AFTER 3 HOURS

It's 4'O clock in the early morning and contrastly the climate is dark & cloudy.

Her ward is as big as a bed room, with lights and sofas neatly arranged.

Rishi called his friends,Vicky & Sandy for support & they are now in her ward looking after her.He didn't say them anything,they too didn't ask him much sensing the condition.

Sandy: When will she get consciousness?

Vicky: Sarla Aunty ne kaha ki kabhi bhi aa saktha hein.She fell unconscious because of sudden shock.

Sandy: Pata nai kya hua hein? Rishi bhi kuch pata nai rai.

They worriedly look at eachother when Preetha woke up with a jolt shrieking, "Ma".

Her breathes are heavy with sweat forming her face and Rishi immediately gets to her side,

Rishi: Mickey....mickey thum theek ho?

Preetha: M....ma....ma ma....

She is asking for her mother.She needs her. Her strength.Her caress,her warmth,her words "Everything is all right"

Rishi: Aunty ko bula.

Vicky paces out to call Sarla. She was treating Sahana who got a sprain in ankle & a cut on the hand.

Assured that Preetha wakes up in a while, Sahana then told her about the injuries she got otherwise she's so worried about her daughter in law.

Meanwhile Rishi comforts Preetha,

Rishi: Aunty aa rahi hein. You relax.

As she sees him, she remembers the faint voice she heard before closing her eyes,

Preetha: Te...teddy....thum ....thum theek hona?

She checks his hands & face going all panick.He is her best friend; nothing should happen to him.Especially not because of her.

Rishi(calmly): Mein theek hu. Mujhe kuch nai hua hein Mickey.

He feels happy for her care her but her next question makes him dreaded,

Preetha: Ka.....Karan kaha hein?

She is looking into his eyes,her voice is laced with with fear & desperation,

Preetha: .Bathao.Kaha hein?

Rishi doesn't know what to answer. She's asking him without minding the fact that she didn't tell Rishi about Karan.

Rishi: W...wo....

Words are not coming out but she's not taking any of that. His silence is adding to her panicked state,

Preetha: Usse ku....ku...ch nai hua heina? ( He's silent,she yells) Chup kyun ho. Bathao Rishi kaha hein Karan? Wo theek heinaa?

Just then her family comes in relieved that she woke up but her anguished yelps make them anxious,

Preetha: Maa..... Karan kaha hein?

Sarla: Karan theek hein beta. Thum tension math lo usse kuch nai hua hein.

She soothingly says to relax her panicked daughter.But Preetha didn't believe her mother's words,

Preetha: Then I have to see him.Where's he?

That caught everyone's tongue.Because no one knew about his whereabouts. Sameer's failing to reach him.

The tension in the room makes her frightened,the total scenario had a huge impact on her that she's frightened that something could have happened to him,

Preetha: Uss....uss ..usse kuch hua hein?

Sarla: Nai beta. Wo bilkul theek hein.

Preetha then outlashes,

Preetha(yells): Fir kaha hein Karan? Kyun chup ho sab? Mujhe usse dekhna hein. Bathaaao.

Her hysterical cries hardly pinches their hearts. They don't know what to say how to console her because they themselves are shaken when they suddenly heard heavy footfalls followed by door opening.

Everyone look that side to see Karan in a disoriented state, panting as if he's deprived of his breath.

He's relieved seeing their family all safe & secure & his gaze stops at Preetha who he's dying to see since the last few hours.

It all took a single glance and she rushes towards him, the canula in her nerve moves out resulting in bleeding.

Wrapping her hands tightly around his neck, she cries her heart out.

Never in her life had she experienced such a traumatizing night. The whole fiasco replayed in her mind which resulted in tightening her hold on him.

She's scared. Scared for him.

Preetha: Mein bahot dar gayi. Bahot dar gayi.I hate you......I hate you.....I hate you so much.

Little tears form in his eyes,it's all solely his mistake.Had he been careful, he wouldn't have got abducted & she wouldn't have come searching for him risking her life.He's liable & he knew it. No doubt she hates him,but listening it from her clenched his heart.

After minutes,she slowly comes out to face him but doesn't move out of his arms,

Preetha: Mujhe kyun nai bathaya? Kyun nai bathaya thum?

She asks holding his collar & looking at his eyes with her own teary face.

He lowers his eyes for not telling her about him because he didn't want to delve on that phase,that regret but he never thought it would revisit him in this way.

Karan: I....I am Sorry. I didn't tell you as I don't want you to like me because of my profession. I want you to like me because of me.I should have told you before that I was a Commando......

His words are stopped as she pulls his collar making him look at her,

Preetha: Mein uske baare mein nai thumhara Rishta ke baare mein puch rahi hu.Thumhe mujhe kyun nai bathaya ki thumhe shaadi ki proposals aa rahi hein? Are you planning to leave me?

Her full family is stunned at her question while Sahana chuckles. Her daughter in law is exactly like her.

Not to forget Karan.....he's perplexed. She's not angry at him for hiding his identity but she has got a problem with him hiding the proposals. He's so confused when she pulls his lapel again,

Preetha: Tell me.

Karan: Ye...yes. yes. Yes

Preetha(loudly): What? Are you really planning to leave me?

Yes she's scared but seeing him all fair & fine, her anger returned. She's exasperated at him for not getting to her before. For not talking to her earlier. For being angry with her.

Karan: Ha.....no...no...no...no!

He doesn't know what he's saying because the girl before him conjured his mind.

Preetha: Then why didn't you tell me about the proposals?

Karan: I....i forgot?

Rather than answer it seemed like a question. What he's supposed to even say? He thought he would have to cajole, request her, apologize and what not but she's stuck on some silly thing.

Preetha: You forgot about me?

Her eyes again became teary remembering the two months where they stopped talking.

Karan: No...no. I didn't.(annoyed) Pch what are you even asking? Forget about that and listen me(he frees himself from her & sighs)......... I was a Commando before but left the forces 3 years back.I was not at all happy with the decision because it was my passion.(slowly)It still is.I lost faith in God as he was the sole reason I had to quit.(he sees his mother who averts her eyes,he composes) Whatever it was over & I was trying not to look back then one day I met you (He sees her with a smile) And it's a new beginning for me.Everyone in my life knew about my profession but you recognised me as a new person with a new identity & it helped a lot to move on.From there I didn't turn back because you were always there around. That's why I called you a storm. My storm.Which brought a new life in me.

He finishes glancing at his in law's. They feel sad for him at the same time they are proud. Who wouldn't? They nod at him appreciatively.

Gaining their approval,he looks at Preetha who's silent,he lowers his eyes,

Karan: I am Sorry I ....

She puts her palm on his mouth,her tone low & firm,

Preetha: I don't like to hear Sorry from you. Not now. Not ever.Even if you didn't say this now, I wouldn't have asked you because what I care is you.Not your job or your past.Only you.

Elated is a small word to describe his happiness at the moment but it soon disappeared when she spoke again,

Preetha: Now that your boring speech is over its my turn.

Karan(widened eyes): Boring? You think my feelings are boring?

Preetha: Yes they are.But that's not important first tell me why didn't you talk to me for two months? You didn't call me. Why?

Karan(shrug): Even you didn't.

She just called his feelings boring, he has the right to be irritated.

Preetha: I am angry.

Before Karan responds, she interrupts,

Preetha: Now don't say "so am I".

Huffing, she starts moving forward while he moves back,

Preetha: You shouted on me, you didn't even listen me,you went away just like that. You stopped talking to me. When I was in your office you ignored me, when I was hurt you walked away. You didn't tell me about the proposals.You forgot about me.Even now you weren't there beside me when I opened my eyes.You said whatever may happen, you will find your way to me. You didn't.....you lied.

She's pouring out all her frustration backing him for each question until he is against the door just like he did on the Milan night,

Preetha: You lied.......I don't wanna see you.Get out.Leave!

It's not a heart wrenching sight for Karan but a heart warming one. Why not? She is saying to get out but pulling his collor to herself. Her hold is so tight that even if he want he could not move an inch. This makes him smile,

Karan: Leave me then I will go.

Her teary eyes widen at his reply. The audacity of him to say that.She is already mad at him now she is furious.

Preetha: After making me go through all this,you want to leave. Do you think I will let you go? Jaan lelungi mein thumhari. Not those bloody fools but I will kill you if you even take a step. Understand?

Karan chuckles at her angry warning, his tired mind rejuvenated,

Karan: But you told me to get out. Tell me clearly should I leave or stay?

That stops her actions as she ponders over the question.She's mad for sure but she doesn't want him away. What does she want then? Confused,she turns aside to look at their family who are stifling their chuckles,

Preetha: Why are you all laughing?

Unable to control, they burst into laughter. Her sky blue gown reaching knees,her loose hair, her teary face with now confused expression make her look like a child.

Even Karan chuckles at her & she glares at him.

She is clueless as to why they are laughing but she felt relieved as she finally talked to him & released her anger.

As her frustration is out,tired & exhaustion crawled on her so thinking to deal with Karan & her family later, she latches herself on Karan hugging his torso & laying her head on his heart,she yawns.

Karan: You still didn't say?

Preetha: Mein baad mein bataungi.Mujhe neend aa rahi hein ab.

Karan takes her into his embrace with a smile on his face. They sigh as they felt their souls finally coming back after wandering.

This is why he likes her. She's just something.

One minute she lashes at him and the next she cocoons into him.

Sarla: Ab thum dono ka Kapil Sharma show ho gaya tho Mickey thumhara bleeding clean karna hein. Aao yaha!

But Preetha doesn't move,

Mahi: Mickey aao. Jaldi nai clean karenge tho infection hojayega.

They look at her whose face is turned away from them & covered with her hair,

Karan: Sweetheart.....Ma bula rahi hein. Go.

Looking down, he removes her hair & realizes that she has fallen asleep hugging him & he's bearing her weight.

Sarla(tensed): Kya hua? Fir Behosh hogayi?

He looks at her & says with a smile,

Karan: She's sleeping ma.

All are amused at the scene. How could she fall asleep standing?

Mahesh: Lay her down on bed Karan. Mahi will clean it.

Following his instruction, he carefully lifts her & as a habit she closely wraps her hands around his neck.Smiling,he lay her on bed & is about to move when he falls back beside her.

He lowers his eyes to see her hold on his shirt, as usual.

Varun: Yeh dekho kaise pakad rahi hein neend mein bhi.

Karan: Kya kare jiju? Hak hein uska!

He chuckles at his own statement & kisses her on forehead. Moving closer to her so that she can comfortably hold his shirt, he asks Mahi to clean the bleeding.

Everyone in the family admire them with a happy glint in their eyes and abig smile playing on their lips. Finally, their prayers are heard. Though they knew their children are suffering they didn't interfere because it's their life, they are responsible for it.

All is settled,all are good & happy........ except one. Rishi!

It's his best friend in the room, her family who is also his family is with him but nothing or no one seemed familiar. He felt like a stranger.....an unwanted stranger.

Blankly,he moves out of the room and before taking a step he glances at her through the door who is in the embrace of another man. Precisely........ her husband.

Turning his head, he walks away.....away from the room, away from them, away from her.

Jhootha jag rain basera
Saancha dard mera
Mrig-trishna sa moh piya
Naata mera tera

Through the hordes of people, his feet take him to the car, he sits in and turns the steering.

Naina.. jo saanjhe khwab dekhte the

Though it's early dawn the climate doesn't look like one. It's like a cloudy evening when Preetha & him would go for a ride on his bike talking about their dreams.

Naina.. bichad ke aaj ro diye hain yun

A little smile appears on his face remembering the memory contrary to the welling of his eyes.

Naina.. jo milke raat jaagte the

The sky is getting darker & darker which remembers him the nights they spent finishing their assignments on the terrace and sleep there itself.

Naina.. sehar mein palken meechte hain yun

The accident which made him her Teddy bear & her, his Mickey mouse.

He closes his eyes tightly as those happy scenes play like a movie on the wind shield.

Juda huye kadam

The slight smile is lost as he opens his eyes when his mind slowly but steadily rewinds each & every thing happened in the span of 12 hours. A mere 12 hours didn't pass like an usual night but opened to a harsh day.A harsh reality.

Jinhone li thi ye kasam

He speeds up the car as he recalls their untold promises of being with eachother through thick and thin.

Milke chalenge hardum

He thought they would never go in opposite directions. They would always be side by side in every step of life.

Ab baant'te hain ye gham

But now she seemed so far from him.So far that he would never be able to reach her.Just like the stars,he can see her but can't hold.

Bheege naina..

The realisation unfurls the tears he is stopping so hard from drowning him.

jo khidkhiyon se jhankte the

Just like how the nice mizzle turned into a rain storm with heavy winds & thunders, his tear drops turn into floods of tears as his heart beats loudly.

Though the wipers clear the windshield,he still couldn't see because of his own teary eyes & blurry future still he continues to drive wiping them with his elbow,but they just doesn't stop.

Naina.. ghutan mein band ho gaye hai yun

He stops the car with a jerk unable to drive because of his cries.

He is not able to believe the truth. Unable to believe that she's married.Unable to believe that she didn't say him.

The thoughts suffocate him so much and he comes out of the car unable to stay inside the confined space.

Saans hairaan hai
Mann pareshaan hai
Ho rahi si kyun ruaansa ye meri jaan hai

The heavy rain outside doesn't even flinch him. Taking few steps & breathes, he falls down on his knees infront of his car, his legs,body,mind not at all supporting him.

As his mind rewinds what he has seen in the hospital, he cries loudly because of the pain in his heart. He could feel himself literally breaking when he saw her tears for him, when he saw his love for her......for his Mickey!

Kyun nirasha se hai
Aas haari huyi
Kyun sawaalon ka utha sa
Dil mein toofaan hai

His pain turns into anger,self loath.

He hits the road with his fists shouting, for each question.

How? How? How could this happen? Why didn't she tell him? How could he lose her? Why didn't he tell her first? Why didn't he express his feelings? Why? Why? Why?

His questions lie unanswered just like his cries are unheard.

Slowly his hitting stops and he slumps down bawling.

Naina.. thhe aasmaan ke sitaare
Naina.. grahan mein aaj toot'te hain yun

On a roadside, infront of the car, he is venting his heart out when someone keeps a hand on his shoulder. He doesn't look because he didn't feel anything. His body,mind are numb.

Then someone falls on his knees beside him and that's when he slowly raises his head to look. It's difficult to recognise the persons because of the rain & his tears but he knew who they are.His friends...... Vicky & Sandy.

Naina.. kabhi jo dhoop senkte thhe
Naina.. thehar ke chhaaon dhoondhte hain yun

They are in utter shock seeing the scene in hospital. Their friend & their lecturer? How's it even possible? It felt like they are in a parallel world but no. They are not. As soon as they come out of shock, the first thing they did is looking for Rishi who is moving out.They tried their best to catch him and here they are crying for his friend's state.

Juda huye kadam

Seeing his friends, Rishi tightly hugs Sandy and cries. Although he is the one who teases him everytime, he is also the one who gives his shoulder anytime.

Not everything can be shared with family, friends are their for a reason. They help you when you are down and if they can't, they lay beside you and cry.

Jinhone li thi ye kasam
Milke chalenge hardum

His unfortunate cries moves their hearts. Sandy unable to see his friend in that state,

Sandy: Rishi......ro math. Ham....ham Preetha ke paas jaayenge. Usko bathayenge ham. W...wo prank kar rahi hein Rishi Wo sab sach nai hoga. Thum....thum ro math. . Chal....thumhare baare mein usse pata nai isiliye wo aise kar rai. Ham...ham abi jaayenge aur bathayenge.Chalo...chalo uske paas.

Even he knew how untrue his words are but he can't see his friend like that. Never.

Rishi: Wo kisi aur ki ban chuki hein.Uski shaadi ho gayi hein.

His tears won't stop but he needs to say, he needs to talk otherwise this pain could suffocate him to death. Whereas they are stilled at the info, "she is married?"

Rishi: Meri galthi hein. Hamesha mera pyaar,meri feelings, meri secrets par meine kabhi socha nai tha ki uski dil mein kya hein. Kyunki mujhe laga mein sab jaantha hu uske baare mein.Mujhe laga.......wo kaha jayegi. Hamesha mere saamne mere pass hi tho rahegi mein kabhi bhi bol saktha hu. I took her for granted. Galthi kiya meine........Hamesha mere saath rahegi iska matlab yeh nai ki meri saathi banjayegi.

It parts his being into pieces when he uttered those words still he continues,

Rishi: Aap...aapko pata hein jab uss...uss admi ne kaha ki uski shaadi ho chuki hein meine nai mana. Aur jab ....jab meine uski shaadi ka photo dekha tab bhi nai maana.(his lips wobble) Le....lekin.....hospital mein ...jab ...jab u....uska pyaar dekha ta..b....tab me....meri jaan nikal gayi.

As he shares, he could finally realize his position,

Rishi: Sach....sach hein yeh ki wo kabhi meri thi hi nai. Kabhi bhi.

Ab baant'te hain ye gham
Bheege naina.. jo sanjhe khwab dekhte the
Naina.. bichhad ke aaj ro diye hain yun

The savage truth breaks his heart as he cries for his hapless fate.

Maybe the sky is also crying as the rain doesn't stop pouring on the three friends swallowing their pain in its chatter.

And continues in the next slice........

Their love & his pain are inexplicable.