Chapter 6
Payal was lost in thoughts as she sipped on her tea on the breakfast table. Occasionally her glance shifted to her friend. Payal remembered the first time she had met Khushi. The moment she had admitted that she was visually challenged, a sense of protectiveness had washed over Payal for the girl who had easily forgiven her for her mistake. Payal considered Khushi as the sister she never had and took the role quite seriously. If Khushi understood people from their voice, Payal had to have just one look to judge people. Payal had noticed that Khushi was more silent than usual since the past few days. Being a psychiatrist and a woman herself, Khushi's increased silence but cheerfulness were indications enough that something had been affecting her heart, or may be someone. From her experience, she knew that Khushi didn't like to discuss certain topics - one was the incident that took place years ago and another was attraction to the other gender. Therefore, to talk to Khushi and know what was going on in her mind was impossible. Hence Payal had patiently been waiting until opportunity presented itself and it did, the previous night in the form of an incoming call from an unknown number. The eyes that were impaired enough to be termed legally blind, could not conceal blatant display of nervousness, excitement, uncertainty, anticipation and above everything, yearning. Her cheeks had helped to show what her eyes had failed to - a blush, deep red in color. And her voice promptly enhanced the effect the caller was having on her senses by turning softer and loving. Payal had more than enough evidences to make her hypothesis that her friend was finally giving in to her hormones. And with that the decision, which her mind had been chanting ever since she understood the identity of the caller, came back to her.
I have to meet him today.
Therefore Payal had checked with her secretary at KVM hospital and found that she had only two appointments, which were scheduled for the evening. So she decided to push the program rehearsal to post lunch and finish her counseling of a few autism and post trauma cases at SPARC before 11, thereby ensuring that she would be available, when Arnav arrived.
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"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Waiting for you"
"Why are you not letting me live in peace?"
"Why are you ready to wage a war at every available chance?"
"Why are you really here?"
"In search of my long last friend. His name is Nannav."
Arnav stilled for a moment and then spoke unhurriedly.
"He is lost forever. The sooner you accept it, the better it is for whatever is left between us"
"I refuse to accept defeat. I am hopeful"
"Then keep hoping. Now if you will excuse me"
Saying that as coldly as possible, he made a move and got behind the wheel, when the intruder followed him right into the passenger seat.
"What the! Get out"
"Shout all you want. I am not backing out. In fact, a little birdie tells me, that I may get back my friend today."
"In your dreams. Get out Akash."
"Okay let me see what Wikipedia has to say."
"Wikipedia? About what?"
"Carpool? Fampool in this case"
Arnav closed his eyes in frustration.
"Where are you going with this? I am getting late Akash"
"I am going to SPARC with you."
Arnav screamed in horror. "What?"
"Why are you shouting? I have no intentions to turn deaf and go to SPARC to avail their services. Look, I saw in their brochures that I found in your room..."
"In my room?"
"Yes in your room. Don't interrupt. Where was I? Yes, I found these brochures in your room which says that they offer vocational training in handicraft making to physically challenged people and the products are on sale, the proceeds of which will benefit the patients directly. You know, Aman is celebrating his anniversary this weekend. You may not give a damn, but Adhuna is my friend and she loves hand-made stuff. So I am coming to SPARC to find something she may like. Now keep going, we are already late."
Arnav let out a frustrated sigh and shifted the gear.
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Upon Arriving at SPARC, Arnav and Akash were received by a middle aged-man who introduced himself as Ajay Shukla, PRO of SPARC and led them to the chairman's room where Shashi Gupta was waiting with Khushi and Payal. On seeing Arnav, Shashi got up from his chair and engulfed Arnav in a warm hug.
"Welcome to SPARC Arnav. I am very happy to see you here."
"Pleasure is mine Sir. How are you today?"
"I am much better, son. But my little girl would not accept until her brother gives me clearance."
"She is right Sir, you look weak. You should be resting."
"My kids here are my medicine Arnav. You have to spend some time with them to know what I mean."
Shashi turned his attention to Akash and Arnav quickly made the introduction.
"Meet my brother Akash. Akash, this is Mr. Shashi Gupta, founder, Gupta Constructions and Shyam and Khushi's father"
The two men shook hands before Shashi welcomed Akash and introduced Payal to the Raizada siblings. Akash met with Khushi with much enthusiasm.
"I would like to take your leave now young men. I just came to attend a project meeting and meet the kids. Ajay will take you around the facility in a few minutes and then Khushi will take you to meet the kids. I was told that you are going on a weeklong trip, son. Wish you a safe and successful trip. I will see you in the fund raiser. You too Akash."
Arnav and Akash waved Shashi goodbye and settled down in the chairs, while Ajay went out with Shashi after giving instructions to an attendant to send in refreshments for the visitors.
From the moment he had come in, Akash couldn't take his eyes off Payal. No, not because he was bitten by the lovebug or something. He was just racking his brains to recollect where he had seen her all the while striking a general conversation with Khushi. Khushi welcomed Akash's presence whole-heartedly, anything to keep away from Arnav, she thought, while her conscience admonished her for being a hypocrite. She was looking forward to this meeting with Arnav, if she would have to admit honestly, but she didn't quite know how to handle it, particularly in the presence of others. While Payal was aware of Akash's unwavering gaze on her and the reason behind it, she kept her focus on Arnav. She noticed with satisfaction that Arnav had eyes only for Khushi. He had only acknowledged her presence with a nod when the introductions were made and after that Khushi had his singular attention. The brothers' staring session had to be temporarily suspended when Ajay came back and took them to the tour of the facilities, while Payal left Khushi with the kids and went to her counseling room to complete a case study report she was working on.
Arnav and Akash were amazed by the vision with which the center was set up. Ajay took them around various rooms in which various activities were in progress, such as computer training, spoken English, vocational training like envelope making, handicrafts for women, book binding and printing and training program to prepare the visually challenged for competitive exams and job interviews. Ajay also showed them a room were patients who had stroke, paralysis and accident victims were given physiotherapy. From Ajay, Arnav and Akash came to know about the future plans and why the fundraiser was essential. It was also clear to them that most of the services extended to the patients were offered free of cost or at a very minimal charge. And the recipient of the services hailed from low socio economic status and were not in a position to afford the facilities that were available at private set ups. At this juncture, they had pretty much covered the facility and had reached Payal's room. Payal offered to take over from Ajay as he had to meet someone at the secretariat. After he took their leave, Payal went on to explain that some of the visually impaired people they saw were blind since birth while some others had lost their vision either traumatically or progressively in accidents or due to metabolic or genetic disorders respectively after having enjoyed sight for good part of their lives. Payal also explained to them how such conditions could be emotionally devastating to not only the patients/victims but also the families as they had to deal with drastic lifestyle, educational and social changes. That was where Payal and her team helped them to learn to live their life again. They taught them that the loss of faculty/faculties need not restrict them from leading a self-sustained life. They gave such families a variety of rehabilitation and training options while simultaneously assessing them for mental well-being. Arnav listened to all the information with rapt attention and finally asked her.
"I have a question, and you may choose not to answer Dr. Sharma. While I assume that the motivation to establish such a wonderful facility to cater to the visually challenged community may have come from Khushi's condition, is there any specific reason behind the decision to extend the facility to other faculties and particularly accident victims?"
Payal absorbed his question and took a few moments before answering.
"Your question is reflective of your lack of knowledge about the reason behind Khushi's condition Mr. Raizada. It may not be right on my part to divulge under any other circumstance, but this question has been consistent among the donors who come to see the facility and Shashi uncle has not considered the reason as confidential. So, I guess I can tell you."
Payal fixed her gaze at Arnav to gauge his reaction to the words she was going to utter.
"Khushi is not congenitally blind. She lost her vision in an accident a few years ago. While the woes that uncle and Shyam Bhai faced when they started Khushi's education under the changed conditions led Bhai to think about starting this facility exclusively for visually challenged people, the mental trauma that she and the entire family had undergone post Khushi's accident was one of the reasons to expand this facility to meet the needs of accident victims."
Arnav was stunned to silence. While he assimilated this piece of information with great difficulty, Akash observed his brother closely. He exactly knew what was going on in his brother's mind at that moment. If he knew his brother better, he knew what was coming next. And it did.
"Where can I find her?"
"Come with me."
Akash quickly interrupted. "Umm. Dr. Sharma, I need your help. Can you please take me to where the hand made stuff are put up for sale? I am looking for making some purchase. Bro can go to meet Khushi. Since we have little time left for lunch, I think we can do this separately."
Payal contemplated for a second, but seeing Akash's pleading look and Arnav's restlessness, she decided to take Akash with her after giving directions to the room where Arnav could find Khushi.
"Shall we go Payal?"
"Its Dr. Sharma for you Mr. Raizada"
"Sure, only if you tell me you didn't go to Delhi Public School and didn't come in as the last minute replacement to Mridula in the English play that was put up for the senior's farewell party."
Payal looked at Akash in awe and quickly tried to hide her embarrassment by turning around to clear the already clean table.
"You recognized me the moment I walked in, didn't you Payal?"
"Yes, I did, but you didn't. And I didn't feel the need to refresh your memory. Why are you here? As long as I remember, you never had time for social service and were quite happy partying all the time."
"You do have a fantastic memory and seem to have carried around that incident for quite some time now, haven't you? Look, I admit I was silly but cut me some slack Payal, I was an immature teenager who found partying more appealing than to spend an evening recording audio lessons for blind students . I am not a saint and I have had no problems in admitting my limitations."
"So why are you really here?"
"I didn't come here to reunite with the girl who once was friends with me. In fact you by no means look like the girl who yelled at me for being a selfish, obnoxious, spoiled brat, before disappearing from my friends circle. In fact I couldn't recognize you at all. Look at you. You are beautiful and and"
"Stop it Akash. You wanted to buy something. Let's go"
"Not before you forgive me for being silly once and accepting me as your friend again."
"You haven't lost touch with your charming skills, I see"
"Oh! I practice daily."
Payal couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"So friends?" Akash extended his hand towards her. She just shook her head disapprovingly and slapped away his hand before laughingly saying, "Come, let's go"
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As the flautist played the closing notes of the song, Khushi clapped her hands in appreciation and the kids and a few older children present in the gathering joined her. The flautist, a teenager, bowed his head in acceptance and swept his arms nearby to locate a bag in which he placed his flute, before asking Khushi, "Didi ! Can we practice our piece tomorrow? I have to go the hospital now."
"Yes Madan. Wish you good luck. With Devi Maiyya's blessings, I am sure you will clear the eligibility test for transplant"
Madan's mother, who had come to stand near her son by now to lead his way out placed her hand on Khushi's head and said emotionally, "God bless you my child" and left with her son walking past Arnav, who was witnessing the scene unfold before him.
"Okay, now let's see who remembers Humko man ki Shakti dena."
A girl spoke, "But didi, its been so long. I don't remember it quite well."
"Its okay Veena, sing as much as you remember"
Veena, who was bound to a wheel chair alerted Khushi, "But Khushi Didi ! We have a visitor here, will it look nice if I forget my lines in front of him?"
Arnav knew it was time to make his presence known. He entered the room and stopped near Khushi before turning to the girl and saying, "I promise I won't say anything if you forget your lines. I may even help you remember it."
"Arnav? Come sit here." Khushi said patting the space beside her on the table she was sitting.
"Children ! Say hello to my friend Arnav."
The kids chorused, "Hello Arnav Bhaiyya !"
"Hello kids !!"
A boy hesitantly raised his hand and asked, "What do you do Arnav bhaiyya?"
"Ummm. I am a businessman."
"Like Shyam Bhaiyya? You make buildings too?"
"No I make clothes."
"Are you a tailor?"
Khushi and Arnav laughed at the innocence.
Arnav said, "No, my sister is. I only sell what she makes."
Veena asked curiously, "Then that makes you a salesman, not a businessman, right?"
Arnav noticed that Veena was only physically challenged, she had perfect sight. Arnav took the seat beside Khushi and answered Veena.
"Well, my sister Anjali has a large team working under her who make the clothes the way she instructs and I and my brother Akash have another team to sell the clothes they make all over the world. So that makes me a businessman."
Khushi felt the proximity between her and Arnav that made her insides twirl. In a desperate attempt to distract herself from the effect Arnav was having on her nerves, Khushi asked Veena to start. The girl started singing in a very sweet voice.
Hum ko man kee shakti denaa, man vijay kare
Dusaron ke jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare
Hum ko man kee shakt denaa, man vijay kare
Dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare
Hum ko man kee shakt denaa
Bhedabhaaw apane dil se saaf kar sake
Doston se bhool ho to maaf kar sake
Joothh se bache rahe, sach kaa dam bhare
Dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare (Hum ko mann ki)
Mushkile pade to hum pe itanaa karam kar
Saath de to mmm
Saath de to
Veena tried to recollect when Arnav helped her signaling her to sing along,
Saath de to dharam kaa, chale to dharam kar
Khud pe hausalaa rahe, badee se naa dare
Dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare
Hum ko man kee shakti denaa, man vijay kare
Dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare
Hum ko man kee shakti denaa.
As the song got over, the group raised a loud cheer for Veena and Arnav. Veena was ecstatic.
"Wow ! Arnav Bhaiyya ! You are amazing. Have you learnt to sing?"
Arnav rose from his seat and bent to the level of Veena before answering her.
"You can say so. My mom taught me to sing and this song was her favorite"
"Then she must be a wonderful singer. Isn't it? Will she teach me?"
"She certainly would have dear, had she been alive. I have been thinking that there is no other singer who could sing as beautifully as her. But you proved it wrong. You have a sweet voice. As sweet as my mom's"
Veena shyly accepted the compliment but then realized what he told about his mother. She reached out to him "I am sorry Bhaiyya."
Arnav took her hand in his right hand and gently cupped her right cheek with his left palm and said, "It's okay Veena."
Khushi was surprised when Arnav had sung the song and helped Veena. Arnav's voice had a melting quality, not only when he spoke, but also when he sang, she realized. His voice displayed signs of having stayed out of practice in certain places, but seemed to have retained much of the mellifluous quality. She also noticed how his voice was laden with emotions when he talked about his mother. Her heart cried for him as she could identify with the pain. She didn't know herself that she was no less an emotional wreck than Arnav until she cleared her throat to speak.
"Okay Kids. That's enough now. I am very hungry. Aren't you all too? Have a good lunch before Payal didi comes and breaks your backbones. Let's go Arnav."
Arnav saw Khushi struggling to fight her tears and bring normalcy to her voice. He said his good bye to the children and came to her before holding her elbow to lead her out of the room and asked her gently, "Are you okay?"
Khushi just nodded her head in affirmation and turned to her left as they came out of the room.
"This way Arnav, to Papa's room. Payal knows she can find me there. Isn't Akash with you?"
Arnav told where and with whom Akash was.
As they descended the stairs, Arnav noticed a unique pattern of paint on the wall. The upper half was painted white and the lower half painted in yellow, both colors demarcated by bright orange horizontally. He wondered if there was any significance to it and mentally noted to ask Payal later. Observing that Khushi was awfully silent, he broke the silence.
"Payal told me about the accident."
Khushi remained silent for a long moment. Then she said in a broken whisper.
"Isn't it strange that it takes years to achieve something but only a moment to lose everything that you have ever held important in your life?"
Arnav was perplexed with the question. Was she talking about him or herself? It couldn't have been more appropriate if it was about him, but if it was about her, then he had a feeling that it was not about her losing her vision. He could see that she didn't want to say anything more than that. They had reached Shashi's room by then and settled down comfortably side by side on a sofa, awaiting Payal and Akash.
"I am amazed at your strength Khushi. If I were you, I might have never made an attempt to live life again and withdrawn into a shell to remain there for the rest of my life."
"I was almost there Arnav, I would have lost myself. Had it not been for Bhaiyya, I would have departed to begin my life in heaven or hell long back" Khushi laughed.
The meaning of her words sank in a moment or two later and Arnav, in a reflex, put his finger on her lips.
"Shh. Don't talk about death Khushi, even jokingly. Its not funny."
Khushi froze when his finger grazed her lips. Her mouth dried and her senses went numb, all for a moment. She quickly regained her senses, removed his finger from her lips and held his hand in hers before apologizing to put Arnav at ease.
"I am sorry Arnav. And what you told about yourself is not true Arnav. With such a loving sister as Anjaliji, I am sure, you would have found your way back. And look at you. How hard you have worked to create your unique identity in the business world. Papa is full of praises for you."
"Uncle is very magnanimous. And you are right about Di. She has given up so much in life to be a mother to me"
They sat in a comfortable silence, holding each other's hand trying to draw and give strength.
And that is how, Payal and Akash found them when they came back.
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Conversation had unexpectedly flown easily between Akash and Payal. By the time Akash selected a few things from the sale, they both had pretty much caught up on what happened in their respective lives in the past few years, which included their education and career. As he paid for the purchase, Akash asked Payal, "So, is Khushi a major factor that made you choose psychiatry and take up counseling here?"
"If Khushi was a reason, then I must have chosen Ophthalmology, isn't it? Psychiatry has always fascinated me. I like studying and exploring how mind works. I always keep observing and deciphering reasons behind one's action. As for taking up counseling here, I wanted satisfaction, money is secondary"
"I understand that this has been entirely your choice. But are you not missing out on a career growth that you will get if you were to practice full time in a hospital."
"I get the same level of experience here, if not more. The accident victims who come here for rehabilitation are under severe post traumatic distress and require psychiatric therapy as in most of the cases, their psychological block delays recovery. We have tie up with several hospitals who refer their patients for counseling and rehabilitation. I spend my evenings at the KVM hospital with patients who come for depression and a variety of psychological conditons. So put together, I have newer challenges thrown at me every single day. And I get my share of publications and national level knowledge sharing through conferences"
Akash stopped in his tracks and looked at Payal for a moment longer.
"You are quite passionate about your profession, aren't you? Well, I am happy to have met you Payal, the visit has definitely been worthwhile"
"You did not come here to see the facility" It wasn't a question.
Akash grinned and scratched his head boyishly.
"You came to spy on your brother. You think he is attracted to Khushi, isn't it?"
"You are dangerous Payal. I thought I would take your number to keep in touch with you. No, I should stay miles away from you."
"Okay, I was thinking of exchanging numbers. Since you are not interested..."
"Oh Payal, I was joking, we should meet quite often."
"If I get time from my patients and you from your parties"
"Done"
Payal opened the door to Shashi's room and stood still at the sight in front of her. Akash slightly bumped into her and followed her line of vision to find his brother's hand entwined in Khushi's. They both shared a knowing look before Akash cleared his throat that was enough to let Arnav and Khushi know of their presence.
"Bro ! I think we should leave. Di will be waiting for us to have lunch."
Arnav stood up and helped Khushi to her feet. Akash went to Khushi and said,
"It was wonderful meeting you Khushi. I will see you again in the fundraiser. You know, Payal and I just found out that we went to the same school. Ask her all about it. Bye Khushi."
"It was nice meeting you too. Bye Akash."
Arnav said, "Khushi, Dr. Sharma, I had a wonderful time here. I will see you both in the fund raiser."
"I happen to be your brother's friend Arnav. So call me Payal."
Arnav nodded his head in acknowledgement, while Khushi reached out to Arnav to wish him a safe trip.
Arnav tightened his hold on Khushi's hand one last time and said his goodbye, before retracting reluctantly and leaving with his brother on tow. As Arnav got behind the wheel, Akash took his mobile out and typed a text.
There is hope to get back my Nannav. Pray Di.
He hit the send button and brushed away a tear from his eye, before joining his brother who was lost in his own world, oblivious to the changes that was happening within him and an emotionally overwhelmed brother beside him.
To be continued...
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A/N: Once again, the update goes to Vandana.sagar. V, what will I do without you?
Many of you correctly guessed that it was Akash, although NK gave a tough competition. So, its official, that I suck at cliffhangers. 😆
I am going off on a very short vacation. So the next update may be slightly delayed.
Cheers
Uthra.
Edited by Viji79 - 11 years ago
Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin
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