Chapter 10:
Rishab lay on hospital bed quietly as the nurse pinched the saline needle into his vein.
Nurse: This will give you the proper nutrients. Please just try to stay calm. (She smiled)
Rishab hoarsely: Thank you.
The nurse blushed and left.
In the corner of the room Maasi whispered to Taanvi: Subha ho chuki hai, go and fetch Kukki, it will get you some brownie points.
Taanvi: Yes! Great idea, mom!
She left quickly.
Maasi: Rishab, I know you are upset, but aapna khyal rakhna chahiye na?
Rishab didn't say anything, he just looked dully out the window of his hospital cabin, out into the distance.
Taanvi went home and freshened up to look extra pretty for Rishab and then, 3 hours later, she finally went for Kukki. Unfortunately, she found Kukki in the playground - with Prerna.
Taanvi decided to ignore her.
Taanvi: Kukki, baby, chalo, I have come to bring you to Papa. He wants to see you.
Kukki jumped up, thrilled. She grabbed Prerna's hand to go. Prerna sat still.
Taanvi annoyed, looked at Prerna: He didn't ask for you. I can only bring Kukki.
Kukki started throwing a tantrum.
Taanvi: Kukki, Papa is not well. He's in the hospital and he really wants to see you. Don't be difficult.
Prerna's heart skipped a beat, before she knew it, she had already asked: What happened to him?
Taanvi gritted out: It's none of your business anymore, you left him already.
Taanvi grabbed Kukki's arm to go but she was crying now and ran to wrap her arms around Prerna's leg.
Kukki: Pa...
Prerna's eyes filled: Yes, beta, say pa-pa. Pa-pa!
Taanvi: This is not the time!
The school PT teacher came up behind Taanvi: What's going on here?
Maasi was out with the doctor to ask when would be a good time to give Rishab food. He sighed. He didn't have any appetite for anything, he couldn't eat. What was she going on about?
He sighed. Suddenly it dawned on him where he was...this was Neerjal Hospital, Calcutta. He hadn't been here in two decades. This was where his mother passed away after she was refused care for lack of funds. He looked at his folder on the cabinet by his bed. Cabin 697. Huh. What are the chances of that? He knew there was something about this room adding to his pain. Now it made sense. His mother's grief was trapped in this room along with his own inability to do anything about it.
Roopa, breathing heavily: I love you, Rishi, never forget that. You are my best achievement.
Rishab was crying: Can we ask Maloy Basu for the money, please?
Roopa: No beta, we won't ask him for anything. I (her breathing became slower) want to talk about us. You will do me proud, won't you, Rishi? You will be strong.
Rishab: Always.
He struggled up and got his cell phone from the side table.
Rishab: Mehra, I want Neerjal Hospital. At any cost. And rename it, Roopa Bajaj Hospital.
Kukki burst into the room and jumped onto him.
Rishab: I have to go, get it done.
Taanvi followed behind: I had to bring her.
Rishab: Thank you.
Rishab hugged his silent heart closer to his chest. She curled up, crying hot tears, unable to express herself any other way.
Rishab: Please give us a moment, Taanvi.
Taanvi: Of course. I will go find mom.
Rishab cooed to Kukki: Don't be scared, honey, Papa is fine. See? It's okay...
Rishab sighed and closed his eyes, lying back with a curled up Kukki in his arms.
Rishab: You know, this is where Papa came with dadi many years ago.
Prerna paced outside the room. Taanvi left the room and gave her a dirty look before walking off.
Prerna was dying to go in, see for herself how he was, but she promised herself he would be invisible to her going forward.
Prerna: Kya karoon mein...? (She instinctively went for her neck to pray, but her hand did not grab the mangal sutra that was usually there).
Prerna froze. He took off the mangal sutra and this is why you can't take off the (she stormed into the cabin).
Prerna stopped short. There was no noise or talking in the cool room.
Rishab was lying with his eyes closed. Kukki curled up on his chest. His silver and black chair was tousled. There was a bandage around his head. He had a saline connected to his hand. He wore a blue hospital uniform and they were both half under the covers.
This was her world.
Prerna got goosebumps at the sudden thought. Yes, this was her world. And it was perfect.
Kukki opened her eyes and saw her first.
Rishab with his eyes closed: Papa failed you, I am sorry, Kukki.
Kukki got off him suddenly, he opened his eyes and startled at the sight of Prerna.
Rishab sat up with effort as Kukki came up to her. He was being very awkward and looked anywhere but at her.
He didn't say anything.
Kukki dragged Prerna over, put her hand on Rishab's one with the saline needle, which was looking blue and she signed with both hands that they should be friends again.
Prerna took her hand off his, worried she would hurt him with pressure. Rishab took it as rejection and looked away.
Prerna was the first to speak: I was with Kukki at her school.
Rishab grimly: Don't worry, I knew you came by mistake.
Prerna's voice caught in her throat.
Rishab: Your loved ones must miss you at home, Amir will take you back.
Prerna sighed and closed her eyes in frustration. He was such a stubborn idiot.
Prerna: What happened?
Rishab: Nothing.
Prerna: Fine, then. I guess you just came to the hospital for a visit. You had Kukki very upset. Perhaps TRY to take care of yourself for her sake.
Rishab looked chastised, but didn't say anything.
Prerna: How long do you have to be here?
Rishab finally looked at her, tortured: What do you care, Prerna? Just go home. I am sorry Kukki dragged you here, I will teach her to be more mindful of your time from now on.
Prerna took a sharp intake of breath, turned, and walked away. Kukki tried to go after her, but Rishab grabbed her by the hand just in time.
Prerna looked back and saw what he had just done.
Prerna: I can't believe you just did that!
Rishab: You will have other priorities now, Miss Sharma, I can't let her monopolize your time.
Prerna looked like she has been struck. It hurt him to think he could hurt her like this.
Prerna: I hate you! (She slammed the door after her).
Rishab didn't know it was possible to die in more than one way. He hugged Kukki closer so she wouldn't see him wipe his eyes.
Maasi snapped at Tanvi: Can you do anything, right!? Why would you bring Prerna here!?
Taanvi: I couldn't very well drag Kukki away, she was throwing such a tantrum Mom! The PT teacher was so scary, she could have mistaken me for a kidnapper. Prerna was on the guardian list, not me. She had to come.
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Chapter 11
Edited by Marybarton - 5 years ago
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
