Tumbleweeds ...24th Update.. Pg 45 - Page 8

Recovery Road…….

Suresh

He sat on the bed moving his arms following the physiotherapist's instructions. His arms felt as if they weighed a tonne but thankfully there was no pain as such. He was leaving the hospital today with plasters on. He still hadn't gone and looked in on Archana and he dreaded seeing her. His parents had done enough damage when they had come to the hospital after hearing about the accident.

His mother had come to the waiting room on that fateful day when he was still in surgery. All of Archana's family members were there. What was the need for his mother to behave in such a manner?

= = o = =

Varsha was the first to notice the rather starchy looking woman enter with her husband in tow. Who were they? Her mother was having a drink of water and the kind lady was placating her.

"Excuse me," said the woman to an orderly passing by. "I want to know about my son. He was caught in the accident."

"You will have to talk to that gentleman there. He is a cop and is in charge of the case."

The policeman brought the woman to the Karanjkar family.

"Do you know this person?"

"No," said Varsha.

"I am Suresh's mother," she said.

"Oh …..I was wondering…" said Varsha

"I don't know why Suresh had to get mixed up with this girl. She almost led him to his death."

"Now wait a minute…….," began Varsha, her temper on the rise.

"That isn't true," inserted Vaishu's mother who had arrived there by then. "It was Suresh who insisted on taking Archu home."

"Really?" the expression on the woman's face was so disdainful that even Vinod started to get angry.

Manohar defused the situation but each party was ready to attack.

"Your son was driving the car. Why did he insist on my sister leaving with him and dropping her home when she had been told by Ayi to stay in Vaishu's house?"

"I don't have to talk to you…."

"No you don't have to, but you do have to listen to me. Your son has got a few injuries but my sister? She's in there fighting for her life."

"It wasn't my son's fault."

"But he was in the driver's seat so who drove whom to death?" Varsh didn't mince words.

"Varsha!" chastised her father, "this kind of talk will not achieve anything."

"Well no one is going to insinuate that my sister was at fault and get away with it!"

"You certainly have to work on your manners my girl!" Suresh's mother said sharply.

"Firstly I am not your girl and secondly ……." Satish grabbed Varsha's arm and forcefully led her away.

Sulochana just sat in her chair, waiting for some news about her daughter. Savita watched the scene in puzzlement.

"Why don't our children listen to us when we tell them not to be too late returning in the evening?" Sulochana asked Savita.

"I really don't know …….. my son too. And then we as parents have to endure such situations." Savita answered sadly.

= = o = =

Suresh was ready to leave. He told his father to go down to the car and wait. He had to go and see Archana. He went to the special ICU ward. Her parents were there. He mustered courage and walked upto them.

"I wanted to see Archana."

"It took you mighty long to come to see her." Varsha spoke from behind.

"Er…yes," Suresh cleared his throat. "You see, I couldn't have come since I was not allowed to."

"Not allowed to? Or didn't want to?"

"Of course I wanted to."

Varsha raised her eyebrow. "You are a cheapskate Suresh. You wanted her to go with you after the mehendi ceremony and she did as you said. She's lying there in a coma because of that decision. But don't worry, we know how to take care of our own."

Suresh looked around sheepishly. He wanted to know more about Archu but he knew he would come up against a wall where her family was concerned.

"Please let me know…..," he approached Manohar, the least formidable of them all. The older man nodded. Suresh turned and left the room.

Shravani

She sat in front of the mirror looking at the little scar near her hairline. She combed her hair in such a way that it was hidden from view. It marred her face she thought. She was glad to get out of that godforsaken hospital. Wild horses were not going to keep her there. She spoke to Sachin on the phone but refused to visit him there. Anyway he was returning home today. She toyed with the unofficial engagement ring on her third finger. What a farce this was!

She had met Sachin over two years ago. It was at a party. It was fun to be with him. He was friendly, rich and goodlooking. She knew he was a good catch and was flattered by the way in which treated her. He thought of her as a princess and loved having her around. She had started to treat her relationship with him a little seriously. She was not being conniving, just taking care of herself. She had gone to his home one day and run the bell. A man opened the door. He smiled showing his white but slightly crooked teeth.

"Sachin, your friend is here."

Her heart had missed several beats and she knew the man for her was not Sachin but his older brother Manav. However, Manav showed no interest in her. She tried her best to get close to him but to no avail. He didn't live here and that added to her problem. He spurned every overture of hers. She knew he was out of bounds but kept Sachin on hold. When Manav came visiting the next time round, the engagement would be held.

She sighed. Life didn't turn out the way you wanted it to.

Sachin

Damodar took the last swig of his coffee and got up from the breakfast table. It was a few days ago that Sachin had had the accident. He was grateful to Bappa that his son was fine. He and Savita were going to pick him up from the hospital. He didn't have to perform this week and he was happy he could spend time with his son. It had taken so much effort on his part to assure his older son that all was well with Sachin. Manav had asked for every report to be shown to him. He had spoken to the doctors himself and then when he was satisfied he told his father to get the discharge for Sachin. He was like that…….his adorable Manav. However, Damodar kept silent about the other aspect of his younger son. Of how he had become withdrawn and silent. He told himself it was shock and with the passing of time, things would improve. He hurried to the waiting car. Savita had decided to visit the temple for thanksgiving on the return journey. That was a good idea.

At the hospital, Sachin was dressed and was waiting to leave. After doing the formalities, they went to the lift.

"Er Ayi …….. I want to meet that girl, you know the one who was trapped in the car? How is she?"

"Let me find out from the Sister……." Savita went to get the information. She soon returned. "She's still in the ICU."

"I want to see her."

"Okay. Look in on her and then we'll leave."

Sachin nodded and looked down at the floor. What has happened to my gregarious son? He was so subdued. They went to the ICU ward. The parents were there. Savita folded her hands in greeting.

"How is your daughter?"

"Much the same."

Sachin came forward. "I am Sachin. I was coming in the car from the opposite direction when suddenly …….." he trailed off.

"It's ok," said Varsha, "we know that you were not to blame."

He looked at Varsha. His eyes were reflecting misery. "I came out of the car with great difficulty and helped my friend out too. I heard a moaning across the road and went to investigate. I saw a girl trapped under her seat. She was crying for help. I was in such a dilemma. How was I going to get her out? I took a step forward but I suddenly blacked out. The next thing I knew, was that I was here. I am dreadfully sorry."

"Why? Why do you say so? You couldn't have helped her." Varsha tried to calm him. She saw the glistening of his eyes and suddenly felt a wave of sympathy for him. He walked to the door to peep in through the glass to look at the girl lying prone and unmoving on the bed. He touched his forehead to the door and allowed two tears to slip out of his eyes.

He turned to the parents. "Could I come to see her again?"

"You get better first, then you come and visit." Savita advised. "C'mon let us go to the temple and pray for her. Take care all of you."

Sulochana nodded. She looked totally spent.

Archana

She lay like a princess who had been put under a spell. Tubes were running in and out and machines were monitoring her very closely. But she was oblivious to all of these. There was some good news and some bad. Her spine was fine but for hip joint and the right leg.

Her kidneys were fine but breath was short. When she'd regain consciousness was anyone's guess. Until then they would have to wait and hope her condition stabilises. Her family continued to keep a vigil outside her door.

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