Hamaari Prem Kahaani......#5 Part 64/ Pg 139 Dt 24/05 - Page 61

KHURANA MANSION

[Rajiv's POV]

We returned home with a heavy heart Maan had coaxed us to leave, come home and take rest. Past 48 hours had been taxing on our family, non could sleep a wink! But sleep still seemed far off, with Geet and baby fighting for their lives, no news about Dev, Vicky and the rest were the cause of our worry.

Maa (Savitridevi) and Pari had stayed back home still continuing the Maha-yagna not wanting to stop the puja mid-way. The mansion was still echoing with the holy mantras, that a number of priests were chanting non stop.

Quickly all the other ladies too joined in but I didn't let Aparna go, she seemed really tired and sick and needed rest. She was adamant but on Papa's (Ranjit Singh Khurana) insistence she finally complied to take rest for sometime. Papa informed us that Maa had vowed to continue this yagna until all the children are back home safe and sound!

I escorted Aparna to our room to ensure she rests though I knew non of us could rest in this situation. All we could do is to pray to Almighty to keep our children safe!

HOSPITAL

[Maan's POV]

These two days were probably the worst days of my life! Never ever have I felt so scared and helpless. Today while bringing a nearly lifeless Geet to the hospital, leaving heavily wounded Dev back in the forest I was torn between my duties as a husband, son, brother and a father. I managed to save my family but Dev?

Neither can I leave Geet here in this state nor did I receive any news regarding Vicky, Dev and the rest from the forest. Each passing moment making me restless and worried!

Sitting here on the hospital bed from past few hours with Geet in my arms like assuring myself she is with me and will be safe! Nothing will happen to her or our baby! Doctors words reverberating in my ears that there are high chances of miscarriage and Geet slipping in coma as she hasn't gained conscious inspite of all their attempts.

It would be morning in sometime but still Geet wasn't conscious. I hold her more securely to myself and silently pray to Babaji to keep both the angels of my life safe!

"Babaji bahot mushkil se, apne ateet ke andheron se nikal kar, humne ek nayi duniya basaayi hain, phir se jeene ki koshish ki hain, iss sapne ko, hamaari duniya ko, hamaare rishtey ko toot ne mat dena...Meher karna Babaji! Geet aur hamare baby ko theek kar do!" I pleaded to him.

A tear escaped my eye and fell on her closed lids and she twitched her brows for a brief second. I was overwhelmed with her slight movement, how could I forget she could always sense my pain no matter the distance, no matter the situations and here even in her unconscious state she could feel my pain!

I smiled at my angel and whispered in her ears.

"Geet main jaanta hoon tum mujhe sun sakti ho...main bahot akela pad gaya hoon...tum mujhe kaise chod sakti ho. Hamaara baby bhi shikayat kar raha hain ke tum usse mujhse door le jaa rahi ho...aisa mat karna...main jee nahi paaunga...main mar jaaunga...tumhaara Maan mar jaayega Geet...Please wapas aa jao!" I confessed ruefully.

And My Geet didn't disappoint me!

"Maan..."

She painfully whispered, struggling to open her eyes and finally managed to open them, looking at me with love slowly raising her hand in attempt to wipe my tears. She looked around confusingly and I quickly informed her that we were safe in the hospital. As realization dawned to her she restlessly started caressing me like making sure I was alright reminding me that she had fainted hearing the gun shot and had no idea what transpired later.

I hugged her assuring her that I was all fine, she smiled but the next moment she touched her stomach looking at me she fearfully inquired.

"Baby?"

"Baby is fine Geet" She eased a bit and again she spoke out.

"Maa?"

"Maa bhi theek hain, ghar gayi hain aaraam karne." I reassured her calmly but the next moment she looked straight in my eyes and reluctantly asked.

"Dev?" I stiffened at her query but immediately masked my face off any worry and replied.

"Vicky aur sab hain uske saath, tum stress mat lo aur ab rest karo, main abhi Doctor ko bula kar aata hoon."

I tried to sound normal, Geet was still weak and not in a condition to take any stress. I slowly laid her down and started to walk away when she held my hand and said.

"Maan mujhe ghar jaana...please!" I nodded and left the room making an excuse to call the Doctor knowing she can easily look through me and I wouldn't be able to hide my worry from her.I immediately called for the doctor who came and examined Geet.

Faint traces of light entered our room as the darkness of the night made way for a bright new day. The doctor smiled at me and stated.

"Mr Khurana her BP is normal and seems very soon she will be all fine! Nothing to worry now Geet and your baby are safe!"

I couldn't thank Almighty enough for giving me back my life, our happiness! Not wanting to stay any longer in this gloomy atmosphere of the hospital I quickly asked the doctor if I could take Geet home, promising her to make all the required arrangements at home and will take utmost care of Geet and our baby.

Dr reluctantly agreed.

"Though we need to keep her under observation for a day or two but if you insist you can take her. Also please be very careful and keep her away from any kind of emotional or physical stress or shock." I nodded in agreement. I would make sure to keep her away from any kind stress or discomfort.

The doctor's statement that Geet was out of danger acted like a balm to my wounded soul! Breathing a sigh of relief I walked in the washroom to freshen up. Now with Geet and our baby safe I had to ensure that Dev is also safe! Vicky hadn't called me yet though Arjun had text me sometime back about all the arrests. We had no clue about the rest of the happenings there.

Pari's pained face kept flashing in my eyes! I was her Veerji (Big Brother), her trust and belief in me so deep that she stood up against her own brother. Now that she knows Dev was not involved in the kidnapping and had inturn saved our lives. We left him alone there to fight all the goons. How was I going to face her now...I failed in living up to her faith in me!

I splashed some water on my face and looking at my reflection in the mirror. "Dev ka ehsaan aur Pari ka vishwaas hain mujh par mujhe har haal mein unn dono ka maan rakhna hain!"

Picking up the towel drying my face I walked out with determination and called Dad informing him about our arrival.

KHURANA MANSION

[Maan's POV]

Arjun and I had completed all the required formalities at the hospital while Aadi had already arranged for all the required equipment for Geet in our room at the mansion. The whole family was elated to have us back, I carried Geet in my arms while Maa and Rano Maa did the aarti to welcome us and ward off the evil shadow looming over our family.

I had already informed Dad about Doctor's advice so non debated over the happenings in Geet's presence. I walked up to my room and carefully placed Geet on the bed while the Doctor and nurses settled her. I sat beside her and informed her.

"Geet saare kidnappers arrest ho gaye hain, kuch legal formalities hain jo mujhe complete karni hain issliye main thodi der ke liye bahaar jaa raha hoon, tum pareshan mat hona, main jaldi laut aaunga...Hmmm"

Geet who was still weak and under the effect of medicines nodded and then fell asleep immediately, Maa and Rano Maa volunteered to be with her thereby giving me sometime to look out for Dev and the rest.

Everybody was frantically trying to reach out to them since yesterday but to no avail! Non of them were receiving our calls, each passing moment was worrying us. I was appalled by their irresponsible behavior knowing that Dev was heavily wounded still... Not having any more patience finally we decided to personally go and look for them.

Arjun, Aadi and I were all set to leave when a disheveled Vicky entered through the main door followed by Teji, Lucky and Yash. I rushed to them but before I could inquire anything Maa just barged to him questioning him about Dev.

A tongue-tied Vicky couldn't meet our eyes and this was scaring me!

I turned him to me and questioned him.

"Dev kahaan hain?"

He stiffened at my question confirming my doubt that something grave had happened. Pari too joined in confronting, pleading, begging him to reveal. Ever since she was told that Dev was innocent and how he had safeguarded Geet and Maa from the goons, she had been constantly praying for Dev's well being but now all her resolve and emotions were giving way. Loosing the last strand of my patience I sternly asked him.

"Saaf saaf batao Vicky, Dev...kahan...hain?"

[Vicky's POV]

For the first time in my life I was dreading to reach home! As we entered the mansion my feet seemed as if they were glued to the ground, like they weighed hundreds of kgs. I feared to face all those worried faces, pleading eyes for that one news that all is well now. But...

Yash Bhai placed a reassuring hand on me gesturing me to walk in only to come face to face with visibly anxious Bro, who was joined by Maa and Pari, all of them having just one question

"Dev kahan hain?"

Pari had even caught hold of my collar prompting, pleading and begging me to tell her about Dev. Bro was loosing his patience and finally his stern voice indicated he needed his answer. Finally gathering some strength I broke out the news to them.

"Bro woh...woh Dev... ka kuch pata nahi chal paa raha..." I announced reluctantly.

"Tum Bro ko saath nahi laaye?" Pari let go off me in shock and despair but still staring at me in disbelief of what I had just uttered.

"Nahi pata chal rahan? Iska ka kya matlab hain Vicky? Tumhe uske saath hi rehne ko kaha tha na maine, phir Dev kahan hain?" Bro yelled.

"Bro main poore waqt uske saath hi tha lekin phir woh Vikram bhaag ne ki koshish kar raha tha toh Dev ne mujhe uske peecha karne ko bola aur ..." I narrated to them all the happenings and how at the last moment Dev disappeared in the jeep.

"Maine uska peecha bhi kiya woh bahot zakhmi tha aur jeep ki speed bhi bahot zyaada thi. Woh hill top ki taraf jaa raha tha aur isse pehle ke main uss tak pohuchta, uski jeep khaai mein gir gayi."

There was pin drop silence in the hall, each persons eyes boring into me. I closed my eyes in defeat and shame to have failed in performing my duty. Yash Bhai tried to speak but I held his hand, only I was answerable to all of them. It was my duty and I had failed! I slowly continued.

"Humne Dev bahot dhoodha lekin woh nahi mila, neeche gir te waqt jeep mein bhi blast ho gaya aur...." Before I could speak any further a hard slap stung my cheek. Maa slapped me hard barring me to continue further like fearing the worst!

Grabbing me to her, she confronted me

"Aur kya Vicky...aur kya? Dev ko sahi salamat waapas le aane ki zimmedaari tumhaari thi, vaada kiya tha na tumne...toh Dev kahan hain? Kyun nahi laaye tum usse apne saath? Kaise tumne usse jaane diya bolo? Tum itne saare log milkar bhi ek Dev ka dhyaan nahi rakh paaye. Woh zakhmi tha aur tum log..."

"Main kuch nahi jaanti mujhe Dev chahiye, sahi salamat yahan wapas chahiye, warna main tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karungi Vicky!" Maa's distraught state was scaring us all Dad immediately intervened.

"Aparna please apne aap par kaabu rakho! Honsla rakho, ho sakta hain woh bilkul theek ho, hume iss waqt umeed nahi chodni chahiye." Dad tried to calm her down.

" Nahi Rajiv, galti meri hi thi mujhe wahan se aana hi nahi chahiye tha. Mujhe Dev ki baat sunni hi nahi chahiye thi. Main usse wahan akela chod ke aa gayi. Vicky pe bharosa kiya lekin...Vicky tumne yeh theek nahi kiya." Maa burst out on me.

I was so ashamed of myself!

"Aunty please, search team abhi bhi usse dhoondh rahi hain, aap please apne aap ko sambhaliye." Yash Bhai tried to console Maa.

[Maan's POV]

Vicky's statement felt as if someone had snatched away ground beneath me! I stood shocked not knowing how to react. Dev was in such a vulnerable state both mentally and physically! On top of it I had left him there alone to face those goons.

Vicky didn't fail I had failed to fulfill my duty! Dev had protected my family but I was unable to protect him. I had failed!

Maa was already agitated and all her pent up aggression came out on Vicky in form of her anger. Dad tried to calm her but to no success. Dadaji immediately called up Commissioner Uncle who informed us that Dev was still missing, the search time was unable to find him. The altitude of the hill and state of the jeep left very little hope!

Pari stood aghast hearing this news, mumbling something.

"Mere Bro ko kuch nahi hua hain...unhe kuch nahi ho sakta...maine gusse mein unhe kuch keh diya toh...woh aise mujhe punish nahi karenge...mujhe unse maafi maangni hain...woh mere saath aisa nahi kar sakte...kabhi nahi...Dad ne kaha tha Bro hamesha mere saath rahenge...woh apna promise nahi tod sakte...nahi kar sakte woh aisa...."

Dadimaa who had come out of our puja room hearing the commotion hugged Pari consoling her and spoke out.

"Pari duaon mein bahot taaqat hoti bete, woh Bhagwaan ko bhi majboor kar dete hain apna faisla badalne ke liye! Apne vishwaas par vishwaas rakho, Dev bahot jaldi mil jaayenge hume."

"Dadimaa... Bro wapas aa jaayenge na? Woh mujhe chod ke nahi jaayenge na?" Pari asked with hope in her eyes.

"Kyun nahi aayenge...zaroor aayenge...sacche dil se ki gayi dua kabhi khaali nahi jaati! Unhe wapas aana hi hoga! Aap barosa rakhiye!" Dadimaa affirmed.

With shivering hands I held Pari turning her to me but couldn't voice out anything! Just placing my hand on her head I stepped back.

The next moment Pari ran into the puja room to join in the havan followed by Maa and Dadimaa. Dadimaa's few words like pumped in hope in all of us.

We left for Police Headqauters along with Vicky and Yash to give in the smallest details which may help in the rescue operation.

I promised myself I was not going to give up.

"Dev tum aise nahi jaa sakte, tumhe wapas aana hi hoga!"

PRECAP - DEV?