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Longest hours :A Rainy dawn-Armaan Riddhima OS
The view from my bedroom's window was spectacular. It was raining heavily and the illuminating thunder light make it possible to see the sheets of rainfall clearly. The room was already in pleasant temperature and although A/C wasn't on, my wife was still in drape.
There was still time for the sun to rise but due to the storm it can be predicted that there won't be a sunny day.It's 4 in the morning, couple more hours before my wife would wake. I wonder how she would react if she came to know that I haven't slept the entire night. Not that I am a heavy sleeper neither an insomniac. Tonight unlike other nights, was difficult for me to fall asleep. After a lot trouble I think I had slept for an hour or two but then because of some unknown reason I was awake with a dread mood. Maybe a unremembered nightmare I thought. Washing away my anxiety, splashing the cold water against my numb face, I decided to spend the time watching the rainfall.
It had been an hour or so since I was watching the rain falling down in the garden. I wished to open the panel and touch the droplets but before I could feel the water, my mobile ranged. I wasn't pleased about it I wanted to ignored it but then it might be something serious, why else someone would call at this hour? The number flashed on the screen was unknown, it better not be a prank call..I murmured before answering it.
The man on the other side sounded worried as well as tired, he was in hurry. Shouting someone before answering to my ""Hello"". I wasn't sure what he talking, his sound becames more clear once he concentrated on me
"" Is this Mr.Malik?"" He began with a question
""Yes"" there was hint of irritation in my voice
""Do you know Dr.Armaan Malik?"" Another question
""Yes"" I replied again only this time with concern
""I am afraid Mr.Malik, your son meet with an accident""
My world turned upside down. The mobile fell from my hand,I removed my other one from the window panel, leaving my memory on the glass. Slowly walking towards the bed I forced myself to sit. My mind was blank, I couldn't think straight. The rain gets heavier, I could hear the louder voice of its falling. The moments before the rain I was admiring, now seems like a curse. A curse which resulted in my son's accident. I wanted to reach for him, only then I realized I don't know where he is. I should call the stranger back, that was the only option left. Dragging myself back to the window. I bend down to pick my cell. Adjusting the battery and sim back to the phone, I dialed the number once my mobile had restarted. The rings went unanswered until the third time. ""Paul Morris here"", I fumble with words before I could answer ""Ma..Ma...Malik here"" I managed to spoke.
""Mr Malik, we are taking your son to Gaurd life hospital"" the voice answered before I could question him. ""How is he?"" I couldn't help but ask. ""We are not doctors! We are just American cops"" the voice said with irritation, but I didn't mind him. He was there with my son, that was all that mattered. Disconnecting the phone I walked towards my wife, she was still sound asleep. Should I let her know? My inner voice questioned. She is his mother afterall a small voice inside me said. She is week now, she already had a heart surgery few years ago I reminded myself. But does that give me the right to hid it from her? Voices after voice, I thought my brain would explode. Fighting against my ambivalent I decided to wake her up.
""Ananya"" I almost whispered. ""Ananya"" I tried again, shaking her little this time. She moved a little,surely was annoyed. ""Ananya"" I tried my luck again. ""Kya hai karan?"" She whinge
""Armaan"" my voice almost broke, tears roll down from my eyes. I guess, she had sense the seriousness in my voice. She sat awake like she haven't slept in ages. ""Kya hua Armaan ko?"" She asked, I don't know how to answer it but with all the courage I had ""Accident...guard life hospital"" was all I could spoke and next moment we rushed to the car. Driving on the endless road and even when windshield wiper removing the water, it was nearly impossible to see. The rain, that's the reason my son is in hospital I thought bitterly.
The drive was painful silent,I had expected Ananya to cry or scream but she remained still like a wax statute. As soon as we parked the car, Ananya left in jiff that when I noticed that she wasn't wearing the belt.
I walked after her, following to the reception ""operation theater, left from room 7"" the receptionist said as we asked for Armaan. Ananya rushed again, she impatiently run towards the Operation theater. The red light was on, Armaan was still inside. Opposite of the door was Dr.Shashank sitting with his head on his palm to engrossed in his thoughts. Beside him was a young man, maybe in his early twenties, his eyes were closed and head back with support of the wall. His face seems familiar but I couldn't remember the name. I saw Ananya walking towards the other set of silver chairs attached to the wall. There was a pale girl sitting without any emotions on her face ""Riddhima"" I murmured. I was my wife sitting next to her both without any emotions displayed on there faces. I looked again towards the man beside Dr.Shashank. He was staring me now with a sympathetic eyes. He then forced a small painful smile and stood from his place ""Everything will be alright"" he whispered to me. ""Aryan kahan hai?"" I asked ignoring his console ""Anjie ke pass"" he replied sadly.
I sat near Dr.Shashank, he was still in his pervious position. Looking at him right now no one would say he is tall angry man with attitude in his dark eyes. Armaan has once even mailed him a schedule of anger management classes, I wonder if he had enrolled him in it? I almost smile when I remember the time when he asked me to meet Dr.Shashank, his expression had clearly depicted the tension he was in ,with a weak voice he requested me to meet him asked for Riddhima's hand in marriage.
""Aap kab aaye?"" A shaky voice broke my thought of chain, I turned towards Dr.Shashank he looked at me with a red eyes and blank expression ""Abhi"" I replied
""I am sorry...I didn't realize...Mujhe laga Siddhart abhi bhi yahin hai"" he apologized even though I could sense no apology in his voice. ""Abhi aye hum!"" was all I could say.
""Mrs.Malik bhi hai?"" He questioned looking at his daughter's direction ""Meh ne tho Padma ko kuch bataya hi nahi"" he continued looking at them. But before I could says anything a doctor came outside the OT and everyone rushed to him
""How is he?"" I heard Riddhima's broken voice,its seems like she would cry any moment
""Critical but stabble...He had a hell lot of alcohol, he shouldn't have driven"" Doctor replied and walked towards the end of the lane and disappear. I saw Riddhima breaking down in Ananya's arms,crying with hiccups in between.
I walked back to my earlier place with Dr.Shashank we sat down on the cold metal seats. ""Alcohol?"" I asked in a small voice ""180 speed...drifting"" Dr.Shashank added the information. Suddenly my stomach started hurting bad. I just wanted to blame the rain and storm for the accident ""Alcohol...180...Drifting"" the words kept hunting me. ""You know how spoil your son is? He never takes anything seriously...He is a father now he should be taking some responsibility"" Dr.Shashank said in a monotonous voice. ""He is strong"" that's the only thing came to my mind for his defense. I know he is strong, he always been. He had never cried on injections. He used to be the mischievous adventurous kid in the hood. That's how Ananya and I had raised him...Free spirit.
The day he had walked into my cabin with all serious look on his face ""Dad"" I still can't forget the nervousness in his voice. I thought he had hit someone with his car, he was always a rush driver ""I am in love"" I had almost laughed on him. I thought he was kidding around but the expressions on his face suggested that he was deadly serious about it. I waited him to continue ""she is a new intern in hospital. She is my junior. Riddhima that's her name"" he managed to spoke. Even then it was hard to figure out whether he was joking with me or not. With Armaan nobody can predict ""does she loves you?"" I asked. A smile on his face occur and he nodded I remembered smiling back ""she is wonderful, you will love her dad I promise"" He replied joyful ""I will talk to your mom""
""Mr.Malik"" I heard someone calling me I looked around to found the same boy I had meet before siddhart that what Dr.shashank had called him. He was standing with a cup of coffee, offering me. I silently accept it, I couldn't even thank him, my brain wasn't working properly. The aroma reminded me the love for coffee Armaan had. He was crazy about black coffees. Sometimes I had to scold him for drinking so much of it. He had a addiction for it. I remember the time when Riddhima was 5 months pregnant with Aryan. She had an argue to puke whenever she would smell coffee. Coffee was literally ban in his house. Each morning he would forced himself to gulp down a cup of hot green tea on replacement for coffee. We had been there when Riddhima was expecting.
His murmurs on breakfast table were hilarious. He used wake early in the morning to prepare breakfast for everyone. Love has changed him for good. He was more careful and responsible. But the accident forced me to think about his actions again. I was still not able to believe that he was drunk while driving and he was drifting. I saw Riddhima she was leaning on Ananya's shoulder. I kept my coffee which was cold now, on the floor and walked towards them. I was able to feel Dr.shahank's stares. ""Riddhima"" a small voice came out of my mouth. She looked towards me, her eyes were swollen red. ""Dad"" she managed to say . ""Armaan...Alcohol?"" I didn't understand how to frame my feelings into words but she surely understood me. A fresh pair of tears started rolling down from her eyes ""we...we had a fight..over... over... Ar... Aryan"" she choked while explaining "" He wants Aryan to cancel his camp...I thought he was being over protective...He is over protective father...But I swear I never wanted him to be in this situation"" her voice broke and she buried her face in my wife's shoulder. Ananya gave a deadly stare for making the situation worst. I walked back to my place. Dr.Shashank eyes were still on me. ""He is an over protective father"" I reminded myself ""he is a bit irresponsible"" another reminder. ""He is a great father...an amazing husband"" Dr.Shashank surprised me with his words. I looked towards him and he nodded ""Little immature though"" he smiled at me. I nodded in agreement. ""You remember the time when Aryan was born?"" Dr.Shashank asked. ""He was so tensed. I thought he would have a nervous breakdown""
""That was the only time when I saw tears in his eyes"" I said ""When he holded Aryan, for the very first time, he was crying"" A smile occur on my face automatically. ""He surely is strong"" Dr.shahank said. Next moments were in complete silence. The white walls and the smell of medicine had made my condition worst. The longer I stare the walls the depressing situation gets. I wanted to think about something but my mind was occupied with Armaan. I wonder how he managed to work in hospital for hours? The smell of medicines, the white walls, stressful face around..everything was so upsetting. But I guess the place must have been better if you have your lover around. Maybe that's why Armaan never gets feed up,Riddhima is always around him in sanjeevni. I again looked towards Riddhima, she looks tired. Ananya was holding her hand. I could sense the uneasiness she was feeling. The smell of medicine gets stronger as nurses passed by. I saw Riddhima running towards the end of the hallway covering her mouth with both of her hands. Ananya followed her with shocked expression. I looked at Dr.shashank ""She is pregnant"" he answered my unasked question. Surprise was written on my face ""2 months pregnant"" he continued ""Armaan doesn't know about it""
I couldn't say anything. My mind went blank again. I don't know whether I should be happy or more sad. I just sat there on the cold metal seat expressionless. Moments later I saw Ananya coming along with Riddhima. I wonder how she would react to this news at this moment. 6 years ago she went crazy like a teenager when Armaan announced about Riddhima's pregnancy. He was blushing while breaking the news. His pink cheeks, sly smile flashing his dimples. It was Sunday evening in our farm house when Riddhima ran from the table for puking.
The OT red turned off, Riddhima rushed towards the doctor before anyone else. ""Dr Derek?"" She asked breathlessly. A smile broke on his face ""it's a miracle Dr.Riddhima, your husband is doing fine, still unconscious though"" the words of doctors broke smile on everyone's face. ""You can see him"" he said and left. Riddhima and Ananya rushed inside the OT, I could see them staring at my son who was laying still. I looked at Dr.shashank, he smiled at me. ""I told you he is strong"" I whispered
""I know"" he mouthed back. Siddhard was standing next to me, I haven't noticed him till now, he was sitting beside me whole time. I stood near the door watching both the ladies from the circle shaped glass, sitting beside the bed with immense loved in there eyes. They must had a very rough time. After all one of them had given birth to him while the other one had given birth to his child.
A road to home- AR OS : Page 3
A recondite fairy tale-AR OS: Page 7
A remedy for loneliness-AR OS: page 12
A random walk-AR OS: page 19
A recovery from sadness-AR OS:page 25
A recommence love story-AR OS:page 32
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Shiv Shakti
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