Rattan Singh had managed to run away with the baby.In the process of escaping,the jeep had hit Shiv and he had fallen by the wayside.As Jagya examined him,he told him he was lucky that he had had a miraculous escape with just a few scratches and a sprained wrist.But yet he wanted Shiv to come over to the hospital to have a Xray to rule out a fracture.Shiv replied that it was not his luck but Anandi's prayers that had protected him,for he was sure that was what she was doing at the moment.For just a second,the green eyed monster raised its ugly head in Jagya's mind but he forcefully suppressed it.
At CH:
Anandi was restless.Ever since she had received Shiv's call,an uneasiness had taken over.She was worried about Shiv since he had told her that he had to be prepared for any untoward incident.She knew to what extent Rattan Singh could go.If he had not hesitated a fraction to kill his own wife,it was obvious he had scant respect for human life.As she sat in front of God praying that all should go on well,a strong gust of wind blew in and the lamp was expunged.Anandi's premonition grew further….
All Anandi heard when she answered Jagya's call was that Shiv had been injured.In her present frame of mind where she was fearing the worst,her imagination ran amok.As the phone dropped from her hand,she did not listen to the remaining part of Jagya's talk.She was alone at home.She did not wait even a second.Anandi started running fromCH to the hospital.Unmindful of the sun and the many times she slipped,she plodded on till she burst into Jagya's room panting,her muddy face streaked with tears.Jagya was behind the screen attending to someone.Anandi shook the restraining arm of the nurse and rushed in.She had eyes only for Jagya.She caught hold of him and shook him so vigorously that he felt his bones would rattle."Please tell me Jagya, how is Shiv?What happened to him?Is he safe?Tell me he is fine or I cannot go on.I cannot bear a life without him.If anything has happened to him,I will never forgive myself.I lo….."The heat,exhaustion and strain proved too much.As Anandi collapsed on the floor an arm gently tried to break her fall.For the person whom Jagya was attending on was none other than Shiv.As he witnessed the anguish in her eyes from where he stood,his eyes filled up.It was crystal clear that she loved him.She may not have realized it as yet but it was there for all to see.Shiv felt a renewed vigour run through him.The pain of the fall was anaesthetized by Anandi's love.
Anandi was still asleep.Jagya had told him that it was a matter of time before she woke up.He offered to get Sumitra to keep an eye on her so that Shiv get some rest.But Shiv refused.He sat by Anandi's side gently ruffling her hair."You are very lucky Shiv.I have known Anandi for so long.But let me tell you that this agony that I saw in her eyes today ,I have never seen before.It is a measure of how intensely she loves you.Very few people will experience such love in their life and you are one of them.I hope she gets what she gives in equal measure."said Jagya as he walked away.
Anandi opened her eyes to find Shiv gazing lovingly at her,his right arm In a sling.She jumped up as she recollected the day's events."Shiv you are well..Are you sure you can sit down?Should you not be lying down in bed?"she could not speak further as she started weeping .Shiv took her in her arms and whispered soothingly till the sobbing subsided." I was so scared.I thought I had lost you and I felt my life was worthless without you",she said."No Anandi,nothing will happen to me,not as long as you are by my side and your prayers and love protect me,"Shiv whispered."Love?Did Shiv just mention her love?",she thought."Yes,"she realized,"it was her love that had protected him."And she looked up at him with tears in her eyes and whispered"I love you,Shiv…for now and always."I love you too Anandi forever and ever.Come home with me.The best of life is yet to be",said Shiv,as he bent down to claim her lips for the first time without any fear of rejection. Anandi closed her eyes and responded with all her love.The sun was rising in the horizon and the early rays of light lit the room and the pair who had finally found each other.
Jagya who was watching this,wished the earth would open up and swallow him…..
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