OS: Somewhere in the future. epilogue pg 23 - Page 8

Hey eagerly waiting for next update. Her colleagues know about acp wife is a doctor. So some one shud reveal that to sai.

A loud scream erupted from the room upstairs.

Both the occupants in the dining area leapt to their feet inutter confusion.

Who was it? And what happened? Sukhiram, already midway, hastened his pace up the stairs to the direction of the source. Maria followed him as fast as her bulk would allow.

“Dr Ma’am!” There was no reason to knock on the door. In no time it flung wide open. Sukhiram had to step aside to avoid the outcoming missile.

“Maria Ma’am! Sukhiram Bhaiya! There is a chhipkali…” Clearly out of breath, Sai’s outstretched finger pointed to the space between the almirah and the table. Maria coaxed her to the dining room and helped her to the nearest chair.

“Easy, Dr Ma’am. That wound on your leg will open up otherwise!”

It was then that it registered. The sharp stabbing pain from her toe, which brushed aside all her concerns for the ugly reptile. She bent forward to get a better view, and then froze midway.

For someone else had stepped into view.

The wound had opened and blood was trickling out, but the bearer of the pain was numb from within.

He was here, standing a couple of feet away.

***

That scream was a dead giveaway. A small knowing smile curled around his lips. She screamed that way only when she saw the crawling reptile.

Once she had been seated in a chair with Maria fussing over her, he had stepped forward.

She chose to look up at that very instance.

He would have sworn at her reaction on sighting him. A split second of joy intermingled with pain. Then the aloofness as she had looked back to her feet.

“What’s this, Dr Ma’am? A small Lizard will not eat you alive. What was the need to come dancing like this? See what have you done to yourself? The wound has opened up. And the doctors have gone on their duty, there is nobody to attend to you. ACP saab, can we borrow your vehicle again?”

“Not needed, Ma’am. I can do the dressing myself! Just get me the first aid box, please!” He was surprised at the cold voice. It seemed so alien.

Sukhiram handed the box to her. She neatly cleaned the wound and rebandaged it herself. Handing over the box to Sukhiram, she flexed her toe and tried to stand up. Maria rushed to support her.

“Easy, Dr Ma’am? Does it hurt?”

“No, it does not…” She shook her head, looking everywhere else. In fact nothing hurt her anymore ever since. She had made herself that way. He had expected nothing less from her.

“Ok, have Lunch now. At least a few bites. You skipped dinner and even today’s breakfast. If you continue like this, you will be weak and wont be able to report to duty tomorrow!”

That clinched it and she nodded silently. Maria coaxed her as Sukhiram got her tray.

“Ok, now eat properly. And I totally forgot to introduce our guest for today. ACP Virat Chavan, who is staying next door in the police guesthouse!

She folded her hands neatly. History was repeating itself. She had the utmost contempt for him when her father had first introduced them. But today was different. He nodded, trying hard to read her expression. Nothing. She might as well be looking through him. Sukhiram handed over his tray to him.

“ACP Saab, your lunch”!

“Thank You!” The reply was automatic.

He nodded distractedly and started eating delicately. Maria tried to indulge in some small talk at the lunch table.

“The food is good..” Sukhiram looked happy. The talk then veered to family background.

“ACP saab, you know, even Sai is from a police family background. Her father was a police officer!”

“Yes, I know..” It inadvertently slipped out and Sai looked up sharply. Virat’s eyes were fixed on her.

“You know?”

“Yes. We are from the same force. In fact, her father was…”The sound of the chair being pulled back broke the sentence midway. Sai was standing holding the half eaten meal on the tray.

“I am done!”

Virat never knew when he stood up on an autopilot, his eyes tracking her like a radar. He winced inwardly when she painfully hobbled over to the far side of the hall, deposit the tray and then hobbled back to her room.

“I am done too..”

He never knew that his eyes had displayed a raw yearning over the bent head at the table. The same had been pretty blatant as she moved across the room. And that it had not gone unnoticed by a pair of astute eyes.

“But you have hardly eaten anything. ACP saab, is the food not as per your choice?” Sukhiram looked acutely unhappy.

“Nothing like that. I am not that hungry today!” Virat muttered his apologies. His mind was faraway. She was clearly hurt. Not just body but also the soul. Just a shadow of what she was and would have been.

Impatient honking of the car outside broke the silence. Dhaniram had come to pick up Sukhiram. They both had plans to enjoy and splurge in the Sunday market at the district town.

***

Sai limped painfully to her room and collapsed. Why did he have to be here? Clutching her Baba’s photo to her bosom, her eyes brimmed over and the dam broke.

Why…why did he have to be here? She had run away from him. His house and family. No matter what you did, you never measured up. Uncultured and mannerless, they never called her one of theirs. She never minded it because of her rock. One that she could lean on. But of late she had started realizing that even her anchor was starting to give away. And then there was this proverbial thorn called Patralekha. A woman wronged by her husband.

Sai sat bolt upright at this and wiped her face clean. She could never understand the family dynamics. How could he marry her when he was committed to someone else? A feat made possible only because her marriage was just a formality. Once that was over, he was free. Patralekha, waiting in the wings, would in turn divorce her husband and the lovers would unite.

And now he was married. Hopefully to her, or someone from their clan. Something that she had facilitated by her exit from the house. So how did he matter now? she had left all that behind. That moment was like a rebirth for her. She wiped her face clean and smiled amidst tears at her Aaba’s framed photograph, holding it at an arm’s length.

“Aaba, you know what…Virat Sir was here today. I pretended that I don’t know him, maintained him at an arm’s distance. We are strangers to each other now. Just casual…” She froze midway. For the photograph clearly showed the reflection of a figure standing in the door.

Tagging further

Hope I have not missed anyone. Please message me otherwise.

Yes caught this update almost immediately. Finally they are face to face. The touch of incorporating chipkali here is nicely done. I'm glad virat can sense that she is hurt to see him rather than indifferent. Look forward to seeing whats next. As always I'll say please update SOON!!! When i reach the end of the chapter, i want more and its so difficult to be patient ! 😅

Interesting.... finally they came face to face....

Both trying to avoid each other being in their own assumptions.... from now only I am excitedly waiting for the truths to come out, atleast MU of Sai that he has remarried....😃

I guess the person on the door might be Maria who has also observed things at dining table....

Waiting for next part.. please update soon...

What an amazing story. Loved it. It is too good and quite interesting too. Loved the concept.

Originally posted by: Thanuj

Who z that person???

Tagge you by mistake 🙈.

Wow…finally they met face to face. Sai has so much misunderstanding and Virat knows that she is hurt. Can’t wait to see how their misunderstanding is going to clear off. I hope someone from her team at least tell her about his wife being a doctor. Can’t wait for more.

Fantastic update

Finally they know their existence

But when they will meet???

Please update soon

Finally after misses, they meet. Aww I felt sad for Sai as she broke down when she was alone. I felt equally sad for Virat. Would love to read how their conversation pans out. Waiting for the next chapter. Thanks for the tag ☺️