Thanks sweetshona, Taz, shalini_s, Sonali, Deepali88 for such sweet wishes.
@sharon18: Aww hugs for liking this story. Awww... I really don't know if I can... but hugs for this...
@iluvmanar: Awww navs, hugs to you too... 😳 Thaanku...
@Ablank90: Gosh your username is something.. But I love your name equally... Nisha... anyways.. cho chweet of you... I love to write, but this one will end here as I am hard pressed for time and as far as committment goes, I like to keep my word. So sowie.. Rest assured though I won't abruptly end it...😳
@sangitasengupta: Thank you so much for appreciating. I know there are others who are better than I. Yes there is so much talent and I am proud to be a part of this all. Thanks for reading and liking it so far. Enjoy the rest...😳
Okay friends... as promised, I am posting another part. Forgive me if it is small, but I tried... enjoy.. The next part I shall post next week.
Thank you all... for reading. Enjoy.
Part 33
Khanak went back into her reverie as she sat in the back of her car... the traffic heavy. He had called from the hospital asking her to reach Dr. Raichand's clinic as he would be slightly delayed... but will be there in time for their appointment. he had already spoken to Dr. Raichand about his holdup. Presently she was still reminiscing of her luncheon date yesterday with her loving husband... Ma is right in calling him a budthal... but a lovable one... yes he is adorable.. he knew how to bring her to reconcile anywhere.. anytime... that was her Doc...
"Doc? Where are you?" As she entered Alby had let her know on his way out that Daadi was out attending some social Do with Madhavi Madam and Mr. Khandelwal was at work. Everyone including him had got a day off today on Dr. Baba's instructions. She was to go straight to the dining room... and he had left.. leaving her standing there stunned... But now there was no one in the dining room except for a small note which said... "To the lion's den..." Shaking her head she had and had been led to their room and now was frowning.. as the familiar smell of pasta wafted up her nose... She peeped out onto the terrace and her feet took her and stunned to see the scene... she gasped "Doc!!! Oh my God!!"
There he stood in a simply grey polo necked T-shirt and black jeans... donning a huge white apron tied around his lean middle, holding a spatula in hand tossing and mixing long thread of spaghetti in red sauce... He grinned and her face broke into a smile of pleasure... as she heard his husky.. "Ready for attack.. all yours Mrs. Jingles Khandelwal... Devour..." He stood there holding the plate as she walked up to him taking the plate.. the smile lighting up her eyes making them seem like diamonds twinkling in the light... She bit her lip and took the plate from him only to place it on the table next to them...
She grabbed his T-shirt by the collar and pulled him to her and tipped up on her tip toes and with a slow intent started to taste the streak of sauce that was inviting her at the corner of his lips... his fists bunched and he groaned, as she continued to finish her job with meticulous ease and since she could not resist, she kissed him making an appreciative sound that started somewhere deep in her throat... he kissed her back, yet tightening the leash of control... It felt like a lifetime before she leaned back breaking the kiss and murmured against his lips... "That sure is a good taster Doc.. yummy.." Breathing hard to get some control... knowing a little more was all it would take for the leash to snap... in between gasps he stole little pecks... as he spoke... "Jingles... now.. don't get waylaid.. but you.. taste like honey... I.. Oh God.. "
Just as his controls snapped she giggled, sliding her arms up from his neck to wind them around his neck and move closer to him touching him as he closed his eyes swallowing hard and his hands jerked to encircle the slim waist to slide up against her back pulling her closer to him.. drinking deeply... He broke off reluctantly as she smiled seductively and he spoke "Stop grinning like a cat who got to lick all the cream and eat before the pasta gets cold.. I know you don't like it cold..."
A twinkle came with the knowledge and biting her lip looked down... as he took in a raspy breath and kissing her lips for one last time let her go... as she took the plate and began eating with relish as he turned to uncover another dish that was huge and she gasped as she found a whole pizza bejewelled with all kinds of olives... and goats cheese... she grinned and he made a perfect round with his fore finger and thumb and murmured in a rich Italian accent... "Buon appetito mia cara" as she giggled not at all understanding what it meant but loved to hear him say mia cara which she sounded heavenly and possessive to her ears... and blushing twirled the spaghetti onto the fork and held it for him to eat.. He smiled and they shared the lunch...
A car honked and she was startled out of her reverie as the car parked neatly into the parking spot... she smiled biting her lip at her reverie, her face suffused in a soft pink colour... making her look happy and rosy... She hurried towards Sanjivani, the hospital which housed Dr. Raichand's clinic. She skimmed the parking lot and did not see his car, but carried on towards the annexe and was greeted by a roly poly figure of a woman in her late 60's who she knew was called Anne, who greeted her with a cheerful smile... "Hello Mrs. Khandelwal... Dr. Raichand will see you in his office..." Khanak knew the way and smiled cheerfully at Anne greeting her softly... "Thank you Anne..."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
She sank into a chair dazed... in shock... words echoing like demons lashing at her... her husband's desperate plea and Dr. Raichand's matter-of-fact voice laced with genuine concern and understanding... "There is no hope Shantanu, but you know in our field we always hope... if.. if she conceives, you will have to take decisions... she can't bear the baby... you know very well how extensively her uterus was damaged..." SHE CAN'T BEAR THE BABY... SHE CAN'T BEAR THE BABY... Her could not contain the tears and spilled over yet she was unawares... of her surroundings, of anything... till a gasp echoed in the room... the outer room where she was sitting and she heard a commotion as at the same time they reached her... Dr. Avni Raichand, Dr. Aryaman Raichand and her husband... "JINGLES... JINGLESS... are you okay.. what happened?"
Blue eyes pleading into accusing golden yellow orbs... 'I did not tell her...' as they both heard Shantanu desperately shaking her out of the shock... as she sobbed softly murmuring... "Can't.. can't have.. a .. can't have... baby..." The older couple gently speaking with their eyes deciding to give the younger couple some space and privacy... moved towards the door and exited softly... as Shanatnu hugged his Jingles his own eyes moist... pain slicing though his heart, holding his sobbing wife close to him... "Sh... shhh... its okay... we will... find a way Jingles I promise you.. did you hear me... please stop crying... okay... please Jingles" As she clung to him holding the collar of his shirt crushing it... taking refuge at his strong chest which heaved to control his own feelings...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Shantanu gently led her inside thankfully no one was around as Alby murmured in a concerned voice upon seeing Khanak's pale face... "Is.. everything okay Baba?" Shantanu nodded and muttered... "Alby some hot milk please..." And Alby nodded knowing only too well when to speak... Gently he made her sit on the sofa in their suite... as she lifelessly sat there looking with a void in her dull bleak eyes... After a while at Dr. Raichand's clinic she had stopped sobbing and Dr. Raichand had personally explained to her of the facts which had been with held from her since her recovery upon his insistence... knowing that sometimes emotional trauma could prevent recovery.. and that they still felt hopeful in spite of what she had heard him speak...
Presently she looked blankly as if in a distance staring at something and a small frown appeared on her forehead... but Shantanu appeared there with the glass full of milk and held it near her lips... "Here... come on I want you to finish all of that... chalo..." She was forced to swallow as he held the glass at her lips and then managed to swallow it all and he placed the glass with satisfaction getting at least some reaction from her.. though she appeared to look away listlessly again... and with a sigh he rasped grabbing her chin... "Dammit Jingles please... you know how it hurts me..." Upon which she harshly turned at him and rounded at him lashing.. "You are hurt!? You Dr. Shantanu Khandelwal.. pray tell me why... I am hurt Doc.. because I heard something which should have been shared with me by you!!!!"
Black coals flashed looking into shocked chocolate browns... before she made another choking sound and brushed his hands away and rose to rush away into the washroom... she locked the door just as he reached there... and banged on the door consistently till she spoke.. "I want to be alone" almost choking but her voice appeared steady... his balled fist stilling mid air and his nostrils expressed his anger directed at himself, the frustration at the helpless situation... and he walked out of the room... She broke down again as she heard his retreating steps and slid down to the floor resting her back on the door... Sobbing softly as she tried to come to terms with everything...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Daadi, is this the colour you were looking for?" Khanak protruded the colour chart for daadi to peer into. Pointing at a particular shade of cream. It was more than a week now and she looked so pale, worn out. Outwardly she kept up a good face, of serenity. Daadi knew from experience that there was trouble brewing. After their return from the check up, they both had like withdrawn into a shell... Upon asking her grandson he had merely informed her that she knew everything. Khanak will take time to accept the truth now that she knew... He had insisted that no one mention this topic to her and that she be given ample time to let it sink in.
"Daadi... aap sun nahin rahi hain!! Kya hua?" Khanak suddenly felt daadi's reflective gaze upon her and she murmured "Daadi.. are you okay? You look pale?" Suddenly worried she knelt down to check daadi carressed her cheek and spoke softly... "Laado, mujhe nahin bataaogi?" Khanak stilled suddenly and bit her lip realising the meaning behind daadi's words and before she could open her mouth a huge noise jerked them both only to find that outside the truck had just unloaded a load full of pebbles... But the moment was lost and Khanak had recovered as she murmured with a soft reassuring smile telling daadi.. "Daadi.. aap kya keh rahi hain... kuch bhi to nahin hua hain... I am fine... really?" So daadi sternly said.. "Yes why would you tell me. You are all grown ups, mature enough to take and make your own deicisions... Main rahi boodhiya.. ek paon kabar mein... " Khanak instantly chided daadi.. "Daadi!!! If you speak like this I.. main... Shan.." Biting her lip she looked down... and daadi smiled as she whispered cupping the younger woman's face.. "Shantanu se keh dogi... haan haan... zaroor.. lo yeh lo phone karo usko... Shakal to dikhegi unki..."
She bit her lip as she realised what daadi intended... and suddenly feeling an overwhelm from the past 2 weeks since that night, she crumbled into daadi's lap sobbing softly... In between sobs she heard daadi coo softly and chide "Agar itni hi yaad aa rahi hain to phone kar do... Do you want me to ask him to come here?" She shook her head and murmured in between hiccups... "H.. he won't.. won't cc.. come... " Daadi asked exasperated "Kyun nahin aayega?" And was shocked as Khanak sobbed even harder saying.. "Woh.. maine.. maine manaa jo kar diya tha... " Following which leaving out intimate details she retold daadi... Daadi heard it all with a strange look in her experienced eyes... murmuring.. "Yeh tum dono ka pyaar meri samajh se to baahar hain.." It took time for the hiccups to subside after which she gently nudged the younger woman to wash up... She sat there contemplating in the tiny office hearing the constant commotion of construction outside... Shaking her head with futility, she punched one button on her cell and waited till she heard his bark in one ring... "Hello..."
Daadi made a disapproving sound and replied "Hum to theek hain Shaan, par yeh aapki akkad kab jaayegi?" Shantanu closed his eyes in grim worry as he faced Dr. Raichand. He had seen the name Beautiful flashing on his cell and knowing that she was with Daadi answered the call in a ring... He grimaced as he quietly bore the onslaught of Daadi's ire... "Daadi.. I .. I am sitting with Dr. Raichand, err.. aap ahi Khandala mein hi ho na?" Daadi murmured in another sharp reprimanding tone... "Shaan, bachpanaa kabhi kabhi hi accha lagta hain... tum... KHANAKKK!!!"
He frowned as he heard daadi scream off before her cell fell from her hands as he worried in a frenzy asked loudly... startling even Aryaman who looked in askance... "DAADI... WHAT HAPPENED? DAADI?... DAAADIII...????" Shantanu rose frantically yelling into his cell and prowling there... when daadi's urgent voice came back on the cell... "SHAAN... JALDI AAO BETA... KHANAK.. BEHOSH HO GAYI... BANSIII..." Shantanu froze as suddenly fear gripped im hard. His face turned white as he yelled back into the cell but daadi had already disconnected... Aryaman frowned at him as he in a rush related to him. In no time, they were bundled in a mean black chopper that belonged to the Raichands and were on their way to Khandala. En route, Aryaman contacted a friend who was in Khandala and would reach there before they did... He looked at the younger man who reminded him of himself years ago... in a similar situation... and he pressed down hard on his twisting fingers and staring into his pale grey face spoke... "Dr. Khandelwal, you need to keep your presence of mind!!" Shantanu nodded as he grimly shut his eyes tightly... her smiling face wafting up...
Edited by jparker - 13 years ago
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
