Chapter 36:
For a person who once shied away from holding her hand in public, this open hug in front of the whole group of family and friends brought out a comical gasp from Armaan and a delightful smile from Anji. The 2 solid kicks from his babies that Ashu felt when he hugged Nidhi told him that the emotions rolling out of him managed to reach them too. That happened a lot these days actually. The babies did respond to his voice quite a bit. Especially when they were active and kicking around and not allowing Nidhi any sleep. he always sang a lullaby to them and they immediately quiet down and stop their kicking and Nidhi slips off into a bit of restful sleep. in fact, these days it almost became a routine for all 4 of them. more like a night time ritual unless Nidhi had a night shift at the hospital. On the nights when she was home, they spent the time after their dinner studying and preparing Nidhi for her PG exam and later the lullaby session and then sleep. Ashu comes back to the present and pulls a bit away from Nidhi and gives a tender kiss to her forehead. He turns around at the touch of another hand to find himself face to face with DB. She affectionately cups his cheek in one hand, smiles and says, "Ashutosh, aaj agar tumhari maa hoti toh she would have been proud to have a son like you. I am so happy for you beta. Khush raho!" and hugs him. BB gets up from his place and comes closer to Ashu. "Ashu, mujhe maaf karde beta. I never thought that by not legally adopting you, I was making you feel insecure. Believe me beta, that thought didn't enter into my head. I thought…" Ashu interrupts. "Baba, please! Don't say that. I am what I am because of you. mein aaj jiss jagah pe khada hoon baba, aap ke wajah se khada hoon. Yahan tak ki aaj Nidhi mere paas hai, uski wajah bhi aap ho baba. You always were and always would be my Baba. Mein buss apne aap ko doond raha tha. I felt a part of me was unknown to me and who kehte hain na baba, we always fear the unknown." Baba – "but I am really glad that you shared your fear with Nidhi beta. Not everyone can do that. and I am proud that Nidhi understood what you were going through and did all this. Woh tumhara sachcha jeevan saathi bangayi hain Ashu. Tum dono ek doosre ke bina adhoore lagne lage ho. I can't, in fact, today, none of us can think of one of you without thinking about the other." Saying that he hugs both of them and wipes away his tears of happiness with the back of his hand. Then armaan lightens the mood by suggesting chai for everyone and AshNi look at each other, smile and say, "adrak wali!" Armaan rolls his eyes. "haan bhai adrak wali! Aap dono bhi na! I heard of a lot of things but yeh adrak ka romance toh pehli baar dekh raha hoon." Everyone laugh out at that including AshNi. After the tea, everyone gets ready to leave for their respective homes. DB comes to BB and says, "achcha Mathur saab. Hum ab nikalthe hain. Yog kal subah hi aake Nidhi ko maayka lejayega. Kal din bhi bada shubh hain." BB nods his ok but Ashu and Nidhi look confused. Nidhi – "maika? Mujhe? Kal? Kyon DB?" DB – "arre meri bachchi..this is your first delivery na. toh pehli baar toh maike mein hi hota hain. Now that the godh bharai is also done, you will be staying there with me and your Baba until after your delivery. Aur yahan koi hain bhi nahin tumhaara khayaal rakhne wala..sab log toh mard hain. And you need a woman with you during this time na. toh be ready tomorrow morning. Ok?" Ashu looks at first shocked and then depressed at the thought of staying away from Nidhi for more than a month. But he can't say anything since it's a ritual and even BB seems to be agreeing to it. But Nidhi has no such hesitation. She gives a look of disbelief to DB and says, "you are saying I have to come to my maika tomorrow and stay there for a month or more? no way DB. I can't stay away from Ashutosh for so many days. Mein nahin aaongi." Everyone including Ashu is speechless at the blunt way she put it. And for the first time ever, Armaan gets to see his best friend blushing! Even the ever screeching DB didn't know what to say. BB – "par beta.." Nidhi – "nahin Baba. I won't listen to anyone on this. I am not going anywhere. If I need anything, aap ka beta hain na. he will take care of me. And he is a doctor too. Ab buss I don't want to go and that's it." Saying that she goes to CV and says, "Baba, please aap bura mat maniye. Lekin iss ghar ko chodke I can't come. And we live in the same city na. you can come every day to see me. And I will come there also. But please baba, I can't…" CV stops her flow of words and smilingly hugs her. "I know Nidhi. I am your father. I expected you to say this. Don't worry." DB – "par Yog!.." CV – "Bua, yeh sab reeti rasm meri beti ki khushi se badkar toh nahin hain na. you don't worry. I will bring you here every evening and you can stay as long as you want and come back home. Ab buss! Iss baare mein no more discussions. Nidhi has decided and I accept that decision." And amidst DB's grumbling and BB's reassurances, everyone pile into their respective cars and make their way home. Armaan is also leaving as he has a late night flight to Delhi. He would be there for about 3 weeks and the cab had arrived to pick him up. So he pulls Ashu aside and gives him a list of instructions to follow in taking care of Nidhi in his absence. "Armaan woh meri biwi hain. Aur tu mujhe samjha raha hain? I mean, hadd hain yaar!" Armaan – "dekh yaar ashu, woh teri biwi hain. Par meri bhabhi aur choti behen dono hain. Toh I have extra rights. So just shut up and listen to me properly." And on and on he goes until finally Ashu forcefully pushes him into his car and waves. But before backing off from the driveway, he pokes his head out again and says, "Ashu, Nidhi ko orange juice mat dena. Usse acidity hone laga hain. Meine orange juice pack fridge se nikaal diya hain and don't buy it again. I bought a new one. ask her to try that and…" Ashu – "Armaan, please jao yaar ab.." and he goes inside shaking his head. "God will I even get a chance to hold my kids with these people around? And Armaan seems to be the worst of the lot."
Ashu goes inside the house to find Nidhi taking out one of the framed photographs of the two of them and replacing it with his parents' one. he stands as still as statue on seeing that. BB is beside her and is helping her in centring it. Ashu sees Nidhi give the frame a final adjustment and just before taking her hands away, her fingers touch the feet of his parents on the snap. He silently goes inside their room and stands near the window lost in his thoughts. After a few minutes Nidhi walks in or rather waddles in and comes and stands beside him. "kya soch rahe hain?" Ashu is quiet for a moment and then replies. "inn 42 saalon mein I am seeing my parents for the first time Nidhi. I don't remember anything about them. not even a glimmer. Ajeeb lagtha hain. Ek baat poochu?" Nidhi – "haan poochiye.." Ashu – "tum mujh se itna pyaar kyon karti ho Nidhi? I am egoistic, short tempered and some times out right rude when I am not in any good mood. Phir bhi?? The moment you get to know that something is bothering me or upsetting me, mere aage dhaal banke khadi hojaati ho. Why Nidhi? I told you once..just once that I feel scared of the kind of legacy I am passing on to my kids and you did all this? To reassure me? To take away that moment of my insecurity? Tum kya ho Nidhi?" Nidhi gives him a contented smile and takes hold of his hand in both of hers. Nidhi – "I don't know why I fell in love with you. how or when. I just know that you are mine and I am yours. and it was not a moment of insecurity you talked about that night. It was something that you were living with all your life. And I just wanted to give you some kind of closure on that. that's all. I know you are very happy with the life we have now and the one you are going to have in future but I want you to be happy about your past too. That's all I ever wanted. For you to be happy. Always. Because I can't be happy if you are not happy." Then she hugs him and says, "aap ke bina mujhe kuch bhi kabhi bhi achcha nahin lagta. Aur aap ke bina mein adhoori hoon." Ashu cups her face in his hands and gives a tender kiss on her forehead. "aur tumhaare bina mein hu hi nahin Nidhi." Nidhi tries to lighten the mood. "ab chaliye na please. I am so tired. I want to sleep. and tomorrow is my last day at KGH too. Internship poori hojaayegi and after 2 weeks my PG entrance." Ashu nods his head and helps her get on the bed and turns her sideways and starts giving her a back massage. Nidhi – "aap ke haathon mein na sach much jaado hain. It feels so good. Let me tell you I am ready for these 2 to come out. Can't even sleep in my fav position anymore. With my head on your shoulder. My tummy gets in the way." Ashu laughs at that and continues his massage. After a few minutes, Nidhi gives a sigh of restlessness and starts shifting her position. Ashu – "kya hua Nidhi? not able to sleep?" Nidhi – "these 2 become so active during the night that they keep kicking around. Time zone ka problem hain inn dono ko. But I seriously think they just do that so that you will start your song. Kitna ajeeb hain na. medical science mein pada toh tha ki the baby responds while being inside the mother. But it still astounds me. Dono ek dum chup hojaate hain. Please gaayiye na Ashutosh. I really want to sleep now." Ashu tenderly pushes her hair back from her forehead. Poor thing. She is really tired and worn out today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwy91LM1M0o
He sits with his back to the bed's head board and Nidhi adjusts herself so that she can lie down on his lap and starts his song and keeps singing while gently rubbing her forehead and running his fingers through her hair. His other hand is on her tummy and after the first line, he feels the slowing down of the movements. His kids are not even here yet and they already have him wrapped around their little fingers. By the end of the song, all 3 (mom and the 2) have settled down for the night. He slowly brings Nidhi's face back on the pillow and covers her with a blanket and leaves the room to go once again to the place where the framed photograph of his parents is hanging. He touches it with his fingers and says softly. "Ma Baba. I am your son Ashutosh. I am very happy ma and both of you are going to be grandparents soon. Aur Baba, I am also a doctor. Like you. aap ko yeh sunkar achcha lag raha hain na baba. I thought you left me deliberately ma. That I was a burden to you so you left. I am sorry ma. I didn't know. If it were not for Nidhi, I would never have known. Baba, aap ki bahu ne yeh sab kiya hain. Usko mere paas aap hi ne bheja na Baba. You sent her to me, into my life, didn't you? I know. Aap hi ne jaake Bhagwaan se kaha hoga ki mere beta waha hain uskeliye ek pari bhejdeejiye. Toh Bhagwaan ne maan li. Hain na Baba." His throat closes off with emotion. After struggling to control it, Ashu takes a deep breath and gives a very beautiful happy smile. "Welcome Home Ma! Welcome Home Baba!"
Morning Nidhi gets ready for her last day of internship at KGH. These days getting up and getting ready were becoming a Hercules task for her. so much so that Ashu has started taking his shower in the 2nd bathroom in order for both of them to get ready on time to leave. Thank God that Ashu bought an Innova! If it had been a regular car, getting in and out would have been almost impossible. As soon as they both reach KGH, all the interns and staff crowd her and wish her congratulations for the completion of her internship. Dr Ranganath gives her flowers and informs her that a farewell party has been arranged in the canteen and soon after that she would be taking her oath formally as a doctor. All the interns and some of the doctors gather in the canteen where once again Nidhi receives the best wishes from everyone and cakes and snacks are being enjoyed by everyone. But when she goes to collect her glass of juice to drink, one hand comes and takes away the drink and replaces it with another. Startled, she looks up and finds Ashu with one eye brow raised in that typical way of his. "aap ko orange juice se acidity hoti hain na Dr Nidhi? toh phir se wahi kyon peerahe hain?" Nidhi giggles a little and says, "lekin aap ko kaise pata? Maine toh sirf…" Ashu – "ji haan. Aap ne Armaan ko bataya aur Armaan jaane se pehle mujhe poora bhashan sunaake gaya issi topic pe. So please, orange mujhe peene deejiye and you have the apple juice." Dr Gupta joins them. "Congrats once again Dr Nidhi. I am really very proud of you. I know it must have been tough doing the internship and handling the pregnancy." Nidhi smiles mischievously and says "kahan sir. Meine toh buss internship ki hain. Pregnancy part toh Dr Ashutosh hi sambhal rahe hain. Toh issme mujhe fikr karne ki kya zaroorat?" Dr Gupta throws back his head and gives out a hearty laugh. "Nidhi, your sense of humour is priceless. Never lose it. Aur iss khadoos ko bhi thoda sikhadena. God bless!" and leaves. Ashu – "khadoos? I am a khadoos? Nidhi, am I a khadoos?" Nidhi hides her smile behind her hand and says "mere pati aur khadoos? Bilkul nahin. Haan magar Dr Ashutosh, dean of KGH toh pakka khadoos hain." Ashu gives her a look that says "I'll get you for that later." Soon after that everyone pile into the conference room where Nidhi will be taking her Hippocratic oath. She wore an off-white maternity dress and her white coat. As the dean of KGH, Ashutosh would be the one to read out the oath to her and she would be repeating after him. Everyone gather around and take their seats. BB and CV also come to see the event. Nidhi takes her blessings from both of them and goes to the podium. Ashutosh is already there and he welcomes everyone and declares the successful completion of Dr Nidhi's internship and both of them stand up for the swear in ceremony. Ashu reads out the oath and Nidhi extends her right hand palm down and repeats after him.
I, Dr Nidhi Ashutosh Mathur, swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:
To hold him who has taught me this art as equal to my parents and to live my life in partnership with him, and if he is in need of money to give him a share of mine, and to regard his offspring as equal to my brothers in male lineage and to teach them this art-if they desire to learn it-without fee and covenant; to give a share of precepts and oral instruction and all the other learning to my sons and to the sons of him who has instructed me and to pupils who have signed the covenant and have taken an oath according to the medical law, but to no one else.
I will apply dietetic measures for the benefit of the sick according to my ability and judgment; I will keep them from harm and injustice.
I will neither give a deadly drug to anybody if asked for it, nor will I make a suggestion to this effect. Similarly I will not give to a woman an abortive remedy. In purity and holiness I will guard my life and my art.
I will not use the knife, not even on sufferers from stone, but will withdraw in favor of such men as are engaged in this work.
Whatever houses I may visit, I will come for the benefit of the sick, remaining free of all intentional injustice, of all mischief and in particular of sexual relations with both female and male persons, be they free or slaves.
What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment in regard to the life of men, which on no account one must spread abroad, I will keep to myself holding such things shameful to be spoken about.
If I fulfill this path and do not violate it, may it be granted to me to enjoy life and art, being honored with fame among all men for all time to come; if I transgress it and swear falsely. may the opposite of all this be my lot.
Whole of the conference room resounded with clapping at the end of the ceremony and Ashu formally shakes Nidhi's hand and congratulates her and thanks her for being a part of KGH all these days. There is a look of such immense pride in his eyes that CV's own eyes tear up. BB puts a hand on his shoulder and says, "kyon Yog! I was right that day, wasn't i? I told you na that Ashu will become her friend, philosopher and guide?" CV – "aap ne teek hi kaha tha. The way he has taken up coaching Nidhi for her exams and supporting her career…I honestly didn't expect." Nidhi comes over and hugs both CV and BB and says, "Baba, I fulfilled mother's dream today." Ashu – "not yet Nidhi. this is just your first step. You still have a long way to go." Nidhi makes a face and says, "dekha, meine kya kaha tha..ek dum khadoos Dean! Never even lets me enjoy my moment of glory!" everyone laugh and make their way home and Ashu silently pinches her arm in retaliation to the khadoos remark. "Ouch!" Nidhi rubs her arm. BB – "kya hua beta?" Ashu – "kuch nahin baba. Kuch nahin. Aap chaliye." Everyone reach home and Rohan and Anji welcome Nidhi with yippie hugs and woohoo screams. Ashu observes that though Rohan is talking with everyone, he is sending and receiving sms in parallel. He gestures Nidhi with his eyes towards Rohan who is busy smiling and reading yet another sms. Nidhi snatches the phone from Rohan and puts it behind her. "kiska sms hain Rohan, zara mein bhi to dekhoo…" Rohan – "Nidhiji no Nidhiji please phone dedijiye please. Kuch nahin hain. Office ka sms hain." Nidhi – achcha ? office ka sms? Toh mein padleti hoon na. isme kya harzi hain?" then she rolls her eyes and says "Rohan, jhoot bolna ek kala hain aur woh tere buss ki baat nahin hain. Ab sach bolo. Aanchal hain kya? Dekho batado or else I will read out the sms aloud. Sab ke saamne." Rohan panics. "nahin nahin. Don't do that. yes. its from Aanchal. Khush? Now give me back that phone." Before she could return it, the phone starts ringing and caller id shows Aanchal. Nidhi gets a naughty look and clicks the answer button and puts it on speaker. Aanchal – "Rohan, you are coming tonight, right? Do din hogaye tumhe dekhe. I miss you Rohan." Her voice is soft and a bit tentative. Rohan groans aloud and snatches the phone and offs the speaker and puts it to his ear. "Aanchal..suno mein tumhe baad mein phone karta hoon. Ok?" behind him Anji and Nidhi are laughing so loudly that he can hardly hear Aanchal's reply. Ashu takes pity on him and pulls him towards the study room, shows him the chair, gestures him silently to lock the door and leaves him in peace. Rohan mouths a silent thank you and continues talking to Aanchal. Once Ashu is back in the hall, Nidhi and Anji pout and say "kya jeejaji, saara maza kharaab kardiya. Aap Rohan ke team mein kab se hain?"
Ashu – "jab se aap dono ne uss bechare ki taang kheenchne mein koi kasar nahin chodi tab se. honestly Nidhi hadd hain yeh toh. Phone speaker pe rakh diya!"
Nidhi – "Ashutosh, ab chance nahin lenge toh kab lenge? Aap toh ghar mein bhi khadoos nikle." Anji – "haan so not fair Jeejaji. Aap se hum baat nahin karenge." Ashu – "arre par uski haalat toh samjho na."
Nidhi – "haan par ab humaare maze ka kya?"
Ashu – "dekho Nidhi Anji, meri baat suno.."
Rohan – "haan Nidhiji, jab tak mere paas Dr Ashutosh ki dosti hain, aap ki koi daal galne wali nahin hain. He is in my team."
Ashu smiles and both of them give a high five! Shortly after that Anji and Rohan leave and Nidhi comes to Ashu and pulls his hand. "yeh aap ki aur Rohan ki dosti kab se hogayi?"
Ashu – "pata nahin Nidhi. we didn't suddenly become friends. I think our friendship grew out of yours and Rohan's. but I guess the turning point was the day I helped him on his first date. Kyon? Tumhe jalan ho rahi hain?"
Nidhi – "mujhe jalan kyon hogi? Rohan Mallika thoda hi na hain.." suddenly she stops herself and almost slaps herself for making that stupid comparison.
Ashu smiles a little. "don't worry Nidhi. you didn't say anything wrong. Sach bolu toh I realized the true definition of friendship after seeing you and Rohan. Armaan is my best friend. But this is different. You know Nidhi, when we decided to part ways in Kerala and came back, remember we met one day while you were crossing the road? I was in the car? Remember?" Nidhi nods her head. "that night I called and met Rohan. I told him to take care of you on my behalf. And you know what he said? Dr Ashutosh, mein aap ki amaanat ko apne jaan se bhi zyaada khayaal rakhoonga. And to this day, he has kept his promise. He crushed off his love for you and chose friendship and your happiness."
Nidhi smiles and nods her head. "toh ab chaliye, aap ko iss nayi dosti mubaarak."
Ashu – "thank you doc! So what are you going to do from tomorrow? No KGH na."
Nidhi – "hhmmm…I will prepare for my exams and bring you lunch during the lunch time. And tomorrow I even have a surprise planned for you."
Ashu – "another surprise?? Nidhi, aaj kal tumhaare surprison se na mujhe darr lagne laga hain. Jaise ki kal. Jiss tarah se tumne DB ko boldiya ki mere pati ko chodke mein nahin aaungi..DB ki baat chodo tumne toh MUJHE jhatka dediya."
Nidhi puts arms around his neck and says, "kyonji? Aap ko achcha nahin laga? Kya socha tha aapne? Biwi ko maika bhejke bachelor masti karenge? Hmmm?"
Ashu puts his hands on her once slim waist and says, "haan socha toh wahi tha. Magar apne mera chance loot liya."
Nidhi brings his face even closer. "meri ek baat sunleejiye Dr Ashutosh. mein aap ko chodkar kahi nahi jaane wali. Aaj nahi, abhi nahin, kabhi nahi. Aap ka bachelor days iss janam ke liye toh khatam."
Ashu – "itna confidence hain apne aap pe?"
Nidhi – "nahin ji. Itna confidence hain AAP pe aur mere pyaar pe." Both smile and touch their foreheads to each other.
Next day morning Ashu makes a time table as to what Nidhi should finish reading that day and the next and goes off to KGH. Nidhi spends her morning downloading her entrance exam hall ticket and covering the aspects her teacherji has given her for the day and jotting down any doubts that she has. Around 11 in the morning she takes a break and goes to HK and tells him about her surprise to Ashu that day. HK happily agrees and both set about preparing. BB walks in on them and is shoed away saying that he is interfering and interrupting. Finally the lunch pack is ready and Nidhi leaves for the hospital in the Innova driven by the recently hired driver. She goes to Ashu's cabin and knocks and hears a "come in" from inside. Nidhi – "Good Afternoon Dr Ashutosh! Aap ka lunch haazir hain." Ashu gets up and takes the box from her and she settles herself on the sofa. Ashu brings out a couple of plates and spoons and asks, "toh, padai kaisi chal rahi hain?" Nidhi – "going on. Have some more doubts in your favourite anatomy. List banadiya hain. Aap raat ko dekhleejiye ga. Aur haan mein ne hall ticket bhi download kardiya hain. So I am all set for the exam and its exactly 2 weeks from now." Ashu while listening opens the lunch box and laughs out loud. "hari chane ki kari with methi mutia! Wow Nidhi! I love this surprise!" Nidhi – "achcha lagaa na. shaadi ke baad kabhi bananeka mauka hi nahin mila. Toh socha aaj banadu. Taste it and tell how it is na please. Kahi last time ki tarah zyada teekha toh nahin hain?" Ashu takes a bite and literally smacks his lips. "wonderful Nidhi. and the last time was not your fault. You know, DB was angry at your Dean and didn't like you cooking for him. So she added extra mirchi powder for me." Nidhi – "WHAT? Aap ko kaise pata?" Ashu – "she told me so herself. Of course, she didn't know I was your Dean." And then he went on to explain what happened that day and Nidhi laughed until tears were streaming down her cheeks. Almost at the end of their meal, there is a knock on the door and Dr Ranganath walks in. on seeing Nidhi there, he stops and is about to back out when Ashu calls him back. Since the lunch was already done, Nidhi packs off the remaining stuff and chats with Ranganath for a few minutes and leaves.
Ashu sits back in his chair and gestures Ranganath also to sit. "tell me Dr Ranganath. What brings you here. Anything important?" Ranga – "yes sir. I didn't want to tell in front of Dr Nidhi so I kept quiet." Ashu frowns at that. "aisi kya baat hain Ranganath? What happened?" Ranga – "sir, you know our lab pathologist Dr Uday?" Ashu nods his head as in a yes. Ranga continues. "sir, today I heard him talking over the phone. He is trying to convince somebody on the other end to let him talk to Dr Mallika. I just thought you should know about this." Ashu remains speechless for a second. He knew Dr Uday had always been Mallika's favourite when he was doing his internship but..could he? Ashu – "thanks for telling me that Dr Ranganath. I will deal with it from here." Ranga nods his head and leaves. God save Uday now! Ashu finishes his OP and informs the receptionist that he is done for the day and goes to the pathology lab. As he enters, he hears Uday's voice. "Dekhiye, aap jaante nahin hain. Mera Mallikaji se baat karna bahut zaroori hain. I have been trying to contact her for the past one month. I just want 10 minutes of time. That's…" he turns and finds himself face to face with not Dr Ashutosh, Dean – KGH..but a blisteringly furious Ashutosh – loving husband of Nidhi. Ashu's voice is calm. Too calm. "Yeh aap kisse baat kar rahe the Uday?" Uday's face is leached of all the colour. "sir…woh…kuch nahin sir..woh mein…" Ashu – "boliye na..aap kisse baat kar rahe the abhi? Agar aap bata nahin sakthe toh koi baat nahi. Apna phone deejiye mein khud pata karloonga. Deejiye apna phone." The said phone slips from his hand and falls down and Ashu picks it up and checks the caller id. Its written "Dr Mallika". Ashu raises his eyes and looks at him and presses the call back option. He listens without taking his eyes off Uday even for a second, as it gets connected, rings and is picked up, "Lucknow Central Prison" he disconnects the call and says "why are you so desperate to talk to Mallika Dr Uday? You said you were trying to reach her for the past one month. Why? What did you want to tell her?" Uday doesn't speak a word but his guilt is written all over his face. Ashu continues, "you need not go to so much trouble to contact her. you should have just asked me. I would have told you. doesn't matter. I will take care of it and help you out right away." Saying that he takes out his phone and calls up Prashanth and tells him to come over to KGH that something really interesting is happening here. Prashanth agrees to come right away. The next call is to Dr Ranganath who literally comes running to the lab. Ashu – "Dr Ranganath, Dr Uday has been terminated as of this minute. Please handle the formalities and make sure he is here when Prashanth comes. And if you need help, call our security guards." Ranganath says ok and calls a couple of guards and they literally surround Uday. Ashu comes back to his cabin and waits for his friend. Soon, he hears sirens blaring and sure enough Prashanth walks into his cabin after a few minutes. "Ashutosh, kya hua? Whats the problem?" Ashu asks him to sit and explains everything. "so that's it Prashanth. I think he is the one contacting and giving Mallika all the info about me and Nidhi. I didn't know who was doing it and it was starting to worry me." Prashanth – "ok. I think you are right. We will take him into custody and interrogate him do din hamara special guest banega na toh sab kuch apne aap baahar aajayega. You relax. Btw, Nidhi Bhabhi ne jo halwa bheja than a uss din it was great. Tell her that I am going to drop in for dinner sometime soon. Iss baar khaali dessert nahi poora meal chahiye." Ashu – "sure sure. Any time. I will tell her that. thanks once again Prashanth." Its evening before everything gets wrapped up and statements signed and finally Ranganath and Ashutosh breathe a sigh of relief and go to the canteen for some tea. Ashu – "thank you so much Dr Ranganath. If it weren't for you, I would never even have known about this. It would forever have been a mystery to me. So thank you. I mean it." Ranga – "sir aap mere senior hain. Par ek taraf se dekha jaye toh we are family too. Aap ki patni aur meri Anji are more sisters than friends. So that makes us family. And mera yehi maanna hain ki family should stick together." Both smile and shake hands and make their way home. At night during dinner time Ashu tells the whole story to BB and Nidhi and both of them express relief at the mystery solved and taken care of.
The day of Nidhi's entrance test dawns bright and clear. Ashu has taken off from KGH that day and looks more tense than the one who is actually going to give the exam. Ashu – "Nidhi come on make it fast. You can't be late today. You took everything? Where is your hall ticket? Oh ok you have it. And your ID proof? Ok good. You have a good pen? Did you take a spare too? And pencils? What about eraser? Whats this? You didn't buy a new one?" Nidhi finally gives him an exasperated look and says, "ashutosh, just relax. Please. Everything is fine and in order. Lets go now." she takes blessings from BB and HK and HK gives her a bottle of juice and tells her to keep drinking in between. Ashu takes her to the exam centre and after another round of take cares and best of lucks she goes inside. She tells him to go home and come back again but Ashu refuses and sits to wait out in the car. At the end of the duration, Nidhi is one of the first to walk/waddle out of the centre and is greeted by a now restlessly pacing Ashutosh. he stops his pacing and comes to her. Ashu – "toh, how was it? Kaisa tha?" Nidhi – "paper was tough Ashutosh. no question about that. but I gave it my best shot. Lets see." Ashu cups her cheek. "if you have given it your best shot then you will top this one too." Nidhi raises her eyebrows at that. "achcha? Itna yakeen hain aapko?" Ashu – "khud se bhi zyada." Both smile and make their way home. Now there is nothing more to do except wait. For the result and for their kids. wonder which one would come first though! Nidhi's pregnancy advances and 10 more days go by. Since the entrance is also done, she is spending her time relaxing and enjoying DB and BB's pampering. But as the time is drawing closer, Ashu has become a worry wart. Literally. He calls up almost 3-4 times when he is in the hospital and that's nothing to what he is when he is at home. Nidhi still can't forget his reaction the first time they attended the birthing classes together. He was feeling so awkward sitting behind her and holding her and coaching her to breath. But in the most recent class he had a panic attack when Nidhi told him "Dr Ashutosh, I think mere contractions shuru hogaye hain." His panicked "WHAT?" resounded in the room. "ABHI?" then he started barking for the doctor. "Doctor, Nidhi is having contractions! Abhi kaise? Its too early na. whats happening? Is it ok? ab hume kya karna chahiye?" finally Dr K threatened to sedate HIM just to shut him up and they had taken her to the ultra sound and it was confirmed that she was just having false contractions. Her appetite seemed to have also gone down a bit and DB spent most of her time trying to get her to eat in small portions at least. But Nidhi really did Armaan. He still has a week to go before he comes back from Delhi. But he did call her everyday about her prenatals and her daily walks etc. he has already started making the house child safe and selected what kind of beds should be bought for the kids and how their room should be decorated. DB's shout that the furniture should be bought only AFTER the babies are born was the only thing that stopped Armaan from buying everything right away. When Armaan was in Lucknow, Ashu ended up divided his time between KGH, Nidhi and playing referee between DB and Armaan. Nidhi is jolted out of these thoughts by her phone ringing. Its from Ashu.
Nidhi – haan mein teek hoon. DB ne khaana khiladiya hain. Back pain bhi kam hogaya hain.
Ashu – magar mein ne toh kuch poocha hi nahin.
Nidhi – yeh sab aap ke std questions ke answers hain. Ab koi naya sawaal hain toh poochleejiye.
Ashu laughs. – no Nidhi. I actually called to tell you something. There is a VIP case. Koi MP ka beta hain and he has a head injury and needs surgery. So I am called in to Delhi right away. Flight booking bhi hogaya hain. Can you please pack a bag for me. Just a few shirts and things like that?
Nidhi is rendered speechless for a few seconds and doesn't respond.
Ashu – Nidhi, are you listening to me?
Nidhi – ji? Ji I am listening.
Ashu – there is no time Nidhi. it really IS an emergency and every minute counts. So please pack my bag. I am on my way right now. I'll be there in 15 minutes, will collect the bag and leave. Ok?
Nidhi – ji.
She goes inside to pack his bag but inside she is as scared as hell that she literally is shivering and her palms are sweating. Emergency surgery in Delhi? Again? Leaving in a hurry? Again? Oh God! No. please. Not again. Not now. not ever. Why now? what do I do? How do I stop him? Her hands are packing his stuff mechanically but her mind is busy going through his last trip to Delhi and the accident on his way back, everyone assuming he is dead and she along with Anji and Rohan searching for him village after village. I can't let him go now. no. I should do something. Oh God! Are there no other doctors over there in Delhi that they have to call him? She is jolted out of her thoughts when BB walks in. BB – beta, what are you doing?
Nidhi – Ashutosh ko kisi surgery ke emergency keliye Delhi jaana hain Baba. He is leaving right away and will be back tomorrow night. So I am packing his bag.
BB – oh achcha. Par tum itni udaas mat ho Nidhi. hum sab hain na tumhaare saath. Aur waha Delhi mein toh Armaan bhi hain. Toh koi problem hi nahin. Hain na.
Nidhi nods her head and feels a bit better on the reminder that Armaan will be there this time. May be both of them can come back together or something. She will talk to Armaanji. And its an emergency case so I should not throw temper tantrums like this and deter my husband. deciding on that she finishes the packing and right on time hears the horn blaring outside. Ashu comes in and literally picks the carryon bag, gives a one armed hug to Nidhi and says "chalta hoon Nidhi. ill be back by tomorrow evening. Ok? take care. And koi baat ho toh phone kardena. See you sweetheart. See you bachchalo!" he pats her tummy and leaves in a rush leaving an errie silence behind. Nidhi realizes that the thought of the last trip and the accident never even crossed his mind. The upcoming surgery was completely dominating his mind and even his bye was distracted. Nidhi spends the next few hours alternately pacing and trying to sit down. Finally she calls Ashu and he picks up. "haan Nidhi, I have landed and am on my way to the hospital. Someone is here to receive me and they got the reports also. Am going through them. so we'll catch up later ok? you take care." Nidhi puts down the phone and feels a little relieved that waha teek se pahunchgaye. Her reduced appetite that night is almost nonexistent and HK and BB forcefeed her a few bites. The movements of the babies also seems to have gone down a bit as if they were also waiting to hear their Baba's voice. Nidhi is unable to sleep and settles down in the rocking chair that Ashu had bought for her recently. It was sturdy and comfortable and there was an accompanying foot rest stool along with it. She spends the night on that rocking and hugging herself and trying to reassure herself that this time will not be like the last time. Har baar aisa nahin hota hain na. that was just bad luck last time. After midnight Ashu sends an sms saying surgery is done but patient condition is still critcal. So he will catching the afternoon flight. He won't be calling back as he forgot his cell phone charger and the phone is about to go dead. His sms ends with "see you tomorrow evening. Love you." Nidhi sends a reply. "love you too. Come home soon and safe." Next day morning first thing, she calls Armaan.
Armaan – hi Nidhi, how are you? aur woh dono badmaash kya kar rahe hain?
Nidhi – am fine Armaanji. Ashutosh hain kya waha pe?
Armaan – no Nidhi. he didn't come home at all. He called up to say that his phone is getting discharged so wanted me to pick him up from the hospital in the afternoon and drop him at the airport.
Nidhi – toh aap jaayenge na airport unhe drop karne ke liye? Why don't you also come off along with him Armaanji?
Armaan - I wish I could Nidhi. par kal subah ek final meeting hain designers ke saath. But I promise I will be back soon after that. ok? chalo now I got to get ready and go. And don't worry. I will drop Ashu at the airport.
Nidhi says bye and puts down the phone. Chalo at least he will be back this evening. She soothingly rubs her tummy and says, "don't worry aap ke baba shaam tak aajayenge." But as the day goes by, her restlessness increases again and her lower back starts aching. She finally gets so down and despondent that she calls Anji and Rohan and tells them to come over. Anji reaches first.
Anji – kya hua? Itna down kyon dikhrahi hain? Tabiyat teek hain na? you need to go to the hospital or something?
Nidhi – nahin Anji. I am ok. just feeling restless and uneasy. Ashutosh went to Delhi yesterday to attend some surgery. He will be back this evening.
Anji – jeejaji ek din ke liye shehar se baahar kya chale gaye aap ki yeh haalat? Kya Nidhi!
Before Nidhi could answer, Rohan comes and sits on her other side and puts his hand around her shoulder. "Nidhiji, don't worry. Dr Ashutosh shaam ki flight se wapas aajayenge. Don't get tense. It won't be like last time."
Anji suddenly realizes the significance of the trip and the past and hugs Nidhi. "Nidhi, when did you become such a pessimist? Aisa kuch nahin hoga. Tum dekh lena. And we are there na. both of us will keep you company until jeejaji comes back. Ok?
All3 begin their vigil and Rohan and Anji do their best to cheer her up. A little after 2 in the afternoon Nidhi gets a call from Armaan.
Nidhi – Armaanji, Ashutosh ne flight pakadli?
Armaan – no Nidhi we got stuck in a traffic jam here and he missed the flight. I told him to take another flight tomorrow but he refused and got himself a taxi. He just left to Lucknow in the taxi. He'll be there in another 7-8 hours.
Nidhi – what? He took a taxi? But why? Why did you allow him to do that? aap yeh…
She is unable to speak after that and her phone falls down from her hand. Rohan rushes fwd and picks it up and talks to Armaan and explains him the situation and Nidhi's fear. Armaan hits his head with the palm of his hand. "arre yaar yeh meine kya kardiya!! It didn't even strike me. Oh God! What do I do now? ashu ka phone bhi nahin hain. Phone Nidhi ko do Rohan."
But nidhi is in no state to talk and is just sitting. Rohan tells Armaan that Nidhi would call back and disconnects the phone. Anji and Rohan keep the conversation going and try their best to divert her but its as if she is holding herself together by a very fine thread and she doesn't want it to break. Evening Aanchal also joins them on Rohan's request and all 3 sit around Nidhi and talk and chat and they even make her eat a bit of junk food and discuss baby names. Rohan observes that Nidhi is frequently rubbing her back and asks her again and again if she is ok. Nidhi just nods her head and alternates between pacing and sitting. Her eyes are glued to the clock and her hand is clutching the phone tightly. BB is out at JS and is only expected home after dinner so its just the 3 of them. Ashu left Delhi at 2 so should be back in Lucknow around 9. BB comes home around 8-8.30 and seeing all 3 chatting, is reassured, smiles and says he is feeling really worn out and is going off to bed. (he was not there the last time so he doesn't connect this trip to the previous accident) 9 becomes 9.30 and 9.30 becomes 10. nidhi just keeps getting quieter and quieter. Finally Rohan goes out and stands near the gate. And Anji sits with Nidhi holding her hand. Both of them don't even attempt any kind of conversation. Finally at 10.15 Rohan sees a car turning into the street and as it gets closer, he sees Ashu inside it and runs inside the house. "Nidhiji, Dr Ashutosh aagaye. The taxi is here." Both of them get up but Nidhi is still silent. The normal excitement or relief he expects from Nidhi is not there. Rohan silently gestures Anji to come away and both go out and meet Ashu at the gate.
Ashu – "arre aap dono yahan? Kya hua? Nidhi ne zid karke dono ko bulaya kya?
Both remain silent.
Ashu – kya hua? Is..is everything ok? Rohan? Anji?
Rohan puts a hand on Ashu's shoulder and explains the whole thing including the current silence of Nidhi. Ashu curses himself, his dead cellphone and his forgotten charger. And thanks both of them and rushes inside to find Nidhi still sitting silently in the sofa. He puts down his bag and slowly goes to her. "NIdhi? Nidhi, idhar dekho. Nidhi. I am back. Dekho. Meine apne kaan pakadliye. I am really sorry. I didn't think of how it would look to you. I won't do something like this again. Please Nidhi. meri taraf dekho." Nidhi finally looks at him and gets up. He goes closer and is about to hug her when she backs away a step, looks into his eyes and slaps him hard across his cheek. The force of it whips his face to side and holds his collar with both her hands. "aap kya samjhthe hain apne aap ko? Aap apne marzi ke maalik hain? Jo chaahe kar sakthe hain? Kisi aur ke baare mein sochne ki zaroorat bhi nahin hain? Agar aisi baat thi toh shaadi kyon ki mujh se? do you even know what I have been going through since yesterday? Do you? kaan pakadliye and maafi milgayi? Jayiye! Nahin maaf karti mein aap ko. I won't forgive you for this. I won't forgive…" her voice finally breaks and tears roll down her cheeks and she collapses into his arms. Ashu is silent all through and lets her cry out. Finally…"sshhhsshh..Nidhi. please. Chup hojao. Please. I am sorry. The whole coincidence never even struck me Nidhi. i swear. Ssshhh. Ab bus…kya hua? Nidhi?" Nidhi is holds her tummy and gives a moan of pain.
Comments Welcome! 😊
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Hindi TV Shows
