Ch 2.
The doctor called Rishabh and Veena in his cabin to discuss about her health. An unknown fear grasped in their heart about what will the doctor tell them.
"Meri biwi kaisi hai,Doctor? Is she alright? Kab tak uthegi woh?" Rishabh asked with a tired yet worried face.
"Mrs. Bajaj ji condition abhi bhi critical hai.. Unpe koi bhi dawaai asar nahi kar rahi hai... Maano,jeene ki ummeed hi chhor di ho.. Ab toh aap sab ki dua aur pyaar hi bacha sakti hai Mrs. Bajaj ko."
Drops of tear fell from their eyes' as they heard about Prerna's current condition. It was never meant to be like this. It broke Rishabh's heart more.
Just then,a news came that Mohini Basu has been arrested and is in jail. Rishabh couldnt control his anger as he fisted his fingers tightly.
For a moment,he closed his eyes to gain some strength. He opened them again and requested Anupam and Nivedita to keep Kukki with them for the time being as he can only trust them with his daughter. They nodded in yes while Rishabh went to the Police Station with Veena.
Police Commissioner entered alongside Rishabh and Veena. He took them to the cell where Mohini Basu was captured. She kept wriggling under the tight hold of handcuffs while saying that she will complain to the higher ups and her Anurag will save her.
Veena comes face to face with Mohini Basu who has been arrested by the Police. She comes near her and slaps her hard. Veena falls down in shock while Rishabh comes and holds her.
"Meri biwi maut se lar rahi hai.. Uspe ungli daal ke apne bohut bari galti kardi hai.. Aapka main kya hashra karunga yeh aap soch bhi nahi sakti.. Agar main Prerna keliye uska Shiv bansakta hu,toh main aap pe Kaal Bhairav banke keher giraunga..." Rishabh warned Mohini as he was seething in anger.
Seeing them in such a way, Mohini blurted out the truth and was taken into custody as the much needed proofs were gathered.
Rishabh thanked the Police Commissioner for their role and efforts to catch the criminal. Later, they went to the hospital.
After a few moments, Rishabh and Veena sat infront of the ICU where Prerna was kept. Anupam and Nivedita took Kukki to Basu Bafi as she fell asleep due to tiredness.
Veena was extremely proud of Rishabh. His words and actions proved that he was worthy of being her daughter's husband from every angle. She went near him and kept her comforting hand on his head.
"Thora aaram karlo beta."
"Nahi Maa... Jab tak Prerna thik nahi hojati,tab tak nahi." He replied in tired voice.
Veena brought a plate of food near him and started to make him eat.
"Hum ek baat bhi nahi sunenge.. Maa bolte ho humein aur Maa ki nahi manoge,toh main gussa karungi. Chalo,thora sa khalo.." Veena said with a smile and made him eat.
Rishabh was really happy to be taken care of. Like a mother cares for her son. He bent down and kept his head on Veena's lap,as she stroked her warm and loving hand over his head.
"Aap gussa nahi hai mujhse,Maa?"
"Main apne bete se kyun gussa hongi?"
"Maine Prerna se itna bura bartav kiya aur usi wajah se Prerna ka accident?" Rishabh replied with sadness laced in his voice.
"Isme aapki galti nahi hai beta.. Vishwas ek aisa dhaaga hai jo zyada khichne se toot jati hai. Aapke saath aapki pehli patni ne jo kiya,woh bohut galat thha. Aapki jagah koi aur hota toh ab tak sambhal nahi pata khudko. Par,aapne khudko kabil banaya aur iss mukaam pe hai,aapki mehnat ki wajah se. Priyu ne bhi Anurag pe vishwas kiya par usne bhi uska vishwas torha. Woh aapse bohut pyaar karti hai,aur aap bhi toh karte hai Priyu se pyaar.. Bus thora samay dijiye,sab thik hojayega.. Mata Rani aap dono ke rishte ko lambi umar pradaan kare..."
Veena's words worked like magic. He was relieved of the guilt to an extent.
Veena insisted Rishabh to go home and take some rest while she will be here. Rishabh didnt want to leave but one take of reassurance from his mother-in-law made him smile a little and went home.
As he reached home,he took a cold shower which calmed his nerves down. He came out from the shower and had dinner,since he also needs to stay healthy to take care of his wife and also to apologise for his deeds.
He took out the letter which was with him since that fateful accident.
Tears pooled his eyes as he carefully opened the letter. Her handwriting is so clean and pretty,he observed. Then he started to read the letter.
"Mr. Bajaj,
Jab tak aapko yeh letter milega, mujhe pata nahi hoga ki main rahoongi ya nahi. Main kabhi bhi aapko hurt nahi karna chahti thi par shayad halat uss waqt kuch aise thhe ki jaane anjane mein aap hurt huye thhe mujhse. Main aapko sacchayi batane wali thhi ki aapne uska galat matlab nikal dia.. Mujhe laga ki aap mera vishwas karoge aur dil nahi toroge,kyunki main aapse be intehaan pyaar kar baithi thi... Par aapne mera vishwas aur dil dono hi torh dia. Haan,maine hi aapse mujhe na chhune ki baat ki thhi.. Uss waqt main sahi tareeke se sochne ke shakti mein nahi thi.. Aapko bohut bukhaar hua thha uss din. Medicines bhi kaam nahi kar rahi thi,isiliye mujhe woh karna parha... Body to body warmth dena parha aapko.. Usdin pehli baar aapki dhadkan ko mehsoos kiya maine kareeb se.. Tabhi promise kiya khudse ki aapko main apne se kabhi dur jaane nahi dungi par agle hi din aapne uska galat matlab nikal liya aur khud hi mujhe dur kardia... Main toh aapki har uss dard ka dawa banna chahti thi par aapne hi mujhe hurt kardia.. Mujhe meri aukaad dikha diya aapne ki main sirf Kukki ki Maa hu,aapki biwi nahi. Maine kabhi aapko galat iraado se chhua nahi hai Rishabh.
I hope aap mujhe maaf kardenge.
Kukki Ki Maa."
For the first time in his life,he felt so guilty,which broke him into pieces. He clutched the letter near his heart and repeatedly said sorry to Prerna for his mistake.
"Prernaaaaa....." He cried loudly...
"Dil roye aye elahi,tu aaja mere maahi.."
Precap: Prerna wakes up.
Anupamaa
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
