The Rainbow - A Shruthi-Shirley Collab - Ch-15 on P-23 - Page 15

Take ur time.. Happy makar sakranthi to u

hello friends..

Chapter 13: A Lapse

As he and Malini were relaxing in the waiting room with their eyes closed, Keshav looked up when someone lightly tapped his shoulder and asked, "Mr. Keshav Mehra?"

Malini too opened her eyes at the voice.

He nodded, "Yes?"

"I am Abhijeet Sinha, Radhika Sinha's husband."

"Oh!" he smiled broadly, "Really nice to meet you. This is my wife Malini."
Abhijeet and Malini acknowledged the introduction with a smile, then both Keshav and Malini said at the same time.

"I just don't know how to thank.."

"I cant express enough gratitude.."

Both stopped when they realized the other was speaking and all three broke into a brief laughter.

Abhijeet said, "ok, I think I get the gist of what you were both trying to say. Pardon my immodesty when I say this, but I am really proud of Rads.. I mean Radhika!", he was beaming now. The couple nodded at him appreciatively.

He continued, "I'm here now. So you both go home, rest for a while and get freshened up and then come."

"oh no Abhijeet, its perfectly fine. Radhika has already done so much for us. Please don't disturb your routine f.." Keshav said, only to be interrupted midway by Abhi.

"Don't worry about my routine. I have a night shift today and both kids are at school. So, you see, its not a bother at all. And Keshav face it. You will both be in a better frame of mind after even an hour's rest and freshening up. M sure, lil' Diya would not like her parents looking as if a tornado hit them."

"but.." Malini still hesitated.

"please trust me Maliniji I have two kids of my own. I will be very careful."

"Please call me just Malini.. and its not.. how could you tthink I didn't trust you? Only a mother's heart doesn't listen.. "

Abhi looked at keshav and the two men silently exchanged messages.. with Abhi saying something like "Your department!" and Keshav acknowledging the same, before turning to his wife,

"Malini, I think he's right. Lets go home and get freshened up. Diya, as it is, is sleeping. Abhijeet is here too."

Abhi too chimed in, "yes go. I promise, I will call you immediately , in case anything turns up. Plus, bua is also here. "

Still reluctantly, Malini went home with Keshav. Keshav and Pratibha bua talked and chit chatted with each other to while away the time.After about 35 minutes, she said. "Beta, I need to use the restroom, you are here, right?"

"Yes bua, I am right here. You can take your time. If you feel like, go to the canteen and have something too. There's still time for them to return, so that I can drop you home."

"No hurry beta, I will come" with that she left towards the far away restrooms. Just then, Abhi got a call from his office. As the signal was weak, he unintentionally moved away from the waiting area outside Diya's ward, without even realizing. He was totally engrossed in his call.

A while later, Malini and Keshav entered the waiting area to get the shock of their lives. Neither of the two people on whom they had trusted with their precious daughter, was present and rthe nurse was frantically looking for someone who is with Diya. They frantically rushed to the nurse and asked her the matter, nurse stold them that Diya has got a reaction from a drug administered to her and she was looking for someone to bring the antidote from the medical store outside. Five precious minutes had already been wasted.

Abhi walked in as the nurse was explaining. He sprang into action and grabbed the prescription from the nurse's hand to rush to the med. Store. But keshav angrily snatched it from him and went to the med. Store. .

ooho misunderstandings already.. nice twist Shirley.. waiting for Shruthi's update on how she would handle this..

Good take Shirley. But from tomorrow my schedule is a bit erratic till Feb 3rd as there is temple festival at my hubby's place. So family will be there and since it is annual festival guests also will come. I will update as soon as I get time.

will wait Shruthi.. take ur time..

Chapter 14- The Responsiblity

Radhika was busy with her work in office. The hearing in the morning was very tough and they really had to press hard to get the judge look into the new evidence presented. She was grateful to Charu for pointing out the critical factor from the file.

" Charu, Dileep we have got only 3 days now before the final hearing. I suppose both of you have made notes of today's proceedings. By today evening I want the independent review of proceedings from both of you. Tomorrow morning first thing we will discuss the case and then prepare the strategy". Both her juniors nodded

Afternoon flied for Radhika what with 2 client meetings and another meeting with one of her partners. The partner had given her 3 case files and she was supposed to take one among it as part of the firm's CSR activity. One has to be taken by Keshav and whatever remaining based on the case the specialized lawyer will take.

It was the firm's policy that in a year they will spend 5% of their profit for very genuine cases from impoverished background. They had contacts with various NGOs and they submitted cases. The partners evaluate each case on its merit and then finalize 3-5 cases every year to take up. Being the star lawyer Radhika always got the first choice on which case she wanted to take.

Radhika told the partner she will look into it and will reply in couple of days. As she came out she was tired. It was then she remembered she had neither called Abhi nor Keshav. She checked the watch. It was going to be six in the evening. She decided on the way back home she will visit the hospital .

Radhika bought some oranges for the child on the way. When she reached the hospital she was directed towards the ICU where she saw Keshav, Malini and both their parents were there.

Though they spoke to her Radhika felt they were kind of aloof. Malini didn't exhibit the warmth she had in the morning and she felt Keshav was a bit angry. Their parents though were polite with her. Anyways knowing Diya was doing good and seeing the support has come for them Radhika bade goodbye.

But she was disturbed so once she was out of ear shot she called Prathiba bua and asked did something go wrong. Prathiba bua narrated the entire incident to her. How the child had a reaction. How she was in canteen and Abhi went out taking an official call. She told the couple were quite perturbed because it took doctors around two hours to stabilize the child. She told she was thankful that the child doesn't have any major issues. Else she would have never been able to forgive herself.

Radhika nodded her head in despair. Responsibility and Abhi were like north and south poles. Only thing he understood was office responsibility.

When she reached home Abhi was getting ready for office. She glanced at him.Seeing his wife Abhi knew Radhika has known everything

" Rads see I really didn't.." Abhi started

" I know you really didn't mean it Abhi. But what Keshav and Malini wouldn't have understood is that you would have done the same thing if Rohan was there instead of Diya. I cant put Rohan in ICU to prove to them you don't have any bias when it comes to responsibility other than office. Problem is mine. I allowed you to go because Prathiba bua was there. I shouldn't have"

Abhi wanted to tell something, but then he was getting late. He just took the car keys and walked out. Radhika looked at him and thought. When will he learn to look the world beyond that office, when will he realize there is responsibility outside office also.

Oo Radhika and Abhi also are going to be having another argument.. and Keshav could also take time to forgive and understand..

See one incident and all of Radhika's hard work is derailed. If something had gone wrong with Diya whatever they say and do, nothing can compensate those 5 or 10 mins delay

Originally posted by: shruthiravi

See one incident and all of Radhika's hard work is derailed. If something had gone wrong with Diya whatever they say and do, nothing can compensate those 5 or 10 mins delay