IPKKND FF: Trial by fire Part 33 updated on Pg 84 - Page 53

Part 33 - Trial by Fire

Anjali, Karan and Naaniji reached the hospital pretty much at the same time as Akash. The hospital had become a very familiar place to the family as they had been here too many times now in the recent past. Karan quickly made his way followed by the rest of the family to the place where Arnav was in surgery. He was quickly strapped in to get his blood screened and drawn. Anjali had no more tears in her eyes. Something had passed between Karan and her as he had held her hand to calm her down..Maybe it was his calm strength, maybe it was his strong belief that Arnav was physically strong enough to weather this, maybe it was her strong belief in a Higher Power who she trusted to not cheat her of a loved one again.

Khushi was semi-conscious now and had already eavesdropped over Lavanya's phone conversation with NK and figured out that Arnav's surgery had been successful. Even before that, her heart had felt lighter and somehow relieved though she had not realized why. The family crowded in - The nurse pretended to ignore the crowd even though it was way beyond visiting hours. She knew how much the family had gone through. Everyone silently looked at Khushi with smiles and tears - Khushi was strapped in with monitors and wires, IV needle through her hand. Smiles and happy tears because Arnav was going to be okay...but at the same time, everyone was sad that Khushi and the babies were not completely out of the darkness yet. Naaniji went and sat by Khushi..."Bitiya, tumne apna suhaag ko bacha liya...Chotey theek honewaala hai...". Khushi just smiled a happy but tired smile. She looked at all of them then in turn and knew everything was going to be okay. She was determined to rest and not stress herself out so that she could be taken to see Arnav as soon as possible. There was light at the end of this dark tunnel. She had gone through a trial by fire. The whole family had gone through a trial by fire. Arnavji had been literally fired on and he had gone through this trial by fire. They deserved all the happiness that was to come and more.

****
Next day, the Police Commissioner visited Shantivan in the afternoon. He had requested Karan to be present when he conveyed the grim news to the family. Karan already knew what was to come and he moved into position next to Anjali. After making social inquiries about Arnav and Khushi, the commissioner jumped right into the matter at hand. "Last evening, after Shyam had been arrested, we took him over to the hospital for attending to his oil burns. Luckily for him, the oil had not been too hot and he didnt have very severe burns. We then took him back to his cell. Around 11 PM, he complained about a sudden severe headache. He was not able to lift his arm. We immediately took him to a nearby hospital. By this time, the inspector on duty figured out that Shyam was going through the symptoms of a stroke. The attending doctor confirmed it and tried his level best to provide treatment. However, they were not able to help Shyam and he succumbed early this morning around 4 AM. It looks like from the medical report that Shyam has had stroke-related symptoms in the past - The doctor says this doesnt look to be the first time he has had a stroke. Have you ever noticed a droopy smile, a grimace on his face?" Anjali recalled the crooked smile that Shyam often gave her. NK recollected the almost snarling expression that Shyam had had on his face at times. Naani recalled the grimaces. Who had known that this was all building up to this master "stroke"?

"I am fine!", she told Karan, reading correctly, the loving concern in his eyes. She looked at Aarushi and prayed that the father's evilness never cast a shadow on her daughter.

****

It was the naming ceremony of Arnav and Khushi's twins and Shantivan was decorated wonderfully in pale pink and blue.

Arnav had soon recovered and had been back to his normal self, badgering Khushi to take better care of herself once she returned to Shantivan for the rest of her confinement. Khushi had gone near full term and had been advised C-section when she was in her 39th week of pregnancy. Arnav had been on tenterhooks, hoping that he could take some of Khushi's pain during all the time that Khushi had been in surgery and after. But all the pain had been forgotten when they had together welcomed a boy and girl. Yes! 4 weeks ago, Arnav and Khushi had welcomed their boy and girl. They had decided that they were going to name the boy Krish and the girl, Amrita. True to their parents' initials, Krish seemed to be an easygoing baby with a sunny disposition whereas Amrita was the angry baby, always crying.

****

Once all the festivities were over, after all the babies had been put down for a nap, and as the couples relaxed and lazed about on the couches, tired after 4 days of non-stop celebration, a lot of leg-pulling ensued and the discussion turned around to the exact moment when the newly married NK and Lavanya had found out they were in love. NK turned around to Lavanya and with the emotion writ large on his face said..."When I saw Lavanya handling newborn Aarushi at the hospital, I saw the happiness, the beauty and the pure joy on her face and that is the exact moment I realized that she was the love of my life.".

Lavanya gave him a quick hug, "So I have Aarushi to thank. Well, as for me, there was no one single love-at-x-sight that I can define..I think every little act, every little touch from you made me feel, made me come alive, made me wish that I spend the rest of my life with you."

The question was then directed at Karan who appeared a little whacked. "You are not going to believe this...But that very same day, the day when she was born, when I held Aarushi, that is the day I felt that I really wanted to be in Anjali's life forever. I cannot believe this myself...But now that you say it, I felt it was like a little magic happened then...And here I am ...totally fida over your sister. Now I just have to convince her to put up with me."

Anjali smiled and responded, "I think Devi Maiyya sent us Aarushi to provide a little magic in our lives - I cant believe how she is linked to all of us - Khushiji came out of her depressions when she held Aarushi, NK figured out he loved Lavanya when he saw her holding Aarushi and now Karan...what can I say. I am speechless."

Karan looked at her fondly and said "Say Yes, my love." Anjali looked at him ..."Well, if you only asked me properly first, you would get your answer! I keep telling myself that this is the real thing and I know that I have been very comfortable with you for quite a while now. I can't believe its been 8 months since I met you, it feels like we have known each other forever. I just wish that I had met you before...".

"Shush...We have the rest of our lives now", Karan responded.

He then got up, went down on bended knees and asked..."So, Ms Anjali Raizada, will you do me the honor of taking me as your lawfully wedded husband, to cherish and honor, in sickness and in health, till death..",

"Hush , dont say anything further, I will", Anjali interrupted with tears in her eyes, amidst hoots and cheers from her brothers and their wives.

****

And thus it was ...that the Raizada family lurched from one wedding to another. Happy and secure in their family's love for each other. Arnav and Khushi had finally come together, their cup was overflowing with happiness. Finally!

wow! awesome ending...

loved it...

happy ending...