Khamoshiyon Ki Zubaan ff...END p.86 - Page 3

"Shiv!!... Ye kya kar rahe ho tum? Gauri ko kahan le kar ja rahe ho?... Aur wohe bhi aisi halat mein?!" (Shiv!!… What are you doing? Where are you taking Gauri?… And that too in this state?) Ipshita looked at him in horror. He held a lifeless Gauri in his arms. Her beautiful hairs swayed silently, as a gentle breeze teased through them. Slowly, she looked up to see his face. Taking the support of the edge of the bed, she observed him, trying to comprehend this… Him. His eyes flickered in some unknown passion, the depth of it beyond reach…

Strangely, she felt a fear of sorts develop within her. A fear of what would happen if something were to challenge his passion. For the sake of herself, she looked away… Almost envious…

Silence prevailed in the room as gently he lifted his eyes from her and looked at the rather stunned Ipshita. "Gauri ko kuch nahin hua hai… Usse kuch ho hi nahin sakta." (There is nothing wrong with Gauri… Nothing can happen to her.) His deep, husky voice echoed in the still room. It seemed to have an endless flow. An odd aura, as if his mere words had the power to awaken her. There was a hint of something in it… A confidence? It seemed so convincing, whatever it was.

Struggling to compose herself in his fervent presence, she straightened herself, and in calm voice asked, "Haan, lekin tum usse kahan le kar ja rahe ho?" (Yes, but where are you taking her?) He stopped and turned his head slightly at the door, "Ye 'Intensive Care Unit' hai, aur Gauri ko aisi koi sahuliyat nahin chahiye." (This is the 'Intensive Care Unit', and Gauri needs no such care.) Saying so, he walked off carrying his wife ever so gently in his arms, as her eyes trailed his movements in shock. After a moment, she realized what had just happened, and ran after him. Pushing open the glass doors, she noticed a small crowd of hospital staff and some wanderers… Pushing them aside was Shiv Kapoor, insisting his wife was fine.

He didn't know what was going on, what was happening to him… But what he did know was that She was going to be just fine. He looked at her face while his steps took aimless direction. She looked so perfect… Surreal. Nothing could happen to her, he wouldn't allow it. From behind, he faintly heard mixed cries of anxiety and confusion.

Gently, with his back pushing on the door, he stepped into the room. Being very careful so as not to hurt her, he turned. The room was like any other 'typical' hospital room, with a bed and the necessities of a patient who was on their way to recovery. With utmost care, he approached the bed, with Her still protectively in his arms. Tenderly, he put her down on the empty bed, while ruffled footsteps entered the room.

"Shiv!" The owner of the voice was clearly out of breath, but perhaps more, bewildered. Immediately, he turned and held up a strict finger to his lips in a "Sshh"… "Soh rahi hai." (She's sleeping). His hushed voice rang in their ears.

A host of people now occupied the otherwise vacant room. "Mr.Kapoor, aap ye kya kar rahe hai, aap jaante hai na ke aapki patni ki kya halat hai?" (Mr.Kapoor, what are you doing, you very well know what condition your wife is in?)…

"Kuch nahin hua hai usse!!" (Nothing has happened to her!!)… His tone of voice made several feet take a step back in surprise. It was not just anger… it hinted at and intense confidence, a frustration from hearing the same thing over and over. A most of all, fervour. "Kuch nahin hua hai usse…" His whispered voice echoed off of the lifeless walls, bringing them to life. Gently, he sat down and looked at her luminescent face. Out of some instinct, his hands came gently forward, and took hold of her face. Her warm skin met with his cool hands, sending blazing current through his veins… His eyes refused to lift from her as gently his face lowered… Approaching hers… A breath away, his soft, husky voice whispered assuring…pleading, "Kuch nahin hua hai tumhe…Tumhe kuch nahin ho sakta…"

Faintly, he perceived a hand lay softly on his shoulder. "Shiv… Doctors ko apna kaam karne do… please." (Shiv… Allow the docs to do their work…please.) Gently, he sits up, his cheek gently brushing passed his… Again, the unknown current rang through him… Taking her hand in his, he brings it to his heart… "Sun rahi ho na… Sab tumhaari wajase… mein pagal hoye ja raha hoon…Tum mere saath aisa nahin kar sakti, mein tumhe karne nahin doonga." (Are u listening?… All because of you… I'm going insane… You cannot do this to me, I won't let you.)

A group of hands began pulling him away… Gently he resisted, refusing to move away from her… The hands pressured more… And his stance became firmer… In some moment, his grip on her hand lightened as they pulled him away… But he stopped mid-step… "Shiv…" She breathed…

Cheers,

dc