It was nearly 6 p.m. when Nachiket returned to his cabin. The second surgery of the day was far more complex and critical - the situation being a mere 'touch and go'. He was supremely happy that his team and he had been able to pull off the surgery, which was no less than a miracle.
He was stressed out, and supremely tired, though happy.
He wanted to share his feelings with Ragini, talk to her about his emotional state ... his views and suggestions. The second surgery had surely unnerved him.
But he knew that that was not going to happen, at least anytime soon. Ragini's cabin was shrouded in darkness when he passed by, some minutes back. Later, Ranbir had told him that she had gone home, she had not been been feeling great.
His heart had sunk further, he knew that what he did today morning was absolutely wrong. Well, he had his reasons but his action was not civil enough.
Ragini was a strong woman, he knew - she would surely survive this phase, for sure. But what pained him was the fact that it was always him who was hurting her, this bad.
He reached out for his cup of coffee as he slowly rubbed his forehead. Sipping his coffee, he thought as to why they were always hurtling towards an abyss, was their relationship this fragile that it stuttered every time they hit a bump.
His phone started ringing. His forehead scrunched into deep furrows as he conversed with the person, almost in monosyllables. By the end of the call, he knew that the situation would become even more trickier. He thought deep and hard to arrive at a solution, but failed.
...
Ragini was sleeping when he reached home. Her head safely entrenched in her Mother's lap, she slept, her fingers holding onto her saree.
'She was not feeling well' her Mother mentioned, as she ran her fingers through her daughter's hair, soothing her to sleep.
'Oh' Nachiket said, as he returned to the living room, the children flocked up to him. They were happy to see him reach home, so early.
Aarav had some course materials to show to his Dad, and he settled down beside him on the sofa. Nachiket listened patiently, and offered his suggestions once in a while. However, his mind was not there, he rather wanted to be inside the room, speaking to his wife, while holding her in his arms.
...
It was not until another hour that Ragini woke up, she felt a little disoriented - this was not usual for her, sleeping at odd hours. But she needed to rest, she was completely drained.
As she sat up, hand tying her hair into a bun, her mother said softly
'Nachiket is here. With the kids outside.'
'Oh' Ragini said, as she got down from the bed and re-arranged her saree. She went out to the kitchen, where Sunny Tai was already preparing dinner.
'Ragini Tai, why don't you go and sit with Saab and children and enjoy some time together?' Sunny Tai quipped.
Without looking up, she replied
'That's not needed'
She busied herself in preparing chapatis for dinner.
She could feel his eyes on her back, but she was too tired emotionally to deal with anything right then.
...
Ragini served dinner to her family as they settled down.
'Why don't you eat with us?' Nachiket asked quietly.
'I will eat with Mom, a little later' she answered, as she heaped some more of his favourite dal on his plate.
She moved around the table, serving her children, smiling at them as they whispered sweet nothings to her, making her smile.
Nachiket stared at her mesmerised.
After a while, Ragini said
'I have something to share with you all. It's temporary, but is going to be fun.'
The children looked up in excitement.
'Me too' Nachiket blurted out. 'I have something to share as well.'
'Ok Dad, you go first' Suhaani said, as she slurped up some more kheer from Ranbir's plate, after having finished her own share.
Nachiket was nervous now, this was not going to be easy, he knew.
Clearing his voice, he started
'While in US, I used to look into some special cases for a renowned Hospital in LA. I used to visit there once in a while ...'
Ragini could feel her heart sinking, as he continued
'I have been discussing with them for some sort if alliance with our Hospital here, like if we could have some of their world famous specialists visit us and treat some under privileged patients? As a part of our CSR activities.'
He stopped for a while, his eyes now sweeping across the table, and then finally resting on Ragini's face
'The Hospital there is keen to consider our proposal, but only if I agree to Visit their Hospital every three months for 2-3 weeks, and treat some cardiac patients.
I have to leave for LA immediately. Like tomorrow. I will have to be there for a month or two at least.'
Everybody sat stunned. Ranbir was the first to speak
'But the hospital, Dad?'
Nachiket nodded
'We have a good pool of Doctors here, and your Mom and you can very well look into everything else.'
Ranbir looked up at his Mom.
'Of course' Ragini said. 'This is a golden opportunity for our Hospital. The association will work to our benefit.'
She turned to go away but Aagham held her hand
'Mom, you were supposed to say something. Though I am scared now ...'
Ragini lovingly patted his son's head
'It's nothing in front of your Dad's announcement. I had gone to the Dr and he has advised some more rest for me. So I was thinking that we all should be having dinner together, every day. It will give us some chance to catch up.'
'Oh Mom' Aagham exclaimed as her hands went around his Mother's waist.
Ragini looked up and her eyes met Nachiket's. He couldn't find any emotions there, but he knew very well that he had not been able to hide his own disappointment.
Edited by poetic - 9 years ago
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