The Day After
It was the day after ... the day after the storm. A storm which once again encased their lives and uprooted their feelings - each emotion deep, twisted and basic in its nature; a nature which didn't leave much scope for the healing to happen. Probably, the healing would never happen.
Dr Neil Khanna didn't drink that too often. Nope, that was a wrong expression. Dr Khanna usually didn't allow himself to get drunk like crazy. He had his standards - hell, Ragini had her egos and well, Neil had his standards.
But last night he had ensured that he had gotten drunk, in true sense of the term. Of course, this only after ensuring that he was alone in his room, sans his sister, his friends, his children or Nivedita. He had settled down comfortably in a single sofa, facing the balcony, looking out at the night sky, and had continued drinking - trying to erase memories of Dr Aman's hands touching Ragini, consoling her in her distress. Well, he didn't succeed much, as the unshed tears burnt in his eyes, refusing to offer him the much needed solace. His soul felt parched.
Finally, as the study hands of the clock inched towards morning, he thankfully found his eyes drooping. He never realised when he slept off on the sofa itself, his feet upon the small glass tea table in front of him.
It was Karan and his incessant knocking that woke Dr Neil Khanna from his slumber. His body protested as he shifted uncomfortably in the sofa, while his mind raced back to the happenings of the previous evening. A sense of sadness engulfed him, as he realised that he had lost Ragini this time for sure. There was no hope left.
'Good Morning, Neil', Karan chirped as he moved towards Neil.
'Good Morning' Neil answered back, as he shuffled to his feet. He wasn't in the mood to talk, but he couldn't begrudge anything to Dimpy and Karan. He knew that they cared for him truly and wanted him to be happy.
Karan settled down on the other sofa and gazed thoughtfully at Neil. He was not happy with what he saw in front of him. This was not the Neil that he knew. He sighed inwardly, he knew that he had to try and initiate getting g life back to Neil.
He asked casually Hey Neil, what's your plan for today? I thought i would take you guys out for a spin."
'Nahin Karan, not today. I haven't slept much. Wouldn't have considered going to the hospital but will go for some time. Have to check up on Pari", Neil replied back.
'Can't somebody else do it for you?'
'No, I have to go, you see, I did the operation and she is so precious.'
Neil turned around to look at a crestfallen Karan. He suggested Why don't you take Pam and the kids? Am sure they will be happy'
The conversation ended there.
...
At the Hospital
12.15 noon
Ragini glanced at the watch. Nachiket was yet to reach the Hospital.
She was nervous. There was a major surgery scheduled the next day and Dr Aman wanted to discuss about the case with Neil and others who would assist him. And of course, there was Pari.
Her nervousness increased steadily as the clock hands inched towards 12.30 noon - Nachiket was seldom late.
She was a professional, she wanted to call him up and enquire about his schedule; but after last night, she didn't want to do so. The guilt that she was lying to Nachiket regarding her marriage to Dr Aman weighed heavily on her and was eating away her soul; she didn't want to live. The pain she had seen in Nachiket's eyes was going to stay with for the remaining days. She almost didn't realise it; she hadn't wanted to understand it. But the same pain was gnawing her insides and she didn't have a word for the same. She had hardly slept the night before; everything was confusing. She was scared, alone and felt emotional and she didn't know the right from the wrong anymore, when it came to Nachiket.
Ragini was lost in deep thoughts when her phone rang, startling her. The display flashed Dr Devika's name. Ragini picked up the phone. Even before, she could mention anything, Devika started off
Dr Neil just came in. Today, he is looking extra handsome and suave with his glares on. Wow. I wonder if he will ask me for me that pending cup of coffee today?'
Ragini shook her head in irritation and desperation, thinking when would Devika grow up and stop drooling over Dr Khanna. Muttering a few pleasantries, she concentrated on her work, now a bit relieved that Dr Khanna has reached the hospital. However, the very thought of meeting Nachiket made her nervous and she tensed at the very idea.
...
Passing by her cabin, Neil glanced through the partially open vertical blinds. He removed his glasses, and took in the sleek, graceful view of the column of her throat as she looked into a file, a pen poised elegantly in her fingers; her hair tied into a neat bun, held in place by the pin. She was dressed in one of her silks. Blue suits her', he thought.
He was mesmerised, though he could sense an underlying current in the air.
A moment's reflection brought him back to the reality and he sighed heavily, trying to keep a score of the losses that he has incurred in his life. He realised that he was staring at a bottomless pit at that very moment, and he felt his heart constrict.
Neil shook himself up from his stupor and steadied himself. He was the mighty cardiologist, Dr Neil Khanna. The world was at his feet and how could a chit of a woman change anything and everything. He steeled his mind and heart and moved towards his cabin - the cabin that was strategically chosen near the office of the Admin.
He knew he had lost - his Ragini was now somebody else's wife.
However, there was one thing that would never change; something that nobody could take away from him. Ever. His body shook in joyless mirth as he entered his cabin.
The whole world may know him as Dr Neil K or Dr Neil Khanna.
But, he would always be Ragini's Nachiket.
...
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