Posted:
Hello Shello everyone, missed you all, luv u all 🤗🤗. Thank you all for your patience. Sorry for the very looooooooooooong delay but i am making up with a very loooooooooong update. But no romance this time, sorry. Let me what you all think about this. Cheers 😃 😃
Disclaimer**
The incidents were completely fictious and no where related to person or persons living or dead or any country and city.
It is just my imagination running wild and no intention of hurting anyone's feelings. Cheers again.
Part 55
The four men huddled in a corner watched the commotion from a distance. Their eyes were red with anger and pain. There was chaos all around them in their colony. Though poverty and helplessness had hardened them over the years, the anguish cry that surrounded them still tore at their hearts. But this time, two young children were in the hospital with third degree burns. Their fists hardened in fury and their eyes looked at the still bellowing smoke from the one of the burnt out mess, which once housed, a child, a mother and a whole family. Now all that stood in the colony of the straw thatched slum was burnt out stumps. It was the third attack in the last six months, always blamed on high temperature or faulty gas hobs or burnt out cigerrettes. They wondered what new idea they would come up with this time. The MLA's white shirt gleamed in the morning sun. He had the same plastered sympathetic look and the same comforting words he had used in the past two occasions, but this time he was handing out an extra Rs. 500/- note. There was a press crew around him taking the appropriate photos and they were sure of the editing that would follow in the labs later in the day. There were sure to make the evening news. The MLA looked bored. "This lot had been the toughest of all", he muttered to himself. There were a few deaths already and they are still not ready to leave that damned place. The builders he had taken a huge sum from were getting restless and they wanted to continue their building plans before the monsoon started. "These poor people could be so damned stubborn", he muttered to himself again. Now, it was time to make that speech which he knew by heart. Neither he nor his bodyguards noticed the huddled foursome in the corner. His speech was well received and badding them all goodbye and goodwishes and promising things that he would forget within the next five minutes, he turned to walk towards the car.
"MLA sir?" called a rough voice and with a frown, he turned back. His brain sent alarming signals as soon as he took in the rage filled eyes of the four men in front of them. One man rushed forward before his bodyguards could stop him. The MLA felt a sheering pain on the right side of his abdomen and heard the furious voice close to his ears as his knees buckled. "I am sure that builder will pay for your funeral expenses", the man bit out and before the stunned bodyguards and the public could react, his friends pulled him out and they disappeared into the chaos. The TV crew stood stunned more for missing out the vital shot on camera as they had been busy packing their equipmens away. Utter chaos followed immediately and the sirens of the ambulance and the police added to it. The ambulane sped away with the bloodied MLA. Violence with its poisonous roots waiting for the opportunity crept through the city. Wtihin the next hour, the once peaceful city changed into a bloodied frenzy one. Buses were burnt, glasses were broken and shops were looted. Two members from the MLS's party set themselves alight, protesting the outrageous cowardness of the ruling party and the ruling party members retaliated. Suddenly, the problem between a rich and greedy man and the poor slum residents became a raging war between the ruling and the opponent party and then there was no stopping them. The police was bewildered and their force already stretched to the limit was stretched out even further to protect the party members than the common public.
Blissfully unaware of the commotion outside, Prachi was shopping. It was almost noon and she should be leaving soon. She couldn't stop herself from browsing the colourful and expensive interior decoration books that lined the shelves. Her mind was already thinking of new ideas to make Milind's bedroom a bit more feminine after their marriage. After all, it would be hers too………theirs. She blushed at her thoughts. Of all the other places in the house, she was thinking of his bedroom. Awwwww, her mind chided her for her wayward thoughts and she bit her lip suddenly conscious of her surroundings. His parents were coming to India in less than 3 weeks and Milind had wanted to speak to her father before they arrived. Her papa hadn't spoken anything about Milind at all and she was scared to ask. But once she submitted her assignment, she would, she silently vowed. She was making her way to the counter, when she heard the sound of the shutters pulled down. The staff rushing around added to her confusion. There were only a few customers in the store, all of them women. The staff rushed them to the back entrance of the shop, hurriedly filling them in on the situation. Prachi listened with growing horror and at that minute, her phone rang. She panicked even more as she heard her mother's voice asking her where she was. With very less reception inside the building, Premlatha had been trying to call her for sometime. She had already spoken to Inder and Neev who were outside the office at that time, and they were driving down to the bookstore to pick up Prachi. A dull fear settled inside her as her mother warned to stay put and wait for her father. Inder was having trouble driving through the city as there were road blocks in most places. Everyone around her were speculating and discussing and Prachi jumped as her phone rang again. It was Milind and he was frantic as he had been trying to call her for sometime. She assured him that she was safe and her father was coming to get her but that might take some time. What if her father got delayed? Milind raked his hand through his hair. The situation was very unsettled outside. The police had opened up a few roads deeming them as safe and the street which had the bookstore in it was one of them. But he was not taking any risks, especially where Prachi was concerned. Deciding quickly, he spoke urgently, "Prachi, I might be able to reach you earlier than your father. But just stay in the building and in a group till me or your father call you. Don't go out on your own. Understand?" he said and Prachi assured him quickly. She just wanted to get out of that place. Before she could finish, the phone was cut off due to poor reception. Frustrated, she waited with the others.
Almost half an hour passed and the silence was broken by the sound of breaking glass. Everyone shrieked as more glass shrads fell off the locked front door. The shutters were pulled up already and a mob was trying to break in. Saying a quick prayer, the manager opened the back door and they all ran out. Once outside, in the commotion and fear of their own safety, the group had broken up. When Prachi realised that she was on her own, she was already near the back entrance of the building which backed on to a very quiet street. There was absolute silence and Prachi peered out cautiously. The street was lined with the back entrances of other buildings mostly used for loadings. It looked deserted. Her phone rang and she breathed a sigh of relief on hearing Milind's voice. "Prachi, where are you?" asked a frantic Milind. Prachi quickly told him where she was and agreed to wait there till he came for her. Milind was close by and it would take him only a few minutes. Rushing towards the building, Milind spotted Neev and Inder hurrying out of their car. There was no way to drive on further. Inder was getting very worried and was uable to reach Prachi as the network had seemed to be jammed. He took a double take on spotting Milind but strangely he was glad. As Milind told them where Prachi was, they rushed towards the street.
The Assistant Commissioner of Police hit the steering wheel of his jeep frustrated. Patrolling the street, he was getting growingly concerned. They had opened the roads deeming them safe only half-an-hour ago and now, mob activity were noted and complaints were coming in. He will have to close them down again. Many businesses were housed there and he feared for the safety of the people if they were still trapped inside. His team had already made some arrests but he knew the main problem was still out there and he didn't know how dangerous they were.
Prachi was even more frantic as minutes ticked by. She could hear shouting and hooting somewhere near by and she was worried of getting spotted. She prayed for Milind or her father to reach soon. Inder was the first to spot her huddled in a corner, diagonally opposite to where they were standing. "Prachi", he shouted her name.
Relief spread inside her as she spotted them, "Papa………Milind", she shouted back and rushed out into the street.
"No……….Prachi……..Wait", shouted Milind.
But Prachi had already rushed out, frantic to reach them. She had barely taken two steps when the first glass bottle landed near her feet and glass exploded. Stunned she took a step back. A strong mob took a turning from the street a few meters behind where she was standing and ran straight towards her. In her stunned state, she realised they were chasing a man throwing bottles at him and he was running for dear life. Right in the middle of the street, Prachi stood frozen with fear. Her mind was urging her to run but her legs never obeyed. The three men across the street stood stunned at the scene in front of them. Milind was the first to snap out and with a cry; he rushed across the street towards Prachi.
"Prachi………..", Inder and Neev screemed together and before they could move, Milind had already reached Prachi. He pulled her into the safety of his arms and shielding her with his body, he moved urgently across the street. The running mob had already reached them shouting and shrads of glasses were flying everywhere. Holding Prachi close to his body, he jerked as he felt something hit him. By the time, they reached the other side of the road to where Inder and Neev stood; Milind had taken a few hits. Relief washed through Inder as held a shivering Prachi closer. Relieved to find Prachi unhurt, Milind rushed them all from there quickly. As they reached Inder's car, the ACP spotted them. Quick to recognise Milind, he was shocked to hear what had happened and immediately called his team to score that area and urged Milind and the others to leave the area immediately. Milind held a shivering Prachi close comforting her and warned Neev to take the safer route home. Still in shock, Prachi's brain vaguely realised the stickiness on her hands. Moving away from Milind, she looked at her hands and shrieked, "Milind………". Her hands were bright red with Milind's blood.
What followed next was the most harrowing experience in life for Prachi! Milind shrugged off Prachi's concern saying that it could just a piece of glass or something and urged Inder to take Prachi home. Frantic with worry, Prachi had pulled the coat off him and almost fainted with shock. The white shirt on his back was crimson red and still spreading. Quick to analyse the situation, the ACP offered to take Milind to the hospital as it would be quicker than to wait for the ambulance. . None of them listened to Milind's refusal and complaints and Prachi got into the jeep with him and Inder and Neev followed it in their car. Milind's charade of playing it down slipped as pain shot through him and he clutched his head and moaned. He had also taken a hit on the back of his head and atlast the pain was catching up on him. Quickly recovering, he assured a wide eyed faint looking Prachi before closing his eyes as another wave of pain hit him. By the time they reached the hospital, Prachi was a nervous wreck. She rushed inside with him. Milind's name and the presence of a senior police officer with him quickened things up and he was taken into the room immediately.
As the doctor peeled the shirt away from Milind's body, Prachi clutched the chair hard as a wave of dizziness assailed her. His neck and back were a bloodied mess. The doctor's words scared her even more……..glass……….severed artery……..head injury……….concussion….
A sound of distress escaped her and Milind turned to her sharply, "Stay outside, Prachi", he ordered not able to see her like that.
Eyes glued on him, she shook her head.
"I said, go out……and call Vicky", snapped Milind and the nurse quickly urged her out.
Inder and Neev had already reached the hospital and were standing outside the room. It took her a few minutes to tell them what the doctor was saying in bits and pieces. Inder and Neev looked at each other with worried eyes. This was not sounding good. Suddenly remembering, Prachi said urgently, "Vicky………Call Vicky, Neev". But Neev had already called him on his way to the hospital and Vicky would be arriving any minute.
Exactly fifteen minutes later, Vicky rushed inside. Vicky had driven to the hospital like a maniac and in minutes, he spotted the shivering and scared Prachi.
"Vicky……….", called Prachi and rushed to him frantically. Speaking incoherently, she clutched at his arm, "Milind………..Milind……"she gestured towards the room. "I am very scared, Vicky……It should have been me, Vicky…….not him……I should be the one lying in that bed, not him, Vicky…..", her body shook and a shadow of pain crossed through Inder's face watching his distressed daughter.
Holding her shoulders firmly, Vicky looked into Prachi's eyes, "Prachi…….Milind would have died a thousand deaths by now if you had gotten hurt. This is how it should be, Prachi. He is a strong man. Nothing will happen to Milind. Nothing can happen to him", he said firmly and gave a small smile, effectively masking his own worry and fear. "Nothing can happen to him", Vicky repeated to himself and rushed into the room.
Vicky's relief that the CT scan of Milind's head did not show any internal bleeding was short lived. The doctors were still worried as he vomited twice and the next 24 hours were crucial before they could rule out head injury. He had been slipping in and out of consciousness as soon as Prachi left the room and didn't even register Vicky's presence. He was sedated immediately after they had the scan results. Vicky had been fighting fear from the moment he stepped into the room and his heart constricted when the doctors dressed Milind's wounds. Glass pieces were removed and wound stitched, his right arm was put in a sling to avoid any further bleeding induced by movement. He had bled profusely due to a severed artery and was put on IV fluids.
Both Peter and Robert had come in to see Milind and Vicky had assured that they would let everyone know as soon as Milind wakes up. He knew how frantic Lisa, Reba and Rita would have been and he had spoken to every one of them. Not able to reach the hospital earlier, Pooja managed to arrive much later when he was sitting all alone on the couch staring into the evening sky. Tears had streamed from her face as she took in Milind's state. Sitting next to him, she squeezed Vicky's hand. Grateful for her presence, Vicky rested his head on her shoulder and the tears came out atlast. "Why is it always him, Pooja? He manages to get in the way at the last moment. First it was me and now it was Prachi. I am so glad that Prachi is not hurt but ……….look at him. He will say that it is better that way. But he doesn't understand how it is for me", his voice broke. Pooja knew what he was talking about and her arms tightened around him, comforting him. It was after they had their A level exams. Vicky had a run in with a member of a local gang near their friend's place. The gang members had ambushed him later that night when He and Milind were walking to their car. The two young lads were in no way equal to a ten strong knife wielding gang and soon Vicky was pinned down against a wall. He was close to getting stabbed when out of nowhere, Milind had come in between. The knife pierced right through his chest, narrowly missing his lungs. Vicky had been frantic as Milind was rushed to the hospital. Shweta had been hysterical and had to be sedated. The hours that followed was something that Vicky never expected to live again till now! When Milind came around at last, that was what he had said, "It is better this way, bro. I am not brave enough to see you like this here. Its better me than you". Vicky had cried that day like a child. Did Milind really think Vicky was brave enough? It was happening again. He had to wait for the rest of the 24 hours to get the all clear. And he hoped that Milind would be given the all clear. Oh, how he hoped!
It was hours later when Milind opened his eyes. He gave a tired smile, "Hey,.. bro", he said sofly.
Vicky rushed to his side, clutching his fingers softly, taking care not to disturb the IV cannula. The nurse injected another dose of sedatives into the saline bag.
Milind grimaced, "I want to go home, Vicky", he said gruffly.
Vicky knew that he hated hospitals. Trying to sound normal, he glared at him and said, "No, Milind. Atleast not till tomorrow. Your parents are flying in from Newyork. My parents would follow soon. You are under observation now and I have arranged for security in the hospital. Those damned people opened the roads declaring them safe and see what happened. I am not going to leave them easily. Every one of their heads will be on the block. I need answers and fast", his fist clenched in anger. Both their parents had been hysterical and he struggled to calm them down. Milind's parents would be there by the next day afternoon.
Too tired to speak, Milind closed his eyes, "Where is Prachi?" he mumbled.
Softening, Vicky gently touched his bandaged head, "She is outside, Milind and very distressed. I will send her inside. Don't stress yourself, mate. Just relax and you better get well soon", he warned him, his voice breaking and said softly, "I can't see you like this, Milind", he said and turned away. With a small grunt, Milind closed his eyes.
Prachi had gone to the small temple on the ground floor and had been sitting there, eyes closed and praying non-stop. Even Pooja had sat with her silently and left her alone after a while. Inder and Neev walked inside and Milind smiled at them. A number of emotions rushed through Inder and he struggled as he saw Neev speaking to Milind softly. He would never be able to say how grateful he was for saving his daughter,…..for being there………..for his quick thinking. Thanking him would be an added insult as Prachi meant just as much to Milind as she did to Inder……….everything. "Get well soon, Milind", Inder said softly. "Atleast for his daughter's sake" he added silently. He knew that he would lose his daughter too if anything happened to Milind. Milind smiled at him and closed his eyes again.
The ACP walked down the stairs lost in thought. He forgot how many trips he had made to that hospital since the first time, he had brought Milind Mishra in. What a day!, he said to himself. Of all people, it should be Milind Mishra who had gotten hurt seriously and that too in his area after he had opened it for public. He was a VIP, very influential business tycoon and on top of that a British citizen. The British embassy was on their backs straightaway and he forgot how many people he had answered to since that afternoon. They had to keep the media away too. He knew his head was on the block and wondered if he would have to resign taking full responsibility. His wife and children's faces swam in his mind. He closed his eyes wearily as bitterness rose in him. Walking past the small temple, his eyes fell on Prachi, hands folded and eyes closed in prayer. The vulnerability that exuded from her touched him and he walked closer. He had recognised the girl to be the one in the papers along with Milind. He had his doubts but now he realised that they are really in love with eachother. He realised that his bitterness was nothing to what she and the rest of his family would be feeling. The Mishras would be here tomorrow and he would be answering a few more questions. That aside, his heart sincerely wished for Milind to get better.
Prachi was panting after running up the stairs to Milind's room. Vicky had found her and told her that Milind was awake and wanted to speak to her. Her father had gone down with Neev to send him home to a very worried Premlatha. She hadn't spoken to her mother yet but her mind hadn't registered anything but Milind. Walking into the room, she moved slowly towards the bed. His head and neck bandaged, arm in a sling and his other arm cannulated, he looked so different. The smell of medicine assailed her senses and she stood there staring at him. "Milind", she called softly but he didn't respond. She could see that he had gone back into his drug induced sleep. "Talk to me, Milind. Say something………anything. Atleast tell me to go out…..", her voice broke. But he never responded. Her fingers stroked over the bandage on his head moving his curls away. She bent down to place a soft kiss on his forehead.
"Pra……………chi………", Milind mumbled almost inaudibly still deep in sleep.
Prachi closed her eyes and tears rolled down her cheeks and kissed him again on his forehead. Sitting down on the chair close to his bed, she rested her head down, the side of her face resting against his hand on his side. His fingers were cold against her skin. "Don't leave me,…….please", she said soflty and closed her eyes.
Vicky, who was standing in the far corner, quickly looked away. "Neither me,.., Milind. I don't know life without you" he said to himself and tears slowly trickled down his face as he stared into the night sky.
She didn't know how long she sat there and looked up as she felt Inder's hand on her head. "You need some rest, Prachi. We will come back in the morning", said Inder sofly. Order had been restored hours earlier and the city was back to normal. Prachi shook her head and Vicky walked towards them.
"Your father is right, Prachi. There is nothing more for us to do. I will stay here with him. He is stable now and the doctors will be checking on him every couple of hours. I will call you if he wakes up. You should be here early in the morning. So, you need to get some sleep. Milind would have wanted you to go home as well", he said to her.
It had gone close to midnight and both Inder and Prachi looked as if they would fall off their feet. They needed some rest.
Inder looked at him gratefully, "Thank you, Vicky. Please call us if anything changes. We will come back early in the morning. Premlatha will bring some food too", he said softly and after much coaxing Prachi reluctantly went with her father and Vicky continued his vigil next to Milind's bed.
Filled in by Neev, Premlatha knew what to expect but Prachi's state still shocked her. She hadn't even registered her mother's presence as Premlatha hugged her and comforted her and had walked straight to the puja room to continue praying. After a long time, Premlatha managed to coax Prachi to drink a glass of milk and go to bed. She had been praying all day for Milind as well. Still very distressed, Inder hadn't talked much and went straight to bed. Very soon, all was quiet in the Shah household.
Not able to sleep anymore, Inder got up from bed. It was almost 3 am and there was no point in going back to bed. He walked into the lounge and sat on the sofa turning on the television. There were news clippings about the violence in the city. The MLA was still fighting for his life. Picutres of Milind Mishra were shown and the hospital he was in and how seriously he was hurt.There were questions raised by the public regarding their safety and the way the police had handled the situation. Both the political parties involved had issued appologies and promised to bring the culprits to justice. Inder switched the channels irritated and bitter. What a load of crap! Bringing culprits to justice!! He knew that there will some innocent men will be arrested who were loyal to those political parties. His mind rewinded everything that happened that day and he closed his eyes.
Prachi was falling in and out of a disturbed sleep. Milind's bloodied body kept coming back to her and she tossed restlessly.
"Pra…………chi", moaned Milind arms stretched out. Though she tried hard, she couldn't reached him and in a blink he disappeared from her vision. All that was left of him was his blood on her hands. "Milind……..", Prachi shrieked.
She woke up with a start, sweating and her whole body trembling and she held on to the cushion tightly. No..that was not real. It was a nightmare…..yes, only a nightmare. She thought to herself and distressed, she called Vicky immediately. She was slightly relieved to know that Milind was sleeping and the doctors didn't find anything distressing. Giving up on sleep, she got up from bed still holding the cushion close. Hearing the sound of TV from downstairs, she walked out of her room. Walking slowly down the stairs, she stood next to her father.
Inder opened his eyes and his heart constricted seeing his daughter standing there looking scared and lost holding on to the cushion like a child. He stretched his arm out calling her to come closer. Prachi sat next to him, her head against his shoulder. Her slow sniffing became louder and she sobbed her heart out while Inder gently stroked her head all the time.
"It is all because of me. I wish I could swap places with him, Papa. Why did he have to come to me then?" she sobbed.
"Because he was scared that you would get hurt, Prachi. Because he loves you very much", Inder said softly. He didn't know if he was saying it to her or to himself.
Prachi looked at him with tearfilled eyes, "He will be alright na, Papa. Nothing will happen to him, will it?", she asked her lips trembling.
"Milind is going to be alright. We will have to go to the hospital early. Go to sleep, gudiya." he said to her. Curling up on the sofa, Prachi laid her head on her father's lap and closed her eyes. Covering her with the shawl he was wearing, Inder leaned back again and closed his eyes, his hand stroking his daughter's head.
It was almost another hour later that Premlatha found them. Without disturbing Prachi much, Inder got up. As he walked past her, Premlatha held his hand, "Talk to me, Inder", she said softly.
Inder turned to her and without a word, hugged her and broke down. Premlatha's arms tightened around her sobbing husband. She only heard about it but Inder was there when it happened.
"You know, how close we came to losing Prachi, Premlatha. If not for Milind……." Inder struggled to continue. "And here she says that it should have been her. If anything had happened to her, I……I….." unable to continue he hugged his wife closer.
Sobbing herself, Premlatha said, "She is safe, Inder. Nothing will happen to her. And Milind is going to be fine too. My heart says so. Everything will be back to normal soon, Inder".
Inder looked at her, "He really loves her, Premlatha".
Premlatha nodded, "I know, Inder. I am glad that you understood too".
Inder sighed, "But never like this. I never expected this. I only want him to get well soon. His parents are coming tomorrow. I don't know how they will react if they know that it was for our daughter that Milind is where he is now", he said with troubled eyes.
Premlatha squeezed his hand, "Everything will be fine, Inder. I am sure they will understand. Tomorrow is another day, Inder and another beginning. Milind is going to be alright", said Premlatha and the first streaks of the rising sun filtered in through the windows.
Anupamaa
Real Estate
