After 29 days
She turned and shifted to make herself more comfortable in bed. But she wasn't able to do so. She took a deep breath to inhale the fragrances of lavender that grew near the water's edge. Why were the soft feathers of the eiders suddenly beginning to poke? Her nest was growing unfavourable. The lilting music of the harps seemed to be fading. Why? What was wrong? She didn't like this at all. The soft clouds suddenly lifted and began to hasten away leaving behind a purple haze. Her brows furrowed. She slowly got up and smoothed down her silken skirts. The gentle breeze brushed against her soft cheeks and she lifted her face to the coolness. Something touched her cheeks. Was it rain? ….. or just moisture from the atmosphere? Where was her canoe? Her eyes skimmed the banks. She walked towards the overgrowth of hedges. Was it hidden beyond that? As she tread the slippery path, the mushy soil caused her to lose her balance. She teetered when a strong arm coiled round her waist and broke her fall. She was swung around. She gasped at the sudden movement and was astonished to see the figure of a man so close. One arm went up to clutch his shoulder and the other held on to his cloak at the waist. His body was warm and suddenly she felt like absorbing the heat he emanated. Why was her body so cold? She shivered and looked up to get a closer look. But her eyes didn't seem to focus well, for his face was a blur.
"Come on, that was the wrong path you were taking."
She shook her head and pointed to the hedge behind. She tried to move away but his hands held on to her.
"No," she moaned. He pulled her closer. Her fingers on his cloak tried to push him away but the arm on his shoulder held on to him.
"Help ………" she croaked weakly.
Suddenly she was alone again. Her lids were heavy and she tried to open them. Her entire body was in pain.
"Ohhhh……..," she let out a silent groan.
The nurse came outside the room and smiled at the patient's mother outside.
"Please come, she seems to be opening her eyes."
Sulochana's sad eyes lit up at this. How she had waited for this moment! Sachin who was standing at the window suddenly felt immersed in guilt and sorrow. What was he going to do? How was he going to face her?
"This way, madam. Just one person is to be allowed, and no talking. Dr has left these instructions. The patient could be in trauma."
Sulochana looked at Sachin. She nodded her head at him and turned to enter the room. No one was outside but Sachin. The rest of the family was away at work. Sachin swallowed, suddenly feeling very nervous. His hands seemed to tremble.
She opened her eyes with difficulty. What was happening? Why wasn't the mist clearing? Everything was a haze.
The nurse gently used the wet sponge on the patients face. She plumped the pillows and settled her head. Arch shook her head a bit. Sulochana took the chair close to the bed. The sound seemed too loud for the young girl and she shuddered. She opened her eyes once again but the mist wouldn't clear. She tried to focus. A face seemed to come near. It was the face of a portly middle-aged woman. Who was she? Something touched her cheek again. Was it rain?
Sulochana couldn't stop the tears falling but there was a smile on her lips. Her daughter was coming back to life. She remembered the joy she had felt when her daughter was born, but this was much more than that. She reached out to touch Arch's cheek. Her eyes opened but didn't focus. The nurse raised her finger to her lips and so Sulochana fell silent.
It seemed to be pretty dark. She was moving swiftly in something…… a black car perhaps. She wished the vehicle would slow down. She tried to protest but no sound came out. She felt herself hurtling and tried to stop the car. But someone else was driving. Dear God …….. who was this fiend?
Sachin looked through the round glass. Arch seemed to be awake but just semi-conscious. He was hesitant. Should he go inside? The nurse may get annoyed. Hadn't she said just one person could enter? Yet he felt a strong urge to enter.
The headlights of a car coming from the front shone so brightly in her eyes, it almost blinded her. She twisted her head away steeling herself for the crash. There was a loud noise and the sound of metal colliding and dragging and it jarred in her ears. She couldn't take it anymore. She was lying lopsided somewhere and something was poking her ribs. She was choking. She tried to take deep breaths. She heard someone near her.
"Help," she cried softly. Her hand lifted towards a blurred figure that moved towards her. She willed him to come closer. Suddenly he fell and didn't move. Her sob caught in her throat. She closed her eyes. It was useless, there was no help that was forthcoming.
He shut the door behind him silently. The nurse frowned but Sachin looked at her pleadingly. He looked at the girl on the bed. She shifted imperceptibly and then shivered.
"Help," came the feeble plea from her lips.
Sachin felt as if someone had kicked him in his gut. He stood like a statue. He saw her pale hand lift from the bed. He was aghast. This seemed to be a replay of what had happened that terrible night almost a month ago. He took the few steps to her bed and sank to the knees on the floor. He touched her hand and suddenly began to weep. Uncontrollable tears quietly streamed down his cheeks. He put his head near her hand and wept. Was he being given a second chance? Well he was going to grab it. And with it he was going to see Arch become fine again.
Sulochana rang her husband and told him that their daughter had finally opened her eyes. For the moment she was happy with just that.
Next episode: Arch wakes up but cannot remember anyone from her family.
Anupamaa
Iss Pyaar Ko Kya Naam Doon
