Part 6 - Trial by fire
On the way to the hospital, Payal was beside herself with worry. She kept blaming herself for being so wrapped in her own life that she had failed to notice and care for her little sister. Akash had provided scant information on the phone and all she had heard was that Khushi had been injured. She had no idea how or why it had happened. "Devi maiya, please take care of your daughter. She has always put everyone else ahead of herself and you are her only hope. Please, please let her be okay.", Payal prayed. She rushed into the hospital and reached the critical care unit to see a devastated Arnav ji kneeling on the floor and Akash ji trying to help him up into some chairs in the waiting area nearby.
"What happened? Kya hua Khushi ko?". Akash explained how Khushi had been discovered on the stairs, unconscious and bleeding. He shared what he had heard from the doctor so far, that Khushi was pregnant, twins suspected, has lost a lot of blood. "But why did she go to the office?", Payal asked. "She could have told me and I would have accompanied her to the hospital."
At that time, Dr. Kulkarni came out and asked what Khushi's blood group was as they had to arrange for blood from the blood-bank. Arnav looked helplessly at Payal. He was mentally scolding himself - He had never found out any important information about Khushi ...He didnt even know her blood group. What kind of husband had he been...Whereas, she had found out all details about his diabetes, the medicines he took. He felt like a heel.
"B+", said Payal...She would have demanded more information from the doctor, but the doctor just swiftly disappeared back to where she had come from throwing out, "Can you please find out if the ultra-sound results are ready? We are still working on her blood loss."
The three of them went over to the nearby ultra-sound department to find out about Khushi where further shame awaited Arnav. The same middle-aged guy from the morning was still around..."Khushi Kumari Gupta singh Raizada...", he said running his fingers through the registration folder for the day. "Ah here she is...Oh I remember now, this lady filled out the form but ended up not doing the ultrasound. She didnt have money she said. Kamaal hai ...In this day and age, is there anyone who does not carry a credit card? And this lady didnt even have 2000rs. She said she would come back later with her husband.", he said looking at the 3 of them gathered.
They walked back and Akash went to convey the information to the doctor. Payal was asking hesitantly, "Arnav ji if she came to see you, why didnt you go back with her for the ultra-sound? Why was she alone on the staircase?" Arnav could only stand and stare at Payal, mute distress and guilt written starkly on his face. "I ..", he stopped. "I...", he started again. He had no words to go on. He broke down in tears and asked for forgiveness and told Payal everything that had happened since the phone call that morning.
Anger, sadness and pity all warred within Payal. She had always felt that Arnav marrying Khushi was like a wild monkey getting its hands on a beautiful parrot or a garland of flowers, beauty and the beast. She wanted to pummel him, scream and shout at her jethji...but some innate propriety held her back. Pity finally won the conflict ...She pulled him over to the lounge chairs, sat him down and told him the true story of Shyam and Khushi. Though Arnav had refused to hear anything about Shyam from Khushi, he listened now. He wished he had listened then when Khushi had tried to tell him.
Akash had heard this before from Payal - There were no secrets between them. He had not said anything to Bhai or Di because, like Payal and Khushi, he had felt that Shyam was turning over a new leaf. If the guy was calling Bhai and stressing him out, then it didnt look like the matter had been resolved.
**********
"Arre rani sahiba, maami ji! Aap yahaan baite hai aur main aap ko sab jagah doondh raha tha...". Maami tried very hard and concealed her anger and disgust behind her sparkly purple sunglasses not even bothering to answer. Anjali, the epitome of an Oscar-worthy actress, turned her smiling face towards her "pati dev" and said..."Hum yahin the...Mujhe tired ho gaya tha aur hum yahaan pe bait gaye. Ghar chale?"
"Aap chaliye rani sahiba. Mujhe ek important client se milna hai. Hum aapko shaam ko milenge. Aaiye, hum aapko car thak chod dete hai - Aap ghar jaake aaram kijiye. Abhi to 3-4 hafte hi bache hai hamari nanhi ko aane ka" (You go on, princess. I have to meet an important client. I will meet you this evening. Come on, I will drop you off. You go home and take rest - There are only 3-4 weeks left for our little girl to arrive)
"Client, my foot", Anjali thought. It was true that Shyam was losing clients left and right. And though he had suspected the invisible hand of ASR, it was not the male ASR who was responsible - It was Shyam's very own meek, "spineless" wife.
************
Please post comments and Like if you like the way the story is going. Thanks to all who have provided feedback so far.
Edited by vishkhush - 13 years ago
Kumkum Bhagya
Health and Fitness
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
Hindi TV Shows
Members Lounge
368