tEASER before Chapter 16
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Chapter 16
(above banner by me. 
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ASR was worried.. His pregnant di, Anjali, was being operated inside the O.T. and all he had to but could not do was to wait.. Buaji and Garima were there with NK and Mami.. All were silent, and holding their breath to hear something possibly positive..
The O.T. door seemed to be opening, and the nurse came out with a sleeping Anjali on the stretcher.. Anjali was made to wear a blue gown, which was meant for the patients of that hospital.. Her baby bump was still there, and Anjali's hands were wrapped on it.. Anjali's family ran towards her, but the nurse guided them to be calm.. Anjali was shifted in I.C.U. (Intensive Care Unit), and ASR rushed to meet the doctor instead of disturbing his Di..
**
Khushi had been praying in front of Lord Ganesha's idol on the same floor, she heard about Anjali getting shifted in a room.. She took some flowers from Lord Ganesha's feet and ran to see Anjali with a hope in her heart..
**
Mami and Garima and Madhumati Buaji went in to see Anjali, while NK went down to the chemist to get some medicines for Anjali prescribed by the doctor to the nurse.. Anjali was now conscious, but she was too low.. She asked the ladies to excuse her, and seeing she is okay and understanding the situation, the ladies left her room and went down leaving her alone.. While going down, they saw Khushi going in, and asked her to be calm and stay strong for they know not what happened and Anjali was not ready to talk right now.. Only the doctor can solve their queries..
**
Anjali was lying on the bed, and was looking at the white ceiling and the moving fan.. The air was not at all felt to be cool, as her mind was thinking low and low.. She was again and again thinking what the doctor asked her inside the O.T. when she was sweating in pain..
-Flash Back-
Anjali-Doctor, plz help.. Its not bearable..
She winced in pain and the doctor asked her to breathe.. She was not in a position to think or speak more, but her conscious mind dint fail to register what the mother inside her heard from the doctor asking his nurse to do..
Doctor (to the nurse getting somewhat hyper..)- Sister, I guess this delivery wont be possible.. The pregnancy seems to get complicated.. We can save only one.. Get the scissors fast, we have to save Mrs. Anjali and that's our priority..
Anjali looked up as her pain increased.. Her vision blurred as tears of pain covered her eyes..
Anjali-What? Doctor, are u.. AHH.. Don't abort my baby.. I want it.. AAHH..
Doctor- Nurse, get the chloroform ready, patient is not in a state to be allowed talk.. BE FAST.. We cant let her Die..
The doctor was doing his job, and not listening to Anjali, but Anjali was adamant.. She saw the nurse come near her, and tried to get up.. Doctor rushed to support her and Anjali pushed his hands away..
Anjali-Do anything doctor, but I cant loose my baby.. ITS MY BABY u get it?AAHH.. Do anything but save my child.. This hope AHH.. Me and my husband have received this happiness after AAH so long.. Plz don't ruin it.. Be it I have to die.. I cant kill my baby.. AAHH..
Doctor-Look Mrs. Jha, try to understand, if we try to save u both right now, chances of ur survival are almost none.. Even if we save u both at present, we cant promise to help u survive after 4 months from now..
Anjali-U AAHH.. U take care for now.. Plz.. We will see later.. But AAH.. Plz save my baby.. I fell down on my chest and AHH..
Nurse-Sir, the scissors and all is ready..
Doctor looked at Anjali and Anjali pleaded him NOT to do anything which would make her motherly side regret.. She wanted to give birth to her baby, she was a mother, and a wife too.. She wanted this baby for not only herself, but her Shyamji as well.. He was so happy for their baby.. She just could not allow the doctors to let her live and destroy her baby..
The operation was done, and doctors took care by their sides to secure the mother and child for time-being.. Anjali was semi-conscious when her operation was done.. It was not even an operation to be precise.. The only thing she asked next was..
Anjali-Is my baby ok?
The nurse nodded a yes and smiled to make Anjali smile back and a tear left her eye and she closed her eyes to sigh in relief.. Her pain was under-control and she tried to rest..
-Flash Back Ends-
Anjali remembered the statement the doctor made, and she shifted her gaze away from the ceiling, to see a nurse come in, the same nurse who was with her in the O.T. a few minutes ago..
Nurse-Plz don't get up..
The nurse went near to Anjali, and held her hands to sit next to her pulling a chair close to her bed.. She seemed to be an experienced nurse, her wrinkles defined the same..
Nurse-Beta, my name is Rita.. I am working here since 18 years now.. I am a mother of two myself.. I can understand ur situation.. Can I say something?
Anjali nodded and nurse Rita spoke..
Rita-Beta, I know as a mother u will obviously love ur baby.. Am not sent here by the doctor.. I wanted to tell u something.. Plz think wisely.. I know u said u had been planning this baby since long.. But dear, u are young.. U can conceive again.. If u still keep this baby, u wont be able to survive.. Think about ur family.. If u survive, u can plan another baby with ur husband, but if u only wont be alive, the life u create will go in vain.. Do u understand me beta?
If only Anjali's Maa would have been here, she would have been the same.. Anjali looked down.. She did understand, but would she ponder to think on the right way?
Rita-I am requesting u to think.. U can conceive again if u take care of ur body.. But ur already not well, and ur baby has moved from its place betas.. If u continue this pregnancy, u wont be able to live to see ur own child grow.. Think on my advice beta.. Plz don't get me wrong.. I know it will be difficult for u, but - - Think wisely!
The nurse was just leaving, and Anjali looked at the door to see Khushi standing there with continues tears leaving her eyes.. Khushi was shocked, and so was Anjali.. Khushi had over-heard this Nurse Rita advising Anjali, and was rooted on the spot..
Rita left and Anjali called Khushi to come near her.. Khushi slowly took weak steps towards Anjali and sat there with an unconscious mind to get numb.. Anjali was no less tongue tied.. Anjali's tears started and Khushi hugged her to pass some warmth to Anjali.. Anjali's cries ended to grow and Khushi's eyes ran a river too..
Anjali-If only I dint get all excited today to call my Shyamji, I would not have slipped at the slippery pool-side Khushiji.. What should I do now? How will I face my Shyamji now?
Anjali sobbed hard and it hit Khushi, k Anjali still dint talk to Shyam jiju, to know that her husband was no more..
***
Doctor's Cabin..
ASR-Doctor, my Di is okay, right? Tell me..
Doctor-Plzz be calm Mr. Raizada.. I have talked with Anjali.. Nothing to worry as of now..
ASR-What the- -Nothing to worry?? U bloody had to operate my Di and u say there is nothing to worry DAMMIT??
Doctor-Mr. Raizada, look.. I won't lie.. Ya, we had to operate her as she fell on her stomach.. The fall was hard, and it hit her baby bump.. The baby moved from its position and - - (the doctor stopped from speaking more..) So, we had to check if the baby was okay or not..
ASR-So, is the baby ok?
Doctor-For now, both are okay.. You can meet Mrs. Jha.. Just don't let her stress much.. Take care of her.. U are her brother, u know better..
Arnav was not informed anything about the complications that had already started which were ought to make his Di die.. The doctor's sentences were tied by Anjali's demanding pleads.. Doctor and his staff wont reveal about Anjali's critical state till Anjali reveals about her little world moving apart to her husband, this was what Anjali had decided.. Alas!
***
Down In the Hospital Canteen..
Manorama Mami and Garima were down in the canteen and buaji had gone to place an order for something to eat.. The ladies had been busy to care for their hunger since morning.. Buaji came with some sand-witches and Mango juice and the ladies finally ate something.. The grabbed a table and their, Mami started..
Manorama-Hey, Garimaji, u wanted to tell me something right? So, tell me.. Is there anything that u wanted to ask us before the wedding?
Garima and buaji looked at each-other.. Garima put the sand-witch back in her plate, and took a deep breath.. Mami was sipping the juice and Garima started..
Garima-Manoramaji, its about Khushi.. Wanted to make something clear before her wedding.. Actually..
Buaji interrupted..
Buaji-Actually wo ka hai na.. (the thing is..) k Khushi bitiya always wanted a grand wedding for herself! And - -
Garima-Let that be jiji.. (Garima stopped Buaji..) Manoramaji, there is something that u should know.. We don't want to hide facts from u.. Actually.. Khushi is - - She is - -
Manorama-Not ur own child.. I know Garimaji.. And that's okay.. Anything else eating u? We can keep the wedding grand! If that is the thing then - -
Garima-No Manoramaji, the thing is k - - Khushi was a weak child Manoramaji.. She is a weak girl since her childhood.. After her parents died in a car crash leaving a two months old Khushi, we took her in our shelter.. Since then she is a bit weak..
Manorama-What?! What do u mean? I dint get u..
Manorama frowns her eye-brows doubting her decision for choosing Khushi to be her daughter-in-law.. (NK is like her son so..)
Garima-Ya Manoramaji.. Khushi's immune system is quiteweak.. She falls sick very often.. And whenever the climate changes, and - - erm.. I hope ur getting me.. Like I said, she is not a strong girl by health.. But she can do everything else well, and that too one-handed.. She cooks well and - - erm.. ya..
Manorama-So what else have u hidden from us?
And there, Manorama got up from her chair going negative, thinking the Gupta's had been hiding facts to let their weak daughter tied up with NK.. Garima and Buaji too stood up, and just then NK came into the scene.. He entered the canteen and went near the ladies.. He could see the situation heated and now that he was going to know for what reason, lets see his reaction on the same..
Garima-Ha? We never intended to hide it Manoramaji.. That's why I am telling u now.. And Khushi is better since long, trust us..
Manorama (mocked in disbelief)- Trust u? Hah!
Buaji-Nahi nahi Maniramaji.. Its just that recently sanka-debi got fever, and its just that once she gets mild fever also, her temperature starts to rise, and it becomes difficult for us to control.. Otherwise all is good with her.. Ha..
Manorama-So that's why she is wearing a sweater.. But its summer, how can she get fever now? U just said she is better since long..! How can u still manage to lie?
NK-Garima aunty, if her immune system is weak, have u not shown to any doctor? How can u easily say that she falls sick often?
Garima-Babua, we did show her to some good doctors, but Khushi.. She never listens to us.. She would have been much more better today, but she never likes to take medicines.. Just that.. Nothing else..
NK-This is no good argument Aunty.. If u say her immune system is so weak, that she can't even survive to catch cold in such a light summer, than how can u assure that she won't be getting worse at my country, in the States.. There she will have to bear winter for 6 long months.. It even snows there, and u do know that, don't u?
Garima and Buaji looked at each other thinking what to reply..
Garima-Look, this is not what I mean.. I mean, my daughter may be a bit weak health-wise, but she is very well cultured.. She will never let u down.. There is nothing more we can say.. This is all I wanted to tell u long back Manoramaji..
Manorama-Hello Hi Bye Bye.. U should have told this long back Garimaji.. Now that u have been late, ur daughter will have to go with the tag of being a girl whose fianc left her.. Ya, we are breaking off the relation Garimaji..
This was a shock for a mother.. Saying the truth, she got a punishment!
Manorama-Plz don't take it personally but- -
Buaji-DON'T TAKE IT PERSONALLY? What do u mean? U are backing off from the wedding and - - Hai re Nand Kishore! NK babua u toh say something at least.. It were u people who came with the marriage proposal to us, right?!
Manorama-But that time we dint know k ur daughter is a defective piece.. U say her immune system is low.. She cant even survive cold.. She does not take medicines.. She is already a thin bamboo, how will she be able to give our family a heir?!
There were not much people around who were anyway uninterested to overhear this Manorama lady yelling just to embarrass Garima and Buaji, yet they felt like running away before listening to anything more.. Anyway the worst had happened.. Khushi's marriage was broken off.. Just because of one real truth? And wait, did they just hear what they heard? These people were doubting Khushi's productive power? Obviously, they did have a valid reason!
Manorama (proudly)-Ya! My NK works in a M.N.C. in America, and he earns in dollars Garimaji.. Sorry to say lekin (but) if tomorrow ur daughter fails to fill my NK's family demands, then what will be the use of getting him married to ur girl? How can I let him marry ur daughter after knowing she is not a complete piece.. She is not strong enough.. And I want the best for my NK.. Thanks u told me about ur daughters serious health issues today.. NK, lets go beta.. We should fly back today itself, its useless to extend our stay here as no reason is left for the same..
Garima and Buaji had nothing left to speak.. Manorama already insulted them unintentionally, and turned her back at them.. Although Manorama dint sound any decent, she was not wrong either.. Which Maa (and in this case Maasi) will allow her son to get married to a girl knowing she is a weak woman?! But the sudden response which Manoramaji gave, left Garima speechless! She had thought to make things clear.. Being straight was her opinion to save her daughter's tomorrow, and she did what she felt was correct, assuming Manoramaji would understand..
But the situation turned showing a bad day today, not letting them know, that Khushi was destined to get the best.. But oblivious to this fact, Garima fell her bums on the chair nearby and her eyes went wet..
Garima-Jiji.. What will I answer to Khushi and her Babuji.. Khushi's Babuji has counted days to live, and Khushi- - Jiji how will I - - What shall I do? I should have never opened this topic at all..
Garima sobbed and buaji supported her..
Buaji-Koi nahi Garima.. Sambhaalo apne aap ko.. Sab theek hoi jaiye.. Aur waisan bhi, itihaas gawah hai.. Jab bhi kisi ladki ki shadi tuti hai na, tab uske liye koi Rajkumar zaroor aaya hai.. (No worries Garima.. Control urself.. All will get better.. And anyway history speaks, k henever a girl's marriage has broke apart, a Prince Charming always comes for her..)
Garima-But Jiji we have already distributed more than half of the invites of Khushi's wedding... What about that? Now - - Now will the world not - - I mean - - Jiji..? It wont look good jiji..
Buaji-Don't think much on that Garima.. Khushi's destiny would be waiting for a Man, better than NK maybe.. Now wipe ur tears.. We should stay strong and move on.. But the first thing we have to do now, is inform our family about this wedding being called off..
***
Anjali was still not known to the fact that her husband died, and Khushi's heart was itching to tell her.. But how can she? ASR and his rough words were enough for her to know that she dint belonged to them.. Anjali's eyes were red and she was holding Khushi's hands still crying taking Shyam's name..
Anjali-What should I do now Khushiji.. My Shyamji.. He - - I cant do this Khushiji.. I wont be able to - - Chotte.. Plzz don't tell chote what u know I know - - He - - Where is he?
Not knowing that ASR was near the door, Anjali asked Khushi about his whereabouts.. ASR who had over-heard the incomplete conversation from Anjali's side, forced him to believe that Khushi had told Anjali about Shyam's death..
Half knowledge is dangerous u see.. ASR's wrath increased as he remembered the doctor had asked him to take care of Anjali and not let her stress.. How dare Khushi speak about Shyam's death to his Di?!
Khushi-Di, control ur tears.. Its not good for ur health.. Wait, I will get u come water..
Anjali just kept murmuring Shyam's name and Khushi got out of the room to run towards the water purifier and get a glass of water for Anjali, when she felt a pull on her hand..
He did have a rough idea that she was not so strong to bare the pressure he was putting on her, still he dint care.. ASR was always a step ahead from Arnav, uff..
In his rage he gripped her upper arms and pushed her to the nearby wall and tightened his hold on her hands to make her shiver and close her eyes.. She felt small gasps of trembling pain on her body and heart, both..
ASR-How dare you? Tumhari himmat kaise hui?? I had warned you to stay away from my Di, then why did you tell her?? WHY DAMMIT??
He shook her small body heartlessly and she hissed trying to push him away from her body, who was just pressing her more into the wall and leaning on her, not at all in a cool manner.. He was too close to her to let her think of replying him to the answers he demanded..
He was angry, he was ASR..
She just wanted him to show some mercy on her and leave her, but his dangerous eyes missed to see tears of this little scared form he was holding.. For him, his Di's tears were something he could just not bear.. And at present, Khushi Gupta was the reason for Anjali's pain from ASR's point of view and he won't let her breathe in peace for letting his Di cry..
He held her more tight and pulled her more into him to force her look at him and her mouth dropped as her fear doubled.. She was not able to take anymore accusing words from ASR, but her tongue was tied to clear off the same from his mind..
ASR-I told you Gupta, don't tell my Di anything about my jiju's death.. Din't I?! Then who the hell asked you to interfere in MY family matters Dammit.. WHY DID YOU TELL DI ABOUT SHYAM jiju DAMMIT?? ANSWER ME..
Before Arnav could hear any reply from this little soul going loose in his angry grip, he saw Khushi's eyes looking behind his back and her mouth hanging down as if in shock.. He read her lips which hardly whispered..
Khushi-Anjali ji!!
Not leaving her still, ASR turned around to see his Di almost shattered..
Anjali-Chotte, what did Khushiji not tell me?
His heart missed some beats and his temple left sweat beads, when he saw his Di coming towards them.. He left Khushi and saw his Di go towards the lady he had just been yelling at..
Anjali-Khushiji, what did you not tell me? What were you both talking about? Chotte tell me, what is it? You were speaking something about my Shyamji.. Is he okay? Tell me.. TELL ME..
Arnav just looked behind his Di, to see at Khushi's face turned down..
So this meant k Khushi dint tell anything to his Di, but now that he himself invited Anjali to listen to his yelling, so he had to reply to his Di, it was time..
Arnav looked at his Di and kept his hands on hers which were holding his arms.. Arnav collected Anjali's hands in his, and held them tight..
Arnav-Di, jiju - - -
Anjali-What Chotte? Tell me.. I know there is something that I need to know, tell me..
Anjali was hopelessly waiting not to hear one more bad news, and there, her heart had to go numb just to hear the worst she could ever imagine..
Arnav-Di, *gulps* Di.. jiju is dead.. Shyam jiju is no more Di..
He looked away closing his eyes and breathing out hot carbon dioxide to finally out the words haunting his life from a part few days..
Arnav looked down as tears left his eyes and the only one to witness this was the girl standing behind in a corner, Khushi..
ASR panicked and Khushi moved to call the nurse.. Doctor also arrived and all were asked to move out.. Arnav panicked and his heart again melted seeing his Di in such a pitiable condition.. How bad was her situation, and how much pinching was her life.. Least he knew it was getting worse as it was coming to an end, just 4 months more..!!
***
Anjali was taken care of, and the doctors asked Arnav to sign the discharge papers as it was long Anjali stayed in the hospital.. She needed homely atmosphere.. Arnav did understand at least this much.. She had completely stopped speaking, and one thing she remembered, was that her baby was to be born and secured.. Although she had lost any meaning to find words and speak..
***
One Month Later..
A month had already done off and Anjali had gone numb.. According to the doctor's guidance, Arnav had kept a full day nurse who could look after Anjali's needs in a more comfortable way than he could have done.. In a month 4 to 5 nurses were changed and money was spent like water, still Anjali's health dint stop to decline.. She never spoke.. Not a thing..
Knowing that her husband was no more, was like a sky falling on her heavy heart.. Adding on to it was imagining the way he would have felt, the painful vain of burning flames.. It was just something which she could not take on.. Her baby and her own life were in danger on a serious notes, and here she got such news which took away her last hope to get support which she highly needed.. Her chote was there, but her Shyamji.. Gone..!
Manorama and NK had flew off back to America as Anjali cancelled her (pre-poned) Godh-Bharai (Baby-Shower).. Her heart decided to give birth to this baby, as it is, her life was hopeless without her Shyamji in it..
Giving birth to her baby will make her child safe, the only asset left of her Shyamji which had his and her genes to make their love last long! Anjali wanted their love to survive on earth, and meet Him, Her Shyamji up in the heaven leaving her baby secure to her chote.. She will be with her husband, who would be waiting for her, and she would not ever need to choose between herself and her baby as God had asked her to come up and let her love survive on both the worlds He created in either way..
Was it not Perfect?! Anjali mocked looking up at God..
The thing Anjali did which could make her feel any good was to go to the Devi-Mayya temple each day.. Arnav choose to go there with her, even inside the temple, for her, but not for bowing down to any superior power which his Di believed to exist..
Anjali Jha, was just breathing, counting her days to leave this world.. Her chote still was unaware to have any clue to know that his Di was to die, in next 3 months now..
xx
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