This is my first (and probably last) piece of writing. I had written it few months back for an AT thread but never posted it in MF. Though of posting it now after Gauri's comeback. Specially for my AnSh AT buddies who wanted to see AnSh encounter with Gauri.. 😛
It was a breezy, cold December morning. Anandi woke up to the sound of alarm clock. It was still dark outside. She was feeling sleepy. She gazed at Shiv lying beside her who was in deep sleep. A beautiful smile appeared on her face as she looked at his innocent face. Last night they had a long chat.. They talked about their future, their dreams, and their life together. Thinking about all that, she didn't even realize when she dozed off again.
15 minutes later, fully awake, Anandi rushed to the bathroom for getting ready. A busy day was waiting ahead for them. Her NGO Bhaili had organized a health check and awareness camp for women and children which would be starting from today. She finished her bath and came out to find Shiv still sleeping.
"Shiv please get up" She called him softly.. But her words didn't affect his sleep.
She went near the bed. "Shiv, we are getting late. We have to reach to the camp in time. Please get up".
Shiv slowly opened up his eyes and smiled at the fresh and cheerful face of his wife. "I am preparing breakfast. Get ready soon and come downstairs. We have to leave by 8 am." He nodded smilingly still staring at her. The urge in his eyes was tempting her to stay back but she swept aside those thoughts and left the room.
Nathu was already in the kitchen and he helped Anandi to prepare parathas and sabji. It was necessary to have heavy breakfast as she wasn't sure they will be able to have their lunch on time. Soon Anandi and Shiv had breakfast and left for the camp. "Anandi, did you have your juice or not?" Shiv didn't forget to ask her while starting his SUV.
They reached the camp site in 15 minutes. The inauguration ceremony was to be started at sharp 9 am. Anandi had worked hard for last few days for the camp, getting the necessary permissions, approaching hospitals to provide necessary medical aids and making all other arrangements. A renowned lady social worker from Rajasthan, PratibhaDevi, was invited for the opening ceremony. Doctors from few hospitals in Mumbai, Jaipur & Bangalore were invited for the camp.
The opening ceremony started on time. Shiv and Anandi were sitting on the stage. PratibhaDevi formally inaugurated the camp and shared her thoughts with the ladies. After the opening ceremony, the medical procedures started. There were separate wards for women and children. Anandi along with Chanda and few other ladies went to children's ward while Shiv went to the NGO office temporarily set up at the camp sight to finish some pending work.
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In a hotel room in Udaipur, Gauri was getting ready for going to the camp. As she was about to leave her room, she received a call from her Senior Dr. Sinha. "Dr. Gauri, when are you reaching? The checkups have started." "Yes Dr, I will be reaching in another 15 minutes." Gauri said and left the hotel. She had chosen to skip the opening ceremony to prepare for the lecture, which she was supposed to deliver later in the day. As she reached the camp site, she could notice medical facilities set up on a large area. She wasn't very excited about the idea of the camp. But treating her patients always created a sense of satisfaction within her. That was the reason she had agreed at the last moment to attend the camp when Dr. Sinha asked her about it, without even bothering who had arranged it.
As she entered inside, she saw a cabin on the right side. "There is nobody around here, should I check inside this cabin", unsure about what to so, she knocked at the cabin door.
"Please come in", said Shiv without looking up from the file in front of him. Gauri came in. "I am Dr. Gauri". Now Shiv looked up. "Oh Dr, nice to see you. Welcome to the camp. I am Shivraj Shekhar. Dr. Sinha had informed me that you will be coming. Let me accompany you to meet him".
They reached to the room where Dr. Sinha was talking to few other doctors. "So Dr. Gauri, you are in. Let's get to work" Dr. Sinha welcomed her, "I think you have already met him." He turned towards Shiv. "He is the collector of Udaipur. He and his wife run this NGO". "Such a young Collector, quite impressive", Gauri thought to herself. Dr. Sinha instructed Gauri to take care of the patients in women's ward and started towards children's ward. Shiv followed Dr. Sinha.
In the child care ward, Anandi was busy talking to the children. She was so much enjoying taking care of them that she didn't even notice Shiv coming in. Shiv could not help but steal glances at his beautiful wife while Dr. Sinha was discussing something with him. Anandi was looking elegant in her simple ghagra. She was 4 months pregnant. "Is her pregnancy the reason behind this glow on her face", Shiv thought. After some time Dr. Sinha left and Shiv was relieved. He went towards Anandi.
"Our child will be so lucky. You will make such a perfect mother for him." He said fondly looking at her.
"Shiv, still its long time", she replied shyly, "Well Shiv, I have to yet visit the women's ward." "Anandi, please take care of yourself. Don't stress yourself so much." Shiv said while she was leaving.
The women's ward was on the other side, a 5 minutes' walk. While walking Anandi suddenly felt some dizziness. She stopped for a moment, but continued again. Till she reached the room, she had almost lost her consciousness. She was about to fall down when Chanda held her. One lady immediately rushed to call Dr. Gauri who was nearby. By the time Gauri came, Chanda had helped Anandi to lie on bed.
Gauri entered inside.. She was seeing something which she wouldn't have expected in her wildest imagination.
"You.. what are you doing here in Udaipur", she almost shouted looking at Anandi. Anandi was equally surprised to see her. She clearly remembered Gauri's name was not there in the doctor's list. There might be some last minute change by the hospital.. A thought came to her mind even in that condition.
Chanda was aware of Anandi's state. "Anandiji is expecting", she tried to tell Gauri. Now Gauri wasn't able to keep her cool. "I will be able to check her if you leave from here". She gave Chanda a disgusted look.. Chanda left, looking bit confused.
"Oh God Anandi, you will never let me live in peace. You have to follow me wherever I go. You have taken away my Jagat from me. You must me happy with it. Now, for God's sake, why don't you leave me alone?" Gauri was screaming.
Anandi could not understand what was going on.. "Gauri please do not shout. There are patients around here."
"So you will teach me now. I know very well what to do with my patients. And who are you to tell me all this.. I always knew you were very clever. I always knew you will steal my Jagat from me. But anyways.. I don't need him now. I am not a village girl like you who doesn't have anything else to do in life other than running after her husband. I am a successful doctor today. I am happy with my life". Gauri was still shouting.
"Excuse me, you can't talk to her like this", a stern voice came from behind. It was Shiv.
"Sir, you don't know what kind of manipulative lady she is. I know her very well."
"I don't need to know from you what she is and what she isn't." Said Shiv, trying to control his anger.
"But sir, why are you taking her side?" Gauri was furious at him now.
"I am not talking to you as a collector but as Mr. Shiv Raj Shekhar..." Shiv stopped in between as he saw Anandi closing her eyes. "Anandi.." He looked helpless. The concern and care in his voice was evident which made Gauri even more restless.
By that time, Chanda had managed to call Dr. Sinha, who entered the room along with her.
"Sir, don't worry. Let me check her" Dr. Sinha assured Shiv and turned towards Gauri. "Hurry up Dr. Gauri, do I need to tell you. Please check her blood pressure". He instructed Gauri. Unwillingly Gauri wrapped the band around Anandi's hand. Dr. Sinha checked Anandi.
"There is no need to worry. She is fine. This has happened because of overstress. She just needs to rest and she will be ok. Anandi madam, I suggest you both take a short break from work. Also make sure you keep intaking enough amounts of fluids. A fresh fruit juice or glucose water would help you." Dr. Sinha smiled and left.
Now Gauri was not able to make any sense out of the happenings around her. "How come this ganwar influences everybody.. first this collector and then Dr. Sinha". She was getting more and more irritated at Anandi.
Shiv went to Anandi ignoring the presence of Gauri. "Anandi, I told you not to stress yourself. See what happened now. If our family comes to know about this, they will start scolding me for not taking care of you. Chotimaa is so worried about you. Some time back she called me to tell that she is coming with lunch. Now you have to take rest till lunch, I won't allow you to do any work."
Gauri was totally confused by his words. Why is he getting so close to her.. What does he mean by our family.. Does that mean.. no, no, how is that possible. This smart, handsome IAS officer, how can he choose to marry a village girl like Anandi. I should not even let such stupid thoughts come to my mind. That's not possible. Gauri tried to assure herself... But then how come she is looking so confident. She is definitely not the same Anandi which I had met last in Jaitser.. A lot of thoughts were hitting her hard.
She looked towards Shiv. "Collector Sir, she is the one because of whom.."
"Wait Gauri", Shiv stopped her in between. "I should have realized it when I read your name in the doctors list. But I thought it could just be a coincidence. I usually don't talk to women this rudely as I respect them a lot. But the way you were shouting at Anandi forced me to say all this. Let me make it clear Gauri, Anandi is my wife. She is not with Jagdish now."
Shiv continued, "In past also, you misbehaved with Anandi. You always considered her to be responsible for your own mistakes. But now, I won't let you utter a single word against her. And please don't forget, Anandi is the director of the NGO which has organized this camp."
Anandi was much better now. "It was never me who crossed your path. It was always you Gauri.. The sooner you understand this, the better it will be for you", she just said few words calmly. Shiv helped her in getting up and they left from there without even looking at Gauri, who was too shocked to react.
Gauri was in fact getting another shock, this time a bigger, a shock of her lifetime... She stood there speechless.
She had once again lost it to Anandi.
PS: I am nowhere related to medical field.. So please ignore bloopers, if any!
Ye Hai Mohabbatein
Anupamaa
