Part 7 - Trial by fire
Though, Shyaam had directed the driver to drive to Shantivan, after the car started, Anjali leaned forward and asked the driver to take them to AR industries instead. As they drove, Anjali explained to maami how, in the evening, she wanted her to meet with this lady whom Shyam and she had "pseudo" helped with money for her husband's operation in the past. That lady, Kamala ji, was the double agent helping Anjali achieve her goals. Money talks of course...But Anjali's people skills helped convert Kamala over to her side. Anjali explained what she wanted maami's help with, as the car sped towards the office.
"Madam, you are here...But, ASR sir and Akash sir took Khushi ma'am to the Lady of Mercy hospital.", the receptionist explained to a stunned Anjali and maami ji. She quickly filled them both in to what had happened so far. And so it was, that Anjali and Maami quickly landed up in the hospital as well. It was written in Anjali's fate that in recent weeks, she was to find out various pieces of the truth only by overhearing people talk. This time, it was Akash ..."Bhai, I dont understand how you who are so rational, sane and logical could go all haywire when Shyam plays his game. Why did you take his words over what you know about Khushi ji? Its time you told Anjali di about this. You are doing her no favors by hiding this from her and keeping her in some gilded bubble. She is a Raizada first...She is strong like Naaniji. She will be able to handle this truth.". "I was just waiting for the baby ...", Arnav's voice trailed off as the subject of their conversation appeared before his eyes.
"Di ...you...", he could not go further..and went and hugged her carefully making sure he didnt crush her bump.
"Chotey, I know everything. You need not struggle alone any more. We are all with you and Khushi in this fight against evil", Anjali di said.
He lifted his head to stare at her confusedly and then at Maami, who also nodded her head. Maami went over to pat a crying Payal's arm and somehow Payal ended up weeping on her shoulders ...Their differences resolved in the face of a crisis of this magnitude.
"Di...Khushi ...", Arnav whispered brokenly. Akash filled in his mom and Anjali Di about Khushi's state.
"Kuch nahi hoga Khushi ko...Devi Maiya hai na...woh sambhalegi apni beti ko...", Anjali hushed him. Arnav realized at that point that nothing was in their hands. His eyes fell on a small brass idol of Devi Maiyaa in one spacious side of the room. He rushed over, removed his shoes and poured his fears, his worries out...He, who had not prayed in years, now prayed for the one thing he really wanted in his life. All thoughts about winning and his self-written taqdeer disappeared in the face of the emptiness he was facing without Khushi in his life. "Ek din aapko maaloom padega ki apna taqdeer aap nahi balki devi maiya haath pakad kar likhwa rahi thi...", Khushi's words from the past echoed.
The doctor came in and talked to them. She said, "Khushi has haemmoraged and lost a lot of blood and we are giving her a transfusion now. We have to do a D&C and I need Arnav to sign some forms."
There was a collective gasp from Anjali, Payal and Maami ji. Arnav asked, "What is a D&C?". The doctor explained how the womb had to be scrapped off its tissue to make sure there was no infection within 12 hours.
"What about the babies?", he asked.
The doctor looked away briefly and then said, "I am sorry, but we believe that the babies are lost.".
Something was niggling Arnav and he turned to look at Devi Maiyya. She organized his thoughts for him and he turned around and asked the doctor..."Doctor, can we get an ultrasound done? I am not convinced that we lost...".
"Okay, why not! I should have advised that first. The ultrasound department may be closing up for the day now though. Let us see." He sent another prayer and rushed over to the u/s department. The lab technicians were just leaving as Arnav reached there and convinced them to open up again.
Khushi was wheeled in ...She looked so pale against the white hospital sheets, in the standard pale blue hospital gown. There were two IVs attached to each of her thin, bony hands -one with blood and the other carrying saline. Anjali, Payal, Mami and Akash were almost afraid to look at her. Arnav could not take his eyes off her.
The doctor told him he could stay, as she applied the gel over Khushi's abdomen. The technician ran the sensor over the abdomen. The doctor, her colleague and the technicians were shocked.
Khushi's test and her subsequent hCG levels had not revealed a miscarriage...But, neither had her test that morning revealed a pregnancy.
Dr. Kulkarni touched Arnav's arm and pointed out two shapes. And small, pulsating hole-like centers in those shapes - the heart. The doctor was just relieved that they had done an ultrasound before doing the D&c. She would never have been able to bring herself to practise medicine the rest of her life if she had later found that she had aborted two live babies.
Arnav felt like he had been lifted out of a deep, dark abyss. Seeing the images of his twins, the lives that he and Khushi had created, was a very emotional experience for him and he paid scant heed to the tears running down his unshaven cheeks. He thanked Devi maiyya in his heart for saving the unborn babies, even as he prayed that Khushi recover soon. She was the most important person in his life and they could always have other babies if these two were not written in their fate.
"Where was all the blood from then - All of it could not have been from the womb", the Doctor consulted with her colleague. She instructed the technician to help bring Khushi onto her side, applied the gel over the back and checked the kidneys next. One of the kidneys was sorely inflammed. "That explains it", she said, "A urinary tract infection that has affected the kidneys causing the bleeding. Lets get her back to the ward and get some antibiotics in. We should be monitoring her overnight, so lets strap her abdomen as well to monitor the babies' heartbeats. Please have the senior imaging specialist take a look at the ultrasound results tomorrow and make sure that there is no other issue.", she instructed as they walked out.
Arnav followed the little procession out of the ultrasound department. His family was waiting outside anxiously ...Maami ji and Payal had persuaded Anjali to drink some Badam milk to keep her strength up. Arnav first went over to di and gave her a big hug. Then, he hugged Payal. Then maami ji and finally he hugged Akash. He did not have enough words to convey the positive news and was choking up. He just showed them the ultrasound picture that the kind technician had thrust into his hands as they had walked out, and pointed out the circled "Baby 1" and "Baby 2" blobs.
Hopefully this positive news fix will lift you all up! Please do comment and hit Like.
Edited by vishkhush - 13 years ago
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