Guys, thanks a lot for your awesome feedbacks on the first part. Sorry I'm unable to thank each and everyone personally but got to know that I've got a good response for it.
Thanks a lot Shriyu (shriyakadge) for posting the 2nd part on behalf of me.
Fault in our stars - Part 2
Madhu caressed the swollen hand of her little daughter. She placed a gentle kiss on her forehead. She almost burst in to tears after seeing the condition of her baby girl. Katya was hospitalized 2 days ago after a terrible respiratory arrest. Since it was a throat cancer, she had difficulties in breathing as well.
Madhu was staring at the canula on her daughter's hand. Her soft pink hand has already swollen and turned in to red. She can feel the pain her baby girl going through. She felt she is helpless and left out in the world.
"Dr. Sharma, how long will it take Katya to regain consciousness?' Madhu couldn't bear up anymore. 'Dr. Madhu, I have to say that..' Dr. Sharma stopped midway. He didn't knew how to tell about the real condition of Katya. He was an experienced senior doctor & had faced so many situations like this, explaining about patients' conditions to their familes but it was difficult this time as the patient was a daughter of a doctor works at the same hospital. He knew Madhu there was nobody to strengthen Madhu in a difficult situation like this and he had a doubt on how she will deal it with further.
'Dr.?' 'What's wrong with her?' You've been treating her for almost 7 months now but why there's no progress in her health?' Madhu spoke out of tears. 'Dr. Madhu, I understand how to you feel right now. But please, you have to be more strong.' 'Dr. Sharma, please let me know the truth!' I am dying inside every second & I'm strong! I will do anything to save my child'
Dr. Madhu, this is the situation. As per the latest reports & investigations of Katya, we've find out that the cancer had spread till the trachea. We might have to go for a Tracheostomy. ( Tracheostomy means a surgical procedure to create an opening through the neck in to the trachea. A tube is usually placed through this opening to provide an airway and to remove secretions from the lungs.)
'A Tracheostomy?' Madhu was shocked as she had learned about it when she was a medical student that it can even cause failure in producing voice. What if Katya lost her ability to talk?' She was afraid of it.
'Dr. Madhu' please calm down. That is just one solution only. We are trying our best. Madhu almost knelt down Dr. Sharma. 'Please doctor! Please I want my Katya! She is my life & I can't live without her.' Dr. Sharma along with the other two doctors who were treating Katya tried to console Madhu.
Days were passing by but there was no progress. Madhu was with Katya in the hospital. Her colleagues helped her in every possible way. Finally Madhu was relieved when Dr. Sharma told about a doctor from USA will help in curing Katya.
'Yes Dr. Madhu!' 'We've contacted that doctor already and we've send Katya's reports as well. He is a well experienced doctor who had done his post graduate studies about this field in USA.' 'Really?' 'So my Katya will be fine soon right?' 'Yes! the chances are high of surviving from this cancer.' 'I know Katya is not unlucky!'
'And you know what? that doctor is an Indian! So obviously he will help us in this.' He is Dr. R.K.' 'Unfortunately I can't remember what R.K. stands for' 'My poor memory!' Dr. Sharma smiled. 'But he is popular as Dr. R.K.'
'It's ok Dr. Sharma. I just want my daughter to be cured by anybody!' Madhu wiped her tears. 'He'll be coming to India next week so we can start the necessary treatments soon after he examines Katya'
Madhu became more stronger after knowing that there is hope of Katya's survival. She looked at her baby daughter who was sleeping on the hospital bed and wiping happy tears.
A week later
Katya was awaken by the voices she heard in the background. She tried to open her eyes but it was difficult and she felt like her eye lids were holding a thousand pounds.
'Good evening Katya, are you feeling better now?' She heard a familiar voice. Her vision was blurred and she could only see blurred white figures around her. She tried again. She opened her eyes slowly and realized that they were doctors who are gathered around her.
'I.. I am.. m.. feeling better than yesterday' She replied slowly. Little Katya was wondering where her mom was. 'Mommy?' She looked around. 'Katya, your mommy has left the hospital for a while. She went home to prepare food for you my dear.' Dr. Neeta, who was a friend of Madhu replied her with a smile. 'Don't worry dear. Your mommy will come soon.'
Katya noticed a different face among the doctors. He was smiling at her. 'Katya..' he spoke softly. He came close her and caressed her hair.
'Let me introduce myself.' ' I'm Rishabh Kundra but I'm well known as R.K. to others. So you can call me R.K. & I'm here to cure you my dear' He spoke out. Katya was delighted to see him. She was attracted to this new doctor from the first sight. He was different from other doctors. She felt that he was so close for her. The way he talks, the way he observes her, she felt that this doctor must have understood what's she's been through.
'Dr. Sharma, I need to talk to her for a while.' 'If you don't mind, can I interact with her alone?' 'Sure, go ahead Dr. R.K' the other doctors left the room leaving them.
It was none other than Rishabh who had come to treat Katya. Unfortunately he was unaware about the fact that she was her own daughter. He felt that he was connected to this little girl when he noticed she was just like Madhu. Little Katya resembles Madhu's childhood.
A thousand memories played back in his mind. He had no clue where Madhu was. He didn't want to interrupt her life again. He just wanted to be happy where ever she was. But at the same time he felt that he had done a huge mistake by drifting apart from her when he needed her the most.
'So Katya, how have you been?' Rishabh spoke out breaking the silence. 'Two weeks on this bed with these terrible treatments. Canulas are hurting me. All I do is just staring at those saline drops running through the tube.' She described her awful situation briefly.
Rishabh felt bad about her. She must be craving to go out and play like other kids do. But the poor girl is forced to stay inside a room with all the canulas and tubes around her, facing several medical tests a day. It was too much for a girl in such a tender age.
'Hmm... so you don't like here?' 'Not at all!' Katya replied showing her unhappiness. 'Would you like to share more about you?' 'I mean about yourself and your family?' Rishabh patted her.
'Well, I'm Katya & I live with my mom.' She replied in a dull tone. 'Is that all? What about your daddy?' ' I don't know! I think he is dead.' 'My mommy says he is too far away from us and will never return.' 'I've heard dead people won't come back so I think my daddy is also dead'
'Oh I'm really sorry Katya.' 'It's ok Dr.' 'I'm used to it.' 'But I've never seen him & I miss him like hell.' Rishabh put a hand around her shoulder. 'Katya, your dad must be looking at you from where ever he is. Think he is close to you.' 'You love your daddy right?'
'Yes I do, a lot!' She replied. Rishabh smiled at her. This little girl has stolen his heart. He felt something special which was difficult to explain. From the moment he met her and till now, the little girl has managed to grab his attention.
'Doctor, for how long will I live?' 'Will I die soon'? The little soul questioned sadly, yet strongly. 'No dear. You are going to be well and you can live longer.' 'But doctor, I hate this life!' 'By the way doctor, if I die, I'll be able to find my daddy right?' 'I'm sure he is in heaven and he'll take me along with him.'
Rishabh was surprised by little Katya's answers. She was so much different from typical 8 year old kids. She was not afraid of dying. 'But what about your mom, Katya?' 'Will you leave her all alone here?' 'Hmm that's the problem. I can't leave her. She's been with me every time. But I do miss my daddy a lot!'Rishabh consoled his little patient who was suffering from a cancer and a little bit of a mental stress of missing her dad.
'Katya. I know you are a strong girl.' 'I'm pretty much amazed about you!' I'm so proud of you, how you are dealing all these things.' 'You are brave than you think.' 'You are much better than me, when I was in your situation few years back.'
'What do you mean by that?' Katya was confused. 'Yes, I was also a cancer patient like you.' 'OMG really?' Katya was surprised with Rishabh's answer. The doctor who was sitting beside her was a cancer patient few years back. 'But he looks all fine now!' Katya self thought.
'I want to share my story with you Katya.' ' Sure. Please go ahead doctor.' 'I wanna know about it.' Katya was curious to know about it.
Rishabh went 9 years back, when he got to know that he was suffering from Lymphoma, a form of cancer that affects the immune system specifically. His whole world was broken in to million pieces with this unexpected diagnosis. He was afraid about Madhu, more than him.
He had been diagnosed with in the early stage, yet the doctors couldn't assure about his survival. He felt that he was the most unluckiest person in the whole wide world as it was just 8 months after his marriage. His dreams about the future along with his life partner Madhu, were just crushed down in seconds.
Rishabh didn't want Madhu to be a victim of his illness. He was afraid how Madhu will deal with all of these things and he knew Madhu will not bear up this. He was afraid of Madhu's future, in case if he could not survive. He decided to go away from his Madhu. He thought that drifting apart is the best solution for it.
Rishabh ended up with tears. Katya was feeling bad for him. She wiped his tears off. 'I'm really sorry to hear about it.' 'So you wanted to distance from your family? but now you are alright nah. Why don't you re-unite with them?'
Rishabh caressed Katya's hair. This little girl had been listening to his story patiently and she was mature enough to understand him unlike other kids.
Destiny had other plans for him. He was too late when he got to know that his illness was curable. He was treated by a well known specialist in California. He was all fit and fine in just 2 years of time.
Rishabh still regrets the decision of leaving Madhu and making up the things which lead for a separation. He loves Madhu more than his life & he wished he could go back to the past and correct the huge mistake he had done in his life.
'Doctor?' Katya broke the silence. She noticed that Rishabh was weeping. 'Why don't you go back to your family?' She questioned again. 'I have no idea where they are.' Rishabh sighed.
'I feel so bad about you.' ' I hope you meet them soon.' Rishabh smiled at her and she smiled back. 'So I hope you feel more confident about yourself after listening to my life story.'
'Yes I do!' ' I was wrong!' 'I used to hate my life. But now I understand it's worth living.' 'Good girl.' Rishabh patted her back. 'After I got cured fully I wanted to specialize in this field. So I started treating cancer patients cause I know the pain of being a cancer patient & it was easy to interact with them and to understand their feelings.
Meanwhile Madhu reached the hospital. She was walking towards Katya's room & she met Dr. Sharma midway. 'Dr. Madhu, I have a great news for you! Katya is being examined by Dr. R.K. at the moment.' Really?' Madhu was delighted to hear about it. ' Yes! 'I'm really sorry I got late to come. Can I meet her now?' 'Well, He told that he want to talk to her for a while alone.' 'I'll introduce him to you after he is done with it.'
'Sure. Thank you so much Dr. Sharma.' 'I don't know how to thank you.' ' No Madhu, that's our duty to save a beautiful child.' 'Don't worry she'll be fine soon.'
'Okay! I promise you I'll buy you ice cream when you get well.' 'Really?' 'OMG thanks a ton!' 'It's been 8 months and I'm craving for ice cream!' 'Imagine! staying 8 months without eating ice cream!' Katya widened her eyes. 'Haha yeah! you must've kept a record according to the kids of your age.' Rishabh smiled.
'May I come in Dr. R.K?' It was Dr. Sharma who overheard there conversation. 'Oh Dr. Sharma, please come in!' 'I've checked her up.' 'Dr. R.K, I want you to introduce Katya's mom. 'Oh sure I would like to meet her. She should be proud of her brave daughter.'
Dr. Sharma called Madhu inside. 'Good evening doctor R.K.' 'I'm Katya's mother.' Rishabh heard a familiar voice. He turned back. He could not believe his eyes. Madhu was shocked to see Rishabh standing infront of her after 8 years.
'Madhu..' Rishabh was left out in surprise. 'Oh do you know Dr. Madhu?' Dr. Sharma was surprised. 'I.. I know her.. very well!' Rishabh spoke out.
'Excuse me,' Madhu left the room at the next second, unable to believe what's happening in front of her. 'Mommy?' 'What happened to her' 'That's really bad of her to leave like that!' Katya was disappointed. 'It's okay Katya.'
I'm really sorry Dr. R.K. I'm also surprised why she left. Dr. Sharma apologized him. 'No that's fine.'Don't worry. Dr. Sharma, I have to go now. Loads work left. I studied her reports. This is 100% curable. We have to start the necessary treatments soon, but not in this hospital. I want her to take to the hospital I work in California. It's well equipped and it would be much easy to cure her soon.'
'Thank you so much for the concern, Dr. R.K.' 'We need to discuss about with Dr. Madhu as well.' 'Let her decide & let me know.'
Rishabh placed a gentle kiss on Katya's forehead before leaving the room. He felt that he was connected to her.
He saw Madhu staring outside the window. He came close to her. He couldn't describe how much he missed her for the past few years. He tried to gather up words to talk to her. 'Uh.. hi Madhu.' 'How have you been?' Madhu did not reply him. She was disturbed with the past incidents playing back in her mind.
'I just want to say that you have a beautiful daughter.' 'Don't worry! We can save her.' 'I have suggested the treatment procedure to Dr. Sharma. He will explain you.' Madhu did not speak a word.
Rishabh left the place as he felt that Madhu might have felt uncomfortable to talk to him. He didn't want to bother her further.
Madhu stared at him while he walked away from her. Madhu couldn't bear up it anymore. She burst in to tears. She ran behind him in the very next second.
'Rishabh..' Rishabh looked back when he heard a familiar voice calling his name. It was none other than Madhu who refused to talk to him few minutes back. Her eyes were filled with tears.
She hugged him tightly at the very next second. Rishabh was stunned. 'Rishabh please!.. please I want my Katya! She is my whole life. I can't live without her.'
Rishabh understood how helpless Madhu as a mother. He patted her back. 'Don't worry! she'll be totally fine!' 'I will save your daughter. She is an innocent little child who should be there to brighten up this world.'
'Rishabh.. she is not only my daughter.' 'Katya.. Katya is your daughter as well.' 'She is our daughter.' Madhu finally blurted out the truth about their daughter.
Rishabh broke the hug. He was shocked to hear about it. He remembered Katya's words about her daddy, but never expected it was him. 'What?' 'But how come?' Madhu was staring at him with teary eyes.
Rishabh was left out with a shock when Madhu revealed the past. Katya was his daughter. His blood. 'But why did you hide about Katya from me Madhu? Why?' Madhu didn't have an answer for him.
'I know may be you hated the fact of living with me again. I know that you hated me from all your heart!' I know I'm the only reason for all these mess, Madhu.
'I should tell you the truth today! You have a right to know about it Madhu.' Rishabh wanted to share what he had been through for the past few years.
He revealed everything at the end. Madhu couldn't believe his story. What he'd been gone through. She felt like killing herself for misunderstanding him and not being with him when he needed the most. That guilty feeling hit her deep.
Rishabh apologized her for not revealing about his illness and for drifting apart from her deliberately. Both of them were right in their point of views. Madhu was disappointed and was left out when he didn't get what she expected from her husband & in the other hand, Rishabh didn't want Madhu to suffer cause of him.
The love between them haven't faded in a bit. The time could not break the eternal love between them. It was hidden by all the misunderstandings throughout the years. Both of them realized that they deserve a second chance. Most importantly. their daughter was in danger. They need each other by their side.
'Madhu, I still love you.' 'I hope you do too.' Rishabh held her hand tightly. Madhu nodded her head accepting that she still loves him. Both wanted each other in their lives again.
'Madhu, nothing will happen to our Katya till we are there with her.' Rishabh wiped her tears and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. Madhu felt his warmth after ages and she felt that she is under his protection again.
'It was all like a dream.' 'I never expected that I could live my life again the way I wish. 'Destiny was cruel for us at some point. Both of us failed to understand each other in the past. But we are fortunate to reunite. I never though the symbol of our love, our daughter will bring us close again.
My Katya is living because of him. No let me correct! Our Katya! She is right. She says she has the best dad in the whole wide world. I still remember how she was delighted to know about his dad. Moreover to know that her favourite doctor who treated her is her own father.'
It's been 2 years of Katya being fully cured. Tomorrow is my angel's birthday. Can't believe my baby girl is turning 10 years old tomorrow.
Life is beautiful. I'm so much privileged to have Rishabh as a caring husband and a protective dad for Katya. Katya is our world.'
'Momma!' Aren't you ready up yet?' Katya ran inside. Madhu was writing in her diary. 'Momma hurry up! Me and daddy are ready to go!' 'Did you forget? Daddy promised me to take us for a movie tonight.'
Madhu smiled at her daughter's cute antics. She could not possibly ask for anything more in her life. 'Katya! come down with momma!' Rishabh called out her daughter. 'Daddy! mommy has forgot it! See! she hasn't got ready yet.'
'Give me 5 minutes sweet heart, I'll come soon.' 'Hurry up Momma!' Katya left the room after giving a small peck on her mother's cheek.
Madhu was trying to tie up the dori in her Kurta when she felt a soft touch in her back. It was Rishabh. His fragrance drove her crazy. She closed her eyes while he was tying it. She felt a special sensation running through her whole body.
His hands ran around her waist. Madhu was looking at the mirror. Rishabh was staring at her with eyes filled with love. 'You look beautiful' He whispered. Madhu looked down shyly. She shook off the hands of him.
'You look more beautiful when you blush.' Rishabh winked. 'Daddy? Momma?' Where the hell are you two?' 'Aren't we going?' 'We'll get late for the movie!' Katya shouted top of her lungs.
'Madhu, I'll go down before our little devil storms inside. 'I know you hate when our daughter catches us when we are romancing.' RK smiled.
Madhu opened her diary back. 'How can I forget about you.?' She caressed her 4 months old belly. Madhu was expecting for the second time. Rishabh wanted to become a father again and to live the moments which he had missed during Madhu's previous pregnancy with Katya. Even Madhu wished to have a baby boy to complete their little family.
Their prayers and wishes were answered soon and Madhu is carrying his child once again.
'We are waiting for you baby. Momma, daddy and your Katya didi love you so much.' 'Please come soon.'
Madhu closed her diary, bookmarking the page to write further about her life experiences.
Hope you enjoyed reading & I hope I've managed to reach up to your expectations. Thanks a lot for your co-operation. I won't be online due to my exams. Will come back again in mid December. Till then good bye!
Edited by -Vinu- - 10 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
