Ray of sunshine # 9
Back in the merciless Tijuana cartel, the head of the organization father Rafeal got to know that the captive whom they have sent to be disposed off was actually disposed off alive and is in the safe habors of the American Embassy. He is raging angry at his men.
"What the f**k do you mean she is alive?"
"We thought she was dead father. She didn't have any pulse on her?"
"You f**king morons!!"
"Sorry father...we will get to her immediately"
"I need her dead in twenty four hours or you both will be on that hit list along with her. She knows way too much information about us."
But unfortunately, Manvi was far, far away from them now.
That night, Virat got Manvi on the next flight to US, back home, in a wheelchair, inspite of repeated medical advice that she shouldn't be moved in this condition. He didn't want to be in that country which had subjected his wife through such irreparable trauma.
He hired two full time nurses who kept vigil on Manvi, night and day alternately. The psychologist who was treating Manvi told Virat to keep their normal routine so that she can relate back to her past, somehow - that he should keep going to work and Diya to school and not hover over Manvi, making her conscious.
It was extremely difficult for Virat to leave Manvi in this situation by herself but he listened to the doctor. He would check on her every half hour initially and upon the utter annoyance of the nurses, he changed it to every one hour. Their relationship was more or less on the rocks. Manvi didn't talk to him like before. The more he craved for her to talk to him, the more she pushed him away - She wouldn't let him help her. She wouldn't let him take care of her. She wouldn't sleep in the same room as him. It was a very trying experience for him. But, he kept his cool and patience.
The only person who could make her laugh and talk was Diya. She came back from school everyday and chanted back everything that happened that day to her mother. She knew her mom couldn't get up from the bed so she didn't bug her that much. She was just glad that her mom is finally at home. Virat used to silently watch Manvi when she is with Diya as that was the only time he would get glimpses of his old Manvi.
A week passed and physically, she was improving day by day - the doctors said that she is on the path to a complete recovery. But emotionally, she was a wreck. She would cry for no reason, hardly sleep and even if she slept, she would only wake up to some ugly nightmare. She didn't like visitors. She had agreed to see her mom and dad. But, as soon as they broke down in front of her, she turned numb. She couldn't deal with it. All their relatives were learning to deal with her erratic behavior but it was being very hard. Nobody knew how she would react. So, for now, Virat just didn't encourage people in their house, other than when needed.
It was about five in the evening and Manvi kept looking at the clock. It was time for Diya to come home. Virat usually came at six and sometimes they both came together. She kept looking at the clock and signaling to the nurse that her daughter isn't home yet.
"She will be come. She must be playing or something." The nurse said and went back to watch her evening soap.
Manvi became very tensed and scared. She tried to get out of bed and reach the phone, to call Virat. Let him know that their daughter is missing. But, she couldn't raise up on her own. It was 5:10. She called for the nurse but her voice was too low. Her remote switch that rang the bell for help also fell down on the ground. She didn't know what to do. All she knew was that she needed to raise an alarm and send search and rescue for Diya. She gathered up all her strength and holding the bed she rose up, weakly on her wobbly legs. Her whole body was shaking.
The phone was a put on the bed table that was a step away. She closed her eyes and prayed for strength. She reached for the bed table for support and swung her legs over, reaching the phone. She had the phone in her hand and was about to dial for Virat when the door of her room opened and Diya came running in.
"Mommaa..."
"Diyaaa..." She crumbled on the ground as Diya stopped in front of her.
Virat stood at the door shocked - Manvi was holding a cell, she was standing up, the alarm bell was on the floor and the nurse was behind him - she had followed him in. He walked to his wife and carried her back to the bed. He looked at her scared face.
"Are you okay?"
She nodded.
"What's wrong? Why do you look so scared?"
"It is 5:15." She replied crying hugging Diya tightly.
He didn't understand her. He fired the nurse. He called Manvi's therapist and she explained it to him - She must have been scared for Diya. It will be like this for a while, until she feels safe again. She needs to believe that she is in safe surroundings. She will look for routine. Anything out of routine raises an alarm that something is up.
They were sitting at the dining table.
"Diya, finish your rice."
"No. It is yucky."
"This is the last time I am asking you nicely."
"N.O"
"Alright, time to unleash the wicked, most dangerous...tickle monster." Virat walked to her with threateningly.
"No, No. I will eat." Diya started gobbling up her dinner scared.
Manvi watched in silence with a small smile.
"Alright I am done. Can I watch TV?" Diya asked jumping out of her chair.
"Homework?"
"DONE!"
"Alright, 30 min and then bed."
"Okay." She ran to the TV and switched it on.
Virat cleared up her plate and came back with two plates for him and Manvi.
"The doctor said you could eat some solids from next week. But, only soup for you today." He made a face looking at her plate with only soup bowl and little bread.
They started eating in silence. This was their daily routine. That was what Dr.Kim had told him - Give her space. She will come around. Do not force her or pressurize her into doing things. She might completely give-up if she is forced.
"I want to stay with my mom" Manvi spoke by herself for the first time.
Virat looked at her surprised. He was happy that she is talking but a little hurt by her comment. "Because of the soup? Hey, I only heated up what was in the can." He brushed her off with a joke and a small laugh.
Manvi looked down and she didn't say anything else. But she looked at him while he was clearing up the dinner table. He had changed so much. Gone was the Virat who was childish and always joking. This Virat had aged like ten years in maturity. He was patient, steady and worked so hard to take care of their daughter and now even her. But, who was taking care of him? He doesn't even eat properly. He is in a rush to get Diya to school and himself to work every morning and in the evening it is dinner and school work and a fussy daughter. Weekends are just the same.
And she wondered if they had taken his happiness along with hers. She didn't want to be a burden on him anymore. They both were better off without her. She needed to revive herself and this was not the place for that. Diya would also get eventually tired and complain. She had already said something about mommy not playing with her like before in the morning.
"Do you want to lie down?" Virat asked sitting in front of her, taking her hand in his.
She shook her head, no.
"Manvi, I was thinking you should come back to our room. I don't want to force you but I would really like it if you stayed by my side. I keep worrying about you in the night."
Manvi looked down again. How can she tell him, convince him that it will not be the same anymore? That she cannot give him what he deserves. She can hardly keep herself together. How can she hold his hand again. She isn't his better half anymore. She tries to take her hand back but Virat doesn't let go. "Manvi, let me help you. Please don't shut me out baby."
She shakes her head and tears were streaming out of her eyes. He looked at her, hurt and disappointed. He wiped her tears. "That's okay. I understand if you are not ready." He said and got up pecking her cheek. "I am going to put Diya to bed and come back."
He carried Diya into her room from in front of the television while she was fighting him. "I want to sleep with Momma."
He came back after twenty minutes. She was still sitting in the same position. He was fixing the room and he stops abruptly and comes to her. "You know what Manvi. Actually, I don't understand what is going on with you. I would like to know about it and understand but you don't tell me, you don't talk to me. Suddenly I am like the enemy. How did that happen, huh? Are you angry with me? Don't you love me anymore? You do remember that I am your husband right?"
"Virat?"
"Yes, Virat. Thank god that you remember atleast that. Well, unlike you, I am dying here Manvi. I am dying to talk to you. To get to you, reach you somehow. What do I do? I have no idea. The therapist says to just let it flow, give you as much space as possible. But, sorry, call me crazy but I cannot. I need to know what's going on and fix it right away."
"You can't"
"I can't? Fix you?"
She doesn't react.
"The famous silence." He threw his hands up in the air frustrated but suddenly he dropped on his knees in front of her. "What happened baby? Tell me, talk to me. I can atleast TRY to fix it. What would you do if I were in your situation?"
She looked into his eyes and they radiated raw pain and agony - desperation to reconnect. She wanted to tell him everything but where does she start and where does it end?
He got up on his feet and lifted her up in his arms. "I don't f**king care what you want, you are my wife and you are staying with me. If you have a problem with that, call up a divorce attorney." He muttered and carried her into their bedroom and placed her gently on their bed. He went to the other room and grabbed all her medicines and other medical necessities and brought them all in and went to take a shower.
When he came out, she was standing in the balcony. "Manvi!" he yelled and ran to her.
"They needed information from me and I wouldn't give it to them..." she began the story. He made her sit and she told him everything, from the every first day when they shot her friend in front of her eyes to her den where she was held captive. The times when she was taken to the other den with all kinds of equipment to inflict this body numbing pain on her. How the guards used to just exploit the situation that she was a girl. How she used to yell at the top of her voice but nobody would hear her out. How the more she resisted, the more they used to hurt her.
Even though Virat's hand was clenched and was rearing to go, he just held her. She let him hold her, again. He knew it was all going to be alright. That they would get through this. He called upon his inner patience and calm to let him hear through what she was telling him.
"Did you give them what they wanted?" he asked her finally. It was almost morning by the time she finished.
"No." she replied firmly and there was a silent triumph in her voice.
And yet they let you get out alive?
~~~
Hey guys, just a small note. I kind of want to write stuff other than virman ff and the show has also come to an end. Prolly in one of my next updates I will put up the link of my blog. It will have virman ff as well as other general things and random stories, if anyone is interested. I will still try to post here or atleast update the links on my fb page and I am also not going to send pms anymore. The only place I will post my links is on my facebook page. Sorry for the inconvenience but pm'ing takes a lot of time even with the new 50 at once facility.
Happy reading and as always I love all your comments and feedback that you guys write for me. Keeps me/my writing feel wanted. Thanks a bunch. Love <3 Anu
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