The ambulance wails in the hospital parkway. Two attendants pick up the bloodied stretcher carrying Purvi. Her eyes are closed and her whole body is covered with blood, most of it dripping on the floor as the men hurry her up. Madhu is running across the stretcher, talking on the phone to get the best medical attention for her daughter.
There is a commotion in the lobby as people gasp on seeing the severity of Purvi's injuries.
Madhu (oh phone,screaming): I don't care how you do it Dr Naaz (top doctor)…catch the first available plane or jet or anything….i will pay for it!...just save my girl…pleaaaase….
Doctor: Relax..relax Mrs Singhania..you please calm down and stay here..hum bas aapki beti ko dekh rahe hai..
Madhu (tears, screaming): What do you mean relaxxxx….meri beti…she jumped right in front of me…Oh Godddd….please..doctor ..do anything…paiso ki chinta bilkul mat karna…..just save her…you got it!
Doctor: yes…yessss…main andar jaata hoon…
Madhu watches from the small window on the door. She still cannot see Purvi's face – it's covered with blood. She sits on the bench and sobs loudly.
Kavin's father
Kavin's father finally opens his eyes. He still breathes with difficulty and blinks his eyes to clear his vision. He looks at the familiar faces around – Ishita, his wife and Kavin..
KavinF (weak): Ichkiii..he calls ishita in a small voice.. ishita comes near him..
KavinF: sorry beta…..tu tension mat le…main Dushyant se baat…he winces in pain.
Ishita (wiping tears): Papa..aap pehle theekh ho jaoo…mujhe koi tension nahi hai…she kisses his hand.
Kavin (tears): Papa…how are you feeling?
KavinF (weak): maine manaa kiya tha..uss ladki se dosti mat karna..dekh liya kya hua…he looks at Ishita.
Kavin (tears): I…I am sorry papa…maine…maine…Its over Papa…hum dono ke beech ab kuch nahi hai..
He turns and wipes his tears. He goes to the door of the room.
KavinM: kahan jaa raha hai?
Kavin: nurse ne kuch davaai lane kaha hai..main bas lekar aata hoon..
He steps out of the room with a heavy heart. He walks and goes to the small pantry beside the room. he pretends to take some coffee and then finds a quiet corner to cry his heart out. 5 min later, he wipes his tears and makes way to the hospital's pharmacy.
There is a crowd, everyone is placing their medicine orders for their relatives. The pharmacist is busy taking out medicines, injections, instruments and what not..
Some man: bhaisaab 20 min se ruke hai…hamaari davaai nikaal doo…meri patni ka bukhaar bigad raha hai…
Another man: arre..sirf ek patti hi toh maangi hai…mere bête ki dressing atki padi hai..
Everyone starts to murmur angrily.
Pharmacist: arre ek min…mere sar pe kyun nach rahe ho…main apna kaam hi kar raha hoon…hospital me emergency case aaya hai..ek ladki ne chatth se koodke aatmahatya ki..ab who toh kood gayi..dimaag hamara kharab hua jaa raha hai…
He goes back to collect the bandages and stuff. Trays and trays of medicines and stuff are passed around to the ward boys. They all rush to the operation theatre.
Kavin waits some more time and now the crowd is much less. He presents the prescription to the pharmacist.
Pharmacist: arre…Inspector saab…aap peeche kyun khade the…main pehle hi de deta naa..
Kavin (smile): Nahi..aap busy the naa..koi baat nahi..
The pharmacist goes behind to collect medicines, a ward boy rushes with a list of injections..
Wardboy (urgent): ehh..Salim (pharmacist)…yeh zara nayi list ki dawaai de..jaldi kar..Dr Naaz aaye hai..he says in whisper..
Salim: Dr Naaz? …2 min ruk….abhi aaya..he hurries to get medicines..Kavin watches as the ward boy rushes again.
Salim (looking at Kavin): arrre..sorry…bas abhi laaya aapki dawaai..he gets the medicines finally.
Kavin pays the person. Salim is calculating the cost for some patients medicines.
Salim: huhhh….iss patient ko aaye do ghante bhi nahi huye..aur abhi se hi itna bada bill…aap soch sakte hai inspector saab..aisa bill bharne toh hum jaise logon ko kitne mahine lag jayenge..
Kavin: lagta hai bahut paisa hai iss patient ke paas…
Salim: paisa hone se bhi kya? Khuda ki marzi ke aage kya paisaaa…maine suna hai…kuch khaas ummeed nahi hai..woh ladki bas kuch pal ki mehmaan hai…yeh sab toh dikhaava hai…magar ladki ki Maa..paani ki tarah paisa bahaa rahi hai…ab dekiye naa itne kam samay me Dr Naaz ko bulaa laaye hai…unki fees toh sirf yeh bade log hi afford kar sakte hai..
Salim gets a phone call. Kavin collects his medicines and bill and starts to walk away.
Salim: kya? 10 pack aur? Itna maal nahi hai mere paas…godown se laana padega…1 ghanta lagega..arre..pata hai pata hai…Madhu Singhania paise de degi..lekin maal bhi toh hona chahiye..
Kavin hears the name Madhu Singhania and stops in his tracks. He comes back to the pharmacist. He is muttering something in anger.
Salim: arre Inspector saab..kuch bhool gaye kya? Yaa paise barabar nahi diye?
Kavin (scared, breathless): woh…abhi abhi tum phone pe Madhu Singhania..yeh…wahi Singhania house waali Madhu Singhania ki baat kar rahe the?
Salim: haan..wahi…dimaag kharab kar rakha hai..abhi godown jaa raha hoon…bahut hi mehenga injection chahiye..
Kavin (stopping him): Madhu Singhania…unhe..unhe kya hua hai?
Salim(coming out of shop): unhe kuch nahi hua hai..unki beti..maine bataya naa..ek ladki chath se kood gayi..yeh wohi hai…bas kuch der me marne waali hai shayad…main chalta hoon..
CRASSHHHH…. The medicines fall out from his hands..Kavin panics big time and runs…to find Purvi….his love..his jaan…
Ek ladki chath se kood gayi…abhi thodi der me marne waali hai…
Kavin stops running. He has no idea where he is going. His heart is chilled, his throat is dry and his head is spinning out of control. He sits on a bench with his head down, taking deep breaths.
Madhu Singhania ki beti hai….sab dikhaava hai…jaldi mar jaayegi..
He gets up with a start. Sweat is pouring down his face, he wipes it and reaches the nearest Nurse station.
Kavin (to a nurse): Excuse me…Madhu…Madhu Singhania…unki beti…abhi admit huyi hai…chath se kood gayi..he imagines Purvi jumping off – he shudders…aapko…aapko pata hai kahan hai?
Nurse (disinterested): Kaun madhu singhania…aap doosre floor me poochiye…yeh accident ward hai..
He asks again and again and the nurse ticks him off rudely. Kavin snaps!
Kavin (yelling): Please…sister…mujhe bataayiye..he is trembling now…Madhu..Madhu Singhania ki beti..Purvi(he whispers her name)…yahan admit hai..mujhe pata hai…mera milna bahut zaroori hai..Pleaase…I beg you…he is down on her feet….hands clasping..begging for a chance to see her!
Ward boy: Singhania madam…woh suicide case?…..5th floor pe operation chal raha hai..Kavin thanks him and starts running…Arre…kidhar jaa rahe ho…koi mil nahi sakta….kya paagal aadmi hai..
Kavin runs to find an elevator for 5th floor. The elevators are busy and he jabs the buttons again and again. With a loud frustrating yell, he just leaves and rushes through the stairs…pushing and shoving scores of people moving up and down the busy hospital.
He is breathless, his eyes blink overtime to erase the black spots appearing in front of his eyes. He can hardly speak..
Kavin (breathless): Purvi…huuuuhhhh…huff..Purvi..hufffff Sing…Singhania..
Receptionist: Am sorry…but hame strict orders hai..nobody can disturb them..
Kavin (holding the desk, slipping with exhaustion): Pleaseee…main…I am Kavin…he fumbles with his I-card..CID…he tries to get up and stand straight, the receptionist stares at him – he is a CID officer as per his I-Card, but right now he hardly has any look of an officer on a case – he looks scared, his face is pale, he is fighting his breath, his hands tremble as he shows his card in front. His eyes have a pleading look…
Kavin (mind): Pleassse..ek baar bol do…yahan koi Purvi nahi hai…yeh sab jhoot hai..please…pleaeeeseeeee..
As the receptionist continues to stare at him, he gets a small confidence that maybe the pharmacist and the ward boy got the name of patient wrong! There was no way Purvi Singhania was admitted in this hospital…his jaan was safe..maybe sad and crying….but still safe..
Kavin (mind): jaan..yeh sab jhoot hai naa…I swear main abhi tumhe phone karoonga….he takes his mobile out to call Purviiii…
Receptionist: You can go sir…aage se right..but unka operation chal raha hai…she points out the room…Sirrr…Sirrr…
Kavin stands there frozen! Nooooo….Nooooo this cannot be true….Jaaaan….yeh kya kar diyaa tumne…
His legs turn into jelly and he falls down as he cannot feel his legs anymore. The receptionst rushes to him. She calls the wardboys for help. They help Kavin to sit on a bench nearby. Kavin can hear nothing, he cannot talk..its as if he has already Died! His jaan is fighting for her life inside the room.
Operation chal raha hai…Kavin stares at the red light outside the operating room. His eyes are transfixed on the light! His jaan is angry…her anger is the red light..he feels..
Receptionist: Sirrr…sirrr…aap yeh paani pee lijiye…
Kavin feels a faint voice calling him, he can see some movement in front of his eyes – a glass of water is held out in front of his face. He blinks his eyes- two unknown faces are talking to him…
Wardboy: Sir…paani…
Kavin takes the glass of water with a trembling hand. Half of the water spills out of the glass. With some difficulty he takes the glass to his lips and sips it..
Wardboy: aap theekh hai?
Kavin looks at the wardboy! Aap theekh hai? Kaise theekh ho sakta hoon? Yeh puchoo main zinda hoon ya nahi…yeh hi nahi jaanta main…kaise kahoon..Meri jaaan to wahan andar hai naa..
Madhu (yelling): Cancel everything! Goddamnnn…its my girl…meri beti…I don't care if this was booked months back…Shutt Uppp…just shut uppp... She throws her phone and sobs loudly.
Kavin looks at the wardboys and gives a small nod of head indicating he is okay. He gets up now, collects all his strength and walks to a sobbing madhu…he places a hand on her shoulder..
Kavin (small voice): Aunty….
Madhu stops sobbing and looks up at the new face in front. Who is he? She wonders..she gets her answer in the look on his face..Its the look of someone who has probably lost everything he had in life! The biggest loser!
Madhu (question): ka..Kavin? he can just nod his head..
Oh God ! he has so many questions to ask her…..How is my Jaan? Kyun meri Jaan ne aisa kiya?Aapne rokaa kyun nahi?….his head is bursting….but at this moment he continues to study Madhu's eyes, her tears…They are giving answers to his unasked questions!
Madhu (hitting him): Get Outtttt…tumhari himmat kaisi huyi yahan aane ki…tumhari wajah se aaj meri Purvi….mere aankhon ke saamne woh kood gayi….she shudders at the image…woh marrr rahi hai…she sobs loudly..Purviiiiii…she cries…
Kavin shuts his eyes and sits down sliding his frame on the wall…He cannot believe what he just heard..
Kavin (mind): Maine…Maine Purvi ko maara? Lekin who meri JAAAANNN hai…he yells in his mind…Main kyun apni Jaan ko maroonga…
I hate you Purvi Singhania…..Sunaa tumne I hate You…
He remembers his own actions, his behavior towards her..Oh Goddd! Its true….Maine meri Jaan ko maar diyaa….he hides his face in between his knees and sobs..
The operation room door opens, a junior doctor rushes out.
Madhu (holding the doctor's hand): Kya hua? meri beti..how is she?tell meee…
Doctor (tryin to free hand): Dekhiye….abhi kuch nahi bol sakte..she needs urgent Blood…leave me Ma'm.
He rushes down the corridor to place order for blood from the blood bank..
Kavin (stopping doctor): Purvi kaisi hai? Aapne dekha usse? Usne kuch poocha mere baare me? Can you tell her I am very sorry…please..
Doctor: aap kaun hai? Please mujhe jaane dijiye….they need me inside..
Kavin (holding him tight, angry, face clenching): listen doctor….i just want to know…purvi kaisi hai?
The doctor looks at Kavin's face – he looks angry, his body is trembling with rage..he may punch his nose any moment
Doctor (swallowing): Miss…Miss Singhania ka…ope..operation abhi bhi chal raha hai…13…nahi sorry 16 fractures hai body me..ek..do..do fracture skull pe hai…we…we are trying…but we cannot say anything…main..main jaoon? He asks with fear..pleaseee…
Kavin leaves the doctor. He again imagines Purvi free falling from the terrace. He can hear her bones cracking, he feels the blood flowing out like a river! Fear grips his heart like heavy steel, its constricting him to breathe.
He places both his hands on his head, he is startled because his phone rings loudly. Its Ishitaaa..
Kavin (trembling voice): Hann…Ish..Ishii…
Ishita (worried): aap kahan ho? Nurse injection maang rahi hai…papa ka ecg liya abhi abhi…
Kavin (confused): haan…main…main aata hoon..
He again looks at the operating room – Red light is glowing! His phone rings again…he doesn't realize he has been standing at that place since 15min…he has to get medicines for his father!
He feels his feet weigh a tonne as they reluctantly move towards the elevator. He stops at the receptionist.
Kavin (desperate voice): kya aap mujhe har 5 min me phone karke bataa sakti hai…Purvi kaisi hai?..please..his eyes have a pleading look..
Receptionist: Okay..okay sir…
Kavin leaves after giving his number. He now rushes to the pharmacy again, his heart is chanting a constant prayer.
Kavin's father room
Ishita: Bhaiyyaa…kitni der..kahan the aap? Main do baar chakkar lagaakar aayi..woh pharmacist keh raha tha aapne dawaai pehle hi le li..toh aap gaye kahan the? Bhaiyyaa…Bhaiyaa..she shakes him..
Kavin (confused, afraid): Kya? Kya kaha Ishi?
Ishita (worried): Kya baat hai bhaiyaa? Aap theekh toh hai?
Kavin (looking away): haan..haan…he checks his phone…7 min have passed. He goes outside the room and dials the receptionist..
Receptionist: Hello…ICE hospitals..how may I help..
Kavin (cutting her): Purvi kaisi hai?
Receptionist: excuse me?
Kavin: Maine kaha tha naa..har 5 min me mujhe phone karna..kaisi hai woh?
Receptionist: ohh..yeahh..sir…operation abhi bhi chal raha hai…no news..
Kavin (desperate): Main aa raha hoon…
Ishita: kya hua bhaiyaa? Aap kahan jaa rahe hai?
Kavin: mujhe jaana hai..tu yahan sambhaal…I have to go..he moves ahead.
Ishita: Bhaiyaa? Stoppp….please…kya baat hai…mujhe bataaiye..aapki haalat toh dekhiye..yeh itna paseena, yeh aankhen laal,aap tabse itne khoye huye hai..
Kavin (suddenly): Ishiii..Purvi ne suicide karne ki koshish ki hai…uska operation chal raha hai..mujhe jaana hai..
Ishita (shocked): WHATTTT? Bhabhi ne….oh my goddddd…Oh my Godddd…Bhaiyaa…yeh sach hai?
Kavin: Ishi…main uske paas jaana chahta hoon..tu..tu yahan dekh legi…please..
Ishita (tears, nodding): haan..haan..aap jaooo..abhi jaoooo..
Kavin just hugs Ishita and cries. She can sense the fear of losing Purvi in Kavin's sobs and body language.
Ishita: nahi Bhaiyaa…ghabraoo mat..kuch nahi hoga…she will be fine….aap jaooo..
Kavin runs again to the 5th floor – he is going to his life..his love…
He reaches the entrance and sees lot of movement. He reaches just in time as they are taking away a heavily bandaged patient to a room. Two wardboys are holding drips above their hands and rushing away..
Kavin (to receptionist): Purvi?
Receptionist: Ohhh sir…operation ho gaya…abhi shift kiya hai ICCU me..Sirr..wait…wait..
She runs behind Kavin. Kavin reaches the ICCU in a flash. He barges inside but is held by the wardboys.
Kavin (struggling): Mujhe jaane do…please…I have to see her..please…Purviiiiiiiiiii..he yells…
Madhu (numb): Koi faayda nahi hai…she is not going to listen to you..
Kavin (turns): what?
Madhu (crying): Doctors ne jawaab de diya hai….its ..its of no use…usse ventilator pe rakha hai…zinda rakha hai bass…. …she is not responding…she cries tremblingly and sits down..
Gracy (breathless): ma'm….babyyy…babyyy kahan hai?
Madhu (surprise): Gracy…tum yahan? Kisne bataya tumhe?
Gracy(wiping tears): Meri friend yahan head nurse hai…Ma'm…main ek baar baby ko dekhna chahti hoon..
Madhu (sobbing): Gracy…I am sorry…maine tumhe jaane kaha..agar tum hoti toh shayad yeh nahi hota..tum bachaa leti naa meri beti ko…Gracy kuch karo…maine doctor se keh diyaa…mere saare paise le looo..meri beti waapas chahiye mujhe…
Mom…aapke paas bahut paisa hai..doosri beti aa jaayegi….
Madhu: Gracy….mujhe meri Purvi chahiye….kya tum usse waapas laa sakti ho?
Gracy (consoling her): aap baithiye ma'm..main doctor se baat karti hoon..
Gracy walks to the ICCU to talk to the doctor. She comes across Kavin…She just touches his shoulder and their eyes meet. Gracy doesn't say anything, just consoles him with her eyes.
Madhu gets up as she watches Gracy walking to her. She is wiping her tears.
Madhu: Kya? Kya kaha doctor ne? kitna …kitna kharcha hoga..I m ready to pay any amount..Purvi theekh ho jayegi naa? Bolo Naa Gracy?
Gracy: Ma'm..please…sit down…she nods her head as No, wipes her tears…baby…baby is not fine…and jo kuch bhi kar sakte sab kuch karke dekh liya hai doctors ne..babyy…she looks up with tears..baby dheere dheere hume chodke jaa rahi hai..
Madhu(numb,whisper): what?
Gracy: sorry ma'm..but this is the truth…woh jaa rahi hai..
Kavin (determination): Woh nahi jaa sakti…Nooo…she cannot….usse waapas laana hoga…
Gracy (tears): Kavin…..let her go…she is in great pain..woh jeena nahi chahti hai..
Kavin: Purvi nahi jaa sakti…he looks at them with a new confidence…usse waapas aana hoga..hum sabke liye..he smiles..
Gracy and Madhu look on at him..
Flashback
After their Diwali night confession, Kavin and Purvi are sitting and talking..he raises his hands to give a hi-five and it hits her bandaged palm (she burnt hands), paining her.
Kavin (holding her hand): oh goddd..sorrry..so sorry..he kisses her hand..are you feeling better?
Purvi: hmm…its fine..stop fussing over it…itni choti chot hai…aur ussspe kitna drama kar rahe ho..
Kavin: ok…chodd deta hoon…acha hai naa..
Purvi (holding hands): Nahi..main mazzak kar rahi thi..mujhe acha laga tumne meri patti ki..aunty ne haathon se khaana khilaya..uncle ne bhi 2 baar pooch liya…kitna khayal rakhte ho..I feel like a princess…
Kavin (rolls eyes): Haan…meri family hai thodi dramebaaz…Mom toh hamari choti si choti chot ke liye mannat maang leti hai, mandir ka dhaaga laga degi..Papa toh peeche hi padh jaayenge…dawaai li, patti ki…Goddd..
Purvi: You are so lucky Kavin…maine hospital me dekha tha…kitna khayal rakh rahe the tumhara…
Kavin: Pleaseee…it was sooo embarrassing….
Purvi: jab main rehab me thi…mere saath koi nahi thaa…bahut darr lagta hai..aisa lagta hai kisiko meri zaroorat nahi..main jeeyoon ya maroon koi farak nahi padta hai…sach bolooon uss waqt main aisi hi marna chahti thi…agar mere bagal me tumhare family jaisi koi family hoti naa…main toh maut se ladke waapas aajaati..tumhari tarah footage nahi khaaongi..hahahahaaha…
Flashback over
Kavin (determination): main…main abhi aaya…he walks ahead quickly..
So what will Kavin do? how will he get Purvi back from death? hopefully 2 more chapters...
Dear Pihu: you mentioned you are undergoing something similar in your life..I just wish you stay strong. I know this story depicts suicide attempt..But this is just a story..whatever be the circumstances in your life, in anybody's life please think twice before taking any extreme step..I am praying for you dear..you will be just fine..
Thank you all for your heart touching review comments. It only encourages me to write better, think more...