Dhani had been sitting on a sofa in the big air conditioned waiting room for about an hour.. It was 3pm.. 3 hours more and only then she could be able to meet her best friend.. She stood up and walked towards the framed picture of "Lord Shiva" hanging down the wall.. She looked around for a match stick and a diya.. Unable to find one, she returned to her seat and concentrated on the the hour and second hands of the big wall clock which, very proudly, was announcing 3:15pm, leaving the poor girl waiting and waiting for Him..
Sitting in the hospital and taking a look at the worried family of the patients, a few scenes from her past life flashed across her eyes..
Flashback
Dhani was sitting on the floor.. Her sis-in-law beside her, consoling her and requesting her to control her tears when the doctor came out of the operation threatre..
"We could not save him.. I had warned you before to keep him under control.. His family failed miserably and so did I.. I am sorry", he came towards Dhani and caressed her head gently..
"You are just like my little sis.. I am sorry that I could not save your vermillion.. may God give you the strength to bear the pains at such a young age..", his eyes glistened and Dhani sobbed bitterly.. Her mother in law, hold her wrist tightly and dragged her out of the hospital.. Her grip was tight enough to break her thin red glass bangles.. It pricked her soft skin.. tears rolled down her cheeks.. She was still unaware of the big storm that was going to wash away every bit of happiness from her life..
End Of Flashback
Dhani closed her eyes before tears could escape her eyelids.. Why did her past keep on haunting like this? Even after trying hard why could not she forget those days and move on life?
"Why did you come?", hearing the harsh voice and sensing his presence behind her, Dhani immediately opened her eyes.. Her heart must have skipped a beat hearing him after so many days.. Yes she knew it was Him.. She could never fail to recognise his voice.. She immediately turned back to see the changed man standing in front of her.. He was wearing a light brown full sleeve shirt, stethoscope hanging down his neck.. His appearance was like that of a professional doctor.. Eyebrows joined.. the evergreen smile on his face was no where to be seen.. There were dark circles around his eyes and it seemed as if he had not slept properly for many months..
Dhani was surprised to see this viplav in front of her.. She needed someone to pinch her and confirm that she was not dreaming.. How could this guy had such seriousness on his face..
"Excuse me madam.. stop staring at me and tell me why did you come? If you really need a checkup then I am sorry, I wont be seeing anyone today.. You better come tomorrow..", and he turned away and started walking towards his cabin..
What had happened to him? Why did he sound so rude? Dhani's eyes welled up and gathering a lot of courage she followed him into his cabin..
She saw Viplav sitting on his desk, pressing his temples..
"Viplav", her voice trembled.. He looked up.."I said i wont be seeing any patient today.. Please leave"
"Viplav I came to see you.. Are you alright?"
"thats none of your business", his was rude again..
"Viplav, You dont know.. I was really worried for you.. You did not call me even once in the past week.. I was really afraid.. I will go away.. You just smile and tell me that you are fine".
"Do you want me to drag you out of my cabin?.. I said leave.. i dont have time to hear your stupid talks and for gods sake stop shedding those irritating tears.. Just leave me alone", viplav almost shouted..
Dhani trembled at his behaviour.. Viplav was damn angry and irritated.. How dare this girl stand in front of him and argue? She should know that she was talking to Dr. Viplv Tripathi and must not forget her limits.. And if she forgot, he would remind her.. Viplav smirked devilishly..
Dhani felt the changing atmosphere in the cabin.. Seeing Viplav walking towards her with that evil smile on his lips, a frightened Dhani took a few steps back till she hit the wall behind.. Viplav stood in front of her and looked at her for a few moments..
"Dhani..", his voice was soft for a moment.. Dhani did not fail to notice his sparkling eyes.. A tear or two must had gathered in them.. He took a step closer and brought his face down.. their lips were inches apart.. Dhani hold his breath and shut her eyes.. She had come here to meet her friend but this man in front of her was not even close to Viplav..
"When i asked you to leave.. why did you disobey me and came here?", he said in his strong dominating tone which caused a chill shiver to run through her spine..
Closing her eyes she waited for the awkward moment to come to an end and Viplav would step back.. But he did not..
"Tell me why do you have to get worried for me?", he demanded in a dark tone and she clenched her fist together to stop herself from falling on the floor.. Viplav leaned a bit more and his rock like chest almost crushed her delicate slim figure... Viplav's hot breaths were falling on Dhani's cheek.. Sweat beads formed over her forehead and she licked her dried lips nervously.. Viplav finally took a step back..
Dhani opened her eyes and let out a huge sigh.. She stood properly and looked into his eyes..
"You thought that I would kiss you? "
"You have gone out of your senses Viplav.. You have never misbehaved with me in all these months. But today the person in front of me is not my best friend.. you are not My Viplav", Dhani could not stop her tears.. "What do you think that I will get afraid by these mean actions of yours and leave.. No if you think so then you are wrong.. i am not afraid.. I pity you Viplav Tripathi.. You are also going to sink into the ocean of addiction.. ", Dhani was crying uncontrollably..
Viplav was shocked to hear such words from her mouth.. This innocent girl who never dared to look into the eyes of any man were blurting out the bitter truth at his face.. Viplav looked away... Her mere addressing him as "My viplav" could not make him weak..
Dhani grabbed his collar and looked straight into his eyes and whispered.. "Control yourself Viplav.. If you cant then let someone control you.. Leave your egos and give in to them who really cares for you.. Else you will get lost and will never be able to come back.. Dont let yourself become another Suraj Saxena", she loosened her grip and turned back to leave when Viplav called her, 'Dhaniii'.
Dhani stopped to hear the soft voice mumbling behind her.. Her mind ordered her to leave at once.. She was not ready to fall prey into the clutches of another beast and intentionally play the rewind button of her past life.. But her silly heart requested her to turn back..
Slowly she turned to look at Viplav who again called her, 'Dhani.. how did you?"
"I could smell the alcohol Viplav.. I understood that even though you are totally in your senses at this moment but you must have drunk last night and did not change your dress.. you are a doctor.. how can you be so careless when so many lives in this hospital are in your hands.. ? When the doctor himself will not take of him then how will he be able to take care of his patients?"
Viplav lowered his head in shame.. He went back to his desk and sat down.. Dhani too took a chair and sat beside him..
"What had suddenly happened in this one week that you have changed this much? Where did you keep the polite fun loving honest gentleman in you viplav? How can you intentionally spoil the human being in you?"..
"I did not do anything.. i am not to be blamed.. My fate is to be blamed.." Viplav stopped to think for a few moments.. " yes I have changed... You stay away from me.. before I change an innocent soul like you too.. you better leave.. i want you to maintain distance from me.."
"Why.. dont you lov... i mean like me like before? Do you too want to go away because i am a widow? you had said that you would always be my friend and support me and will never leave me.. Then what happened which suddenly made you change your mind?", Dhani was seeking an answer..
Viplav lost his temper once again.. he grabbed her fist and forced her to stand up, then pinned her against the wall and gritted his teeth, "It does not matter to me whether you are a widow or not.. It never mattered... What if you are a widow.. ? Does your being a widow mean that i cannot love...", He stopped suddenly..
"You have changed Viplav.."
"Stop your repetitive dialogues.. I hate it and i hate you too", No sooner did he utter those words than he shivered a little.. Dhani could sense Viplav's sudden mood swings.. She was aware of such symptoms/side effects.. Those were the effects of Drug.. One minute Viplav was soft and the next moment his temper was high.. This was not that loving and caring guy who had taught Dhani to smile and become independent by not fearing people around him and today he was the same person who just wanted to shoo away everyone around him and hide himself inside a shell.. Dhani understood Viplav was purposely trying to frighten her..
"So you are addicted to drugs too.. How?"
Viplav kept mum.. He distanced himself from her and pointed towards the door.. "This is my chamber Dhani.. Leave"
"So when will be free so that i can come to talk to you", Viplav did not answer..
Dhani quitely left the room leaving behind a wounded soul who was badly in need of care and support...
"c'mon Bhaiya wake up."
Viplav groaned as the familiar voice echoed inside his ear.. He snuggled his face deeper into the pillow and pulled comforter more tightly over his body..
What on earth Shalu was doing here at this time? She clearly knew that these days he hate waking up in the morning, especially on Sundays..
"Get lost before I strangle you with my own hands"
"Oh bhaiya, you have never been like this.. These days you dont even talk to me properly.."
"I hate your sobs early morning.. Come here", Viplav finally sat up on his bed and spread his arms.. His sister Shalini jumped into his embrace and complained in a childish tone.. "Dont you love me bhaiya?"
"You are the only one I love baby and yes I love Dadi too", he said caressing her hair..
"And dont you love mamma and dadaji.. ?"
"Shalini.. I love you the most.. Isnt that enough for you?"
"and Dhani.. dont you love her? she is your girlfriend right?"
The mention of Dhani's name from Shalu's mouth surprised him...
"How do you know her?"
"Magic bhaiya.." she giggled.."Actually she had called in our residential contact number yesterday at night to ask whether you have returned from hospital or not? I asked her if she wanted to talk to you but she said that she dont..
She again called here today in the morning to ask if you are at home or not.. i said that you are sleeping.. BTW bhaiya she must be a cute girl.. Her voice is so sweet.. Does she work with you at hospital or she used to be your college mate?"..
"She had called twice.. What happened? Does she need any help? i must go and see her once.. there must be something troubling her else she had not called twice and that too at my home.."Viplav mumbled and rushed inside the washroom..
After about an hour and a half Viplav was standing at the gate of Tarini Vidhwa Ashram.. He pressed the calling bell twice and finally Swarna opened the door for him with a broad smile on her face..
"Doctor babu.. !" almost everyone present there exclaimed with a surprise on their faces..
"Is this the first time I am visiting here?"
"No.. actually earlier you used to visit almost regularly and it has been a long time since someone has forgotten about us.. So we are just shocked to see that someone at our door after 15 days", Raj laxmi mocked..
"Oh laxmi... " viplav laughed out loud.."How I missed your indirect taunts!"
"Then come daily.. i will make sure to throw different taunts at you on a daily basis".. Now it was everyone's turn to laugh out loudly with Viplav..
He entered and sat on a bench.. "how are you all lovely ladies?"
"Do you even care?", again it was Raj laxmi..
"yes I do.. So i am asking.. Now Stop making faces, I am sorry"
"Yes and that is the reason you did not even bother to call us at least once.." Viplav wondered how much these people, who are no one to him, cared for him and his well being..
Rajlaxmi continued, "We are fine.. But Dhani is not.. I am sure she must have lost 2-3 kgs worrying about you in all these days.."
"Laxmi.. shut up.. if you dont have something worth saying then dont blabber nonsense", Dulari gritted.. A few moments of silence prevailed in the room.. Viplav had Flashbacks of the hospital meet with Dhani.. His head, automatically, lowered in shame..
he really never knew that Dhani cared for him this much.. He had assumed that his love and concern was only one sided.. but today he realised that Dhani may not love him back the way he did but still her concern for him was genuine.. And the way he had treated her, he was sure she would even want to see his face again.. She might had already started hating him... And he deserved her hatred.. He had been trying hard to control his temper when he would be around his family and dear ones but he just could not.. Viplav ran his fingers through his hair.. His head was paining terribly...
"Kaki, I am leaving.. will come again some other day" and he stormed out of the Ashram.. he did not have enough courage to face Dhani.. What if anger overtook his senses once again? he might hurt that innocent girl once again.. His eyes welled up with hot tears.. he did not know that going away from the girl who he was in love with would cause so much pain..!!
"Raj Bhaiya, Pankaj Bhaiya", Dhani called..
Raj and Pankaj had been waiting for her in the mandir.. Dhani adjusted her veil over her head and covered herself properly.. Folding her hands and joining her palms, she softly greeted them, "Namaste".
"Namaste", they both repeated..
"Dhani, this is raj and I am Pankaj, Viplav's friends.. You had said that you wanted to meet us urgently.. Please tell how can we help you?"
"I had called Viplav today morning.. could not talk to him but his sister gave me your phone numbers.. Sorry for disturbing you.. But I really need your help and only you can help me.. But can we go somewhere else? i mean people might see us here..", Raj and Pankaj exchanged glances and finally three of them drove to Pankaj's house..
Dhani was finding it awkward.. It was off course not usual for her to trust two male strangers and sit with them inside their car and even agreeing to go their houses.. Where had happened to her? she was actually breaking the rules and crossing her limits.. being a widow she must not.. But her worries for Viplav dominated every other thought and she could not help doing those things that she did not even imagine doing in her wildest dreams since the day her fate wrapped her with that white saree and forcefully tagged her "A Widow"..
And here she was sitting with Raj and Pankaj in the latter's bed room..
"Raj Bhaiya.. is something wrong with Viplav? i know there is something.. Please dont hide from me.. I know that he has started drinking and.. tak.. taking dr..drugs too", Dhani stammered..
"You wanted to ask this?.. But sorry dhani, we know nothing about it".. Raj looked away.. Pankaj placed his hand on Raj's shoulder, may be assuring him that this girl was trustworthy..
"dhani how do you know?", Dhani was not prepared for this question.. it sent jitters down her spine.. She sat straight and clutched her saree tightly..
"My.. my.. ", Dhani gulped down the lump formed in her throat and took a look at the two persons sitting in front her and looking at her with questioning eyes.. She could not avoid them and if telling the truth would let her know the reason behind Viplav's silent sufferings then she would not mind flipping through the pages of the book of her past life once again..
"Actually, my late husband was a drunkard and a drug addict too.."
Minutes of silence spread into the room.. neither of them spoke, each one might be struggling to gather enough words and express their state of minds..
Letting out a huge sigh, it was Raj who finally decided to break the awkward silence..
"Dhani. do you know what Viplav thinks about you?"
Another unexpected question... yes she knew that Viplav loved her.. His immense love for her.. she had seen in his eyes.. She had sensed how hard Viplav had been struggling to keep his temper under control and not to harm her.. She feared addicted people but his love for her and her immense trust on him had given her strength to stand in front him in his chamber and question him directly.. Deep inside her heart, she knew that he would do anything but not hurt her..
Dhani nodded.. Raj continued, "When people reluctantly have to given in to injustice, when people are left with no other option then to accept whats being done to him then they become either Tripurari or Viplav Tripathi.."
"What??", dhani was confused..
"Yes.. Viplav had beed forced to take in drugs.. Dont think that he did not try to resist but he was left with no choice.. EIther accept or see the downfall of your family.. Its very easy to say why an honest man like Viplav dont have enough courage to stand against wrong.. but which person in this world will have this much courage to see the reputation of his own family getting destroyed and that too only for the sake of keeping his honesty intact? Its not easy Dhani.."
"I know", her voice literally choked..
"Tripurari is the biological son of Viplav's grandfather.. His parents are not married or better to say Mr. DT had an extra marital affair.. Now that man is denying him the rights of being his heir and Tripurari is taking revenge from his father by ruining Viplav.. DT never loved or cared for anyone ever.. Its only Viplav, his grandchild, who he genuinely loves the most.. Tripurari thinks that if Viplav becomes incapable to handling such a huge property of DT, then that man might change his mind and make Tripurari the heir to his family business..
What Viplav is doing is also not right, I agree.. I understand why he is not protesting becoz he had been in the dark about his grandfather's illegal deeds for such a long time and now when he is aware of his truth, he just does not have that couarge and strength in him to fight against him alone and too regarding a story which had ended years back..", Raj paused..
"But Raj, that Tripurari had forcefully made him addicted to drugs and drinks.. But Viplav too is not even trying to come out of the trap of addiction.. and he is planning to quit his job too..he thinks that he would not be able to handle too much pressure, both professional and personal.. He has gone crazy.. he does not know what he is doing", Pankaj sighed..
"Viplav is on the edge of destroying his life", both of them exclaimed almost together.
Dhani bite her bottom lips and noticed the frown their faces held. Their words were like trigger to her old memories. Suraj was also like Viplav. the same drug addiction and the same love for his family and same fear of unable to do anything for his beloved ones.. A shiver ran through her spine and she shook her head to clear her mind..
No she could not, she could not see Viplav turning into another Suraj Saxena...
To Be Continued...
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