Last part..
"Arre Anji..kya hua Advit ko..band aid kyun hai"??it was a delighted but then worried Nidhi who looked at Anji with Advit in her arms..as she struggled to get up..
Dr Ashutosh stalled her n then turned the lever to prop her up..as she wanted to hold Advit..but Ashutosh took him in his arms and held him carefully for nidhi to touch n caress...Anji sat close to ger n holding her hand. .she said"aaj finally feel hua ..maa hona kya hota hai..."and Nidhi patted her hand n then with a twinkle added"tu hai hi dull..bachpan me maths tujhe kitti der me samajh aata tha"!!and as Ranganath n Ashutosh laughed ..Anji complained genially"aur tujhe to fever ho jaata tha dar ke maare"!!and they laughed...as nidhi winced in pain...and Ashutosh was immediately by her side holding her n his eyes with that ocean of concern n comfort...as nidhi seemed to be lost in his ...and Anji coughed...and Ashutosh smiled..turning purple ...
It was a stormy night..with lightening n thunder...and as Nidhi quivered..Ashutosh got up and sat close to her..his hand on her bump..making sure she felt his presence and did not quiver or get scared...Slowly she drifted back into slumber n dreams..a smile on her lips told him..she was dreaming of their future..their kids..their life together...
"Sir..just a second"it was a very tense dr Joshi who cornered dr Ashutosh and told"sir Dr mallika has vomitted blood ..her condition is slowly turning critical..."Ashutosh sighed but remained terse"so..what can i do..dr.we are doing the best aren't we"??dr Joshi cleared his throat n said"sir..i just want to say...she is ..probably not going to last..n all she wants is to ..is to.."Ashutosh completed the sentence "all she wants is to see me!!!well doctor..give her the very best treatment..thats our duty..but she will not get to meet me..i dont owe her that..not at all..."and walked out his jaw set firmly...
Dr Priyanka sat with Nidhi..as dr Ashutosh had gone home for a while..Priyanka asked "tujhe yaad hai meri shaadi..jab tu ne dr Ashutosh ko dance ke liye kheencha tha...darr nahi laga tha"??and nidhi laughed...adding "uske baad..hum bheege they..saath..pehli baar..."and she was lost in that october memory..."42 ya 24 ..kya farq padta hai..."!!
*******
"Baba..aap theek to hain na"??it was Ashutosh asking baba ..who was rather surprised to see him"main to theek hoon..per tu yahaan kyun...bahu akeli hai meri"??Ashutosh smiled"nahi dr Priyanka hai yske saath..buss aapse milne ka bahut mann hua..."!Baba called Kaka for tea n sandwiches..and said.."jaa tu nha..main baahar baithta hoon..aur baat karenge..bachpan ki tarah..yaad hai..tu jo saamne nahi keh paata tha..woh toilet jke peeche se bolta tha.."!!Ashutosh sighed as he went in...and baba sat outside ..on AshNi bed..waiting to listen to the outpouring of his son's soul..like a bishop in the confession box..
Ashu was trimming his beard as he tried to analyse his thoughts...n then spoke.."baba..nidhi ko kal phir epiletic attack hua tha..mallika had phoned her...she was really scared.."baba took a deep breath..as he waited ...n when Ashu did not say anything..he nudged"sun raha hoon main Ashu..bol beta"!
Ashu was drying his body after the bath..and he looked across the door"baba..i have vowed never to see Mallika...lekin woh..she is on her death bed...but i dont wish to meet her...i cannot forgive her..medically my drs are foing everything but..i won't meet her baba..."!!Baba sighed as he rubbed his beard...n replied"beta...mallika teri dost shaayad kabhi nahi thi..tum dono ek doosre pe emotional parasites they...teri zindagi badal gayi..nidhi ke aane se..per mallika yeh kabhi bardasht nahi ker saki...and when a sharp mind stoops to folly ..it can be very dangerous. ..beware of Mallika...have no confusion..you have to protect Nidhi...she has suffered for no fault of hers..."!Ashutosh buttoned up his shirt and emerged...with clarity n peace...baba was his ultimate anchor...
They shared a sandwich and sipped tea as he got up...with hardly any furrow on his brow..and drove to kgh...that october morning..as it suddenly began to rain..and dr Ashutosh pressed the accelerator!
"Aa gaye aap..."??asked nidhi..as dr Priyanka walked out with a smile and Ashutosh nodded in thanks.."bolo kya hua..kaisi ho "??nidhi opened her arms..and he frowned as she pouted "doc..this is hospital not our bedroom..."nidhi reacted"tab i want yo go home..i miss you..."!!and Ashutosh smiled moving closer"miss me??yehi to hoon..main tumhare paas"!!And gave her a squeeze..as nidhi said"achcha parde hataaiye..i want to see outside"!!Ashutosh removed the curtains...and nidhi saw the steady drizzle...as her husband held her hand...and said"october ki baarish..."and nidhi looked at him..both recalling that evening after Priyanka's marriage...nidhi gulped as their past ..their separation. .their agony flashed past the eyes...Ashutosh wiped her tears...and kissed her lightly..as she asked "yaad hai..october ki baarish..."and Ashutosh completed "hmmm...jaise bin bulaya mehmaan"!and nidhi smiled..at the memory..As her hubby in suit n blue tie..with sideburns that were grey..held her..a young exuberant girl..eighteen years his junior..as their hearts echoed "42 ho ta 24..kya farq padta hai..:"and suddenly nidhi yelled in pain...and gasped "Ashutosh...help..."and Ashutossh smiled "lagta hai...do bin bulaye mehmaan aa rahe hain"!!and he dialled dr Sudhir. .as nidhi yelled louder n he knew it was labour...
CONCLUSION ON SATURDAY
Edited by indu6789 - 8 years ago
