Chapter 3:
Girish was happy to see his daughter behaving normally again, not like the psychotic maniac she was a few hours ago. And sayng good bye to Manav, Baba, Vandu, and Savita Aai, the father-daughter duo left the hospital, telling everyone they would begin to make preparations for the wedding on Sunday.
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It was Sunday, the day of the wedding and Manav had woken up amidst a lot of hurry and commotion. His mother, sister, and Baba seemed to be flying about the house preparing for the wedding, getting the last minute things together. Not wanting to be involved in any of this, Manav quietly slipped out of the house, and walked towards the beach (which was coincidentally nearby). For him, a walk along the beach always seemed to help calm him down, regain control of his thoughts, of his life.
The beach was deserted at this time of day, so early in the morning. Manav sat himself on a rock and watched the sun begin to make its way out of the clouds, the beginning of a new day. He thought of himself and Archana, how the two had shared so many memories, both good and bad, them on the train, them during their wedding, her at his home, oh what sweet memories! Tears streamed down his face as he thought about the conclusion of their journey, of how the two had gotten a divorce, how she had stepped out of his life forever, how she had seemed the other day after finding out about his and Sravani's wedding.
He loved her. He knew that she loved him. But fate seemed to have something else in store for the two of them.
Sighing as he looked at his watch and realized he was running late, Manav made his way back home, telling himself there was nothing he could do to change anything.
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"Arre Manav Beta? Where were you for so long? We have so many preparations for the wedding!" exclaimed Baba, as he walked around the house. Even though the doctor had suggested he take rest for a few more days, Baba had been really energetic and excited, taking everyone by surprise, considering he was the most attached to Archana, after Manav of course. But no one chose to say anything.
"Oh Baba mein..I just went out for a walk…" replied Manav, slightly downcast.
Baba walked up to him, placing a hand on his head as he said "Manav, I know that life has been unfair to you, but just remember everything that happens happens for your own good, I promise."
Manav merely smiled and nodded, leaving to get ready in the wedding clothes.
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Three hours later, Manav was sitting in the mandap at the temple, his Baba sitting on the side on a chair, watching everything, while his mother was busy yelling at the Panditji for not having everything that he needed. Vandu had gone inside to help prepare Sravani for the wedding.
Panditji: "Ab dulhan ko bulalijiye" he said, and Manav's heart sank, this was it. He was getting married. He looked up to see Sravani entering the wedding hall, dressed in a light reddish yellow sari, a faint blush on her cheeks, and her pregnancy bump visible.
As Sravani was made to sit down next to Manav, everyone heard a sharp cry from Baba, as he clutched his chest, "Ma..Manav…" he screamed.
Manav and the others were by his side within seconds, "Baba!" he screamed, as he yelled to Tarun, who just happened to be there, to get a taxi so they could get Baba to the hospital. Manav held Baba in his hands, "You'll be fine…Nothing will happen" he said, softly. Savita Aai had tears running down her cheeks as she went and stood in front of Bappa, praying to God that her husband would be alright, that he would be in no danger.
Baba's face had seemingly gone pale, as he struggled with his words. Sravani, who had remained quiet the entire time, suddenly clutched her stomach as pain seemed to shoot through her. "Arghhh!" she let out a scream as she fell down on the floor. Girish was by her side and had lifted her to take her down.
The taxi had come by then, and the four Baba, Manav, Sravani, and Girish, rushed ahead to the hospital. Savita Aai and Vandu were following closely behind.
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"Doctor! Aap please do something" pleaded Manav, as he saw both Sravani and Baba being taken to different rooms to get their check ups done. He collapsed onto a chair, hiding his face in his hands, Why me? It's always me! He sobbed.
Everyone stood around solemnly, waiting for the doctors to come out and say something, anything about their two family members who were inside.
Finally, after what seemed to be an hour, the doctor emerged from Baba's room, "Woh. Mr. Deshmukh? Your father s fine. I had said he shouldn't do too much work and he didn't listen. This time though you were lucky and got to the hospital on time. Next time, f this happens again, you definitely will not be as lucky" he said, his eyes stern and accusatory.
A small smile of gratefulness appeared on his face as he looked at the doctor "Thanks a lot. Thanks so much doctor saab. I promise, no exertion any time. Ever"
The doctor nodded, smiled, and left, and the family was sitting there waiting for Sravani's doctor to come out and say something.
Soon enough, Sravani's doctor did come out, a very serious look as she talked to Manav and the rest of the family. "Her condition is very serious right now, and we're going to have to operate on her. She's stable for now, and wants to talk to someone named Manav, so I would suggest you do whatever she says. It seems as if she's in this condition because she faced some serious stress" the doctor ended, a grim look on her face.
"But..but she'll be ok, right?" Manav asked, the worry clearly etched on his face.
"Nothing is for sure now…." replied the doctor. "Anyways, as I was saying, you have about two hours with her before we operate." Saying so, the doctor turned and left needing to tend to other patients.
Manav rushed inside with Girish, where the two saw Sravani connected to a bunch of tubes, looking quite pale and weak. It was obvious that she was facing some stress. However, as she saw them enter, Sravani looked up to the two and slowly called out "Archana…" her voice weak and obviously very strained.
Manav looked at her confused "Archana? She's not here, we told her not to come, remember? Don't worry."
Sravani however once again called out Archana's name. "Bring her here….I want to talk to her…"
Girish was more than confused but heeded his daughter's words, and so he left to call Archana and tell her to come to the hospital as soon as possible.
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Thirty Minutes Later….
Archana came rushing in to the hospital. As soon as she had heard that both Baba and Sravani had been admitted to the hospital, she hadn't heard anything else. Dropping whatever she was doing, she had taken the first auto she could find to get here.
"The Deshmukhs…What room are they in?" she questioned the woman at the reception, panting, out of breath.
As soon as the woman told her, Archana ran inside the hospital, trying to find the room, when she came across the hallway where she found Girish, Vandu, and Savita Aai all standing, looking lost and numb.
She ran to Savita Aai, holding her by the shoulders, "What happened? Is Sravani ok? The baby??" Archana was frantic with worry. Although the other girl had treated her cruelly, Archana could not help but sympathize, feel bad for her, and worry about her.
Savita quietly pointed to the room in front of her, and Archana rushed in, only to find Manav sitting next to her, holding her hand, while she had her eyes closed and was lying calmly. "Manav.." she slowly whispered, not wanting to wake up Sravani.
Manav looks up at her, but before he opens his mouth, Sravani opens her eyes and calls out to Archana, telling her to come closer. Archana went and stood next to Manav, and Sravani took a hold of both of their hands.
"Archana, Manav" she began, "First of all, I want to apologize. I know that I will probably not make it through the operation, but I want to see you both together, rectify the mistakes I've made and bring two lovers together. I want to see you married…"
The couple looked at each other in shock, and then back at Sravani, their mouths slightly parted with confusion. "Sravani, what are you saying? What about you, the baby? Don't worry about Archana and me. We were probably never meant to be…We will get married, for you, for Sachin's baby…" Manav said, his voice calm and controlled, as he looked at Sravani, who was as pale as a ghost.
"Han Sravani. You both have to get married, for your baby…" supported Archana, as she smiled softly at the woman lying the hospital bed, looking defeated.
Sravani looked at the both of them, and continued. "Guys, both of you, It hurts me to talk, so just listen to me and don't argue. Manav, go bring Baba, Papa, Savita Aai, and Vandu here. I need to tell everyone."
He silently nodded and went outside to go to the doctor, and bring everyone into the room. Soon 15 minutes later, everyone was assembled in the room, waiting to see what Sravani had to say to them.
"I know, I probably don't have much more of life left in me, and I want to see that Archana and Manav are married, right now, right in front of my eyes. Consider this a dying woman's last wish, but I've realized that I've made mistakes, and Archana and Manav are the two that belong together" she pleaded with everyone, as they all stared at her dumbfounded.
"Getting married, now?" asked Girish. "You sure about this beti?"
"Han Papa, I've never been more sure in my life" she responded, as she once again took both Archana's and Manav's hands and placed them in each others.
"Anyways Manav, you're already dressed for a wedding" she joked, a small smile on her face. "Just get some sindoor from the mandir outside, and marry her again Manav. Please"
However, no one responded. No one moved, not even flinched as she spoke those words. They remembered how the doctor had told them that she shouldn't face any more stress, how they should all do whatever she wants them to.
When Sravani asked once again though, she told Savita Aai to go get the sindoor, and she listened, walking out of the hospital room, thinking how her son's life had changed miraculously within a matter of minutes. He was not remarrying his ex-wife, he would be getting the opportunity to restart his life, and she had never been more content. Her son was finally getting the happiness he deserved and she was more than happy.
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Savita Aai slowly made her way back into the hospital room, and she saw Archana smiling, tears flowing down her eyes, as Manav held her shoulders and the both of them thanked Sravani. On seeing Savita, Sravani called her out "Aai, yeh Manav ko dijiye" referring to the red powder that was in her hand.
When Savita Aai finally came in front of Manav, she held her hand out, indicating that Manav take that as sindoor. Archana was standing in front of him, dressed in a simple blue sari with a green border, no jewelry on her other than a simple pair of bangles, and some earrings. A small black bindi adorned her face, and to him, she had never looked more beautiful. Stepping forward, he took some of the sindoor with his two fingers, and raised his hand to her head.
The couple looked at Sravani once again, who gave them a reassuring smile, her hand on her stomach, as she felt her baby kicking.
Manav turned back to Archana, to see the twinkle in her eyes. The happiness that they would finally be one again. Not turning away, as the two continuously stared into each others eyes, the love shining bright, he filled the parting of her hair, marking her as his once again. His, and his alone.
Tears were glistening in their eyes, and they didn't turn away from each other, standing there, just savoring the moment, while everyone watched the couple relive their happiness. Only when Sravani began clapping were the two suddenly disturbed out of their thoughts, and quickly looked away.
Everyone in the family came up to them, congratulated them, blessed them, and gave them their love. Indeed, Sravani had made a wise decision, she had done something right.
Hi! So there's one more part left! please do read and comment! :)
