Abhigya SS : The bitter truth and its consequences |COMPLETED| - Page 6

Two hours had passed since he was wheeled into the OT for surgery. There was complete silence outside except for the quiet sobbing from Daadi. I was sitting alone right next to the OT, occasionally looking up to see if anyone came out. But, no one came through those huge double doors. My tears wouldn't stop for the life of me, no matter how much I tried. I looked at my hands and the image of letting go of his hand kept replaying in my mind. Fresh tears kept flowing whenever the images of his bleeding and lifeless body flashed before my eyes.

The double doors finally opened and a tall man came walking out. He was in his surgical attire and I desperately tried to ignore the blood that stained his surgical wear.

"Who are the relatives of the patient, Mr. Mehra?", he asked looking at all of us.

"I am his wife, Pragya. Pragya Abhishek Mehra.", I stood up meeting his gaze.

"Is he fine Doctor? He is out of danger right?", I asked him immediately hoping that he would give me the news that my heart yearned.

"Mrs. Mehra, your husband is still in a critical condition. We have successfully managed to remove the bullet lodged in his shoulder. But, the second bullet is in very close proximity to his heart.", he calmly explained to me the situation at hand.

I feared the worse and my knees buckled. Everyone had stood up and come closer.

"What can be done now?", I struggled the words out.

"He has already lost too much blood. We are trying to control the bleeding and have sent for more blood from the blood bank. But, that is not the problem. For us to remove that second bullet, we need to stop his heart. That means, we would connect him to a heart and lung machine which would keep him alive, but stop his heart. It would give us the much needed time frame to remove the bullet.", he finished.

"You are going to stop his heart?", I gasped in shock feeling my world darken.

"Yes, but the heart and lung machine will take over the job of the heart and keep him alive. We cannot remove the bullet with his heart beating. It's too risky.", he clearly explained the gravity of the situation.

"Then go ahead. Please do what you can to save my husband.", I replied him resigning to the fact that there was no other way.

"You will need to sign these papers.", he said and took some papers from the nurse who had come to stand next to him.

I felt a strong grasp on my shoulder and turned to see Ma standing behind me. She looked tired but her eyes held a strong faith and hope. She nodded at me with a warm smile. I felt her faith pouring into my empty soul which gave me strength. I immediately signed those papers under the heading 'Wife' and handed it over to the surgeon.

"Doctor, please save him. He means the world to me and I can't see my future without him.", I told him breaking into tears.

"We will do our best. But, you need to stay strong for him. Not only you, but his entire family.", he replied me before going back through the double doors closely followed by the nurse.

I turned around and hugged Ma crying furiously on her shoulder. She consoled me and told me to be strong for him. She led me to the chairs where our remaining elders were seated. Only then it dawned on me. I hadn't apologized to any of them. I had behaved cruelly and rudely to them in the most terrible way possible. I could justify my reason for doing so, but the path which I chose to tread on has hurt the people I loved deeply. I wiped away my tears and kneeled before Ma, Rockstar Daadi, Daasi and Daadi.

"I am so sorry for everything I said to you and how I behaved towards you.", I apologized calmly, shocking them.

"It was wrong of me to do that. I was desperate to rid of the enemies in the house that I forgot the pain and suffering I was giving to those who meant the world to me", I spoke with a quiver in my voice while holding Ma's and Daasi's hands together.

"No beta. Don't cry. True, I was mad at your behavior and wanted you to leave the house. But what happened today made me realize how wrong I was about you. I am sorry Pragya.", Daasi said while wiping away the tears which stained my face.

"Pragya, even I was shocked at your behavior and sudden greed for money. I cried unable to believe and forget the day you walked into Mehra Mansion as a different person. Ask your Daadi, I was wailing and trying to convince myself that you were acting.", Ma said while softly caressing my hair.

"Haan!! Your mother. The queen of stressing out and radiating tension! I nearly became deaf hearing her wailing.", Rockstar Daadi complained which helped lightened the mood as it brought a small laughter on everyone's faces.

"But Pragya beta, I owe you an apology for thinking you had changed into a greedy woman. What happened today reassured me that you were our same Pragya.", Rockstar Daadi said while cupping my face and gently kissing my forehead.

"She is my bahu after all. I am sorry beta." Daadi whispered from the far right.

"I am sorry Daadi. I didn't mean to hurt you. You even collapsed because of me. It's just that I needed the proof to catch the enemies and save Abhishek and our families.", I told her after shifting to kneel directly in front of her.

"I understand beta. But, more than us, Abhi was the one who suffered the most. However, he believed in you. Remember that, even though he didn't show it, in his heart he knew that his Pragya will never change.", Daadi finished before taking me in her arms and hugging me.

Our elders. People who lead us, advice us, guide us, protect us and forgive us. They have the heart of gold and brains of wisdom. Whenever we fell, it was them who helped us back on our feet. Abhishek and I were lucky to have them in our lives. Talking to them and embracing them gave me back a little strength to check on the rest who were equally affected today.

I walked over to Purvi and Bulbul to see how they were coping. Both girls were soundly asleep on Jhanki Ma's shoulder and lap. I could see their pale faces, obviously from the trauma that had struck today. Purvi had an emotional reunion with the family while in the hospital and I was able to take comfort in the fact that she was finally home. Jhanki Ma gently made eye contact with me not to disturb our baby girls as they had finally dozed off after crying continuously. I understood and smiled at her.

Taiji and Tauji were seated a few chairs away, silent and motionless. I don't know what ran through their minds. It was their eldest son and his wife who were arrested and dragged out. I made my way towards them and enquired if they were alright and needed anything. As expected, they didn't expect me to approach them. My life was in a mess partly due to their own flesh and blood. They spoke to me in a small voice, clearly feeling guilty and embarrassed to look into my eyes. I told them that they couldn't be blamed for what happened, but Taiji could change her way of thinking. Money wasn't everything. Family, love, care and trust was what makes a person. That was what keeps a person sane during tough and testing times. It was the very same thing that comes to your rescue when you are drowning. She hugged me after I spoke, surprising me. But, I returned the gesture, feeling slightly happy that she finally understood. Hopefully.

Purab was perched on the chair with Aakash resting his head, on his shoulder. My two heroes who did everything they could to save Abhishek. It made me proud. I felt like a proud mother looking at her two sons. Purab and Aakash saw me staring at them and were about to get up, when I shook my head, gently gesturing them to rest. I walked past them and stopped at the huge glass window. It wasn't the city of Mumbai which laid beyond the glass window that caught my eye. It was my reflection. How had I changed so much? I thought to myself as I brushed my cheeks. This wasn't me. This isn't me. I was not Pragya. And certainly, I wasn't his Fuggy, the girl he had hopelessly fallen in love with. I knew what I had to do.

Rachna, who had been standing in the corner with Suresh, walked up to me.

"Di, are you okay?", she asked with concern. Suresh had come to stand behind her.

"I am not okay. But, I am being strong for him and all of us here.", I said smiling at her.

"Thank you so much for everything Suresh.", I told him.

"You are my dear friend Pragya. I will always help you when you are in trouble.", he replied which was what I had expected.

"Rachna, I need your favor.", I said looking at her.

"What is it Di? Just tell me.", she said grabbing my hands.

"Can you go back home and get me a change of clothes? My old clothes. And also, my glasses from the drawer of the side table.", I asked her.

"Sure Di.", she replied with a warm smile beaming on her face and hurried off with Suresh.

It was already 8pm. Three hours had passed since the Doctor last came out. Rachna had returned and I changed my blood stained saree. It felt good to be back in my old clothes and chashma. Everyone was happy seeing the old Pragya back, but we couldn't express our delight as the most important man that connected us all was still in the OT.

Finally, after another hour, the Doctor walked through the double doors. He greeted us with a broad smile and assured us that Abhishek was no longer in danger. They had successfully removed the second bullet and got his heart pumping again. The news brought a wave of relief which washed over our souls. However, for the time being, he was to be kept in the Intensive Care Unit for observation. I didn't mind.

My heart soared on hearing the words "Your husband has pulled through. He is no longer in danger. We have removed the second bullet and stopped his bleeding. He has a strong heart and he fought a very hard battle." It kept echoing through my head. I was delighted that he was not knocking on Death's door. Tears once again flowed, but these were tears of relief. Tears of joy.

He was back and I wasn't letting him go again. A promise I made to myself. Sensing my urge and mere desperation to see him, the Doctor had given me permission to enter the ICU. Only one person was allowed and I didn't give up that right. It belonged to me. Even otherwise, my family would have given me that right voluntarily with open hearts.

I slowly pushed the door of the ICU unit. Peeping inside, I saw a large bed with the man I love lying on it. As I moved closer, taking small steps, one at a time, the view before me became more clear. I came and stood next to his bed and slowly took in what I was seeing.

Abhishek's chest was in a huge bandage while his shoulder was bandaged and in a sling. His chest was rising and falling in a slow and steady speed. The familiar ECG patches and blood pressure cuff were fixed yet again, monitoring his vital signs. He had an oxygen mask which covered his face that looked pale, but at least he was alive. I pulled up a chair and sat down next to him. Being careful so as to not disrupt the IV line and pulse meter which was attached to his finger, I slowly took his hand in mine. It felt warm which spread me with indescribable happiness.

He was still unconscious as it was a major surgery. I didn't care. No matter how long he took to wake up, I will still wait right here for him when he does. I wanted him to see his Fuggy when he woke up. His Fuggy should be the first person he sees when he opens his eyes. Hours passed, neither did I move nor did I remove my hand. Suddenly, I felt a small movement. I looked down to see his hand slowly gripping mine. My heart went in overdrive and I looked at his face.

"Suniye...", I whispered.

"I am here. Right here. Your Fuggy.", I said, my heart pounding against my rib cage.

Abhishek stirred and slowly fluttered his eyes open. He looked around the room before setting his eyes firmly on me.

"Fu-ggy", he choked behind the oxygen mask.

"Yes, I am here, right here. See, I am holding your hand. I promised you na. I will never let go.", I replied him choking on my tears which were brimming in my eyes.

I felt alive. After a long time, I really felt alive. He was going to be okay. I knew it at that moment, my life was complete.