The phone rang shrilly.
Swara had been waiting for him to come home. It was supposed to be their anniversary for goodness' sake!
She picked it up, wondering, why he had decided to call the landline, instead of her cell. But it was someone else. A stranger. Gruff voice.
"Mrs. Swara Maheshwari?"
"yes...who is this?"
"I'm calling from the Apollo Gleneagles orthopaedic Unit. Your husband Sanskaar..."
Swara's headspace went suddenly blank with terror.
"what? What has happened?" she said, shrill and shaken.
"Nothing to worry about Ma'am, he has just had a minor fracture in his Shin bone. But he asked me to inform you...since his phone has been damaged"
"He's alive?" petrified.
The contact person at the other end nearly smiled, and then stopped. Patient party would imagine the worst, of course. "Yes ma'am. He's conscious as well. Just, please come over here. He's admitted under Dr. R.Roy. "
The phone line went dead. And Swara snatched her car keys and flew.
...
When she had battled her way up amidst all the regular bustle of the hospital, shrieked at a receptionist, who unhelpfully said, that she needed to talk to the orthopaedic unit, instead of the Children's ward...😕Swara finally managed to locate the correct unit, correct doctor, and correct patient in the goddamn sprawling premises.
And reached his minor OT in time to peep at the glass on the doors. And saw him.
Sanskaar's face was grey. Although there was no frown of pain on it...his gritted teeth seemed to say otherwise. As they started injecting the local anaesthetic, Swara felt like passing right out, just looking at the inch long needle they inserted into his shin.
Sanskaar, trying to distract himself from the sudden stab at his already throbbing leg, had looked around, and seen her.
And smiled. His wife looked like a ghost.
Looking at her white face, he comprehended exactly what was going on .She was torn between dread of having to see the doctors work on him...and not wanting to lose sight of him while he was in pain.
He waved at her...and signalled her, to wait until this was over. She did not need to watch this.
The nurse followed his line of sight and saw the pretty face reluctant to leave.
"She is...?"
"My wife." Sanskaar smiled at her. " Could you please make her wait until this is over?" Hearing the concern, the elderly woman sent someone to make Swara leave and see that her husband got a cabin. The orderly made Swara come with him...and choose a quiet cabin for Sanskaar when he was done. There would have to be an overnight stay.
...
After about one hour, Sanskaar was wheeled into the cabin, where Swara was pacing. They settled him comfortably, and said that the doctor will come for a check up later.
"What the hell were you doing?" Swara asked, worried and angry.
"Nothing much. I just tripped over a few piles of rods at the site I was visiting. It was a clean break Swara...the doctor set it..and took X-rays. I'll be fine in a few weeks."
"Carelessness ki had hoti hai. You tripped?" Swara was growing shriller.
"Swara, deep breaths, in and out. Stop doing that C-scale thing with your voice" Sanskaar kept a straight face with difficulty as his wife made a noise like an angry cat.
"Yeah right. I'll be as calm as Swami WhoeverNanda when my husband has tripped and broken bones..and i felt like i've stopped breathing with tension" she finished, sparks flying.
And then sudden tenderness "dard ho raha hai?"
It just did not feel right, watching him lying in a hospital bed, in scrubs, dark hollows blooming under his usually animated eyes and the stubble starting to darken his cheek already.
Sanskaar stretched his arm towards her, beckoning her to come closer."Not really. They don't even need to do surgery for such fractures, run some tests and scans,just numb the leg, set the bone, x-ray and put a cast. Abhi bhi numb hai.." He assured.
Swara crept closer, wary of hurting him. And sat down by him on his bed...leaning her head on his shoulder.
"waise, Swara...Happy Anniversary. Sorry about this...I wanted to pick your gift after leaving the site..but , I ended up here."
"Oh you got me a huge gift"
"really? When?" Sanskaar asked surprised.
"yeh toh raha. One whole fractured Shin Bone gift wrapped nicely in a cast" Swara rolled her eyes.
"Oh..okay.Waise...what did you get me?" Sanskaar asked, making small talk to relax her. The panic had started to ease away from her face now.
"Would you believe it? Shoes. And you dumbo, fracture the exact body part on which its supposed to be worn " Swara managed a weak smile.
"Umm..technically my foot is okay...its my leg thats fractured. Chalo...I'll wear it one one foot till the other one heals". Sanskaar said brightly." Now , go home...I think they will discharge me tomorrow, with crutches."
"I don't wanna leave. I'm staying." said an obstinate Swara. There was no way she was going to leave him alone here. Once the medications wore off..there would be pain.
"No Swara, zidd nahi karte. Go home. There will be an attendant in case I need something at night. Waise bhi..they'll sedate me for a good night's sleep. Come in the morning."
Unwillingly, Swara saw reason. She hugged him close, thanking God for not making it worse.
"see you" Sanskaar kissed her goodbye.
This had not been the best of anniversaries...but they would celebrate it when he was completely ok. After all, when you are loved...everyday is special.
