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Chapter 2 My heart was beating a mile a minute as the doctor was examining him. Purab had settled him on the bed in his room with the help of Aakash. He was completely oblivious and didn't stir a muscle, which punched me in the stomach. I stood in the corner, and my entire body was trembling.
"He has a high fever and his blood pressure is low. I have given him an injection to reduce the fever and also a small dose of sedative as his body needs complete rest. The IV drip will be able to correct his low pressure and undeniably low glucose.", the doctor said after leaving the bedside. "Bhai theek hone ja raha hai na?", Aakash asked quickly.
"If his fever does not subside, you will have to get him admitted to a hospital because there is a risk of him having seizures. That is dangerous.", he finished and my world stopped spinning in that moment. "Doctor, what are you saying?!", Purab spoke in horror. Daadi had collapsed on the sofa, crying on Daasi's shoulder. Aakash went still like a rock.
"Seizures?", I mumbled. I tried to steady my breathing which were beginning to become erratic. Wiping my never ending stream of tears, I walked forwards to the doctor. "You mean to say he will get seizures?", I stammered to get the words out. "He may get seizures Mrs. Mehra. But if his fever reduces to normal, he won't have any problems.", he reassured me and I clung onto his words like a lifeline.
The doctor was led out by Purab who had asked us to monitor his temperature every hour or so, and to get him something to eat once he came to. Aakash brought a weeping Daadi and Daasi outside to the hall. My body refused to budge from the room and I quietly sat next to him on the bed. Holding his arm, I realized that his body was burning and I instinctively put my hand on his forehead and neck.
"Suniye, kya aap mujhe sunn sakte hai?", I asked in a whimper. "Aap aapne haath paakde hui mujhe mahasus kar sakte hai?", I pleaded to him while holding his hand to my chest. "Suniye?", I asked lightly caressing his cheek. "Why are you doing this to yourself?", I cried and let my tears fall. "Aap is mujhe dard hota hai kitna jaante ho?", I brought his hand to my trembling lips and kissed it.
There was no answer. My heart and soul yearned for his voice. But they were left yearning in vain. My cries filled the quiet and dim room. It reflected my life. I felt helpless at his state, at the same time anger that I had let it come this far. "Suniye, mujhe aapse bhohat pyaar hai. Mein aapse kabhi nahi chodunga. Mein vaada kaarta hoon.", I sank to the floor, still gripping his hand to my chest.
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"Daadi, aap please roh maat. Bhai ko kuch nahi hoga.", I consoled my budhiya holding her hands. "Haan Daadi, aap roh rahi rakhne keliye hume kya hoga?", Aakash said siting next to her. "How do you expect me to stop crying?", she said wiping her face. "Didi, you have to. If not for you, for Abhi. Vaaha haam sab ke zaroorat hai.", Daasi said handing her a cup of chai.
She gingerly took it after Daasi forced her. No one left the apartment. Aakash and I huddled Daadi and Daasi into another room for them to sleep, while we crashed on the sofas. There was an eerie silence hanging above our heads like an axe. Pragya Di never left the room, and none of us went in either. She was the best person to take care of Bhai. But, in that strange silence, I could hear Di's soft cries and my heart constricted in pain.
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It was early in the morning and the first rays of the sun shone into the room. I barely slept, checking his temperature every half an hour. My prayers were partially answered, his fever gradually reduced overnight, but it was still there and he hadn't regained consciousness. I let go of his hand reluctantly and headed outside.
Purab and Aakash were sleeping on the sofa. I gently caressed their hair after walking towards them. Although both of them were sound asleep, their faces were engulfed in worry. Suddenly, I heard the bell ring. Not wanting anyone's sleep to be disturbed, I hurried to the door to see who it was. "Taiji? Rachna? Aap dhono yahaan?", I looked at them in shock. "Haan beta, Aakash called me and told me what happened.", Taiji said.
I let them in and we quietly walked into the kitchen, out of everyone's earshot. "Mein kaal raat ko aana chaata tha. Lekin, your Tauji refused, saying it was too late and you all would have slept. Isliye mein subha jaldi aaya. Mein haar kisi keliye kuch khana laya hai.", she told me as she settled a big basket on the kitchen counter. "Di, shall I make some coffee?", Rachna asked me. "Haan, make coffee for all three of us.", I told her.
Rachna being affectionate was not out of the ordinary, but Taiji? The truth was she had really turned over a new leaf. It was hard to believe taking into account her past track record. However, the revelations that erupted in Mehra Mansion and Tauji's beratement opened her eyes to how cunning and vindictive her elder son and daughter in law had turned into. She didn't buy it until the evidence was shown.
Tauji went bezerk in rage, much to everyone's bewilderment. He had always been a calm spectator, not reacting to anything that went on. However, there was a limit to anyone's patience. So, he snapped, badly and broke all relations with Raj and Mithhali, urging the police officers to take them away. Taiji couldn't stop what happened. In fact, no one could. Tauji mocked and chided her for being a selfish woman.
He wanted to leave the mansion taking her, Aakash, Rachna and Ajay with him. Guilt and embarrassment forced him into a corner and the only escape was going out of Mehra Mansion. Suniye stopped them, he had already lost his parents and sister, but wasn't prepared to lose another fatherly figure. Tauji succumbed to his pleas and agreed. But, that only made him admonish Taiji every second of everyday.
"Di? Di?!!", Rachna shook me out of my memories. "Beta, tum theek ho na?", Taiji asked me. "Haan, mein theek ho.", I said taking the cup of hot coffee from Rachna. We stood and drank our coffees. The sweet yet strong aroma filled the air and my senses. Just then, we heard some noise in the living hall and left the kitchen to see what it was.
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Hey guys! Just a small tinker about seizures, in case you are not quite sure of the term.
Seizures happen when a person loses their muscle control. Their arms and legs will tense and tighten, moving uncontrollably, and they will be unaware of it. I am sure you have seen it in some movies, somewhere. 😆
Sorry for the medical jargon, I wanted it to be a bit dramatic. Sorry again if I have confused you!
Thanks for reading!! 😳
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