she could just about make out the crown of Dabbu's head, her panicky state faintly subsiding. She waited for him to come nearer, trying to spy a small figure near his legs but all she could see was an arm laden with soft drinks and sweets.
She could hear the 'Excuse me's' as he stumbled past the row of people to finally reach his seat, unceremoniously plopping himself down on to the plush crimson velvet seats. Jeevika reached out her arm, shaking Dabbu's forearm rigorously. "Dabbu, where is Rheya?" She tried to look past him, further down the row. Her heart felt like it would burst out of her chest as the absence of her daughter became evident.
"I don't know. I thought she was here with you." Dabbu pointed towards the vacant seat next to him, a frown growing upon his face. "Wait, where is she?" He dropped the mountain of food he'd bought to the floor, a sense of dread soon rising within him. He stood, oblivious of the quiet dark room around him as he began to call out for his missing niece.
Jeevika reached past the standing Dabbu, tapping the occupant of the chair near him on the shoulder as her panic level began to rise. "Excuse me Sir, but did you see my daughter go past? She's just a toddler." Her face etched with worry, the old man in the chair felt pity on her.
"I'm sorry Miss, but I thought she was following this boy here or else I would have stopped her. I saw her go up the aisle following him." The man pointed towards Dabbu who had focused his attention to him. He stood up, allowing for Jeevika to hurriedly make it out into the aisle followed by Dabbu and Rohit. Running up the few stairs to the top of the level, she flung open the doors to make it out into the foyer.
In terms of the Opera House, just imagine Paris Opera House - and it's Grand Foyer, an absolutely amazing building).
Glancing down both sides of the grand foyer, she called out as loud as she could to her missing child. "Jeevika, I'll go this way and you go that way. Dabbu, go find a member or staff and alert them that there is a missing kid." Rohit pointed Jeevika down the left hand side of the long foyer as he disappeared with Dabbu down the right hand side.
Holding on to her purse, she half jogged down the hall, her voice ringing out loudly against the quiet space. Jeevika continued down the long foyer, oblivious of the richly decorated and silent space she disturbed with the clacking of her heels against the marble floor. She resisted the urge to scream, her heart beating uncontrollably in her chest. She let out another strangled cry against the walls of the hall, failing to notice the uneven floor beams causing her to collapse onto the ground. She looked around her; the emptiness of the foyer and the silence it held driving her mad. Distraught, alone and petrified, Jeevika did the one thing that made sense to her in that moment of chaos.
She frantically searched for her phone, tipping out the contents of her purse upon the polished marble floor. Sifting through the objects, she found what she had been looking for. Quickly dialling the only number that lay in her vacant head, she waited desperately as the dialling tone continued.
"…Hello?" She let the breath she was holding escape as she heard the voice she was yearning to hear. Taking another deep breath, she composed herself, reigning in the myriad of emotions flying around her.
"Viren-ji… Rheya's gone. She's- I can't find her…" She looked around her, her broken voice echoing around the empty hall.
"Jeevika, wha-what do you mean? Where the hell are you and where the hell is my daughter?" She could hear the anxiety and anger laced in his voice, leaving a cold shiver running up her spine.
"She's gone Viren-ji… she's gone…" Her vacant eyes looked around the dimmed hall, barely registering the aggravated calls from the other end of the line.
Channel V Dil Dosti Dance
Arjun
