CHAPTER 17
A/N: Hey guys! Back with a looonnng update. After this, one more chapter and the story gets over.
But my dear Rhia, after the last chapter of the story, there would be an additional chapter which would be a surprise for you, specially. Hope you and all others like it.
Enough of my bak – bak. Here's the update. Enjoy reading, guys.
Recap: Tanishka has been saved by the CID team and they caught Viraat also but while he was being taken away, he took a gun and shot Abhijeet who was then taken to the hospital for treatment.
It was pitch dark everywhere. Wherever she looked, it was just darkness. She tried to move her eyes but realized that they were closed. It was because of this, she felt pitch darkness. She tried to open her eyes, but was unable to do it. She felt an unknown force stopping her from opening them. She could hear unclear voices around her. Slowly and steadily, they became clearer and she recognized them. One was of her Dadu, and the other one was of her Nanu.
Dr. Salunkhe: (looking at Tanishka) "Pradyuman, lagta hai Tanu ko hosh aa raha hai."
ACP: (immediately sitting beside Tanishka and caressing her hair) "Tanu… Tanu beta…. kya…. kya tum hume…. hume sun sakti ho?"
That careful and love – filled caressing seemed to do the magic. That unknown force got lifted and she slowly opened her eyes. However her vision was blurry. Even her throat felt heavy but still she tried to say something.
Tanishka: "D… d…. da… du…."
ACP sir seemed to feel a heavenly sooth hearing that call. It had been a long time since he had heard that call. He just got up and pecked a soft kiss on his granddaughter's forehead. What a condition she was in! He just felt like taking his gun and emptying it in Viraat's body. But the law forbid him to do so. Which is why he could just feel sorry for his grandchild and angry on that heartless animal.
Dr. Salunkhe: (wiping his tears) "Mai doctor ko bulakar lata hu."
He went while Tanishka turned her gaze to look around her room…. searching for the person she wanted to see the most. But it got no result. No, he was not around. She tried looking outside the glass in the corridor, but still no result. Where was he? Was he not aware that she was here? Had ACP sir and Rajat not told him anything? What had happened after she got kidnapped? There were so many questions. ACP sir was just giving her a painful gaze. What were they going to tell her if she asked about her Papa? How were they going to reveal the truth? Suddenly the door opened and Tarika, Shreya and Daya entered inside. Dr. Salunkhe had informed them of Tanishka gaining her consciousness. Tanishka looked behind them to see the desired person but again there was no sign of him. She frowned which was well noticed by all. But right now, Tarika was not in state to pay heed to it. All this time, she had been constantly praying for her daughter's well – being and now, her prayers had been answered. She went, slowly and carefully took Tanu's hand in her hands and kissed it. She immediately left it and starting kissing her face. Tanishka could feel her mother's tears flowing down her face.
Tanishka: "Ma… mmm….ma…. ma… mai… thi…. thik…. hu…"
Tarika: (angrily and tearily) "Haa, dikh raha hai. Thik hu… hunh…. Muh se thik se awaaz nahi nikal rahi… aur mujhe bata rahi ho…. ke thik hu…"
Shreya: (smiling tearily) "Kya Tarika? Kyu daant rahi ho meri bacchi ko? Abhi abhi toh hosh aaya hai use. Aur ab tum hi milti rahogi ya hume bhi milne dogi."
Tarika nodded and got aside. Now it was Shreya's turn to peck kisses on her darling baby.
Shreya: "Kaisi hai meri Pari? (in teary tone) Is baar bohot sataya hai tumne hume."
Tanishka: "So…. so…. rry…"
Daya: (instantly in heavy tone) "Nahi bacche…. sorry tumhe nahi…. hume kehna chahiye… sab pata hote huye bhi… hum… hum kuch nahi kar paye…."
Daya averted his eyes to hide his tears. At the same time, Dr. Salunkhe returned with the doctor.
Doctor: (checking her pulse) "Ab tum kaisa feel kar rahi ho, Tanishka?"
Tanishka: "Thi… thik.."
Doctor: "Hmm… tumhe jo shocks diye gaye the, unki wajah se tongue kuch din heavy rahegi. Baaki koi problem?"
Tanishka: "Vi… vi….sion…. tho…. tho…da…. blu…. blu…. rry…. hai…"
Doctor: "Woh toh sedatives ki wajah se hai. Don't worry. Unka asar kum hote hi woh bhi thik ho jayega."
Tanishka was now irritated. At least at the sight of doctor he should have come inside. He knew she hated the sight of doctors just like him. But still there was no sign of him. Finally not being able to control herself she looked towards Daya, as she knew that no one but him could tell his whereabouts.
Tanishka: (looking straight towards Daya) "Pa…. pa… ka… kaha… hai…?"
There was a pin drop silence in the room. Daya looked towards the doctor who nodded his head in no and prepared an injection of sedative. He tried to hold her hand but she jerked it away abruptly. Her wounds pained due to that jerk but right now she was ready to go to any lengths to see her Papa. She was angry at him for not being present there.
ACP: (trying to divert her mind) "Tanu… Tanu, yaha dekho… Dadu ki taraf dekho…"
Tanishka looked at him and the doctor seized his opportunity in that fraction of second. He immediately took hold of her hand carefully but firmly and injected the sedative in her. Tanishka looked at ACP sir with anger and hurt for doing this. ACP sir was just standing there down head not being able to meet her gaze. Tanishka slowly succumbed to the sedative while shedding tears. As her eyes closed and she drifted back to sleep, ACP sir sat beside her and softly removed those precious drops from her face. Tarika broke out into a cry and immediately left the room.
Doctor: (in grim tone) "I know, it's very hard for you all. Aur Tanishka ko jab pata chalega toh woh bhi shayad yeh sadma bardaash nahi kar payegi. Par abhi you all have to stay strong. Abhi Tanishka is haalat me nahi ki yeh stress jhel sake. Aap logon ne hi kaha tha ki she is very close to her father. Aise me agar use sach ka pata chala toh uski apni jaan ko khatra ho sakta hai."
Daya: (cryingly) "Toh… toh kya kare hum, doctor? Woh… woh jab bhi uthegi…. Abhijeet ke baare me hi puchegi… Usiko dhundhti rahegi…. Kaise chhipayenge usse hum sach?"
ACP: (trying to show himself strong) "Hume sach chhipana hi hoga, Daya… Kuch bhi karke…. Hum Tanu ko nahi bata payenge ki…. uske papa… (tearily) uske… papa…. ab…. COMA me jaa chuke hai… Nahi bata payenge hum use…"
The doctor sighed and left the room to give them time to make themselves ready for the upcoming fight. The next day morning came with the start of that new fight. Rajat and Daya had stayed for the night in the hospital with Tanishka and Abhijeet respectively. Tanishka opened her eyes after the long sleep. She remembered the previous day incidents and started thinking about them. Why had her Dadu done such a thing? He was not the one to ignore her demands. Instead, he was the one who at times made others fulfill her demands. Then why he was not understanding her wish to see her Papa? Where was her Papa? Was he alright? That thought made chills run down her spine. Also the thinking had now raised a pain in her head, which was increasing with each passing minute. Rajat had gone to the washroom to freshen up. He came out to find Tanishka holding her head with her free hand. Pain was clearly visible on her face. He immediately called for the doctor. The doctor entered and told Rajat to go out. Rajat was impatiently pacing outside. After a while, the doctor came out.
Doctor: (sighing) "Shayad kuch soch rahi thi woh. Dimagh par jyada pressure daalne ki wajah se pain hone lag gaya tha. Maine painkiller diya hai. Thodi der me hosh aajayega."
Rajat: (deciding something) "Us waqt aap bhi rahiyega waha. Hum dono milkar use sach bata denge."
Doctor: (completely appalled) "Aap ka dimagh toh thik hai? Uski jaan – "
Rajat: (cutting him in between) "Pura nahi aadha sach… uske sawaalon ka kuch na kuch toh jawaab dena hi hoga… warna woh isi tarah sochti rahegi aur isse uski tabiyat thik hi nahi hogi…. Agar uske paas apne sawaalon ka jawaab hoga toh kum se kum woh thodi shaant toh rahegi."
Doctor: (not convinced but still agreeing) "Aap kahenge kya usse?"
Rajat: "Woh aap tab hi sun lijiyega."
They were waiting outside her room. After some time, the nurse informed them about Tanishka gaining her consciousness. Both of them looked at each other and entered inside. Rajat looked at her lovingly and caressed her hair softly. She kept starring at him constantly. Rajat understood the meaning of her fixed gaze.
Rajat: (sighing) "Tumhe sach jaana hai? Jaana chahti ho ki Abhijeet sir kaha hai?"
Tanishka hurriedly nodded her head. Tears had welled up in her eyes. Rajat gently brushed them off.
Rajat: (in firm tone) "Par pehle tumhe mujhse wada karna hoga ki sach jaane ke baad tum uske baare me jyada nahi sochogi. Apna dhyaan apne aap par, apni tabiyat par dogi. Aur kisise koi sawaal bhi nahi karogi. Promise?"
Rajat forwarded his hand to her. She looked at him and then at his hand. She slowly placed her hand in his hand and nodded her head. Rajat smiled and kissed her forehead. The doctor was constantly looking at the two.
Rajat: (softly) "Tanu… Abhijeet sir ko… goli lagi hai. (Tanishka's eyes widened with fear and she tried to sit up, but Rajat and the doctor immediately restrained her from doing so) Tanu… nahi bacche… pehle… pehle meri puri baat suno… (Tanishka looked at him with teary eyes which pinched his heart but still his voice was composed) Abhijeet sir thik hai…. Haa, goli lagi hai par…. hum unhe sahi samay par hospital le aaye… toh woh thik hai… par unhe aaram ki jarurat hai na bacche… phir aisi haalat agar woh tumse milne aaye toh kya tumhe achha lagega? (Tanishka shook her head in no) Toh phir? Woh aaram kar rahe hai Rani… jaise hi thik ho jayenge aa jayenge tumse milne… hmm? Toh… ab meri Rani bina nakhre kiye doctor ki saari baatein manegi? (Tanishka frowned and made a face but still agreed having no other option. Rajat smiled at her childish act) Good… Very good..."
Doctor: (in amused tone) "Mai nurse ko bhejta hu. Woh tumhari help kar dengi morning chores me."
Saying this, both of them left the room leaving Tanishka in her thoughts. As soon as they came out, the doctor held Rajat's hand.
Doctor: (in amazed tone) "Aapne kitne achhe se handle kiya hai Tanishka ko. Use pata bhi nahi chala ki use sach ki aad me jhoot bola gaya hai. I am impressed, officer."
Saying this, he patted Rajat's back and left. Rajat immediately called ACP sir who received it in no time.
ACP: (in tensed tone) "Haa Rajat? Kya baat hai? Tumne achanak kyu phone kiya? Sab thik toh hai na? Tanu toh thik hai na?"
Rajat: (smilingly) "Sir… aap saans toh le lijiye. Sab thik hai yaha. Maine bas aapko kuch batane ke liye phone kiya tha."
Saying this, Rajat narrated the entire incident. ACP sir was at first shocked and angry but on listening to Tanishka's reaction to the reveal, ACP sir was relieved. He felt as if a burden had been lifted from his heart.
Rajat: "Sir, maine thik kiya na?"
ACP: (tearily) "Bilkul thik kiya tumne Rajat. Kum se kum ab woh shayad apni health par dhyaan degi aur jaldi thik hogi. Aakhir Daya ke alawa ek wahi hai jo Abhijeet ko andar – bahar se samajhti hai. Aur is waqt Abhijeet bhi shayad ussi ki raah dekh raha hoga. (adding proudly) Tum sahi me Tanu ke chhote papa ho."
Rajat: "Thankyou sir, ab mai rakhta hu. Tanishka ka breakfast wagera bhi toh dekhna hai."
ACP: "Uski chinta tum mat karo. Tanu ki dono maa nikal chuki hai ghar se naashta lekar. Bas pohonchti hi hongi. Ab wahi dono ruknewali hai waha. Tum aur Daya fresh hoke aur (strictly stressing) thoda aaram karke aana bureau. Tab tak mai aur team sambhal lenge."
Rajat: (smiling at the strict tone) "Yes sir. Rakhta hu. Bye."
He kept the call and turned around to find Tarika and Shreya standing there. They had tears in their eyes which told him that they had heard everything. Tarika came and joined her hands in front of him.
Rajat: (holding her hands) "Yeh kya kar rahi hai aap, Dr. Tarika? Tanu meri bhi kuch lagti hai… woh mujhe chhote papa kehti ho toh uska farz bhi toh nibhana hoga na… aap haath jodkar mujhe sharminda mat kijiye…"
Tarika and Shreya smiled at him and the three went inside after the nurse had finished her work. Tanishka was lying there looking outside the window. She looked towards them as they entered. They had smiles on their face. She too smiled lightly. Tanishka could see how much efforts her mother was putting in that single smile. Tanishka knew that Rajat had not told her the situation fully. There was something more to it. And till she had recovered, she would not be told about it. So she decided to take care of herself till she was fit enough to know the entire truth.
Days were passing but there was no improvement in Abhijeet's health. Tanishka too was recovering but only physically. She was still weak mentally. ACP sir had informed everyone about that incident so whenever they were around her, they used to take care to continue it that way.
15 days later….
Tanishka was now able to walk with clutches. The fracture was healing while the other wounds had almost healed. Though her brain was still weak from the effects of the electric shocks. So everyone was still postponing the time to tell her the truth. But it is the truth. No one can hide it forever. And that day, she heard the truth. It was evening. Tarika and Shreya were at the bureau as the case was regarding an abused girl so they had to be present there. Rajat and Daya were at the hospital. Tanishka woke up from the effects of the medicine taken in the afternoon. She heard Rajat talking to Daya on the phone.
Rajat: "Haa, sir. Tanu thik hai. Doctor ne kaha hai ki kuch din aur use under observation rakhenge phir discharge kar denge. Sir woh… (Rajat glanced at Tanishka who immediately shut her eyes seeing him turning as she understood that he wanted to talk about Abhijeet) Abhijeet sir kaise hai?"
Daya: "…."
Rajat: (sighing) "Pata nahi sir, aur in dono ko kya kya dekhna padega. Ab lagta hai ki bas… Aur kitni takleef sahenge yeh log? Abhi tak toh Tanu ko yeh nahi pata ki…. Abhijeet sir… coma me hai… (Tanishka choked back a sob but still remained in her posture) Jab pata chalega toh kya hoga uska? Kaise sambhalenge hum use? Khair… sir mai rakhta hu… Tanu ko ab hosh aa jayega… Aap waha dhyaan rakhiyega…"
Saying this, he cut the call and was going to sit beside Tanishka when the nurse entered.
Nurse: (handing him a prescription) "Sir, please yeh medicines lekar aayiye. Doctor ne mangayi hai."
Rajat nodded, took the prescription and went to the chemist shop. The nurse too left. And finally Tanishka opened her eyes and sat up on her bed. She broke out into a cry. Her father… her dearest Papa…. was in COMA.
MANJILE… RUSVA HAI… KHOYA HAI RAASTA….
AAYE… LE JAYE… ITNI SI ILTAJA…
YEH MERI ZAMAANAT HAI…
TU MERI AMAANAT HAI...
Tanishka remembered all the sweet moments she had shared with him. She remembered the day when after a long lasting silence, they had shared a few peaceful moments. (Chpt 14)
APNE KARAM KI KAR ADAAYE…
KARLE IDHAR BHI TU NIGAHE…
SUN RAHA HAI NA TU…
RO RAHI HU MAI…
SUN RAHA HAI NA TU…
KYU RO RAHI HU MAI….
Tanishka decided something and wiped her tears. She slided down the bed, took hold of her clutches and came out of the room. Fortunately both were on the same floor so it didn't take her much time to find his room. She looked inside to find Abhijeet alone. She looked around but there was no sign of Daya. She slowly entered inside and looked at Abhijeet. The sight broke her heart and mind. Her charming and handsome father had lost his glow in a matter of just few days. The Sharp shine had lost his shine. She somehow felt guilty for his condition. She went and sat beside him. She took his hand in her hand and started caressing it slowly.
Tanishka: (tearily) "Papa…. papaaa…. apni… apni gudiya se naraaz hai… haan… honge hi… maine aapse itne saalo se baat jo nahi ki…. aapse milne ke baad bhi aapse humesha ukhadi ukhadi hi rehti thi… kabhi thik se baat nahi ki…. bohot buri hu na mai papa… bohot… bohot buri hu mai… (sobbingly) par aap toh mere achhe papa hai na… aap toh kabhi…. kabhi mujhse naraaz nahi hote…. toh ab kyu chup hai… boliye na…. (shaking him) please papa… uthiye naa… I am sorry… mai aaj ke baad kabhi kabhi tang nahi karungi…. promise… pakka promise… please na papa… uthiye na… (wiping her tears) aapna… aap chahe toh mujhe daant lijiye… jitna chahe utna daant lijiye… chahe toh do chaar thappad bhi laga dijiyega… (crying again) par please papa…. please is tarah chup mat rahiye na… please… meri himmat aapse hai papa… aap hote ho toh mujhe himmat milti hai… aap hi is tarah himmat haarkar pade rahoge, toh… toh mai bhi… mai bhi tut jaungi papa… please uthiye na papa… please…."
The pressure on her brain had increased and she was slowly losing her consciousness. Abhijeet's hand slipped from her hand and she was about to fall when two strong yet gentle hands took her in his arms. It was none other than Daya. He picked her up in bridal style and turned to go, but stopped in the mid way. He looked back at Abhijeet.
Daya: (tearily) "Boss, ab toh uth jaao… Tumhari beti ne bhi pukaar liya hai tumhe… please boss… kum se kum use toh is tarah na tadapaao…"
Saying this he turned to go when suddenly –
"DAYA…."
Done there guys! Hope you like it. Please R and R.
Thankyou!
