The stench of spilled blood and burned bodies permeated the thick, black smoke filled air. What was once proudly proclaimed as RK mansion, is now in shambles; obliterated to the ground by a deadly explosion. Many died instantaneously, blown to pieces by the blast. A few managed to survive the blast. Those who were conscious, screamed for help; their panic stricken, torturous cries tore at the hearts of the emergency crew trying to rescue them.
He struggled to open his eyes, every inch of his body throbbing unbearably from the impact. RK's eyelids fluttered into narrow slits, his head laid limp to the right as he glanced ahead, hoping and dreading that the torturous screams are coming from his biwi. He saw Madhu's still, limp form and his left arm grappled to reach out to her, silently demanding, praying that she open her eyes. His lips shivered and twitched to form her name but in vain. RK's glistened with unshed tears. Like a mantra, he kept praying, his biwi is alive. Madhu is his anchor, his heart and his soul; not even for a second can he even contemplate living without her.
RK tried to move his head and turn in the opposite direction but the shooting pain in his neck and shoulders has made it an impossible feat. He desperately needed to know the other owner of his heart, his baby girl, survived the blast. He knew Radhaji had taken his beti, young Madhu, out for some fresh air and he prayed fervently that they were a safe distance away from the building and neither were injured.
His ears perked up as a familiar voice hollered his name. "Chief! Chief!" Screamed Bittuji frantically. The voice got closer and RK closed his eyes, weary and in unbearable pain. He felt the weight of the heavy wooden board, pinning down his legs, being lifted. RK heard Bittuji weep in relief as he felt his felt his pulse. He fluttered his heavy eyelids open with Herculean efforts, as if they were being weighed down by a rock. He heard Bittuji give curt instructions to the paramedics to take him to the nearest hospital immediately.
RK moved his right hand by an inch and stretched it out till his index finger came in contact with Bittuji. He parted his parched, injured lips and asked inaudibly, "Maa...baby...?" Bittuji did not understand his question and leaned forward. He begged RK to speak louder, desperate to hear his Chief's loud, baritone voice filled with sarcasm. RK licked his chapped lips and spoke again, his voice barely above a whisper, "Maa...baby?"
Bittuji nodded his head in understanding and smiled tremulously as he tried to reassure RK, "Chief...both Auntyji and baby are unharmed. When the bomb went off, thankfully, they were still outside. A safe distance away from the blast." He turned to the paramedics and yelled at them to hurry over with the stretcher. Bittuji turned to face RK and reassured him, "Chief...they will take you to the hospital and I promise that you will get the best treatment." He smiled wobbly and his voice shook as he continued, "In no time you will be all healed and you will be back to yourself, gracing us with your humor and sarcasm."
RK frantically attempted to shake his head and pointed his finger in Madhu's direction. He whispered hoarsely, "Madhu..."
Bittuji nodded in understanding and reassured him, "Chief I promise that I will look after bhabiji and make sure she also gets the best medical treatment."
As RK is maneuvered on to the stretcher carefully so as to not injure further his mangled body, he whispered frantically, "Biwi...alive?"
Knowing his Chief will not cooperate till he knew his Madhu is alive, Bittuji ran over to her with another paramedic. The paramedic held her wrist and felt her faint pulse and shared the news. RK closed his eyes, ready to cooperate. His biwi, his will to live is still alive and it has renewed his faith that everything will be alright.
One Year Later
The cool, salty, summer breeze gently ruffled RK's hair as he stood on the private beachfront of their new home, with little Madhu in his arms. He placed a gentle kiss on top of her forehead as she continued to blabber in gibberish. As the sun sank into the horizon, RK turned around and walked back to the house. Sitting in the front porch, Madhu smiled at him in greeting as he waved at her, his brimming full of love.
His biwi is no longer the same person physically. The blast had obliterated her left leg and chained her to a wheelchair. She has scars remaining from the third degree burns, all over her body. But remarkably her face was spared from any severe damage.
RK handed the blabbering baby over to Madhu's outstretched arms and pondered, he is no longer the same person either. The burns has left ugly scars all over his body. Unlike his biwi, his face was not spared. The peeled skin and the discoloration has left his face beyond unrecognizable.
They are physically not the same people but emotionally they are much stronger, much happier than ever before. As he had once promised Madhu, RK gave up the film industry. Not because his face is no longer bankable but for what it had nearly taken away from them. After months of intense treatment and recovery, they left the world of fame and glamour and set up residence in a remote, sea side town in Spain. He had relegated all of his business dealings that he had earned for his new production house to Bittuji.
No they are not the same people anymore but better versions of their former selves. RK and Madhu survived and they got the most precious gift; a renewed lease on life to love, hold and cherish each other and their baby girl.
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CID
