PART 23
Ragini walked in the room whereas others followed her. She saw him and tears were unstoppable. He was laying there with his eyes open and trying his best to put a smile on face but his effort was all in vain as the pain from the injuries wasn't allowing him to do so. Ragini almost rushed to him and laid her on his chest and cried her heart out. She was happy to see him awake after such a long period of time which felt like ages to her but at same time she was crying to see him in such postion. This accident brought back same dreaded memories of Ranvir's accident and his death after a shortwhile. After long 7 years she had managed to move on and she had started to develop feelings for Anmol especially after the re-marriage but when she heard about his accident and he didn't gain conscious for long time, there was a fear which was developing inside her of losing someone special in her life again for her to be alone all over again. As much as she believed that god wouldn't put her through same pain and experience, the fear had overshadowed her belief. Even on night of karwachauth, upon hearing news of Anmol's accident, she felt that fear and pain in her heart. This all shook her and somewhere made her realize how he is an important person in her life and his absence would make her icomplete. All these thoughts surrounded her as she cried her heart out while laying on his chest. She slowly got up wiping her tears and fixing her hair. Anmol laid there just looking at her; although he knew Ragini still hasn't fully developed feelings for him but he was sure that this news would shake her as he also remembers how she ran and hugged him on night of karwachauth.
That explained that she did care and he held a signifance place in her heart and lot has happened then, they had come closer so this news will also create the same impact on her. He couldn't speak much but he nodded and tried to smile letting her know that he is fine. Ragini sat next to his on the stool while everyone else met Anmol. Inderjeet placed his hand on Anmol's head; blessing him with slight tears in his eyes. Vasu felt the same pain that she faced when Ranvir was in this state; she had accepted Anmol as son and now seeing him like this caused her to melt even more and feel that pain which only a mother can feel for her kids. She lightly carassed his cheeks and hair. Alekh and Sakshi also met him whereas Gunni was still outside as she had gone to get few medicines from downstairs while everyone met Anmol. As she was on her way to go upstairs, Abhay texted her asking what hospital is Anmol at and what room no as he was on his way from office Gunni texted him back with the information and Abhay was there in few minutes after informing his parents as well about Anmol's accident. They both went upstairs and walked in the room where everyone else was; Abhay wished them all silently by nodding his head. Gunni saw Anmol who winked at her signalling her that he is fine; but Gunni knew that he isn't and he is trying to be happy with her like he always has been; like a best friend. It was painful for Gunni to see her Chachu in such a state, she couldn't stop her tears and rushed outside the room. Ragini and everyone else got concerned to see Gunni like this; Anmol looked at Ragini as if trying to say go after Gunni. As Ragini was about get up, Abhay signalled her to remain seated.
Abhay: Aap yahi rukiye, main dekhta hoon.
Ragini sat as she knew Gunni would be able to talk to Abhay and saying this, Abhay went outside to look for Gunni. He saw her standing by the window at end of the hall and as he made his way to talk to her, his parents also arrived there.
Abhay: Dad, mom aap aa gaye, aap mil lijiye unse main bas abhi aaya.
Ram and Gautami went inside the room and met Anmol. Inderjeet told Ram about the accident and detail whereas Gautami was consoling Vasundhara. On the other hand, Abhay saw Gunni crying. He slowly placed his hand on her shoulder as he didn't want to scare her all of a sudden. Gunni quickly turned around and tightly hugged Abhay who was little taken back at her action but he knew that she needed someone at this time. She always told him how close she is with her Chachu, they are like best friends and she couldn't cry infront of her Chachi because then she would also get more depressed than she already is. He held her in arms and was there for her as her good friend. He slowly made her sit down at the couch with his arm still on her shoulder.
Abhay: Shh.... Gunni, tum ro mat. Yahan dekho meri taraf, main jaanta hoon ki tum apne chachu ke kitne kareeb ho aur unhe is haalat main dekhkar tumhe dukh ho raha hai par Gunni you have to be strong and be there for him and your chachi especially. Unpar bhi kya beet rahi hogi, uncle ji aur aunty ko bhi itna dukh hoga isliye tumhe strong rehkar un sabh ko support karna hoga. Hmmmm?
Gunni: Tum jaante ho Abhay, chachu mere sirf chachu hi nahi, mere dost bhi hain, mere ideal bhi hain..... jab bhi main unhe dekhti hoon mujhe lagta hai ki voh ek perfect husband, perfect father hain aur main hamesha se chahti hoon ke mera husband bhi unke jaisa ek ideal husband ho... Chachi is very lucky to have him. Chachu aur Chachi ke liye main bhi Tammy aur Khushi ki tarah unki beti hoon, maine kabhi apne dad se voh pyaar nahi paaya jo mujhe chachu, chachi ne diya aur baki sabhi gharwalon ne. Bas abhi unhe aise dekhkar main apne aap ko control nahi kar saki.
Abhay: I completely understand, Gunni aur tum dekhna voh jaldi hi poori tarah se theek bhi ho jayenge. Don't worry at all and be strong. Agar tum aise himmat haar jaogi to Tammy aur Khushi ko kaun sambhalega, voh dono to bahut choti hain abhi... unhe bhi apne papa ko aise dekhkar acha nahi lagega.
Gunni (wiping her tears): Hmm tum theek keh rahe ho, Abhay.
Abhay: To chalein andar, tumhe aise dekhkar sabh dar gaye the.
Gunni: Yea, I am fine now. And.... thanks Abhay.
Abhay: Thanks baad main karna pehle chalo.
They walked back inside the room and Ragini looked at Gunni and she nodded back with a slight smile that shes okay now. Anmol was happy to see her back and smiling; Ragini mouthed thank you to Abhay and he nodded back. After short while, Abhay and his family left. It was decided that Ragini would stay with Anmol at night and Kaushalya and Prakashchand would accompany her.
Kaushalaya: Ragini beta, abh hum chaltein hain par main aur tere bauji raat jo phir aayenge khana lekar.
Inderjeet: Sharma Ji, aapka bahut shukriya aap yahan raat bhar...
Prakashchand: Are Bhaisahib, kaisi baatein kar rahe hain aap. Aapko aur Alekh babu ko office ka kaam bhi to dekhna hai. Hum yahan rukenge raat ko yahan Ragini ke saath. Aap sabh befikar hokar ghar jayiye.
Vasundhara: Hum subah jaldi aa jayenge; Ragini ko bhi araam chahiye.
Deciding this, they all left while Ragini was in the room sitting next to Anmol who was now sleeping due to all the medicines and injections. Ragini was sitting on the chair and just staring at Anmol who was now sleeping peacefully but she knew in how much pain he is really in. She was praying and thanking god that Anmol had gained consciousness and hope that he recovers soon. It was now 9 am when Ragini's mom and dad walked in the room with food for Ragini and Anmol. Inderjeet had requested hospital staff to shift Anmol to bigger room which had a couch and coffee table in it for occupancy of more people. Ragini sat on the couch with her parents and slowly ate her dinner. After she had her dinner, she noticed that Anmol was awake and she quickly walked upto him.
Ragini: Anmol, aap uth gaye? Bauji, aap zara doctor ko bula layiye, voh checkup karlenge.
Bauji: Haan beta, main bas abhi aaya.
The doctor came and did his regular checkup and Anmol had even spoken something in low voice. Ragini queried whether they can give Anmol home made food and doctor said that it would be fine and that Anmol is also fine.
Kaushalaya: Beta, maine Anmol Ji ke liye khichdi banayi hai, tu vohi khilade.
Ragini: Jee maa.
Kaushalaya and Prakashchand went outside to the visitor area of the hospital as only person can stay in the room with the patient. There was separate visitor hall designed in the hospital where patient's family can stay for long period of time; night stay for example. Ragini fed Anmol and she was continously gazing at him and he did the same; was he dreaming? Ragini serving him like this; well this accident brought some change, he thought and smiled to himself.
Anmol: Um... Ragini........paani
Ragini quickly grabbed the bottle and slowly made him drink water. After feeding him, she wiped his face with wet towel and stood next to him. There was complete silence in the room.
Anmol: Main....us din jaldi aanewala tha....
Ragini looked up as she heard Anmol; she knew he was talking about the night when he was suppose to come early from his meeting like he promised on the phone call earlier in the evening of the same day.
Anmol: Raaste main construction ki wajah se traffic one way tha...... main gaadi chala raha tha ki achanak mere saamne tez raushni aayi, mujhe kuch dikhayi nahi diya aur voh truck ki lights thi; maine gaadi turn karne ki koshish ki lekin truck ki speed bahut jayada thi aur kafi der ho chuki thi..... mujhe sirf yaad hai ki jab voh truck mere saamne aaya, mujhe laga ki yeh mera akhri waqt hai aur meri aankhon ke samne maine aapka chehra dekha, tammy, khushi, papa, mummy ji, alekh bhaiya, Gunni, Sakshi..... voh sabh log jo meri zindagi main ehmiyat rakhte hain......mujhe laga ki main in sabhse fir kabhi nahi mil paunga........ vohi bas aakhri baat yaad hai mujhe............phir jab aankhein kholi to main yahan hospital main tha....
Ragini, who was hearing all this, was in tears. She couldn't even imagine what that situation would have been like when your whole life just flashed in front of your eyes and you are in such critical situation.
Ragini: Aap jayada sochiye mat uske baare main, araam kijiye.
Ragini slowly carassed him and he drifted to sleep. She didn't want him to re-think about that whole incident causing pain again. She came outside the room for few minutes to talk to Khushi and Tammy before they went to sleep. Sakshi picked up the phone and after asking about Anmol's health, she gave the phone to the kids.
Tammy: Hello mumma
Ragini: Hello beta, aapne ache se khana khaya?
Tammy: Jee mumma, papa kaise hain?
Ragini: Ache hain aur abhi so rahe hain. Aap Gunni di ke saath so jayiyega aur unhe jayada tang mat kijiyega. Mumma subah aakar apko school ke liye ready kardegi, ok?
Tammy: OK mumma, theek hai.
Ragini: Acha beta, abh Khushi ko bhi phone dijiye
Khushi: Hello maasi maa
Ragini: Kaisa hai mera bacha?
Khushi: Main to theek hoon, maasi maa. Partner kaise hain?
Ragini: Apke partner abhi so rahe hain. Maine Khushi se kaha hai ki aap dono Gunni di ke saath so jayiye aur aap dono tang mat kijiyega unhe. Maasi maa subah aakar apko ready karegi school ke liye.
Khushi: Theek hai, maasi maa. Goodnight.
Ragini: Goodnight beta.
After making the call, she went inside the room and sat on the couch where she feel asleep soon. On the other hand, both Tammy and Khushi laid next to Gunni in her room. Gunni narrated them a bed time story causing them to fall asleep. She switched off the lights and she turned to the right side to sleep when her phone vibrated indicating a text message from Abhay.
Text Convo:
Abhay: Hi Gunni, just wanted to check up on you, how are you now?
Gunni: I am fine, Abhay.
Abhay: Any word from hospital and who is there now?
Gunni: Chachi aur unke parents wahan hain Chachu ke paas; aur Chachi ki baat huyi thi Tammy aur Khushi se, chachu so rahe the tab. I am sleeping with the kids now.
Abhay: Ok good, umm for tomorrow if you want, I can talk to Sir to give you day off.
Gunni: Nahi Abhay, its okay...I will come tomorrow to office after seeing Chachu in the morning.
Abhay: Ok sure, I will see you tomorrow then. Don't worry and take care. Goodnight.
Gunni: Thanks and Goodnight to you too.
Gunni placed the phone on the table and switched off the light; as she laid down, she thought about earlier in the day when she cried and hugged Abhay; how he was there for her and even now he had thought of her and checked up on her. She felt nice that he was such nice friend who defended her the other day from the goon and now how he has been so supportive when she needed a shoulder to cry on. Thinking about all this, she fell asleep soon after. Abhay on the other hand was glad to hear that she is fine now and that he was able to support her as a good friend.
Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi 2
