Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and places mentioned. All the places are fictional and any resemblance is a mere coincidence.
Daya's body was oddly twisted. She ran to him and saw that Daya was having horrendous muscle spasms. His body would twist with intervals. Every time he had a spasm it felt as if his body would fall apart. Disha tried to comfort him but all went in vain. Nothing was helping. Disha's whole face was wet with tears. Her hands were shivering as she tried to soothe her baby. As soon as a spasm hit Daya, he would grunt loudly in pain. Disha rushed outside the room to grab her phone.
She immediately dialed Rahul's number because at first, she needed to know what was wrong with Daya. In what way she can comfort her piece of heart?
Disha was strolling in Daya's room to keep an eye on him while dialing Rahul: pick up the phone Rahul… (her eyes wandered to the twisted face of pain-stricken Daya. A sob escaped her mouth) please pick up the phone beta… please…
After ringing for the third time, the call was received. She started without giving him a chance to say something: hello, hello… Ra… Rahul… beta kahan ho tum?
Rahul stood flabbergasted, he was scared after hearing her mother figure's wet and frightened voice. He had rounds, so his phone was in the cabin. He just entered and heard the phone ringing: kya hua Auntie… sb theek hai na… aap ro kyun rahi hain…
Disha tried to control her sobs: Beta… Daya ko pa… pata nahi kya ho gaya hai… uski body ajeeb tarhan sy twist kr rhi hai… (crying) please tum kuch karo na… pata nhi kya ho raha hai mere bach'chy ko?
Rahul stood glued to the floor, he got his senses back after listening to Disha's heart-wrenching cries: mai abhi ambulance ko ly k aa raha hun… aap Daya ki reports ly lain sath… mai Abhijeet ko bhi khud inform kr dunga… (tried to calm her down) or please Auntie aap shaant ho jayein… Daya aapko esy dekhy ga to wo stressed ho jaye ga… iss time usky liye stress bilkul theek nahi hai… please… relax… for Daya's sake, please relax and don't cry…
After listening to Daya's name, Disha tried to control her emotions: tum please… jaldi…
Rahul rushed outside the cabin: G bs mai abhi aa raha hun… aap please relax rhy… Ok, I'm coming…
Disha inhaled a pain-filled breath: please come soon… (the call was cut)
She sprinted to Daya and tried to comfort him: mera piyara beta… kuch nhi hua… please relax abhi sb theek ho jaye ga... (she was continuously weaving her hand on Daya's head in an effort to console him) (As soon as the spasm passed, Daya would inhale a sharp breath to fill his lungs with as much of oxygen as he could. Every time he felt as if this breath would be his last one.) bs thori dair or… (she wiped his sweaty forehead) mera beta bht bahadur hai na… (Daya's expressions were tearing her heart out. His expressions were clearly saying, "NOOO… I'm not that strong please just stop the pain.")
Rahul was continuously calling Abhijeet for the past twenty minutes but every time the call was transferred to his voice mail. At last, he gave up on calling him instead left a message on his voicemail.
"Abhijeet, Daya ki halat bht zyada kharab ho gayi hai… hum ussy hospital ly k jaa rhy hain… jesy hi tumhy yeh msg mily hospital aa jana…"
Rahul, after putting the phone down prayed in his heart: please Jeet… jaldi aana…
On hearing the siren of an ambulance, Disha ran to the door and opened the door. Rahul came to Disha's side and took her in half-hug while going inside.
Rahul console her: sb theek ho jaye ga… Auntie, mai aa gaya hun na… aap please rona band kr dain… aapko iss tarhan stressed dekh kr Daya k brain pr bht bura asar pary ga… please calm down…
Disha nodded her head in yes while sniffing.
Rahul went into Daya's room and checked his vitals. He ordered ward boys: dehan sy ly chalo… (to Disha) Auntie aapny reports ly lin hain saari?
Disha moved forward to grab all the necessities she had arranged: hmmm… (grabbed the folder of Daya's reports) chalo ly lia hai sb…
Ambulance
Rahul and Disha were sitting behind with Daya, who kept hitting by the muscle spasm wave by wave.
Disha's throat had gone bony dry and sore because of constant crying. She looked at Rahul and asked him in a hoarse tone: Rahul… Jeet ko bata diya na?
Rahul shook his head in no: nahi Auntie usny call nhi receive ki… maine voice mail chora hai usky liye…
Disha hummed: usny kaha tha aaj late ho jayega… koi meeting bhi thi shayad usski… ussi mai busy hoga… maine bhi koshish ki thi ussy call krny ki… lekin usny receive nahi ki… uss waqt takreeban giyarah baj rhy thy…
Rahul put a hand on her shoulder to provide as much comfort to her as possible. He knew that she only needed Abhijeet's support right now but he can't do anything about it at the moment.
Daya was taken to the emergency ward. Rahul went in with him while he stopped Disha outside.
Daya was surrounded by a lot of people. Someone was hooking him up with a BP machine while another was putting some sort of detector on his chest. Disha was watching everything from a small oval window. Her own heart was beating with a horse's speed. Her eyes fell on the clock present in the corridor, it was striking 12:30 AM. She again looked inside and saw that a nurse was trying to insert a cannula in her baby's hand but due to Daya's rigidity, it was giving him a lot of pain. A tear fell off her eyes. A hand removed tears from her eyes, she turned and found her elder son standing there. After seeing him her patience level completely broke and she hugged him tightly while crying.
Disha: Jeeeetttt… (she was unable to say another word)
Abhijeet embraced her tightly in arms. He rubbed her back in a rhythm to comfort her: mai aa gaya hun na Maa… sb theek ho jayega… (after comforting her enough he separated her from himself) kya kaha hai doctors ny?
Disha shook her head in no: nhi abhi kuch nahi kaha… (looked at him) tum phone kyun nahi receive kr rhy thy?
Abhijeet made her sit on the bench: mai meeting mai busy tha… phone voice mail pr dalaa hua tha… meeting sy free ho k bs ghar k liye hi nikal raha tha… k…
In the parking lot, he was just going to sit on his bike when he remembered that he had put his phone on the voicemail.
Abhijeet spoke while taking the phone out of his jeans: arrey yaar phone to bhool hi gaya mai… (looking at the phone) arry Rahul ki voicemail or itni saari calls wo bhi iss time pr? (he played the voicemail. After listening to it his heart stopped for a moment.) yeh to derdh (one and a half) ghanta pehly ki voicemail hai… (he dialed Rahul's number immediately as he knew calling his mother right now would not be of any use as she will not be in the condition to talk to him) Rahul phone utha yaar… (he continued dialing his number whilst sitting on the bike) (Rahul picked up the phone after four continuous calls) hello Rahul… kesa hai Daya…
Rahul released a sigh of relief after hearing his voice: Thank god Abhijeet tumny call receive kr li… thy kaha tum… kb sy phone kr raha hun tumhy… pata bhi hai hum sb kitny pareshaan hain iss waqt…
The background noise was scaring Abhijeet, beeps of machines, the muddled voices of doctors and nurses, and now Rahul's words: meeting mai tha mai… abhi tumhara message mila hai… (pleading to him) hua kya hai Rahul… kuch batao to theek sy…
Rahul realized that Abhijeet was riding the bike right now and he was giving Abhijeet more stress: tum seedha hospital aa jao… emergency ward mai… Auntie ko tumhari zaroorat hai…
Abhijeet insisted: Rahul please batao to kya hua hai… mjhe bht tension ho rhi hai…
Rahul tried to calm him down: tum hospital pohanch jao phir batata hun… and please relax… dehan sy drive krna bike zyada jaldbazi na machana…
Abhijeet knew that there was no way Rahul was going to say something right now: theek hai mai bs thori dair mai pohanch raha hun… (the call was cut by Rahul)
Rahul came out of the emergency ward and saw Abhijeet sitting there with Disha. Abhijeet was continuously tapping his right foot on the floor showing his anxious state. Abhijeet glanced upwards and found Rahul standing there and staring at him. He approached Rahul with long steps and grabbed his arm.
Abhijeet anxiously shook him a little: kya hua hai Daya ko… or mai mil skta hun ussy…
Rahul nodded in yes: hmmm… mil skty ho Infact iss liye mai aaya tha… Daya ko muscle spasms ho rhy hain… esy mai muscles contract hoty hain… jesy hum kabhi aik hi posture sy bethy rhy yaa koi sudden movement karain to hummy feel hota hai k humara muscle twist hua hai… Daya k sath bhi wahi hua hai lekin aik bary scale pr… uski puri body k muscles even face k bhi aik sath twist ho rhy hain… aik khaas interval k sath… hr bees yaa tees seconds baad usky saary muscles contract ho jaaty hain kuch dair k liye…
Abhijeet spoke with difficulty as a ball of tears stuck in his throat: ab… ab kya hoga…
Rahul grabbed him from his shoulders: hum treatment krny ki koshish kr rhy hain lekin Daya ki body bht zyada rigid ho gai hai… uper sy muscle contractions ki wajah sy wo humary sath co-operate nahi kr raha… humary pass sirf chand seconds ka time hai beech mai cannula lagaany k liye… lekin Daya bilkul bhi cooperate nhi kr raha hai… tum chalo mere sath shayad tumhy dekh k relax ho jaye…
Abhijeet was going inside when he turned and found his mother sitting on the bench with a tear-stained face. He went to her and took her in a side hug.
Abhijeet: kuch nahi hoga Maa… hmmm kuch nahi hoga… (to Rahul) tum Maa k pass ruko mai aata hun… (Rahul nodded and replaced his place)
Abhijeet entered the ward and closed his eyes immediately. He never imagined that he would ever… everrrr see the sight in-front of him. He took a deep breath to contain his emotions. He opened his eyes and sat on the stool placed beside the bed by a nurse.
Daya's face was already in his direction. A few tears fell off Daya's eyes after seeing his savior in-front of him; tears of desperation and utter exhaustion. Again an overwhelming wave of muscle tension washed over his face and entire body. He was physically drained but still, his body (which was completely out of control) somehow managed to muster enough strength to torment him every few seconds. Abhijeet had grabbed Daya's hand which too got twisted along with Daya's body. As soon as the tension was over for a few moments Abhijeet signaled the nurse to do her job.
Meantime Disha also came inside and stood beside Abhijeet putting her hand on his shoulder. Abhijeet gave her a silent glance. Daya looked at her and his gaze broke something in her heart.
Daya's POV
That look of helplessness on my mother and brother's face tore my heart into pieces. They were as helpless as I was. I don't know how my body managed to give me so much pain despite being so much exhausted. My mind is clouded with only pain; both physical and mental pain. Sometimes, I think about why I was born if I had to live with this much pain? Why have I become the reason for my family's pain? I have become a burden on them. They are suffering just because of me. They are crying because of me. But I have no say in the matter, I am as incapable as they are. Every time I was hit by the muscle tension I felt that it is the end! I wouldn't be able to breathe again. But as soon as I saw my brother, when he held my hand I understood that he would not let anything bad happen to me. An unknown strength entered my veins. I was busy looking at the face of my mother and brother when I felt a stinging pain in my right arm and suddenly my head turned heavy and my eyes started to close. I just wish if ever I can see my family happy again. My last wish.
Abhijeet silently weaved inside Daya's head: sb theek ho jaye ga meri jaan… please relax… hmmm… bs thori dair mai sb theek ho jayega… doctors ko unka kaam krny do… (as soon as the needle pierced the Daya's vein another tear fell off his eyes) bss bss… ho gaya… (he looked at the nurse for confirmation) dekha ho bhi gaya… itna sa kaam tha… (the doctors gave him a high dose of sedation. As soon as the medicine went in his veins his eyes became heavy) bs aankhain band kro or shaant ho jao… (Daya closed his eyes) shabash… (Daya was completely unconscious in some moments)
The doctor ushered them out to attend Daya.
After coming outside Disha completely broke. She cried and cried after hugging Abhijeet tightly to the point that she lost consciousness in his arms.
When Abhijeet felt no movement in her, he looked down and found her unconscious: Maa… hey… Maa… kya hua aapko? Rahul… Maa…
Rahul came forward and helped him: Auntie… (they took her into Rahul's cabin and laid her down on the examination table) (he checked her BP and other vitals) stress ki wajah sy behosh ho gayi hain… BP bht low ho gaya hai… (Abhijeet just released a sad sigh. He felt as if everything is going out of his hands.) thori dair mai hosh aa jaye ga… (he gave her an injection) rest karain gi to theek ho jayein gi… (he looked at Abhijeet's devastated state and took him out of the room as Disha needed rest) tum chalo mere sath…
Abhijeet silently followed him out.
Rahul took him to the canteen and sat with him at the farthest table present there.
Rahul tried to console him: kya hua Jeet…
Abhijeet inhaled a deep breath: yaar meri samajh nahi aa rha k mai kya kahun ya kya karun… (looked at him with blank expressions) ab to esa lagta hai k mere aansu bhi khushk ho gaye hain…
Rahul gently grabbed his hand: sb theek ho jaye ga yaar… mai nhi bata skta kb tk lekin sb theek ho zaroor jaye ga… mai jaanta hun k kehna asaan hai k sab theek ho jaye ga… lekin jis pr beetti hai na asal dard sirf wohi samajh skta hai hum to bs dilasa dy skty hain… (tightened his grip) tu achi tarhan jaanta hai k tjhe iss Waqt sbsy zyada strong rehna hai… apni family k liye… jo support tu dy skta hai na Auntie or Daya ko wo mai ya koi or nahi dy skta… (trying to realize him) dekh hum kbsy koshish kar rhy thy k kisi tarhan Daya hum sy co-operate kr ly… lekin wo nahi kr paa raha tha… jese ussy humari baat samajh hi na aa rhi ho… lekin tere aaty hi jese ussy ajeeb sa hosla mila… he co-operated after seeing you… kyun k ussy bharosa tha k uska bhai usky sath kuch ghalat nahi hony dega…
Abhijeet just closed his eyes. He rubbed his temples in a circular motion.
Abhijeet: mjhe pata hai Rahul… or mai apny aapko sambhaly huye hun… mjhe pata hai k sb kuch mjhe hi dekhna hai… lekin kabhi kabhi mai frustrate ho jaata hun… samajh nhi aata kya karun… mai nhi dekh skta apny bhai ko itni takleef mai… lekin roz, subah shaam dekhny pr majboor hun… kya karun… kissy kahun kuch samajh nahi aata…
Rahul tried to assure him of his existence: mai hun na… hr waqt hr pal tumharay sath… apni frustration mjh sy share karo… mai bhaly sy tumhara dard nahi samajh skta lekin aik dost hony k naaty tumhara dard sun zaroor skta hun… tumhara dil halka krny mai madad zaroor kr skta hun… or mai naa sirf tumhy aapna dost maanta hun balky apna bhai maanta hun… Auntie mere liye meri Maa ki trahan hi hain or Daya mera bhi chota bhai hai… mai kuch nhi to kam az kam tumhari sun zaroor skta hun… share your pain with me…
Abhijeet said nothing but his tight hug said everything to Rahul. Both shed a bit of tear on each other's shoulders to lessen their pain to some extent.
"Thank You" a whisper escaped Abhijeet's lips.
After separating Rahul forcefully fed Abhijeet some sandwiches and tea.
After composing themselves they went to the emergency. On the way, Rahul enquired about Disha from the nurse. She was sleeping under the drug's effect and her BP was slightly better than before.
Rahul stopped Abhijeet outside the ward: tum yahin ruko mai aata hoon dekh kr…
Abhijeet nodded and sat on the bench. Suddenly, he was feeling dull and tired. He sat there with closed eyes and head attached to the wall.
Rahul and other doctors came out while discussing something. Listening to the footsteps Abhijeet stood up. Rahul turned to Abhijeet after giving a nod to the doctors.
Rahul sat on the bench and motioned Abhijeet to do the same: Daya ko thori dair mai ICU mai shift kr dain gy… phir tum dekh lena… (grabbed Abhijeet's hand) humny Daya ko muscle relaxants or tranquilizers diye hain… filhal to ussy sedated hi rakhain gy hum… jb tk yeh problem under control nhi ho jaati… (pat his shoulder) relax… everything will be OK soon… jb tk Daya ko shift kr rhy hain tum Auntie ko mil aao… wese to wo ab subah ko hi uthy gi…
Abhijeet nodded in yes and went to meet her mother.
He entered Rahul's cabin and found his mother sleeping there. Still, some signs of tension and sorrow were reflecting from her face. He softly took her hand in his. Disha felt the movement and tightened the grip on his hand feeling her support system with her. His eyes silently dropped a pearl to reflect his inner turmoil. He just kissed her hand and forehead whilst kept sitting there to comfort her as much as he can.
After spending some time with her mother to comfort her and himself he left to meet his brother.
When he reached the emergency he saw a stretcher, carrying his baby brother left the room and was on its way to the ICU. He peeked a glance at his brother. Face pale, covered by the oxygen mask, and hands invaded by the drips. Some other machines attached to his body to monitor him continuously.
He followed the stretcher to the ICU and sat beside his brother as the nurses adjusted him carefully. He spent the night sitting there to comfort his brother. He remembered the time when everything was fine. They were a small happy family. The sudden death of their father was the first incident that happened to break up their little happy family. But they were somehow able to survive the loss and built a new happy little family. It didn't mean that they forgot their father he stayed in their hearts. But they also didn't let that incident scar their souls. Again, a happy family, living life to the fullest, had everything but again fate decided to play a game with them. Another unexpected thing happened. Now, they feel like if they lost their Daya they might not continue to be a happy family anymore. They might even forget what happiness means.
"Fate doesn't side with anyone, it doesn't let anyone win against it. Fate, just a small word with a great impact. Ahh… Fate. One thing is clear that fate does exist."
A/N:
Hello there my readers and reviewers. Here is your early update. Hopefully, the chapter was upto the mark.
A big 'Thanks' for the '1k+' reviews, everyone. A big hug and lots love from my side. Thank you so much for bearing someone like me, who give so much late updates. I hope that you will continue to support me like this in the future too.
I will try to give weekly updates from now on. Wait for the updates on saturday or sunday.
Next update after 40 reviews.
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