Vineet's ward

Daksh was pacing to and fro in the ward, talking over the phone, actually shouting over the person.

'aap log kuch nahi kar sakte hai, itna toh main samajh chuka hoon.. Sirf bolna aata hai aapko karna nahi.. Yahan mere bhai ka fir accident ho gaya office jaane ki wajah se aur aapko aab tak pata nahi chala ki kon ye sab kar raha hai.. Kamal hai' Daksh grunted angrily, gritting his teeth.

'dekhiye Dr. Shergill hamare pass koi jadu ki chadi nahi hai ki ghumai aur jo chahiye wo samne aa jaye.. Hum puri koshish toh kar hi rahe hai aapni taraf se' the person from the other side, that is, the inspector replied..

'haan haan.. Pichle teen mahine se toh aap koshish hi kar rahe hai, ya ye kahun ki nakam koshish.. Aab toh mujhe doubt hone laga hai aap log kuch kar bhi rahe hai ya baithe rehte hai aur mujhe jhooti tassali dete rehte hai.' Daksh said sarcastically.

'Dr. Shergill, hum yahan free nahi baithe hai aur naa hi sirf eklauta aapke bhai ka case hai hamare pass.. Humein sab kuch ek saath handle karna padta hai.. Aur jahan tak rahi aapke bhai ke case ki  wo toh ek aisi guthi hai jisse aapke bhai hi suljha sakte hai ya fir wo ladki jo unke saath thi.. Aab wo ladki toh hai hi nahi jo uss se puche aur aapke bhai hai toh aap kuch puchne nahi dete.. Toh aap bataiye hum sabut kahan se laye? kisse pakde? Ya fir aap ye chahte hai ki hum kissi ko bhi pakad le? Bataiye!?? Do you think we are robots or magicians?' Inspector asked, his voice harsh and rude.

But it seems, Daksh wasn't in mood to hear out any reason for their failure,'' aap sabut kahan se dhundhenge ye aapka problem hai inspector mera nahi.. Aur aap vineet se kya puchna chahte hai jab usse kuch yaad hi nahi hai.. Main kitni baar aapko bata chuka hoon ki vineet ko pichle ek saal ka kuch yaad nahi, uske liye wo ek saal tha hi nahi toh aap uss bare mei pucho ge kaise? Dekhiye inspector ye main aakhri baar bata raha hoon, agar aab ek bal bhi baka hua mere bhai ka toh ye aapke liye aacha nahi hoga 'he warned the inspector, he had enough of their laziness. 

Inspector raged with this and shouted,
' mujhe dhamki de rahe hai aap Dr. Shergill, jante toh hai na aap kisse baat kar rahe hai.'' The inspector shouted at the top of his voice.

' main toh bahut aache se janta hoon main kis se baat kar raha hoon , aur aab aap bhi jaan jayenge aap kis se baat rahe hai.. Yaad rakhiyega, agar aab mere bhai ko kuch hua toh aapke saath jo hoga aap khud zimmedar honge uske.'' Saying so he ended the call.

He had never been so rude to anyone. Shouting and screaming is not his cup of tea but now that his brother is in danger he can't keep calm. Everytime something short of this happens to Vineet, he loses his control, his calm nature vanishes and he can't help it.

Taking a deep breath, he turned and found Dr. Agarwal and Ruhana standing at the door, staring him.

' aap log yahan kaise??'' Daksh inquired.

'Dr. Agarwal vineet se milna chahte the, toh issiliye..!!' Ruhana replied, trying to avoid eye contact.

Daksh shook his head, destiny is a real gamer!

'Vineet so raha hai abhi, usse anesthesia ka injection diya hai.. Do - teen ghante mei hosh aa jayega, tab mil lijiyega aap log.'' He replied gazing at Dr. Agarwal.

Now that she doesn't want to even look at him, he should at least lend a helping hand.

'Okay fir hum badh mei aate hai' Dr. Agarwal says with a smile and he moves out along with Ruhana.

…..

They (Ruhana and Dr. Agarwal) were passing from the corridor towards Dr. Agarwal cabin when Dr. Agarwal commenced a conversation.

'Dr. Ruhana, Vineet toh Dr. Shergill ke carbon copy lagte hai, nahi!' he said, a little amused.

'yes Doctor, wo dono twins hai isliye' Ruhana replied.

'Hmmm, lekin ek baat toh maanni padegi Dr. Shergill ko apne bhai se pyar bahut hai, kaise inspector se baat kar rahe the vineet ke liye' Dr. Agarwal thoughtfully said as they had heard the conversation.

'haan!' Ruhana agreed.

Dr. Agarwal feel Ruhana's disinterest in his talks so he thought to drop the topic.

' Dr. Ruhana ek baar aap hamare patient ko dekh aaiye fir apne hotel chali jaiyega.'' Dr. Agarwal said and moved ahead leaving her behind.

She marched towards the ward. She entered to check her but  was left surprised. She immediately called Daksh. Daksh arrived within a couple of minutes.

'what happened?? He asked panting.

' she moved her fingers.'' Ruhana told him, pointing to the patient

Daksh gave her a look
'This is not possible, Ruhana.. Teen mahine se coma mei hai wo, uska brain koi response nahi de raha hai, ye possible hi nahi hai..'' He reasoned.

' meine dekha hai, abhi - abhi isne move kiya 'Ruhana replied.

' teen mahine mei kabhi aisa hua 'Daksh asked, she shook her head negatively.

' jab teen mahine mei aisa nahi hua, toh aab kaise hoga.. I think tum thak gayi ho, ghar jake aaram karo.'' Daksh suggested her.

Ruhana shot him glare
' meri baat pe vishwas nahi hai toh ek baar khud check hi karlo.'' She said angrily.

He sighed and started checking her, the life machine which was connected to her body started beeping. Her hand moved, her body trembled, Daksh was left stunned. He set the machine.

' Ruhana gave me the injection, fast.'' Daksh shouted, Ruhana immediately gave him the injection which was on the table.. Daksh injects it in her arm and she calms down in a moment, her body relaxed, the machine stops beeping.

Ruhana look at him and said
' meine kaha tha ki uski body mei Movement aayi, par tumhe toh vishwas hi nahi karna hai.. Aab khud dekh liya toh ho gaya yakeen' she said angrily.

'mujhe vishwas hua ya nahi ye Important nahi hai, important ye hai ki achanak iski body mei aisi Movement kaise hone lagi .. Ek din mei itna Movement kaise ho sakta hai!' Daksh replies, thinking..

'I think tumhari prescribed medicines
effect kar rahi hai' Ruhana says thoughtfully.

Daksh gazes at the girl for a few good seconds, it seems she couldn't take those high doses of medicines that he prescribed her.
'ek kaam karo abhi wo medicine maat dena, aur ek baar full body check up karwao iska, dekhte hai kya result aata hai.'' He says after a while and pauses.

'Aur ek kaam karna jaane se pehle ek nurse yahan chod jana.. Agar raat mei fir aisa kuch hua aur koi naa raha toh problem ho sakti hai' Daksh said and turn to go when his vision became blurry and he was about to fall, Ruhana hold him in time and made him sit on the sofa which was lying in the corner of the ward..

She gave him water, he took it and drank some..

'thik ho' she asked in concern, he nodded..

'aachanak kya ho gaya tumhe' she asked..

'I don't know,' he replied. He removed his glasses and rested his head in the backrest, he felt his head would blast anytime.

'tumne subha se kuch khaya nahi kya' she asked, looking at him.

He tries to think and realize he hasn't eaten anything. He shook his head as no.

She got angry and said 'kyun nahi khaya.. Khud doctor ho aur itna nahi pata ki bhukhe nahi rehna chahiye jyada time tak.' She scolded him..

'yaad nahi raha' he replied innocently, looking at her like a kid.

'aise kaise yaad nahi raha.. Apna khayal hi nahi hai tumhe, bakiyon ka kaise rakhoge.. hamesha tum aisa hi karte ho.. Aab chup chap yahan baitho main kuch khane ko laati hoon' she said and moved out, he watched her going.. Some old memories flash in his mind , some words echo in his ears..

...

"tumne firse khana nahi khaya"

"exams ke chakar mein tum khana chod doge, daar nahi hai tumhe mujh se '

"aise kaise bhool gaye tum khana... Ye book rakho niche main khana leke aati hoon kha ke thora aaram kar lena, agar book ko hath bhi lagaya toh aacha nahi hoga"

"kabhi apna khayal bhi rakh liya karo, kaddu"

...

' tum nahi badli, sab waisa hi hai..tumhara dantna, galti batana, meri care karna, sab kuch waisa hi hai..sirf humara rishta badal gaya.. pehle tum haq jata ke kehti thi aab farz bata ke karti ho' he sighed and close his eyes, ''kash wo sab na hua hota toh aaj sab thik hota, sab khush hote.. mom, Vineet, choti, main aur tum… he pause.. tum toh aab bhi khush hi ho Raunak ke saath!!'' He smiles painfully.

It is rightly said not everyone gets a happy ending!

His trance was broken by the ring of his phone.. He opened his eyes and picked up the call, it was from Shakshi..

'hello' shakshi said from the other side..

'aap pahunch gaye aache se' he asked, sitting up straight.

'haan, hum toh bahut pehle hi pahunch gaye the, par kaam mei busy hone ki wajah se call nahi kar payi' Shakshi said and pauses, waiting for his reply but when he didn't say anything she sighs.

'tum thik ho naa' Shakshi asked.

'Vineet thik hai' Daksh replied.

'Main janti hoon vinu thik hoga, tumhare hote usse kuch nahi ho sakta.. meine abhi tumhare baare mei pucha hai guddu' shakshi said.

'par janna toh aap uske bare mei hi chahti hai naa.. Aap sidha sidha puch sakti hai mom, mujhe bura nahi lagega' Daksh replied emotionless.

'guddu beta, aisa maat bolo.. Mujhe Jitni fikar vinu ki hai utni hi tumhari' Shakshi said with a heavy throat, she doesn't know how to prove her love for her own son.

'Hmmm,. Main thik hoon, aap fikra maat kijiye.. Bas apna khayal rakhna waha' Daksh said, sensing the heaviness of her voice.

'ghar pe ho ya hospital mei ho aab tak?' Shakshi asked, trying to sound normal.

'main hospital mei hoon' he replied..

'aab tak hospital mei kyun ho, itni der tak kaam karoge toh tumhari health ka kya hoga.. Aab tak toh tumne khana bhi nahi khaya hoga.. Aur tum hospital mei ho toh dusra kahan hai, kahin wo bhi office mei toh nahi baitha' she asked, a bit angrily..

'mujhe kaam hai yahan, main nahi jaa sakta wapas.. Khana mei yahin kha lunga...aur Vineet so raha hai.. ' he lied, how can he tell the truth to her.

'tum dono meri samajh ke bahar ho..karo jo karna hai, bas ek baat yaad rakhna kaam ke chakkar mei tum dono ko kuch nahi hona chahiye...' shakshi scolded

'Mom, hum thik hai..aap tension maat lo' Daksh replied..

'kaise tension naa loon.. Tum dono toh kuch sunte hi nahi meri' shakshi said disappointed.

'Bas kuch din aur jhel lo mom, fir koi tension nahi rahegi aapko' Daksh murmured.

'ye kya bol rahe ho tum,..kya matlab hai tumhara kuch din aur se' shakshi asked, tensed..Daksh didn't reply

'guddu main kuch puch rahi hoon, bolo' Shakshi asked a bit loudly as Daksh's words tensed her.

'kuch nahi, bas aise hi bol diya meine.. Aap maat socho iss baare mei' Daksh said and disconnected the call without waiting for her reply..

He kept the phone on the table, he bent down to the backrest and closed his eyes thinking..

'bas ek baar vineet thik ho jaaye..fir yahan se kahin dur chala jayunga... Meri wajah se hone wali sari tension door ho jayengi aapki mom..' a tear escaped from the corner of his eyes.

...

Door of the ward gets open, Ruhana enters with a plate of food.. Daksh immediately wiped off his tears, she noticed it but said nothing.

Does she still have the right to question him? No, obviously!

She moved towards him and sat beside him.. She took the spoon to feed him when he forward his hand to take the plate.

Oh! She doesn't have the right to do that either!

She put back the spoon on the plate and handed it to him.. He kept the plate on the table and started mixing the rice.. She takes a glance and turns her face to the other side..

.....

She entered with the food plate.. She sat beside him and took a spoonful of rice and forwarded it to him..

"arey itna bhi bimar nahi hoon ki tumhe khilana pade.. Do spoon, main khud kha lunga" he said and forwarded his hand.. She slapped his hand and said

"Haan haan, sirf behosh ho gaye the..behosh hona jyada bimar thori hota hai, nahi 'she asked angrily glaring him..

" Main khila rahi hoon, bina kuch bole chup chap khao.. Aur waise bhi tumhe khilana mera right hai aur ye mujh se koi nahi cheen sakta, tum bhi nahi "she said glaring at him..

" Bimar hone par bhi log dantte hai, huhh.. ye nahi thora pyar se baat kare, khilaye..bas dant te hi hai' he pouted sadly looking at her..

She laughed and said "mujhe kehte ho ki main drama karti hoon, tum khud abhi kya kar rahe ho.. she asked, laughing..

He made faces..

" Aww, aab aise sakle maat banao..mooh kholo aur khana khao "she said..

He smiles and opens his mouth.. she started feeding him..

.....

Tears rolled down her eyes remembering that moment.. She turned around to see and found him sitting with the spoon, he hadn't started eating.. He was blankly staring  the plate.. He kept back the spoon and moved back..

'kha kyun nahi rahe' she asked looking at him..

''Mujhe aaloo se allergy hai' he replied, indicating  to his plate.

'ohh! Mujhe yaad nahi raha. Main dura leke aati hoon' she said and was about to stand when he said.

'rehne do, main canteen mei jaa ke kha lunga' he said and wore his glasses.

'Main leke aati hoon na.. tum itne weak ho gaye ho ki wahan tak naa ja paoge, agar gir gaye aur kuch ho gaya toh' she said in a caring tone..

He look at her and said 'aacha hai na, main toh ussi din ka intejar kar raha hoon ki kab mujhe kuch ho jaaye..aur iss be matlab ki zindagi se chutkara mil jaaye mujhe ' he replies with a straight face.

Ruhana was left stunned by his answer and was about to say when the door gets open and Raunak enters inside, he fumes in anger to see Ruhana and Daksh sitting together but he controls himself..

'aap dono ek saath yahan' he asked with a fake smile..

Then he noticed the food plate.

'ohh! Aap log khana kha rahe the shayad, meine disturb kar diya aapko..sorry, aap khaiye main jaata hoon' he said and turned around to leave but again turned towards them..

'wo actually main tumhe lene aaya tha Ruhana, itni raat ho gayi aur tum aab tak aayi nahi toh mujhe tension ho gaya tha.' he said with a worried expression.

'mujhe kaam tha issliye nahi gayi, aur abhi bhi main nahi jaa payungi kyunki iss patient ki Condition thik nahi toh main isse akela nahi chod sakti' she said, pointing to the patient..

Raunak turn  towards the patient and was left shocked.. He stared at her without blinking his eyes.. His trance was broken by the opening of the door.. A nurse entered and said to Daksh..

'Dr. Daksh, Vineet ji ki dressing aur kapde badal ne ka time ho gaya hai, par wo toh behosh hai.. Toh kya change karde'the nurse asked..

'nahi.. jab wo hosh mei aa jaye tab karenge change.. Abhi usse hath bhi lagaya toh uth ke pura hospital sar pe utha lega' Daksh said. Raunak looked at him and asked..

'ye vineet kon hai' he asked..

'Vineet mera bhai hai' Daksh replied and left from there, excusing himself..

This was again a big shock for Raunak.. He left the hospital immediately. Ruhana was bewildered by his act as he left without saying anything..

...

As soon as Raunak entered his room, he called someone and when the person picked up the call, he started yelling.

'samajhte kya ho tum khud ko.. Itna bada jhooth tumne mujh se bola hi kaise' he shouted

'chillao maat samjhe.. Kis jhooth ki baat kar rahe ho tum' the person also asked angrily..

'Vineet zinda hai..' Raunak shouts.
'aur tum ye baat aache se jante the'

'haan, main janta hoon ki vineet zinda hai.. Usse maine hi road pe pheka tha taki koi dekhe aur usse hospital leke jaaye' person said..

'par kyun.. Jab usse zinda hi rakhna tha toh marne ko kyun kaha.. Kahin tum mere saath hi toh nahi khel rahe, agar aisa kuch soch rahe ho toh yaad rakhna Ruhana yahin pe hai mere saath, usse saara sach bata dunga..fir toh tum jante hi ho tumhara kya hoga, salakho ke piche zindagi kategi tumhari 'Raunak said in a warning tone..

' bolne se pehle aapna deemag chala liya karo,.. Uss vineet ko sirf issliye zinda rakha hai kyunki wo sabut aab tak uske pass hai, agar wo kissi ke hath laag gaya na toh Ruhana ko kuch batane ki zaroorat hi nahi padegi, sab aise hi jail chale jayenge, samjhe' person said a bit angrily..

'Aacha, aur jo uss vineet ne sab ko sach bata diya fir' Raunak asked..

'wo kissi ko kuch nahi bata sakta,.. yaddast ja chuki hai uski, toh tension lene ki zaroorat nahi hai.. Tum Ek drink lagao aur so jao' the person said, in a calm tone..

'thik hai' Raunak said and disconnected the call..

He sat on the bed and thought..

'ye baat tumhare liye choti ho sakti hai par mere liye nahi.. Jis din bhi vineet ko sab yaad aaya wo sabse pehle mera naam lega akhir maara usse meine hi hai bhale hi tumhare kehne pe.. Tumhe toh kissi ne dekha nahi hai toh tum bach jaoge phasunga toh main.. Issliye vineet ko marna hoga.. Uska zinda rehna mere liye liye ghatak ho sakta hai.''

'Aur Ruhana, tumhe toh main aisa sabakh sikhaunga ki tum uss Daksh ka naam tak bhul jaogi' he angrily banged his hand on the glass table and it broke into pieces..

...
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To be continued..