Posted:
hey everyone...im posting a short ff...its a lil diff.....char are lil away frm tht of the show. its based on a theme i liked, pls review. i'd like to thank neetu aka dc who gave me the title.
He was a stranger in a lot of ways, but yet she felt as if he meant to her more than the whole world put together. She had met him under extremely difficult conditions.
It had happened some eight odd years ago. Gauri, a young doctor was visiting her sister kaya's family in srilanka. Kaya had gotten married to a family friend's son vivaan and he being a professor of nuclear physics had been transferred to sri lanka on a research project. Gauri had just finished her medical internship and had three months off before she began her residency…so she figured why not visit her di and vivaan. Her father had readily agreed because he himself was going on a business trip to france and was skeptical about leaving her alone in Calcutta. So when she suggested she'd visit sri lanka he approved instantly. So she was flying down south…with nothing on her mind but to enjoy her three months to the fullest. From what she had heard from kaya was that it was a beautiful place, with greenery all around and quite a few beaches. Soaking up the sun was the only thing on her agenda. As the flight landed in the country gauri could feel the warmth and friendliness of the people. " ayubowan" said the airhostess….welcome to srilanka. She collected her baggage and moved thru immigration to find kaya and vivaan standing waiting for her. "welcome to srilanka doctor gauri…welcome." "ayubowan…she said. Im impressed said vivaan….ur already learning.
They pushed her luggage outside to the car park where a sparkling BMW stood…."get out of here di…don't tell me that's your car…." Believe it madam….some perks of being a foreign dignatory in the field of nuclear physics…just wait till you see the house. It'll blow your mind away…her brother in law told her good naturedly. But true to his words she was blown away…it was a huge colonial villa amidst all trees and surrounded by a little lake and had a had a great view from every room possible. They had a swing in the back porch just overlooking the lake. Gauri immediately planned to haunt the spot. The tour of the rest of the house was amazing and gauri picked a room which also overlooked the lake as hers. Dinner would be at eight she was told…so she could freshen up and be ready by then. Kaya was cooking and vivaan told her this wasn't a good sign….therefore she could choose to skip dinner all together…this earned him a playful slap on his cheek from his wife. See you at eight gauri said kaya before shutting the door. She smiled to herself when she thought about them…they were so in love with each other and the way they conveyed it was always in a playful manner, eaching trying to pull down the other. She wondered if she'd ever meet someone in her life. Her father was constantly pestering her to get married. Arranged marriages aren't a bad thing he said….look at how happy kaya is. But no…she had made up her mind ages ago that she'd only marry the guy she falls in love with and till date she hadn't found anybody. She quickly showered and decided to call her best friend anupam to tell him that she had reached safe. Once she was done with the call she settled on the huge bed for a nap…she still had two hours till eight and figured she may as well sleep out the tiredness. She awoke some time later to the sounds of loud laughter. Looking at the time….7.30 she wondered who was laughing so much, it definitely didn't sound like vivaan, it was a deeper voice…a strong baritone. Gauri got ready and looked into the mirror to see if she was presentable. Perfect she said to herself. And she proceeded downstairs…as she approached the living area the sounds of the laughter became louder and now she could hear kaya and vivaan too. "shiv you are too much kaya was saying…she wondered who this shiv was. Stepping into the room she waved out to kaya….when the third person in the room said…."hi…I hope we didn't wake you up with all the ruckus we were creating. I assure you it is kaya's fault…she has such infectious laughter.. I'm shiv kapoor and you must be gauri….he put out his hand for a shake. Gauri shook his hand and her eyes twinkled with amusement…the man who presented himself to her had a cheerful voice and a great smile. It was marked by the two most perfect dimples. He also looked like a greek god a voice at the back of her head said. Gauri….this is Dr. shiv kapoor, one of our few Indian friends in srilanka. He is the funniest man in the world….oh come on kaya…shiv interjected….i wouldn't say the world….there must be someone funnier like in alaska ?? gauri immediately broke out into a smile at his not so modest reply.
Nice meeting you dr. kapoor …are u a doctor of medicine ?
"please its shiv….and yes I am a doctor of medicine."
"how long have you been here ."
"all my life…my parents lived here you see. So I was born and brought up here. Then when my parents decided to shift to India I decided to continue my practice here."
And now kaya…since im famished…would you please take pity on me and serve me some food.
Gauri had never laughed so much in her life. Shiv kept telling them stories about crazy patients he had encountered and how they came up with ridiculous gifts as fee. Almost all stories had to do with some simpleton bestowing him with a pig or chickens as fee for their treatment. It wasn't the stories as such…it was the way he told them….he accompanied them by enacting several parts and no one could resist cracking up and bursting out into laughter. As he bade goodbye gauri was buoyed with joy and for an inexplicable reason drawn to this man. She had met him only once but his deep voice refused to go out of her head. She could hear him over and over again. Also the ease with which he spoke to everyone. His jokes…his dimples…everything had dazzled gauri….in the first time in many years someone was having such an effect on gauri. She casually asked kaya about shiv while they were clearing up the table….who was he…did he have a family…how long had they known him.
"Hmmmm…well we don't know too much about his private life… He never said much about himself. We met him at this Indian gala event about a year ago. He did once let it slip that he was married but immediately clamped up to further questions, we didn't prod further either…he comes over once in two months like today and spends the time making us laugh :D. But hes a fabulous doctor…everyone here knows that
….ohh thought gauri….a bitter stroke of disappointment hit her. well that's the end of her fancying shiv kapoor. Sighing she went on with her chores. The next few days gauri spent in the calm of her sister's house. Her routine for everyday included waking up….taking a shower and plonking her self on the swing with a novel in hand till it was time for lunch. After that she and kaya would go visit a few local sights and shop a little…evening was dedicated to her ipod and swing. She'd sit there till dinner time and then after dinner retire to her room …where she made her daily call to anupam. Anupam was terribly in love with her for many years now…but all she never felt that way for him. He was her childhood frnd…an integral part of her life…but nothing more. Till date he had proposed to her some 50 times in the hope of somehow getting her to answer affirmatively. But her answer was always the same. Anupam was a good sport and he never let it interfere with their friendship. He had insisted she call everyday and relieve him of his boredom…the poor thing was working in his dad's software firm so as to get a hand on experience in the IT industry which was his chosen field was study. From what he told her he hadn't learnt much and was counting the days till he could quit and run back to his studying.
After two weeks of doing this, gauri was bored….even for a person who had come just to relax it was getting too much. She was itching to go out and explore the real srilanka and the villages about which she was reading about online. So far she had seen hardly any places. But it was very difficult for vivaan to get a holiday sanctioned…and kaya would die before she left vivaan alone. After hours of begging and threatening kaya finally agreed, and the two sisters decided to take a tour along the length of the little country. Gauri was so excited ….she wanted to see all the places she had heard about….Sigiriya Rock , Adams peak, gal viharaya etc. she was so thankful to kaya that she packed for her too. Finally the day arrived and her tickets arrived too. They were traveling by bus to certain places….by car to others. Its going to be such an awesome trip she said for the 1000th time. Kaya on the other hand was teary eyed. This was the first time after her wedding that she was traveling without vivaan and it was not going down well with her. it was hilarious to see her reminding her hubby about the things he had to do. After a long time …their good byes ended and they were off.
A week into their trip gauri was having the time of her life. She enjoyed the trip, the sights and all the time she got to spend with kaya. She had forgotten how much fun it was. But tragedy struck in the form of a broken arm. Vivaan while attempting to re decorate had fallen of a ladder and had broken his right arm and they needed to get back immediately. This isn't happening gauri thought……my vacation has just begun….it cant be over so soon. She contemplated on what to do….what if she continued on her journey alone. I mean kaya could definitely reach back fine without her. and she knew vivaan wasn't so much in pain that he needed both of them. With these thoughts gauri moved towards the Herculean task of convincing her sister to go along with her new plan.
"but di…its my last opportunity to do so…I'll never ever have such a vacation in such a place again. I'll be so busy with my work that I wont have time for anything. Everything is already planned out… I mean I just have to follow the itinerary . pls di pls….lemme do this…please..!!!! "okay baba okay….do what u want…but just promise that you'll call twice everyday. More than that is also fine…but minimum two times." Sure di….i'll do that….thank you so much. You're the best…and pls tell vivaan to get better soon.
Gauri was two days into her trip alone. She was enjoying the experience a lot. The people were so friendly that she had no trouble at all. She was to go to this village mambalam which was that of kaya's housekeeper. She had told gauri that the village was untouched beauty….it was nature in its true form..and she shouldn't miss it for anything. She was taking a bus there….it would take her approximately 7 hours to reach there. So after calling kaya she boarded her bus and settled into her seat. Her bus was also one of a kind. It was a little rickety but that just added to the entire experience. As she started the journey she was amazed by the greenery thru which the bus was moving. The winds were blowing thru her hair and the smells of the ground and fields filled her with joy. She didn't realize when she fell asleep but was awoken by a shriek….she woke up with a start to hear a woman shouting in pain. The conductor in the bus was asking in tamil…"is there a doctor on the bus ?" …please is there a doctor on the bus ?. she didn't know the language much but she stood up and said " I am a doctor". Her voice echoed with another one…that of a man….an oddly familiar voice….as she whipped around she saw shiv kapoor at the back of the bus…face screwed up in worry.
PART TWO
A thousand thoughts ran through gauri's mind at the same time…..what was he doing here ? is he with his family ? how come I didn't notice him when I got into the bus ?. As shiv moved towards the front of the bus gauri asked…..-shiv what are you doing here ?
-I'll tell you all that later….that woman needs help…come along.
Both of them went towards the lady who was shouting in pain. The woman was pregnant and had unexpectedly gone into labor. Shiv who knew the local language communicated with her and told gauri that she was one month away from her due date. They had to deliver the baby right then. Slowly with the help of other passengers shiv and gauri lifted her off the bus and brought her down to the fields and settled her under a tree where she'd be a little comfortable. It was amazing to watch shiv at work….he was firing orders to all those around. He turned to her and said…."gauri im going to need all the help I can have. I have told these people to get wash cloths and hot water from where ever possible. I have a kit in the bus which I need u to get for me. It'll help us clean up and sterlize. Gauri followed all his directions perfectly and watched in awe a true master at work. After around two hours…..the baby finally arrived and as gauri held it in her hand so that shiv could cut the umbilical cord she felt hot tears down her cheeks. She had never done this before and it was such an overwhelming experience for her. soon she was sobbing as she handed the baby girl to her mother. She felt a warmth in her heart whose source she didn't know. She shied away from the crowd who was shaking her hand and blessing her. she settled on the ground a little away and cried unabashedly. After around ten minutes she felt a hand upon her shoulder. It was shiv…sitting beside her he was smiling…. I gather this was the first baby you helped deliver. She just nodded….you were great gauri…an absolute champ…she just smiled at him through her tears. Now enough crying gauri…come along the mother wants to speak to you. "but…but she stammered….i wont know what shes saying….why is she calling me ?"
" don't worry…I'll translate…shes not going to eat you. Just come along". And he pulled her to where the mother and baby were.
The woman wanted to say thanks to both shiv and gauri….she said and her baby would have been lost without them. Gauri just kept smiling like an idiot as she didn't understand a word and had to wait for shiv to transalate. The woman as a token of thanks wanted to name her little girl after her. gauri was taken aback…she really hadn't done anything…only assisted shiv. What was wrong with these people ? she told shiv this and he told her " It doesn't matter to her so as to how much percentage you contributed. The fact that you jumped up to help her instantly and seem so happy for her when she delivered the girl is what is foremost on her mind. that is what she is thanking you for. So let her and tell her your name…."
"Gauri."
As she and shiv sat on the table of a small roadside hotel she finally got the opportunity to ask him what he was doing there. He explained that he was going to mambalam as there was a medical camp being set up there to help the villagers. She asked if he was traveling alone to which he replied in the affirmative. He explained that he was supposed to travel with some other doctors but had gotten delayed so they left ahead of him. Then it was his turn to ask questions…what was she doing here all alone ? how had kaya and vivaan agreed to this ? why hadn't they accompanied her ?.
"So many questions shiv…well it actually started with me and kaya on the trip to explore sri lanka…but vivaan had a minor accident so kaya had to rush back to him. And I did everything so that they'd allow her to continue alone."
"well…in that case I'll be your guide and company for the rest of the journey till mambalam. i hope you don't mind."
"No…not at all." Gauri couldn't believe it. Here she was gonna travel with a person who made her heart race madly. But he wasn't hers to be. He belonged to someone else. She was itching to ask about his family but she figured she wasn't in a position to do so. After all this was their second meeting. If he hadn't told vivaan and kaya anything in a year why would he reveal anything to her.
They had to wait for another bus to the village since the one they had arrived in had left ages ago. The bus service wasn't too punctual shiv explained…infact not many people traveled down that road so they might have to wait for a while. In the mean time shiv entertained her by telling her stories of his childhood. He had a gift of gab and not one moment they spent waiting was dull. She hardly contributed to the conversation except for her continuous laughing. She had tears in her eyes and according to her the bus arrived not a moment too late….as she just couldn't laugh any more. They boarded the bus and continued on with their journey. In the bus contrary to her expectation shiv was silent….he just looked out the window at the scenery that they were passing through. She decided to let him be and nodded off to sleep.she only woke up when shiv gently prodded her.
"gauri….we have reached….its time to get off." She opened her eyes and saw that the bus was empty and they were the only two in it. She then woke up fully with a start feeling thoroughly embarrassed of herself. She couldn't believe that she had slept through the entire journey. She looked at her watch and it was almost seven pm. Oh my gosh…im so sorry that I slept off. You should have woken me up earlier.
" well you were tired from the entire days events and I couldn't bring my self to wake you up."
Looking extremely sheepish gauri dismounted the bus and said…I've kept you away from your work also…I'm sorry once again.
"Oh no problem…I wasn't exactly keeping a watch over you…I was sitting at that store where I could do a little work my self and at the same time stay in sight of you.
Where do you plan to stay in the village ?....i'd be happy to arrange for accommodation with our team."
"please don't trouble yourself so….i'll be staying at kumari amma's daughter samita's house. It's the fifteenth house in the village."
"I'll take you there and then return to my camp."
"thank you shiv".
The rest of the walk to samita's house was in silence. Finally they approached the given house. Shiv made sure someone was at home and when he was assured that she'd be fine he went along his way.
"Gauri…it was a pleasure meeting you again. Have fun on your stay here. Give my best to kaya and vivaan. Good bye."
" good bye shiv…it was a pleasure meeting you too. I'll never forget this day in my life ever. Thank you for all your help. Good bye."
As gauri uttered these words she felt a weird knot in her heart. Part of her wanted to grab him and tell him not to leave. But the sane part of her reminded her that he was married.
She turned her attention to samita and her family. She had one daughter and her husband worked in an another village some miles away. He spent the weekend with them and during the week lived there. When asked why she didn't live there with him she replied that housing in that village was too expensive. It was amazing that samita spoke hindi…as very few people did so in this country. But she explained that before getting married she lived with her mother who served in the homes of Indians. She had learnt hindi there. She told gauri that she'd take her around the village the next morning. As gauri slept on the coir cot under the stars she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the night. It was so bewitching. There was a slight wind blowing and it slowly lulled her to sleep.
The next morning as promised samita took her around the village. It was an exquisite place.. there was a little river originating from a mountain which was the source of water for them. There were green fields enveloping the entire village. The livestock were absolutely adorable. This was truly untouched beauty. There was no sign of human intervention. Apart from electricity every thing else was natural. Gauri spent two days in joyous mirth. She contemplated going over to the medical camp to visit shiv..but decided against it.
The event which then changed her entire life happened two days later. She awoke one morning to samita's screaming…
Gauri memsaab….gauri memsaab…utho….utho….yahaan se jaana hai.
Jaana hai…what did she mean by that ?
As she listened to what samita had to say….she was thunderstruck…apparently the military was moving into the village. There had been rumours that the extremist group there was going to strike the village and they all had to evacuate asap. Gauri never imagined in a million years that she'd be face with this situation. She quickly packed her stuff and help samita gather her most treasured belongings. Samita was inconsolable….she couldn't believe that she;d have to leave her home. Gauri didn't know what to say…but hurried her as much as possible so that they could leave. She asked samita if the medical camp was still at the village, samita told her that it had left the previous day. As they finished packing…gauri said a little prayer for all of their safety and they moved along to the points where they'd meet the military trucks which would transport them to a safer place. But luck didn't favour them. As they were going….the bombing began. Gauri had never heard such a deafening sound. It threw her off balance and she stumbled on to the ground. There was smoke all around. The bomb had exploded at quite a distance away from them…yet the after shock sent terror waves into all. There was utter chaos and panic everywhere….people began to run wildly. The military volunteers were telling them to stay calm and proceed on course…but nobody seemed to be listening. Everyone was running helter skelter. Gauri got waylaid in the chaos and got separated from samita and her daughter. She didnt know what to do….and couldn't understand what the people were saying. She tried to look for some sign which would point her in the right direction but couldn't find one. All around she saw peoples faces blanched with fear. Then a new spate of bombings began….and they sounded closer than the first one. Gauri ran for her life but stumbled on a stone and fell down. People kept stamping her in the frenzy and she couldn't stand up. She began crying with fright when a strong pair of hands pulled her up and asked….
" Gauri…..gauri tum theek ho ?".
It was shiv kapoor.
PART THREE....
Gauri was never so pleased to see someone she knew. All she could manage was "shiv" before she passed out in his arms.
Shiv didn't know what to do….gauri was unconscious in his arms and it was the worst time that this could happen. He needed to move both of them to a safer place. He contemplated on carrying her across but shot down the idea since in such an atmosphere gauri would most probably fall off…..! he needed to wake her and fast.Patting her cheeks he kept calling out her name…"gauri….gauri….please utho.. humein iss jagah se nikalna hai…please….please….
At long last gauri opened her eyes and he could see that she didn't know where she was. Quickly he told her….gauri we are in midst of a bombing. U need to get up and we need to run away asap. Gauri nodded and got up to her feet, he took her hand in hers and they ran as if there was no tomorrow.
Gauri felt so safe with shiv , as he led her through the maze of people running about she wondered how he got there. After all the medical camp did leave the previous day. She shuddered to think what would have happened if he hadn't pulled her up. She would have probably died in the stampede. "shiv….what are you doing here ?"
"all in good time gauri…I'll tell you once we are out of this zone." She saw the creases of worry lining his face. He was looking for the point where the army trucks were to pick them up. He tried asking the people around them…but no one wanted to stop long enough to answer them let alone listen to them. The bombings increased in frequency and the distance kept narrowing down. Finally they were directed by a villager and they reached the pick up point. . gauri stopped to catch her breath and looked up at shiv. He was still in a state of worry, she put her hand on his shoulder and said "its okay shiv….we will be picked up any moment I guess. The convoy will be here now. He smiled and looked at her. right then a shell dropped about 500 mts away from them. People began screaming yet again….the air was filled with cries of horror and pain. When gauri opened her eyes the sight which welcomed her shook her to the core. Lying about were people drenched in blood. The impact of the bomb was so large that it had ended up injuring many. The people injured were of all ages. From children to the aged. Gauri was filled with disgust thinking humans could do this to others. Shiv had let go of her hand and was running towards the others. She ran behind him without knowing what to do….shiv was shouting out something in the local language. From how the people were following his orders she saw that he had asked them to help with moving the ones injured towards a particular direction. All the able bodied ones pitched in and began carrying the others on their back and moving towards a patch of trees.
"gauri…. Run….it isn't safe here. Run towards those trees. The next village is about 3 kms from here. Im sure there will be help there. Go now."
" but shiv…I cant leave w/o you. I'll help too."
"don't be ridiculous…I cant let you take any risk. Just do what I say and run for god's sake. Please….how will I ever face kaya if something happens to you. Im begging you"
"I cant go shiv…I'll help too. You'll need it. How do you think I'll feel if I run away like a coward without helping? I may not know the language but I can feel their pain. You forget that im a doctor.
Shiv contemplated for a few seconds and then nodded….he handed her the little girl he was holding in his arms and said "take her and follow the others." My medical camp is in the next village. Tell them I've sent you.
"and what about you ?" she asked…. " don't worry about me. I'll be there too."
Gauri looked at the girl in her arms. The little child's foot had been blown away and she was bleeding profusely. She looked into shiv's eyes and went about towards the next village. She kept saying words of encouragement to the barely conscious girl in her arms. She knew that the girl wouldn't understand her but she hoped her tone would convey what she wanted to say. She began singing her a lullaby in Bengali which kaya used to sing to her as a kid. she willed her self to run with all the strength she had so that she could reach in time. Finally gauri reached the medical camp set up by their doctors. She quickly explained to them who she was and how she got there. The doctors were already underway treating a few others. She laid down the little girl on a nearby bed and began dressing her wounds. There was no way she could save her leg….but bringing her back to life she could try. She administered the necessary medicines and when the girl was sleeping peacefully she turned her attention to other patients. The extent of injury in certain cases and loss of lives in others sickened gauri. The people kept streaming in with varied levels of being injured. But shiv was still missing. It had been almost two hours since she was there…and shiv still hadn't showed up. Worry was eating up gauri….she tried asking the other doctors but they were equally clueless. She wanted to go back and see what was wrong with him but the others wouldn't let him. Shiv trudged in some four hours after she had reached. Seeing him gauri couldn't contain her happiness and she ran and hugged him. Shiv held her for a minute and said…Don't worry I'm okay. I cant thank you enough for helping out gauri. These people will be grateful for ever.
Shiv…..i did what I felt was right. Where were you all this while ? I was sick with worry.
Oh I had gone to see if I could meet someone from the military. I met an officer and asked him to if he could arrange for transportation for the injured. He assured me that they would be here by six in the morning.
They sat at this corner table and gauri vented all that she could manage. Her rage was evident and shiv listened to her quietly. He didn't offer much comment. Slowly she calmed down. She wondered why he was so quiet. She suddenly noticed that he had his right foot in a makeshift bandage. He had bled quite a bit.
"shiv….your foot….why didn't you tell me before." She immediately got down to dressing it.
"you'll be a great doctor one day gauri. Your compassion for the people is commendable."
Gauri slept very badly that night. All night long she had nightmares of bombings around her….people screaming….children crying. She awoke several times during the night….each time shiv ssshd her and sent her back to sleep. The next morning as promised the army trucks arrived. They gently shifted the people on to it. The little girl gauri had treated was still not out of danger and she could definitely not make the journey. Shiv and gauri decided to stay back with her. the army personnel told them that is was insanity….the entire village was being evacuated. Not one soul would remain. Why didn't they just come with them. But gauri and shiv stood steadfast on their decision. The little girl needed them. Finally the officers gave in and told them to shift into the biggest house in the village. They would be considerably safe if not completely. After making sure they had the facilities to survive for two more days they left. Gauri and shiv were left alone in their village as caretakers to a little girl who probably didn't even know why she was facing such a harsh punishment. Gauri spent the majority of the day at her bedside in case she regained her senses. But the girl just moaned in pain in her semi lucid state. Shiv cooked them a meal and administered the necessary medication to her.
As they sat at twilight eating their meal…gauri wondered aloud about all that she had experienced. Shiv explained that these fanatics had no concrete mission in mind. the lives of thousands of innocents were being staked for some idiotic reason. He spoke with such spite that it scared her. she was seeing so many facets of this man that she didn't know what to do. Then the bombings began again….they sounded far away…nevertheless it had started again. They moved to the interior of the house to the storehouse with only an oil lamp for light. They couldn't risk switching on the lights. They had christened the girl as Natasha. The name was dear to both as it was her mother's name and shiv didn't mention his reason. Natasha was sleeping peacefully and seemed to be on way to recovery. The second day pretty much passed like the first. Gauri told shiv all about her self. Her childhood..her family ….her dreams ….her aspirations. Shiv on the other hand spoke little…just listened to her intently. For the first time in two days gauri felt like smiling.
As the night approached a wave of cold air hit them and Natasha began shivering. No amount of blankets was keeping her warm. She hadn't regained her sensed fully but was screaming in pain. They tried administering a sedative but she was flailing her arms about and they just couldn't inject it. soon she began crashing and gradually her little heart gave out. She died in gauri's arms.
Gauri became wild with grief. She sobbed inconsolably. She refused to let shiv move Natasha from her and kept rocking her body back and forth.
" gauri….you have to let go. Shes gone…shes left us. Nothing you do is going to bring her back."
"what is the use of all this shiv. If she had to die…why didn't she do right then….why did I have to carry her across villages to get her medical attention. Why did god let us have a glimmer of hope regarding her survival when he had to take her away. What purpose was her death fulfilling. Why is any of this happening."
Shiv said nothing…but just ran his hand over her head.
A lot of times gauri things happen for which no one has an explanation. I don't know why we almost saved her only to lose her. no one knows why any of this is happening. But it has to happen. Its all fate.
A new spate of shelling begun and enveloped gauri in rage….she cursed them for doing such harm. She ran across the storehouse to go to the open. Shiv yanked her back in time..
"gauri….you have to get a grip on yourself. Getting yourself killed isn't the right thing to do. Come back inside. I've lost natsha…I cant lose you…..i cant lose you. Saying this he pulled her into a hug. Gauri felt the power of his hug. It was as if he was holding on to her to give himself support. In his embrace she felt a man clutching on to her as if she was his entire life. She returned the embrace as a source of comfort to him. The roles were reversed and she was now consoling shiv… she felt him sobbing but they were dry sobs racking his entire body.
"sssh shiv…im not going anywhere….im right here. You wont lose me. Ever…I promise. I promise."
After what seemed like an hour to her shiv finally stopped crying and looked up to her.
"Natasha was my wife."
The statement hit gauri like a bucket of cold water. She looked up silently at him.
He had met Natasha while in college. She was the most lovely creature on earth. With a bright mind and even better heart she aced her way into being the best in medical school. She was the most sought after doctor but she chose to dedicate her life to social service. Shiv and Natasha fell in love in college and married soon after. They were the happiest people alive. While shiv was in Colombo…Natasha used to travel to remote villages providing medical aid. He was so proud of her he couldn't say it enough. Tragedy then struck four years after they were married. In a similar incident….natasha had lost her life while doing what she loved the most….serving the people.
Shiv had since then continued doing what she had done…living his life in a way where he hoped she'd be proud of him.
I hadn't thought of life beyond my work since Natasha…..until I met you gauri. Though our encounter was brief you triggered in me something which had been dormant for so many years now. You are so innocent so child like….yet u possess a maturity way beyond your years. when I left you at the village some part of my heart I left behind. I could think of nothing but you. And then when I heard that you could be in danger I knew I had to get back. I couldn't let anything happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live with it if something like that happens again.
Tears were flowing from both pair of eyes freely. Shiv moved towards gauri and wiped some of them off her cheeks he said….my angel…..she stood still as he moved in to kiss her. the kiss though light and short seemed like the breath of life to gauri. As the night's darkness enveloped them….they surrendered to each other each taking in the others pain and trying to provide solace with their love.
The next morning gauri woke up as a new woman. She felt complete…as if an integral part of her missing and had been found the previous night. it was as if the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle of her life was fitted now correctly. She looked over to see shiv staring at her intently. " what is it ?"…nothing….its just that you look wonderful in your sleep.
Gauri was so so happy. She looked around her and suddenly sadness hit her again. lying across the room was natasha's empty bed. She looked questioningly at him…. I buried her this morning. I didn't want you to go through the experience. His voice was pained and she just squeezed his hand as a gesture of saying she was there.
The army officers came back to get them. They moved along various other villages all devoid of any signs of human life. Gauri held on to shiv's hand all throughout. He was her brick. Her wall of comfort. They reached the city soon and gauri made her call to kaya who was worried out of her wits. She was instructed to come back asap. Gauri didn't tell kaya about shiv…not yet….she'd tell her when she met her. she finished talking to kaya and looked around to see shiv missing….she saw him sitting under a tree a few mts up ahead. She went to sit with him and linked her fingers with his. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Life would be so perfect now. She took one look at him expecting it to mirror her happiness. But something was wrong…
"what is it shiv… ?
"gauri….i have to go back…there are so many people out there who need me. Im bound by duty….i need to go help them."
"but shiv….what about me….what about us ?"
"gauri….you are the best thing that happened to me in a long long time. And I promise you I will be back for you. to make you mine. But right now …you have to let me go. This is just something I need to do. "
As gauri saw him leave she felt her life slipping away from her. but she loved him to an extent that she trusted him to keep his word of getting back to her. it was strange she thought….about a month ago she didn't even know this man…and today.
The rest of gauri's vacation was uneventful…..there was no news from shiv and she had no idea where he was or what he was doing…..if he was alright….but she held on to her hope. Her belief in him….her faith in him. She told no one about what had transpired in the village of mambalam.
At the end of three months gauri returned to India….to her life….yet she didn't lose hope. He had said he'd be back for her and he would keep his word.
Eight years had passed since then. She was a successful doctor now working in the most famous hospital in Calcutta. Her friends and family were near by. Kaya and vivaan had long since moved out of srilanka. she never saw or spoke to shiv again. eight long years. But she had something to remember him by…..her son….their son….agastya.
Gauri never told her family who agastya's father was. Her family after a long fight had just resigned to the fact and accepted him as he was perfect. Kaya kept saying he looked like someone she knew…but she never could figure who it was. Gauri wanted shiv to be the first one to know that he was agastya's father.
Her best friend anupam was her son's fav uncle and god father. Her little boy filled her heart and that of those around her with joy and happiness.
She still didn't know what had happened to shiv over the years, sometimes the practical part of her told her he didn't survive… but her heart didn't give up and pushed all these thoughts away, her hope made her strong…stronger than she ever was. She knew he'd be back some day. And that day he'd be reunited with his family. Their family.
-The End
He was a stranger in a lot of ways, but yet she felt as if he meant to her more than the whole world put together. She had met him under extremely difficult conditions.
It had happened some eight odd years ago. Gauri, a young doctor was visiting her sister kaya's family in srilanka. Kaya had gotten married to a family friend's son vivaan and he being a professor of nuclear physics had been transferred to sri lanka on a research project. Gauri had just finished her medical internship and had three months off before she began her residency…so she figured why not visit her di and vivaan. Her father had readily agreed because he himself was going on a business trip to france and was skeptical about leaving her alone in Calcutta. So when she suggested she'd visit sri lanka he approved instantly. So she was flying down south…with nothing on her mind but to enjoy her three months to the fullest. From what she had heard from kaya was that it was a beautiful place, with greenery all around and quite a few beaches. Soaking up the sun was the only thing on her agenda. As the flight landed in the country gauri could feel the warmth and friendliness of the people. " ayubowan" said the airhostess….welcome to srilanka. She collected her baggage and moved thru immigration to find kaya and vivaan standing waiting for her. "welcome to srilanka doctor gauri…welcome." "ayubowan…she said. Im impressed said vivaan….ur already learning.
They pushed her luggage outside to the car park where a sparkling BMW stood…."get out of here di…don't tell me that's your car…." Believe it madam….some perks of being a foreign dignatory in the field of nuclear physics…just wait till you see the house. It'll blow your mind away…her brother in law told her good naturedly. But true to his words she was blown away…it was a huge colonial villa amidst all trees and surrounded by a little lake and had a had a great view from every room possible. They had a swing in the back porch just overlooking the lake. Gauri immediately planned to haunt the spot. The tour of the rest of the house was amazing and gauri picked a room which also overlooked the lake as hers. Dinner would be at eight she was told…so she could freshen up and be ready by then. Kaya was cooking and vivaan told her this wasn't a good sign….therefore she could choose to skip dinner all together…this earned him a playful slap on his cheek from his wife. See you at eight gauri said kaya before shutting the door. She smiled to herself when she thought about them…they were so in love with each other and the way they conveyed it was always in a playful manner, eaching trying to pull down the other. She wondered if she'd ever meet someone in her life. Her father was constantly pestering her to get married. Arranged marriages aren't a bad thing he said….look at how happy kaya is. But no…she had made up her mind ages ago that she'd only marry the guy she falls in love with and till date she hadn't found anybody. She quickly showered and decided to call her best friend anupam to tell him that she had reached safe. Once she was done with the call she settled on the huge bed for a nap…she still had two hours till eight and figured she may as well sleep out the tiredness. She awoke some time later to the sounds of loud laughter. Looking at the time….7.30 she wondered who was laughing so much, it definitely didn't sound like vivaan, it was a deeper voice…a strong baritone. Gauri got ready and looked into the mirror to see if she was presentable. Perfect she said to herself. And she proceeded downstairs…as she approached the living area the sounds of the laughter became louder and now she could hear kaya and vivaan too. "shiv you are too much kaya was saying…she wondered who this shiv was. Stepping into the room she waved out to kaya….when the third person in the room said…."hi…I hope we didn't wake you up with all the ruckus we were creating. I assure you it is kaya's fault…she has such infectious laughter.. I'm shiv kapoor and you must be gauri….he put out his hand for a shake. Gauri shook his hand and her eyes twinkled with amusement…the man who presented himself to her had a cheerful voice and a great smile. It was marked by the two most perfect dimples. He also looked like a greek god a voice at the back of her head said. Gauri….this is Dr. shiv kapoor, one of our few Indian friends in srilanka. He is the funniest man in the world….oh come on kaya…shiv interjected….i wouldn't say the world….there must be someone funnier like in alaska ?? gauri immediately broke out into a smile at his not so modest reply.
Nice meeting you dr. kapoor …are u a doctor of medicine ?
"please its shiv….and yes I am a doctor of medicine."
"how long have you been here ."
"all my life…my parents lived here you see. So I was born and brought up here. Then when my parents decided to shift to India I decided to continue my practice here."
And now kaya…since im famished…would you please take pity on me and serve me some food.
Gauri had never laughed so much in her life. Shiv kept telling them stories about crazy patients he had encountered and how they came up with ridiculous gifts as fee. Almost all stories had to do with some simpleton bestowing him with a pig or chickens as fee for their treatment. It wasn't the stories as such…it was the way he told them….he accompanied them by enacting several parts and no one could resist cracking up and bursting out into laughter. As he bade goodbye gauri was buoyed with joy and for an inexplicable reason drawn to this man. She had met him only once but his deep voice refused to go out of her head. She could hear him over and over again. Also the ease with which he spoke to everyone. His jokes…his dimples…everything had dazzled gauri….in the first time in many years someone was having such an effect on gauri. She casually asked kaya about shiv while they were clearing up the table….who was he…did he have a family…how long had they known him.
"Hmmmm…well we don't know too much about his private life… He never said much about himself. We met him at this Indian gala event about a year ago. He did once let it slip that he was married but immediately clamped up to further questions, we didn't prod further either…he comes over once in two months like today and spends the time making us laugh :D. But hes a fabulous doctor…everyone here knows that
….ohh thought gauri….a bitter stroke of disappointment hit her. well that's the end of her fancying shiv kapoor. Sighing she went on with her chores. The next few days gauri spent in the calm of her sister's house. Her routine for everyday included waking up….taking a shower and plonking her self on the swing with a novel in hand till it was time for lunch. After that she and kaya would go visit a few local sights and shop a little…evening was dedicated to her ipod and swing. She'd sit there till dinner time and then after dinner retire to her room …where she made her daily call to anupam. Anupam was terribly in love with her for many years now…but all she never felt that way for him. He was her childhood frnd…an integral part of her life…but nothing more. Till date he had proposed to her some 50 times in the hope of somehow getting her to answer affirmatively. But her answer was always the same. Anupam was a good sport and he never let it interfere with their friendship. He had insisted she call everyday and relieve him of his boredom…the poor thing was working in his dad's software firm so as to get a hand on experience in the IT industry which was his chosen field was study. From what he told her he hadn't learnt much and was counting the days till he could quit and run back to his studying.
After two weeks of doing this, gauri was bored….even for a person who had come just to relax it was getting too much. She was itching to go out and explore the real srilanka and the villages about which she was reading about online. So far she had seen hardly any places. But it was very difficult for vivaan to get a holiday sanctioned…and kaya would die before she left vivaan alone. After hours of begging and threatening kaya finally agreed, and the two sisters decided to take a tour along the length of the little country. Gauri was so excited ….she wanted to see all the places she had heard about….Sigiriya Rock , Adams peak, gal viharaya etc. she was so thankful to kaya that she packed for her too. Finally the day arrived and her tickets arrived too. They were traveling by bus to certain places….by car to others. Its going to be such an awesome trip she said for the 1000th time. Kaya on the other hand was teary eyed. This was the first time after her wedding that she was traveling without vivaan and it was not going down well with her. it was hilarious to see her reminding her hubby about the things he had to do. After a long time …their good byes ended and they were off.
A week into their trip gauri was having the time of her life. She enjoyed the trip, the sights and all the time she got to spend with kaya. She had forgotten how much fun it was. But tragedy struck in the form of a broken arm. Vivaan while attempting to re decorate had fallen of a ladder and had broken his right arm and they needed to get back immediately. This isn't happening gauri thought……my vacation has just begun….it cant be over so soon. She contemplated on what to do….what if she continued on her journey alone. I mean kaya could definitely reach back fine without her. and she knew vivaan wasn't so much in pain that he needed both of them. With these thoughts gauri moved towards the Herculean task of convincing her sister to go along with her new plan.
"but di…its my last opportunity to do so…I'll never ever have such a vacation in such a place again. I'll be so busy with my work that I wont have time for anything. Everything is already planned out… I mean I just have to follow the itinerary . pls di pls….lemme do this…please..!!!! "okay baba okay….do what u want…but just promise that you'll call twice everyday. More than that is also fine…but minimum two times." Sure di….i'll do that….thank you so much. You're the best…and pls tell vivaan to get better soon.
Gauri was two days into her trip alone. She was enjoying the experience a lot. The people were so friendly that she had no trouble at all. She was to go to this village mambalam which was that of kaya's housekeeper. She had told gauri that the village was untouched beauty….it was nature in its true form..and she shouldn't miss it for anything. She was taking a bus there….it would take her approximately 7 hours to reach there. So after calling kaya she boarded her bus and settled into her seat. Her bus was also one of a kind. It was a little rickety but that just added to the entire experience. As she started the journey she was amazed by the greenery thru which the bus was moving. The winds were blowing thru her hair and the smells of the ground and fields filled her with joy. She didn't realize when she fell asleep but was awoken by a shriek….she woke up with a start to hear a woman shouting in pain. The conductor in the bus was asking in tamil…"is there a doctor on the bus ?" …please is there a doctor on the bus ?. she didn't know the language much but she stood up and said " I am a doctor". Her voice echoed with another one…that of a man….an oddly familiar voice….as she whipped around she saw shiv kapoor at the back of the bus…face screwed up in worry.
PART TWO
A thousand thoughts ran through gauri's mind at the same time…..what was he doing here ? is he with his family ? how come I didn't notice him when I got into the bus ?. As shiv moved towards the front of the bus gauri asked…..-shiv what are you doing here ?
-I'll tell you all that later….that woman needs help…come along.
Both of them went towards the lady who was shouting in pain. The woman was pregnant and had unexpectedly gone into labor. Shiv who knew the local language communicated with her and told gauri that she was one month away from her due date. They had to deliver the baby right then. Slowly with the help of other passengers shiv and gauri lifted her off the bus and brought her down to the fields and settled her under a tree where she'd be a little comfortable. It was amazing to watch shiv at work….he was firing orders to all those around. He turned to her and said…."gauri im going to need all the help I can have. I have told these people to get wash cloths and hot water from where ever possible. I have a kit in the bus which I need u to get for me. It'll help us clean up and sterlize. Gauri followed all his directions perfectly and watched in awe a true master at work. After around two hours…..the baby finally arrived and as gauri held it in her hand so that shiv could cut the umbilical cord she felt hot tears down her cheeks. She had never done this before and it was such an overwhelming experience for her. soon she was sobbing as she handed the baby girl to her mother. She felt a warmth in her heart whose source she didn't know. She shied away from the crowd who was shaking her hand and blessing her. she settled on the ground a little away and cried unabashedly. After around ten minutes she felt a hand upon her shoulder. It was shiv…sitting beside her he was smiling…. I gather this was the first baby you helped deliver. She just nodded….you were great gauri…an absolute champ…she just smiled at him through her tears. Now enough crying gauri…come along the mother wants to speak to you. "but…but she stammered….i wont know what shes saying….why is she calling me ?"
" don't worry…I'll translate…shes not going to eat you. Just come along". And he pulled her to where the mother and baby were.
The woman wanted to say thanks to both shiv and gauri….she said and her baby would have been lost without them. Gauri just kept smiling like an idiot as she didn't understand a word and had to wait for shiv to transalate. The woman as a token of thanks wanted to name her little girl after her. gauri was taken aback…she really hadn't done anything…only assisted shiv. What was wrong with these people ? she told shiv this and he told her " It doesn't matter to her so as to how much percentage you contributed. The fact that you jumped up to help her instantly and seem so happy for her when she delivered the girl is what is foremost on her mind. that is what she is thanking you for. So let her and tell her your name…."
"Gauri."
As she and shiv sat on the table of a small roadside hotel she finally got the opportunity to ask him what he was doing there. He explained that he was going to mambalam as there was a medical camp being set up there to help the villagers. She asked if he was traveling alone to which he replied in the affirmative. He explained that he was supposed to travel with some other doctors but had gotten delayed so they left ahead of him. Then it was his turn to ask questions…what was she doing here all alone ? how had kaya and vivaan agreed to this ? why hadn't they accompanied her ?.
"So many questions shiv…well it actually started with me and kaya on the trip to explore sri lanka…but vivaan had a minor accident so kaya had to rush back to him. And I did everything so that they'd allow her to continue alone."
"well…in that case I'll be your guide and company for the rest of the journey till mambalam. i hope you don't mind."
"No…not at all." Gauri couldn't believe it. Here she was gonna travel with a person who made her heart race madly. But he wasn't hers to be. He belonged to someone else. She was itching to ask about his family but she figured she wasn't in a position to do so. After all this was their second meeting. If he hadn't told vivaan and kaya anything in a year why would he reveal anything to her.
They had to wait for another bus to the village since the one they had arrived in had left ages ago. The bus service wasn't too punctual shiv explained…infact not many people traveled down that road so they might have to wait for a while. In the mean time shiv entertained her by telling her stories of his childhood. He had a gift of gab and not one moment they spent waiting was dull. She hardly contributed to the conversation except for her continuous laughing. She had tears in her eyes and according to her the bus arrived not a moment too late….as she just couldn't laugh any more. They boarded the bus and continued on with their journey. In the bus contrary to her expectation shiv was silent….he just looked out the window at the scenery that they were passing through. She decided to let him be and nodded off to sleep.she only woke up when shiv gently prodded her.
"gauri….we have reached….its time to get off." She opened her eyes and saw that the bus was empty and they were the only two in it. She then woke up fully with a start feeling thoroughly embarrassed of herself. She couldn't believe that she had slept through the entire journey. She looked at her watch and it was almost seven pm. Oh my gosh…im so sorry that I slept off. You should have woken me up earlier.
" well you were tired from the entire days events and I couldn't bring my self to wake you up."
Looking extremely sheepish gauri dismounted the bus and said…I've kept you away from your work also…I'm sorry once again.
"Oh no problem…I wasn't exactly keeping a watch over you…I was sitting at that store where I could do a little work my self and at the same time stay in sight of you.
Where do you plan to stay in the village ?....i'd be happy to arrange for accommodation with our team."
"please don't trouble yourself so….i'll be staying at kumari amma's daughter samita's house. It's the fifteenth house in the village."
"I'll take you there and then return to my camp."
"thank you shiv".
The rest of the walk to samita's house was in silence. Finally they approached the given house. Shiv made sure someone was at home and when he was assured that she'd be fine he went along his way.
"Gauri…it was a pleasure meeting you again. Have fun on your stay here. Give my best to kaya and vivaan. Good bye."
" good bye shiv…it was a pleasure meeting you too. I'll never forget this day in my life ever. Thank you for all your help. Good bye."
As gauri uttered these words she felt a weird knot in her heart. Part of her wanted to grab him and tell him not to leave. But the sane part of her reminded her that he was married.
She turned her attention to samita and her family. She had one daughter and her husband worked in an another village some miles away. He spent the weekend with them and during the week lived there. When asked why she didn't live there with him she replied that housing in that village was too expensive. It was amazing that samita spoke hindi…as very few people did so in this country. But she explained that before getting married she lived with her mother who served in the homes of Indians. She had learnt hindi there. She told gauri that she'd take her around the village the next morning. As gauri slept on the coir cot under the stars she couldn't help but admire the beauty of the night. It was so bewitching. There was a slight wind blowing and it slowly lulled her to sleep.
The next morning as promised samita took her around the village. It was an exquisite place.. there was a little river originating from a mountain which was the source of water for them. There were green fields enveloping the entire village. The livestock were absolutely adorable. This was truly untouched beauty. There was no sign of human intervention. Apart from electricity every thing else was natural. Gauri spent two days in joyous mirth. She contemplated going over to the medical camp to visit shiv..but decided against it.
The event which then changed her entire life happened two days later. She awoke one morning to samita's screaming…
Gauri memsaab….gauri memsaab…utho….utho….yahaan se jaana hai.
Jaana hai…what did she mean by that ?
As she listened to what samita had to say….she was thunderstruck…apparently the military was moving into the village. There had been rumours that the extremist group there was going to strike the village and they all had to evacuate asap. Gauri never imagined in a million years that she'd be face with this situation. She quickly packed her stuff and help samita gather her most treasured belongings. Samita was inconsolable….she couldn't believe that she;d have to leave her home. Gauri didn't know what to say…but hurried her as much as possible so that they could leave. She asked samita if the medical camp was still at the village, samita told her that it had left the previous day. As they finished packing…gauri said a little prayer for all of their safety and they moved along to the points where they'd meet the military trucks which would transport them to a safer place. But luck didn't favour them. As they were going….the bombing began. Gauri had never heard such a deafening sound. It threw her off balance and she stumbled on to the ground. There was smoke all around. The bomb had exploded at quite a distance away from them…yet the after shock sent terror waves into all. There was utter chaos and panic everywhere….people began to run wildly. The military volunteers were telling them to stay calm and proceed on course…but nobody seemed to be listening. Everyone was running helter skelter. Gauri got waylaid in the chaos and got separated from samita and her daughter. She didnt know what to do….and couldn't understand what the people were saying. She tried to look for some sign which would point her in the right direction but couldn't find one. All around she saw peoples faces blanched with fear. Then a new spate of bombings began….and they sounded closer than the first one. Gauri ran for her life but stumbled on a stone and fell down. People kept stamping her in the frenzy and she couldn't stand up. She began crying with fright when a strong pair of hands pulled her up and asked….
" Gauri…..gauri tum theek ho ?".
It was shiv kapoor.
PART THREE....
Gauri was never so pleased to see someone she knew. All she could manage was "shiv" before she passed out in his arms.
Shiv didn't know what to do….gauri was unconscious in his arms and it was the worst time that this could happen. He needed to move both of them to a safer place. He contemplated on carrying her across but shot down the idea since in such an atmosphere gauri would most probably fall off…..! he needed to wake her and fast.Patting her cheeks he kept calling out her name…"gauri….gauri….please utho.. humein iss jagah se nikalna hai…please….please….
At long last gauri opened her eyes and he could see that she didn't know where she was. Quickly he told her….gauri we are in midst of a bombing. U need to get up and we need to run away asap. Gauri nodded and got up to her feet, he took her hand in hers and they ran as if there was no tomorrow.
Gauri felt so safe with shiv , as he led her through the maze of people running about she wondered how he got there. After all the medical camp did leave the previous day. She shuddered to think what would have happened if he hadn't pulled her up. She would have probably died in the stampede. "shiv….what are you doing here ?"
"all in good time gauri…I'll tell you once we are out of this zone." She saw the creases of worry lining his face. He was looking for the point where the army trucks were to pick them up. He tried asking the people around them…but no one wanted to stop long enough to answer them let alone listen to them. The bombings increased in frequency and the distance kept narrowing down. Finally they were directed by a villager and they reached the pick up point. . gauri stopped to catch her breath and looked up at shiv. He was still in a state of worry, she put her hand on his shoulder and said "its okay shiv….we will be picked up any moment I guess. The convoy will be here now. He smiled and looked at her. right then a shell dropped about 500 mts away from them. People began screaming yet again….the air was filled with cries of horror and pain. When gauri opened her eyes the sight which welcomed her shook her to the core. Lying about were people drenched in blood. The impact of the bomb was so large that it had ended up injuring many. The people injured were of all ages. From children to the aged. Gauri was filled with disgust thinking humans could do this to others. Shiv had let go of her hand and was running towards the others. She ran behind him without knowing what to do….shiv was shouting out something in the local language. From how the people were following his orders she saw that he had asked them to help with moving the ones injured towards a particular direction. All the able bodied ones pitched in and began carrying the others on their back and moving towards a patch of trees.
"gauri…. Run….it isn't safe here. Run towards those trees. The next village is about 3 kms from here. Im sure there will be help there. Go now."
" but shiv…I cant leave w/o you. I'll help too."
"don't be ridiculous…I cant let you take any risk. Just do what I say and run for god's sake. Please….how will I ever face kaya if something happens to you. Im begging you"
"I cant go shiv…I'll help too. You'll need it. How do you think I'll feel if I run away like a coward without helping? I may not know the language but I can feel their pain. You forget that im a doctor.
Shiv contemplated for a few seconds and then nodded….he handed her the little girl he was holding in his arms and said "take her and follow the others." My medical camp is in the next village. Tell them I've sent you.
"and what about you ?" she asked…. " don't worry about me. I'll be there too."
Gauri looked at the girl in her arms. The little child's foot had been blown away and she was bleeding profusely. She looked into shiv's eyes and went about towards the next village. She kept saying words of encouragement to the barely conscious girl in her arms. She knew that the girl wouldn't understand her but she hoped her tone would convey what she wanted to say. She began singing her a lullaby in Bengali which kaya used to sing to her as a kid. she willed her self to run with all the strength she had so that she could reach in time. Finally gauri reached the medical camp set up by their doctors. She quickly explained to them who she was and how she got there. The doctors were already underway treating a few others. She laid down the little girl on a nearby bed and began dressing her wounds. There was no way she could save her leg….but bringing her back to life she could try. She administered the necessary medicines and when the girl was sleeping peacefully she turned her attention to other patients. The extent of injury in certain cases and loss of lives in others sickened gauri. The people kept streaming in with varied levels of being injured. But shiv was still missing. It had been almost two hours since she was there…and shiv still hadn't showed up. Worry was eating up gauri….she tried asking the other doctors but they were equally clueless. She wanted to go back and see what was wrong with him but the others wouldn't let him. Shiv trudged in some four hours after she had reached. Seeing him gauri couldn't contain her happiness and she ran and hugged him. Shiv held her for a minute and said…Don't worry I'm okay. I cant thank you enough for helping out gauri. These people will be grateful for ever.
Shiv…..i did what I felt was right. Where were you all this while ? I was sick with worry.
Oh I had gone to see if I could meet someone from the military. I met an officer and asked him to if he could arrange for transportation for the injured. He assured me that they would be here by six in the morning.
They sat at this corner table and gauri vented all that she could manage. Her rage was evident and shiv listened to her quietly. He didn't offer much comment. Slowly she calmed down. She wondered why he was so quiet. She suddenly noticed that he had his right foot in a makeshift bandage. He had bled quite a bit.
"shiv….your foot….why didn't you tell me before." She immediately got down to dressing it.
"you'll be a great doctor one day gauri. Your compassion for the people is commendable."
Gauri slept very badly that night. All night long she had nightmares of bombings around her….people screaming….children crying. She awoke several times during the night….each time shiv ssshd her and sent her back to sleep. The next morning as promised the army trucks arrived. They gently shifted the people on to it. The little girl gauri had treated was still not out of danger and she could definitely not make the journey. Shiv and gauri decided to stay back with her. the army personnel told them that is was insanity….the entire village was being evacuated. Not one soul would remain. Why didn't they just come with them. But gauri and shiv stood steadfast on their decision. The little girl needed them. Finally the officers gave in and told them to shift into the biggest house in the village. They would be considerably safe if not completely. After making sure they had the facilities to survive for two more days they left. Gauri and shiv were left alone in their village as caretakers to a little girl who probably didn't even know why she was facing such a harsh punishment. Gauri spent the majority of the day at her bedside in case she regained her senses. But the girl just moaned in pain in her semi lucid state. Shiv cooked them a meal and administered the necessary medication to her.
As they sat at twilight eating their meal…gauri wondered aloud about all that she had experienced. Shiv explained that these fanatics had no concrete mission in mind. the lives of thousands of innocents were being staked for some idiotic reason. He spoke with such spite that it scared her. she was seeing so many facets of this man that she didn't know what to do. Then the bombings began again….they sounded far away…nevertheless it had started again. They moved to the interior of the house to the storehouse with only an oil lamp for light. They couldn't risk switching on the lights. They had christened the girl as Natasha. The name was dear to both as it was her mother's name and shiv didn't mention his reason. Natasha was sleeping peacefully and seemed to be on way to recovery. The second day pretty much passed like the first. Gauri told shiv all about her self. Her childhood..her family ….her dreams ….her aspirations. Shiv on the other hand spoke little…just listened to her intently. For the first time in two days gauri felt like smiling.
As the night approached a wave of cold air hit them and Natasha began shivering. No amount of blankets was keeping her warm. She hadn't regained her sensed fully but was screaming in pain. They tried administering a sedative but she was flailing her arms about and they just couldn't inject it. soon she began crashing and gradually her little heart gave out. She died in gauri's arms.
Gauri became wild with grief. She sobbed inconsolably. She refused to let shiv move Natasha from her and kept rocking her body back and forth.
" gauri….you have to let go. Shes gone…shes left us. Nothing you do is going to bring her back."
"what is the use of all this shiv. If she had to die…why didn't she do right then….why did I have to carry her across villages to get her medical attention. Why did god let us have a glimmer of hope regarding her survival when he had to take her away. What purpose was her death fulfilling. Why is any of this happening."
Shiv said nothing…but just ran his hand over her head.
A lot of times gauri things happen for which no one has an explanation. I don't know why we almost saved her only to lose her. no one knows why any of this is happening. But it has to happen. Its all fate.
A new spate of shelling begun and enveloped gauri in rage….she cursed them for doing such harm. She ran across the storehouse to go to the open. Shiv yanked her back in time..
"gauri….you have to get a grip on yourself. Getting yourself killed isn't the right thing to do. Come back inside. I've lost natsha…I cant lose you…..i cant lose you. Saying this he pulled her into a hug. Gauri felt the power of his hug. It was as if he was holding on to her to give himself support. In his embrace she felt a man clutching on to her as if she was his entire life. She returned the embrace as a source of comfort to him. The roles were reversed and she was now consoling shiv… she felt him sobbing but they were dry sobs racking his entire body.
"sssh shiv…im not going anywhere….im right here. You wont lose me. Ever…I promise. I promise."
After what seemed like an hour to her shiv finally stopped crying and looked up to her.
"Natasha was my wife."
The statement hit gauri like a bucket of cold water. She looked up silently at him.
He had met Natasha while in college. She was the most lovely creature on earth. With a bright mind and even better heart she aced her way into being the best in medical school. She was the most sought after doctor but she chose to dedicate her life to social service. Shiv and Natasha fell in love in college and married soon after. They were the happiest people alive. While shiv was in Colombo…Natasha used to travel to remote villages providing medical aid. He was so proud of her he couldn't say it enough. Tragedy then struck four years after they were married. In a similar incident….natasha had lost her life while doing what she loved the most….serving the people.
Shiv had since then continued doing what she had done…living his life in a way where he hoped she'd be proud of him.
I hadn't thought of life beyond my work since Natasha…..until I met you gauri. Though our encounter was brief you triggered in me something which had been dormant for so many years now. You are so innocent so child like….yet u possess a maturity way beyond your years. when I left you at the village some part of my heart I left behind. I could think of nothing but you. And then when I heard that you could be in danger I knew I had to get back. I couldn't let anything happen to you. I wouldn't be able to live with it if something like that happens again.
Tears were flowing from both pair of eyes freely. Shiv moved towards gauri and wiped some of them off her cheeks he said….my angel…..she stood still as he moved in to kiss her. the kiss though light and short seemed like the breath of life to gauri. As the night's darkness enveloped them….they surrendered to each other each taking in the others pain and trying to provide solace with their love.
The next morning gauri woke up as a new woman. She felt complete…as if an integral part of her missing and had been found the previous night. it was as if the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle of her life was fitted now correctly. She looked over to see shiv staring at her intently. " what is it ?"…nothing….its just that you look wonderful in your sleep.
Gauri was so so happy. She looked around her and suddenly sadness hit her again. lying across the room was natasha's empty bed. She looked questioningly at him…. I buried her this morning. I didn't want you to go through the experience. His voice was pained and she just squeezed his hand as a gesture of saying she was there.
The army officers came back to get them. They moved along various other villages all devoid of any signs of human life. Gauri held on to shiv's hand all throughout. He was her brick. Her wall of comfort. They reached the city soon and gauri made her call to kaya who was worried out of her wits. She was instructed to come back asap. Gauri didn't tell kaya about shiv…not yet….she'd tell her when she met her. she finished talking to kaya and looked around to see shiv missing….she saw him sitting under a tree a few mts up ahead. She went to sit with him and linked her fingers with his. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. Life would be so perfect now. She took one look at him expecting it to mirror her happiness. But something was wrong…
"what is it shiv… ?
"gauri….i have to go back…there are so many people out there who need me. Im bound by duty….i need to go help them."
"but shiv….what about me….what about us ?"
"gauri….you are the best thing that happened to me in a long long time. And I promise you I will be back for you. to make you mine. But right now …you have to let me go. This is just something I need to do. "
As gauri saw him leave she felt her life slipping away from her. but she loved him to an extent that she trusted him to keep his word of getting back to her. it was strange she thought….about a month ago she didn't even know this man…and today.
The rest of gauri's vacation was uneventful…..there was no news from shiv and she had no idea where he was or what he was doing…..if he was alright….but she held on to her hope. Her belief in him….her faith in him. She told no one about what had transpired in the village of mambalam.
At the end of three months gauri returned to India….to her life….yet she didn't lose hope. He had said he'd be back for her and he would keep his word.
Eight years had passed since then. She was a successful doctor now working in the most famous hospital in Calcutta. Her friends and family were near by. Kaya and vivaan had long since moved out of srilanka. she never saw or spoke to shiv again. eight long years. But she had something to remember him by…..her son….their son….agastya.
Gauri never told her family who agastya's father was. Her family after a long fight had just resigned to the fact and accepted him as he was perfect. Kaya kept saying he looked like someone she knew…but she never could figure who it was. Gauri wanted shiv to be the first one to know that he was agastya's father.
Her best friend anupam was her son's fav uncle and god father. Her little boy filled her heart and that of those around her with joy and happiness.
She still didn't know what had happened to shiv over the years, sometimes the practical part of her told her he didn't survive… but her heart didn't give up and pushed all these thoughts away, her hope made her strong…stronger than she ever was. She knew he'd be back some day. And that day he'd be reunited with his family. Their family.
-The End
Fan Fictions
Kabhi Neem Neem Kabhi Shahad Shahad
