Vignettes- 18. Hai re Nandkishore! Thread 1 - Page 81

Hey ...

A bad back can be the very pits . Hope you get better soon .

loved the update..
i was thinking the same would NK be able to love her after surgeries!!
but its out NK who has a golden heart..
i guess he in love with her..
loved the ARNAV&KHUSHI part

p.s a take care of your sprained back!! i know its really painful!!

just love the way you write.

Meanwhile I have run out of adjectives to describe ur updates. So I only can repeat like always:

hope your back is ok... I know how frustrating it would be have a back pain and not even sit in our most comfortable pose without without yelling a little... May be you are strecting too far with all the work load in your plate...

Amazing update Aparna! I liked how the whole family sat together and how the unanimous reaction was of ultimate relief after they got to know that Pooja was out of danger. They were all terribly worried. Pooja would be lucky to be married in such a household and nothing could have ever happened to her because she had the blessings of so many people.
Khushi is an amazing person, she thinks good of everyone, she even felt bad for so many others. She has a heart of gold. I loved the way Arnav comforted her.

That scene where Payal had to stand while the nurse dressed her and gave her the medicines, it must have been so difficult for her. It is not an easy job to do. And her reaction did show how sad and worried she had become. Her concern was right. Even I I don't know what Nk's reaction would be after getting to see her. But I don't doubt that at all that he loves her.

The Arshi scene was so well written. I visualized it in my mind and I loved it. The way they both were lying in each others arms, both comforting each other and those little pecks and kisses. Adorable! Arnav's concerns are absolutely right, just like Payal. NK has had a very easy going life and has no idea of what tough times mean. I loved the way Khushi relaxed Arnav and made him understand that there is nothing to be worried about and that NK would handle this situation like a man. Those small gestures like combing his hair off of his forehead, the kiss to wipe away the frown lines on Arnav's forehead, all that is so amazing. It just touches my heart deeply.

Poor NK he is so worried and I hope all his worry ends soon. He has not been able to sleep, eat or do anything else. He was almost crying while talking to his mother. Poor guy. And finally Pooja has gained consciousness. Well, lets see what happens next. I loved this part. Thanks for the PM! Great work. 😊

Came back from my Kerala trip and read this update Aparna. So sorry that you have a back sprain. Take care of your health first. You can update it when you are feeling okay. Don't stress out. So NK is finally realizing that the girl for him is Pooja. Can't wait to see how you take this one forward.

hai re nandkishore...what a wonderful story...well i was one among those who used to rope for NK and Lavanya...and then i came across your story and fell in love with the pairing of Nk and Pooja too

bechara nk in jail...sad...ad then the 'formal interview in informal settings...only khushi have the guts to stand infront of arnav and question him...

nk ki lakdi...nk ka naram dil hired pooja without informing anybody at home...and the search party for pooja was like 'bagal mein chori and sheher bhar mein dhindora'


but i am feeling so sad for pooja and her family ...they are facing so many miseries together.

love the hospital scene and the support of raizadas to the yadavs

I love your payal very much. people who speak less speaks the most important things...she is the silent yet strong character...

a very beautiful story

cheers
anukriti

My dear dear readers! Thank you for patiently waiting for me to get back. Now that I've finally started on my one week vacation before my work starts again, and my back is better, I'm back to the wonderful world of Shantivan...

Thank you for all your kind words, "get-well soon" wishes and feedback... Especially to Indu and Vidya, for your PMs...you guys make me feel loved... :-)

Here comes the next part... And as a special repayment for your continuous love and support, I'll be posting an update on Thursday and Saturday as well... love ya!!

Please do let me know what you think...

Scroll down for the English version

Part 19

Pain...

Her body was aching all over, muscles she didn't know she had were pulled tight, every breath simply hurt...

Fire...

Her face was on fire, every cell burning up, whatever was wound over her skin was pressing into the burn... ohh, how good it would've felt for a bit of cool air over her face...

Noises...

Hushed voices murmuring around her, soft footsteps carefully making its way around her...

And the smell

... a mix of medicine and disinfectant, and that unmistakable smell of human suffering...

Pooja forced her eyes open, only to wince and shut it again at the sudden piercing light. Her eyes, kept away from light for days, could not take the assault of the clear white light of the tube in her ICU. Noticing the movement, the nurse on duty leaned close and seeing signs of wakefulness, quickly pressed the call-button for the orderly and instructed him to get the doctor.

Lost in the haze of semi-consciousness, Pooja tried to piece together what was happening around her. The bus... waiting by the roadside... the hotel... the faces of her attackers fading into darkness... and the red haze of pain that had shrouded her mind. Trying to get away from the images assaulting her, her forced her eyes open again, the blurry image of a man bending over her making her panic, sending her breath into erratic gasps.

Seeing the havoc her reaction was wreacking on her vital signs, the doctor backed off and rather than sedate her again, asked the nurse to send in Payal, hoping that the familiar face would help in calming her. Her fear subsiding as the stranger left her field of vision, Pooja closed her eyes again, trying hard to fight off the pain and focus on remembering what had happened to her. A cool hand on her forehead made her flutter her eyes open again. Looking up at the kind face smiling down at her warmly, she blinked, trying to remember where she had seen her before.

Smiling down at the battered face, trying to keep herself from weeping, Payal murmured, "Pooja, pehchaana humein? Hum Payal hain, Nandkishore ki bhabi. Mandir mein mile the naah hum, Dilli mein?"

Understanding dawning on her, Pooja's eyes widened, pleading with Payal frantically to tell her what had happened, where she was, unable to speak through her bandages. Correctly interpreting the fear in her eyes, Payal continued soothing her, "Shh... daro mat. Ab tum theek ho, hospital mein ho. Kya tumhein yaad hai kya hua tha? Tumhe kuch goondon ne mar-peet kar chod diya tha. Par ab darne ki koi baat nahi hain. Hum sab hain yahan. Tumhare pitaji ghar gaye hue hain, thodi der mein aa jaayenge. Aur Nandkishore bhi hain, aate hi honge."

Relieved as she finally was able to find out where she was, Pooja nodded slightly, one half thankful to have a known face in front of her, but the other half of her mind confused as to why her boss and his sister-in-law where with her instead of her family. The medicines taking effect, she closed her eyes again, unaware that the doctor had returned and after checking on her, had smilingly reported the good news of her recovering health to Payal and Akash.

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

Leaning against the wall, Akash dialled NK's number, and let him know of the improvement in Pooja's health, only to wince and hold the phone away from his ear at NK's exhuberant shout. Shaking his head, Akash laughed at his wife's look as she heard NK's voice floating out of his phone. "Haan, NK bhai. Usko hosh aa gayi. She's doing fine now. Sedated hain, toh so rahi hain. Aaraam se aayiye."

The next call went to Delhi to update Arnav and Khushi, and he had barely finished the call and sat down next to Payal when a commotion at the end of the corridor drew his attention. Soon, the young couple were standing witness to a heartrending scene when Pooja's mother was brought in and informed of what had happened. Looking at the frail lady shuddering in her husband's arms, Payal could only be grateful that the news she was getting was that her daughter had been disfigured, not that she was dying.

"Masterji, humri bachchi...", the hapless woman wailed, "Kaa hogi iski haal? Kab theek ho jaayegi? Uska chehra..."

And then, in a quiet voice, she voiced her biggest fear, "Kaisan karenge iski ilaaj? Itna paisa..."

Walking forward, sending a reassuring smile at his wife, Akash came to a halt at their side. Pooja's father smiled at him tremulously and tried to introduce to his wife but the grief-stricken woman was lost in her own personal hell. With a quick nod at Diwakar Yadav for his permission, Akash put a gentle hand on her shoulder to get her attention and at her wondering look, took her hand in his. "Namaste, mera naam Akash Singh Raizada hain. Humare company mein hi Pooja kaam karti hain, mere bhai Nandkishore ke saath."

As the woman started crying again, he clasped her hand tightly and continued, "Aunty aap bilkul bhi phikar mat keejiye. Parsoan se hum yahan hai, police ne humein hi pehle contact kiya tha. Aur tab se dekh raha hoon ki Pooja ki tabeeyat kitni behtar hoti ja rahi hain. Aur doctor ka bhi kehna hain ki woh bilkul theek ho jaayegi. Bus thoda waqt lagega. Aur humare company ki employee hain, toh ilaaj uski health insurance mein cover ho jaayegi. Pooja ko theek karane ke liye jahan bhi, jitna bhi ilaaj karna hain, hum dekh lenge. Aap bus apne aap ko sambhaaliye aur Pooja ka saath deejiye."

NK, who was rushing in just then, stood mute witness to a woman, apparently his lakdi's mother weeping in gratitude in his cousin's arms, while her father stood with folded hands nearby, while his bhabi quietly wiped her brimming eyes. All sorts of terrible scenarios flipping through his sleep-deprived mind, he ran forward, his heart thundering.

Payal was the first one to spot NK's terrified face and went forward to meet him. "Kya baat hain, Nanheji? Itna pareshaan kyun ho?"

Grabbing her shoulders NK panted, "What happened here? Why is everyone crying? Is it Pooja? Is she okay? Answer me, Bhabi!"

Her face wreathed in a soft smile, she cupped his face, "Sab theek hain, Nanheji. Aap khabraayiye mat. Sab theek hain. Akash Pooja ki maa ko yeh hi bata raha tha."

Watching her Dewar bend over sighing in relief, Payal turned around to smile at her husband and murmured, "Sab theek hain..."

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

"Kaa aap sach bolat ho, bitwa? Pooja ko hosh aa gayi?", Naniji asked, a relieved smile blossoming on her face.

"Haan, Nani. She's awake now. Payal ki usse baat bhi huyi thi. Aur doctor ka maanna hain ki usko hum jald hi Delhi mein le aa sakenge, surgeries ke liye." Arnav replied, smiling over at his wife who was now held in a bone-crushing hug by hi sister.

"Hello-hi, bye-bye! NK babua ki lakdi jald hi theek ho gayegi toh hum iss ghar ma ek aur shaadi celebrate karenge! How naice!" Manorama clapped her hands loudly, making her younger son wince and then grin.

Looking at his brother, Dhruv asked, "Toh kab jaa rahe ho, Bhaiyya? Pooja ko laane ke liye? Do you need me to go this time?"

Before Arnav could reply, Khushi said, "Nahi, Dhruv. Nanheji sambhaal lenge. Aur toh aur, ab Pooja ke maa-babuji wahan hain toh Jiji aur Jeejaji bhi aaj hi laut aayenge, unka wahan rehne ki zaroorat nahi hain naah. Bus yahan aane ke intezaam karne ke liye Nanheji hi wahan rukenge."

Smirking his trademark smirk, Arnav Singh Raizada thought, "My shrewd biwi, yeh hi idea tum NK ko bhi de diya tha. Taaki woh wahan ruk sakein aur apne future in-laws ko impress kar sakein!"

And just as she came up to his side, he leaned down to whisper in her ears, "I'm proud of you, Mrs. Khushi Kumari Gupta Singh Raizada!"