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Clouds snuffed out and dark sky brightened, damp darkness cemented the hospital walls and the glass no longer glinted, tree surrounding perimeter of hospital , blowing leaves , crumbling to thick soil 'decaying to become fuel for another living being'
Ashuthosh sigh looking at vast dark sky, he switch of the lights of his cabin and close the door to go back home ' He see a patient hurried towards the closed ER door, followed by nurses and duty doctors..Instantly Ashuthosh find his legs taking him towards them , towards that dying patient.. The case was massive heart attack by the time he reach, he saw fast saw tooth lines on monitor scattered with jumbling VF..Another doctor who was on duty started applying first shock '.ashuthosh back off as he saw patients body raising in mid air and collapsing again on table ' duty doctor bag him and nurse start chest compression '.The same process is repeated over and over again 'when they stop Ashuthosh shove down on patients chest counting out the compression so that duty doctor can time his ventilation..Under his palm, he feels the body turn pale, the skin become cold and papery in dry air of ER room '
Not sure how many times, but still they gave him another shock 'this time monitor screen blink , jump 'instantly he reach out to check pulse , a smile appear on his face as he utter " There is a pulse" '
He gaze at the body lying on table, duty doctor twist ampu bag and undo from endotrachea tube ' he saw patient's chest rise and falls, he wait as it raise and fall again and this time he hear sucking of air .." he is breathing on his own now " duty doctor mumble
Ashuthosh sigh in relief and walk out toward home with relief that another life is saved 'that they succeeded in saving another life '
There was huge darkness and then suddenly there was nothing, he felt nothing! At that time, he never existed nor it mattered' not sure how long but suddenly, he felt, heard her 'murmuring with her sweet voice, reverberating, wandering, sweetly, smoothly'.loosening the knots of his heart, evoking strings of emotions'pulling him out his deep slumber 'he woke up feeling her soft lips on his cheeks" I am going to miss you "she murmured in her sulking voice '.Ashuthosh stretched his legs and turned towards her "Ohh Nidhi , its only for couple of days '.."
"But still "she pouted burying her face in his chest; he pulled her up in swift motion until her face is just few inches from his" Nidhi '.you know I can't "
She continued "this is our first time celebrating valentine day"
" no it is not 'you forgot , what we did last time ?" he mumbled
" No ..that's not what I mean 'I mean to say , after our marriage this is first time celebrating, you see , I wanted it to be special '.why don't you come to Mumbai with me ..At least for a day "
Ashu groaned "Nidhi , you know I can't 'and beside , you will be busy with your seminar"
"You are not even going to miss me'..Isn't it?"'she slide down making sad face, Ashu sighed "nidhi, it's just for couple of days '"
"Even those couple of days sounding like eternity "
Ashu chuckled "what can I do with you Nidhi '."
She snuggled in his arms as Ashu bent down and pecked on her lips , Nidhi pulled him back and kissed him on his lips 'he leaned down , far enough that dark ends of his hair brush against soft skin of her face 'her eye lashes fluttered , she just had few second to breath when he took her lips fully again ..Her heart ceased to beat matching with thumping of his heart 'as he kissed her gently'
They were jolted out rudely by sound of phone ringing. .Nidhi mumbled "let it go "as she pulled him back again 'He resisted "it could be an emergency ni'"before he could finish the sentence She kissed him again 'He groaned and pulled himself back from her and he heard her mumbling " have some mercy Dr ashuthosh '" he chuckled hearing her sentence as he got up to check his miss call '.
When he came back, he found her sitting on bed holding something...he walked towards her and lied down placing his head on her lap '." Whats this " he took the small gift pack which she placed on his hand '" Gift '"
" for whom ?"
" ohh for our neighbor '" she muttered
" hhuh ?..." ashu looked up at her perplexed
" of course for you '.."
"but for what ?"
" just like that '.I felt like giving it to you "
He sat and opened gift wrapper to find black wrist watch with N and A etched inside gold frame. He smiled as she leaned on his back placing her face on his shoulder ''" Gift '!! make me feels always guilty " he mumbled
She smiled "well that is the plan ..."
He chuckled hearing her as he pulled her again in his arm...when she tilted her head up, he sighed "' ohh I forgot 'I have to go to hospital there is some management meeting today ...they scheduled it early"
Nidhi sulked and pouted as she slided down on bed ..." I promise, I will take you out for dinner "he tried to cajole her
"What about shopping?" nidhi asked
" what shopping ? " Ashuthosh looked back at her
" you forgot ?, you said you will take me out for shopping today '..It was such a long overdue plan " Nidhi glared at him
Ashu looked back at her and after a while, he mumbled " I 'I am ..Am sorry 'I forgot "
Nidhi got up and walked past him mumbling "that's ok '" but he knew that he disappointed her badly '.once again!
Later afternoon, when they were having tea together in his cabin, Anjie came inside searching for Nidhi '.Nidhi's face lit up seeing Anjie as she got up and hugged her "Ooops looks like I just spoiled private moment " Anjie mumbled 'Nidhi glared at her jokingly , anjie waved her hand " Hello jijaji '"
Ashu smiled back, " so whats up ? How come you are here '."
" Ohh I came to meet Dr Ranganath '"
" Ok " Nidhi muttered looking at Anjie's funny expression
" what ?" Anjie looked at nidhi and then at Ashuthosh
"Nothing "Nidhi mumbled, Ashuthosh just smiled looking at both of them
"Then why are you looking at me like 'like'like this "
"Why are you blushing so much?"
" Oh its nothing "
" Ok"
After a while Anjie spoke " well 'You see Nidhi! This is our first valentine after marriage, so 'we both planning something special '"
Ashu looked at nidhi as her face suddenly shrinked with disappointment 'He saw her struggling to smile " That's great Anjie .." after a while she managed to mumble
" ohh Nidhi , I am so excited '." Nidhi just smiled back
" so what's your plan 'Nidhi , Jijaji ? "
Ashuthosh shifted uneasily in his seat Nidhi was quick to respond '" ohh Anjie , it's going to be surprise from my side 'and beside , if you remember, I will be in Mumbai to attend my seminar '"
" yes , of course I remember 'your Mumbai reminded me so many things ..I have to go now Bye Nidhi , bye Jijaji " and she went out
Leaving behind Nidhi totally dull, disappointed and overstuffed with sadness ''
Later in the evening, Ashuthosh walked past corridors and went inside ICU , walking past motionless bodies 'monitors rhythm indicating life and ventilator breathe 'And then he saw , the patient , the one they saved late night 'lying in far end of room . He walked towards the patient's bed and for a second 'he just stood there, looking down '.Suddenly that patient opened his eyes ,his blur eyes darted around for a second and then it rested on Ashuthosh 'Ashuthosh smiled " I am Dr ashuthosh "' but patient just stared back at him ..When Ashuthosh turned around to walk out..He heard that patients voice , like deep gurgling sound , coming from deep tunnel ..Like a small whisper "They said 'you saved me "
Ashuthosh turned around " that is my duty 'to 'save people's life"
Patient smiled back "Thank you '.for saving my life, for saving so many lives like mine '"
"I had severe chest pain yest night and before I know what is happening 'everything just blackened ...I fainted "patient mumbled
After a while of silence he spoke again "I am from mumbai ..if you know by now" Ashuthosh sighed when he heard the word Mumbai as suddenly Nidhi's sad face lurked around in his mind 'making him sad all at once
" yes '.We informed your family 'they will be here soon "
"Whats the trouble? "Patient asked looking straight into his eyes '
Startled Ashuthosh Stare back '" sorry "
" I Can see 'sadness on your face ..Whats the trouble "smilingly he asked again
"Nothing '" Ashuthosh mumbled
" I fought with my wife before coming here to lucknow '" patient mumbled , Ashuthosh sat at far end of bed
After a while patient mumbled slowly under his breath "how to make someone happy ..someone you love dearly ...how ?"
Ashuthosh smiled "looks like you love your wife very much "
Patient '" everyone do ..."
Ashuthosh nodded his head '" she wanted to come here with me 'but I asked her not to come 'I think, I disappointed her "
"I think, you love her that is what matters the most '" Ashuthosh tried to console him
" what you would have done '."
" I don't know ''" Ashuthosh looked out as he remembered nidhi's sad face again
After a while he heard himself speak " Nidhi ..my wife ..she going to Mumbai and she want me to come with her 'but I can't "
This time patient smiled back " what if she never come back '."
Ashuthosh glared at his frail figure" what kind of question is this?"
"Just a question'your wife say goodbye, she get on in airplane and never return ...can you live with that?"
Ashuthosh mutter "no"
"Then you know what to do '. "Patient smiled back
Ashuthosh looked at his face, perplexed '" as you said ..Just love her, that's what matters the most" patient smiled and closed his eyes.
Ashuthosh drove hastily towards restaurant where he informed nidhi that he will meet her for dinner 'He know, it's already late 'he wonder what and how nidhi will react now? As he already disappointed her enough ..but then what can he do ?he was all set to go and meet her but then he got to attend emergency in between all that he forgot all about their shopping and dinner plan '.By the time he reached , he saw her pacing outside restaurant '.
He sighed and walked towards her 'She hid her disappointment as Ashuthosh took her hand " you forgot again '."
"I am sorry .." he mumbled
" that's ok " she cut him short
" come lets go in 'you must be hungry "
Nidhi shook her head .." No ..fine , I am not ..its fine , lest go home "
" nidhi ..I said , I am sorry '..what you want me to do , I was caught up in an emergency ..you know how it works , you yourself a doctor ':"
Nidhi looked away " yes ..I do understand ..but then '"
" but what .." he raised his voice
" you are shouting at me'.." Nidhi looked down as suddenly tears welled up in her eyes
" I am sorry'.." he pulled her hand
" at least you should have informed me that you are busy '."
Ashuthosh rubbed his temples ..." '.they needed me immediately and then 'I ..I just forgot "
" well I knew that '.." she glared at him
Slowly she walked past him and walked towards main road ..." I will take you out for shopping tomorrow "
Nidhi stared back "I am leaving tomorrow ..early morning if you remember "
Ashu looked at her in total disbelief " but seminar is next week '.why are you leaving tomorrow .."
" there is change in plan 'one of my college frnd getting married in Mumbai 'I informed you yester day 'if ..if you remember "
Ashu pressed both of his palm over his forehead " yes ..I do remember now , it's just that 'there so much things occupied in my mind ..that I tend to forget things "
She looked at his face and slowly mumbled " I know ...I understand' but 'Sometime , I feel like I am very high second priority to you '..and that hurts "
He sighed and shook his head as if to disagree "and the worst part is 'I am getting used to it "
" I don't understand " he muttered slowly
" yes ..I know 'you don't '.I wish there is one day there is nothing matter but us '"
Ashu raised his hand up in air in disbelief " Nidhi 'you are taking it all wrong 'I just forgot to inform you ..I couldn't meet you because I was busy 'I don't believe this 'why are you behaving like this ? so immature ..so silly for such a small thing 'we can go inside and have dinner now 'and we can celebrate valentine once you come back '.why are you making such a big deal out of it "
Nidhi glared at him "" Ok ..then I am wrong 'I am the one who is always wrong , immature '.fine " and she pushed him away and signaled for a taxi
She got inside taxi and look out of window as thick tears roll down her cheeks'Ashuthiosh stood holding door open , waiting for her to change her mind and come back to him 'but she dint moved a inch after a while taxi driver looked at his direction .." Sir ..are you coming or not ? "
Without even looking away he backed off and mumbled " no ..I am not coming "
Taxi driver nodded his head '.Ashuthosh turned towards taxi driver, For a second ashuthosh recognized him , he looked so much familiar 'his eyes looked someone he met recently and suddenly ..as taxi moved away , he remembered that he was resembling so much to the patient he saved yesterday '.
He was still thinking when he heard the nose, like something crashing 'falling into pieces, with thick fog rising over ever dark sky 'he saw the taxi crashing hard..Before he know what is happening, he found himself running towards it 'towards the crowd gathered around accident spot '.He ran towards her 'nidhi ! Taking her in his arms 'her bruised battered body...he shook her but she dint move 'he pulled her up to check her breathing but he found out she is not breathing either '.hesitatingly he took up her wrist to check pulse ...and when his finger touched her skin , under his palm ..he felt her skin turned pale , cold '..Desperately he searched for pulse but then he found none! There was no life , no movement '.there was nothing ..he looked down at her and he found she is not there either 'his nidhi !
In between all this he heard cacophony of words of people surrounding them..He sat still , vision blurring 'as he heard deep heave of sound , like breath sucked inside but just not coming out , like sob erupting like gurgle ..Like heart breaking into pieces...it was small, clear sound 'but very harsh and cruel 'sitting there he heard it , slowly unhurriedly and then he fainted !
There was huge darkness and then suddenly there was nothing, he felt nothing! At that time, he never existed nor it mattered' not sure how long but suddenly, he felt, heard her 'murmuring with her sweet voice, reverberating, wandering, sweetly, smoothly'.loosening the knots of his heart, evoking strings of emotions'pulling him out his deep slumber'He open his eyes slowly to find him back in his room ..he turned around to find her staring at him ..." are you fine " she reached out to touch his trembling hand
He backed off but still staring at her in disbelief '.after a while he mumbled "you are here '."
Nidhi glared at him .." what do you mean by that ..?"
" No 'its '" he stuttered as he felt like stuck in nightmare '
Nidhi extended her hand .." ashuthosh ..come here , whats wrong ?"
He looked at her face and then slowly put his hand over her palm ..she pressed it tightly and extended her other hand around his waist as she pulled him to her '..she felt his body relaxing as he tightened his grip around her until he is nearly crushing her in his arms 'He buried his face in her neck and kissed softly on her nape " I am sorry Nidhi '."
" Sorry for what ? " Nidhi stared back at him
" for everything '"
Nidhi chuckled '"Ok"
" But I can't come to Mumbai 'But I will promise once you come back we will celebrate valentine together 'I promise "
Nidhi smiled " of course I understand '" and kissed on his cheek
She tried to loosen his grip but he resisted so she let him hold her as she asked him " what happened ?"
He sat still clutching her tightly " I had a such terrible , ugly , awful nightmare"
Nidihi chuckled " Nightmares are always terrible , ugly , awful'!!"
" yes ..but this one was so bad '."
" was it so bad '.?"
" hmm 'but not all parts " he looked at her smilingly
" tell me about good parts then '"
He smiled as he pushed her down on bed and whispered" how about I show you those good parts .." before she understood what he is referring to ..he cupped her face, leaning over her ..eyes lingering a sweet second and then his lips sought for her lips , tasting , playing and kissing ..When he pulled away, she nuzzled near his ear .." well that's a good part " she whispered making him blush , smile all at once '.
I Dont know why wrote this OS ??yesterday night I was watching one of my Fav Movie .."IF ONLY " so just wrote small OS using that story base ... Hope you all liked this OS , Plesae do comment 😃
HAPPY weekened to all 🤗
Advocate Anjali Awasthi
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