A/N: Nandita, this chapter is written specially for you dear :) and all my readers, a big warm squishy hug for ol' of you. I really really want to thank you guys for supporting me and loving me throughout my very first DUO story...
One more thing, there were a few doubts in my mind, while writing this. I want to thank specially both of my sisters Krittika and Nandita for clearing those and standing beside me whenever I needed them.
It was morning. Abhijeet was waiting outside the room for the doctor. Daya's scream was still echoing into his ears - "ABHIIIII- Isse jaane ko kaho - please Abhi - tum kaha ho..."
The helpless and fearful look in Daya's eyes was haunting him. His face was covered with sweat even in the very pleasant weather of Manali. He was trying hard to restrain himself from rushing into the room and pulling his Life into a comforting hug and protect him from every bit of pain. After few more minutes of this unbearable waiting the doctor came out of the room. Abhijeet looked at him anxiously.
"Doctor saab, Kaisa hai woh? aise ajeeb kyun behave kar raha hai?" He asked with concern.
The doctor took him aside and signaled him to calm himself. "Abhijeet, uss shock ke wajah se uska brain me bahot zyada chot ayi hai - abhi uska brain ek bachcho ke jaisa hi kaam kar raha hai, jaise ek normal adult insaan ko yeh asani se samajh me aa jata hai ki kisse kaise baat karna hai, ya phir kya karna hai, yeh sab uski samjh me ab nahi ayega... Uper se woh apni purani baatein bhi bhul chuke hai -"
Abhijeet was shocked, but he stopped the doctor with, "Par woh to mujhe achche se pehchan raha hai doctor saab! Phir kaise -"
Doctor: Nahi Abhijeet, uska memory puri tarah se damage nahi hua hai, yehi soch lo ke kuch kuch cheezein uski deemag me bas gaya hai, jaise ki uska "Abhi", aur baki memory kuch blur jaisa ho gaya hai! Abhi woh jo tumpe aise depend kar raha hai, yeh ek bahot hi achcha sign hai. woh tum pe bharosa kar raha hai, yeh usse thik hone me bhi dheere dheere help karega. Haan aur ek baat, usse kabhi kuch yaad karne ke liye pressurize mat karna. bas usse pyar aur saath chahiye - aur samay bhi -
Abhijeet's eyes were teary. But his tone was full of confidence. "Chahe puri zindegi hi kyun na lag jaye, mujhe koi aitraaz nahi, lekin usse kabhi bhi pyar aur saath ki kami nahi hogi"!
After that he took the diet chart and medicine details from the doctor. After some more minutes the doctor left and Abhijeet slowly entered Daya's room. All the saline and other equipment were removed from him. But still he was not looking happy.
As soon as he saw Abhijeet, he turned his face away from him. Abhijeet came near him, but he tried to move his face away. Abhijeet smiled and sat beside him and touched his hand.
"Daya - meri taraf nahi dekhega?" he asked softly.
Daya nodded as "NO" sternly.
Abhijeet smiled sweetly, "Acha, itna gussa? aur woh kyun?"
Daya turned towards him. His face was clearly bearing anger!
Daya: (angrily) Kaha they tum? Aur woh admi - woh kyun aya tha mere paas?
Abhijeet: Kaun? woh doctor?
Daya: haan haan wohi -
Abhijeet: Woh to Doctor hai na, tumhara check up ke liye aya tha, ta ki tum jaldi se thik ho jao - dekho unhone woh sab "dardwala suii" bhi nikal diya na -
He was trying to calm down his brother. Daya was still sitting like a grumpy kid.
"Mujhe woh pasand nahi", he told annoyingly.
"Acha?" Abhijeet asked softly while ruffling his hair.
"Mujhe tumhare siway aur koi bhi pasand nahi" - He suddenly hugged Abhijeet tightly by his waist, "Tum kyun nahi aye subah se mere paas Abhi? maine tumhe dhunda bhi, pata hai? Kitna bulaya tumhe -" he was complaining all these hiding in the hug.
Abhijeet hugged him back. His eyes became teary, "Bas - ab main aa gaya hun na? tere paas hi hun - ab main kahi nahi jaunga"
Daya: (happily) Pakka?
Abhijeet nodded as yes.
Abhijeet: Daya, please yaar, tang mat kar, kha le na chup chap! Aaj kaam zyada hai -
Daya: mujhe yeh beemaro wala khana nahi khana hai, bas! Tumhe khana hai khao na. mujhe "sweet corn soup" hi chahiye -
Abhijeet: kya yaar! ek din tu yeh corn flakes nahi kha sakta -
Daya: Nahiiiii- Aur waise bhi bureau se late aye ho - uska punishment hai - abhi bana do -
Abhijeet: Kisi bhi angle se lagta nahi ke tu beemar hai! janab ka order to dekho - main tera cook hun?
Daya: (chuckling) waisa hi kuch samajh lo -
Abhijeet came out of his thoughts... He placed the soup bowl in front of Daya. He made him sit properly. Daya was not seemed to be interested at all.
"Yeh dekh Daya - yeh sweet corn soup - tera favourite hai", Abhijeet tried to feed him a spoonful. Daya turned his face away, "mujhe nahi peena".
"Please Daya, ek baar - " he pleaded.
"Kaha na, nahi chahiye" - Daya pushed his hand away and the spoon fell from his hand!
"Kya DAYA! Gira diya na! Kab se keh raha hun! aur tu hai ki - pata hai na tujhe kitna weak ho gaya tu, ab saline bhi nahi hai, peena to padhega!" Instantly he shouted, but as soon as he could hear his own voice like that, he stopped. He looked at Daya, who was looking at him with disbelief! Abhijeet tried to move towards him, but he pulled him away and he silently started to take the soup. His silence made Abhijeet feel a sharp pain in his heart. Daya was quiet throughout. After finishing he handed over the empty bowl to Abhijeet. Abhijeet took the bowl with hurt face. He was about to move but then he returned.
"Daya" - he asked in a very deep soft tone. Daya did not look at him but just lowered his head. Abhijeet felt a lump in his throat.
Abhijeet: Daya, "Abhi" bura hai na?
Daya nodded as "NO" still keeping his head down. A tear drop slipped from Abhijeet's eye. He sat beside him and cupped his face to lift it up. This time Daya did not protest.
"Mera Daya ka dil bahut Bada hai na? To usne uska Abhi ko maaf kiya?" Abhijeet asked earnestly. Every word of his was bearing the pain that filled his heart. Daya looked at him, this time his gaze became soft.
"Promise karo pehle ki phir kabhi nahi dantoge! warna maafi bhi nahi milega!" Daya made a cute face.
Abhijeet placed his hand on Daya's. With a broad hearty smile he said, "PROMISE"!