Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and places mentioned. All the places are fictional and any resemblance is a mere coincidence.
In the morning, Rahul woke Abhijeet up and asked him to get fresh.
Rahul shook Abhijeet: Jeet uth jaa yaar subah ho gai hai… (Abhijeet lazily got up and found that he was sleeping after putting his head on Daya's bed. He had fallen asleep while thinking about their life.) Daya aaj bhi sara din soye ga… tum jao fresh ho jao please or phir Auntie k pass jao wo bhi ab uthny wali hongi… jb wo uthain to tum unky pass hogy to unhy acha lagy ga…
Abhijeet nodded and stood up: hmmm… jaata hun… (he glanced at Daya for a moment and then left the room after giving a loving kiss on his forehead) mai abhi aata hun… hmmm…
Abhijeet went to Rahul's cabin and freshened up in his attached washroom. After coming out he looked at the time, the clock was striking 7 AM. He remembered that he had to go to the bureau early today because of the political rally that they had to provide security. He pulled his phone out and dialed ACP sir's number. After some bells, the call was received.
Abhijeet greeted him: Good morning Sir…
ACP sir in his stiff tone: Hello… haan Abhijeet… good morning… nikal gaye ho tum bureau k liye… to rasty sy aik baar police station hoty huye aana…
Abhijeet unnecessarily cleared his throat: sir wo actually… asal mai na…
ACP sir understood that matter is something else so he cut him: kya baat hai Abhijeet itna pareshan kyun lag rhy ho…
Abhijeet narrated him everything with a tired tone: bs iss wajah sy call ki thi… bs aik request hai sir… rally aik bajay hai to mai seedha wahi aa jaunga… dus bajy tk yahan sy nikal jaunga or seedha spot pr pohanch jaun ga… (respectfully) agar aap permission dain to…
ACP relaxed him: theek hai… tum 10 bjy tk seedha spot pr chaly jaana or aik baar security wagera sb check kr lena…
Abhijeet spoke with a grateful voice: Thank you so much, Sir…
ACP sir softly: koi baat nhi beta… khayal rakhna…
Abhijeet: sir agar koi bhi problem hui to aap mjhe call kr diyega… wesy to puri koshish karun ga k dus bajy sy bhi pehly nikal jaun yahan sy…
ACP sir cut the call: hmm… theek hai…
Abhijeet spread a hand on his face and then looked at Disha's face. He sat beside her caressing her head and forehead softly after grabbing her hand tightly in his hands. He was rubbing her knuckles gently from his hand.
Some moments later he felt the movement beneath his hand and his mother was trying to wake up.
She opened her eyes and her lips only said a word inaudibly: GUDDA…
Abhijeet tightened his grip on her hand: sb theek hai Maa…
Disha looked at him and touched his face with her wrinkled hands (always soft and beautiful hands were now wrinkled. It is said that stress and tensions make you older early. Now, it seems so true to them): Jeet… Daya… mera Gudda… wo theek…
Abhijeet nodded in yes: wo bhi theek hai ab… aap pareshan na ho… mai Rahul ko bulata hun wo aapko aa k aik baar check kr lay ga…
Disha denied while trying to get seated: nahi mjhe pehly Daya sy milna hai…
Abhijeet helped her in sitting: uhun… jb tk aap aik dafa Rahul ko check nahi karati… aap yahan sy kahi nahi jayein gi… pata hai mai kitna pareshaan ho gaya tha jb aap yun behosh ho gayi thi mere hathon mai… (Disha patted his hand to assure him of her well-being) mai Rahul ko bulata hun…
As soon as he opened the door, Rahul entered: Kisi ny mjhe yaad kiya? Lo mai aa gaya… (Abhijeet spoke under his breath "lo bhai shaitaan ka naam liya or shaitaan haazir". Rahul heard his murmur. He raised his eyebrows) kuch kaha kiya tumny Jeet… (Abhijeet instantly shook his head in no) ohhh… (he glared at Abhijeet) shayad mere kaan bjay hongy phir… (Abhijeet shrugged in response) khair choro… (to Disha) ab aap kesa feel kr rhi hain, Auntie…
Disha smiled a little: mai bilkul theek hun ab beta…
Rahul nodded and checked her up: wah bhai… aap to waqai mai ab theek hain… bs BP abhi bhi thora sa low hi hai… (Abhijeet tensed up listening to this) Relax Jeet… Kuch nhi hua hai… Auntie nashta kr k medicine lain gi to bilkul theek ho jayeingi… (Abhijeet nodded) (to Disha) Auntie aap please fresh ho jayein mai breakfast mangata hun…
Rahul ordered the breakfast for three. Abhijeet helped Disha to get fresh. Soon, the nurse brought the breakfast. They had breakfast having a light conversation to erase the soggy environment. Rahul went on his routine rounds.
Disha stood up: ab please mjhe Daya k pass ly chal Jeet… (Abhijeet complied with her demand and silently took her to the ICU room)
Tears swelled in her eyes after seeing her baby. Numerous machines and lines were attached to him. She silently sat beside him and caressed his head.
Abhijeet spoke staring continuously at Daya's face: doctors keh rhy hain k abhi thora time sulaa k rakhain gy issy… jb tk body control mai nahi aa jaati… aaj nhi jaagy ga Daya… (she looked at Daya's innocent face and tears made their way down to her cheeks)
Disha silently nodded in yes as she controlled the sob… Abhijeet rubbed her shoulders lightly as he stood behind her to give her the strongest possible support.
She hid her face in Abhijeet's abdomen and released a small sob. Abhijeet closed his eyes in pain and hugged her tightly. He swiftly made her stand and took her out.
She released her stored-up tears after feeling her support pillar beside her. This time none of them spoke anything. They just released their stored emotions to make themselves stronger to face coming hurdles. Sometimes silence supports more strongly than sympathetic words.
The whole week went by, Daya was heavily sedated. This week was a black hole for him as he didn't remember anything from it other than the pain. Just flashes of being in a conscious stage until the doctors again pushed drugs in him. He was given various tranquilizers and muscle relaxants; at last, he no longer suffered muscle spasms. When he was conscious his body was in a constant state of dystonia; just like a rigid statue of deformity. But when he slept no trace of dystonia was left and he appeared to be a normal teenager sleeping peacefully.
Rahul forwarded a communication aid to Daya so that he could type what he wanted to say: heyyy champ… how are you? (Daya tried to give him a small smile as an indication of his fine state) champ yeh lo… (he put the aid in his hands) ab sy jo bhi tumny kehna ho iss ki madad sy tum likh kr bata dena… hmmm…
Abhijeet tried to deny as he knew that the aid must have been very expensive but Rahul didn't let him speak anything: or yeh meri taraf sy Daya ka gift hai… doctors ki saari baatain maan'ny ka… (eyeing Abhijeet) khabardaar kisi ny apni taang araany ki koshish bhi ki to… (winked Daya who smiled at him) taangay tor k hath mai pakra dain gy hum uski… kyun bhai chotu? (Daya used the aid to type "DONE". Tears welled up in everyone's eyes as they were happy that now Daya can at least share words with them. Abhijeet thanked Rahul for the favor through his ever expressive eyes) agar thanks krny ka itna dil kr raha hai to phir aik biryani ki dawat kr do meri… I'll be very happy… you know… (DAYA'S DIALOUGES WOULD BE WRITTEN IN BOLD)
Disha cleared the wetness of her eyes: kyun nahi beta… jb dil kary aa jana… (Daya again typed something out on his aid) Haan bhai tumhy bhi khila dungi biryani… (asked him) ab khush? (Daya happily typed "YES".)
Abhijeet asked Rahul about the discharge of Daya to which he denied: Nahi Abhijeet, filhaal to hum Daya ko discharge nhi kr skty… abhi yahi rehna theek rhy ga usky liye…
Daya had befriended all the staff of the hospital and the patients. He had developed the insatiable desire to hug everyone, crack jokes, and teasing. This disease had changed his personality a lot. Sometimes his personality switches to a four-year-old and sometimes he becomes so mature and sensitive that he considers himself the culprit behind everyone's sufferings. He felt it was his fault that everyone around him was suffering because of him.
Doctors added some zinc in his treatment to stop the further copper accumulation in his body.
He did get discharged after spending a whole month in the hospital. At home, Disha used to nurse him and help him out with everything. He was confined to the bed and wheelchair. She had to get up several times at night to tend to him and give him medication.
It had been June since Daya's treatment was started but his condition was only deteriorating. The combined use of zinc and trientine blocked his intake of iron, making him very anemic. He started having spontaneous nosebleeds at night which sometimes lasted several hours. Disha used to keep awake with him all night trying to stop the blood flow. When he could, he wore the neck braces to keep his neck from moving too much as at this stage his neck couldn't support his head anymore and it had hung down, involuntary and rhythmically moving too and fro continuously like the pendulum of the clock.
After a round of four-hour-long nosebleed, Disha somehow managed to get the situation under control and made Daya asleep. She tried not to involve and worry Abhijeet too much as he was also trying his best to manage the bureau and home at the same time. Abhijeet needed proper rest to keep working so Disha never disturbed him at night until it's necessary so that he can at least have a good night's sleep. Still, after so many tries Abhijeet always managed to help her as much as possible because Disha also becomes tired working all day, and then even at night she can't get a decent sleep. Life was going at its own pace, they tried their best to manage everything.
One day, Daya saw an outside scene that compelled him to think about the tough time he was giving to his family. Daya could hear some faint voices from outside.
Abhijeet supported Disha from her shoulders and made her sit on the sofa placed in the lounge.
Abhijeet was standing with his hands on his waist whilst his voice was loud enough to be heard inside: aapko mai subah mana kr k gaya tha na k aaj zyada exert na kijiyega khud ko… kl sy bukhaar hai aapko… abhi mai sahi time pr na aata to aap yahan kamzori sy behosh pari hoti…
Disha, in a meek voice said like a frightened kid: wo mai Daya k liye khana bna kr wapis aa rhi thi to achanak chakkar aa gaya… (she tried to put her arguments) or maine dawaai ly li thi na… or saraa din koi or kaam bhi nahi kiya… ab to jabsy Radha aai hai kaam k liye jbsy to mai koi zyada kaam bhi nahi krti… sb wohi krti hai… mai to ab bs Daya ka dehaan rakhti hun or uska khana banati hun…
Abhijeet strictly: mjhe sb pata hai Maa… ab mai hr giz aapko khud ki taraf koi laparwahi barat'ty naa dekhun…
Disha with a down head just nodded. Her sons cared for her a lot, they sometimes can be so much terrifying that she thinks if she is their elder, their mother or not? A small smile crept on her lips after thinking about her caring and loving sons.
Daya became sad after listening to the condition of his mother because of him. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Later at night, Abhijeet had given medicines to Disha and made her slept assuring her that he will be there for Daya tonight in case he needs something. Disha was fast asleep in a deep sleep because of the medicine's effects. Abhijeet was reading a novel while laying on the small bed beside Daya. Today, it seemed like the night when Daya would stay awake due to his insomnia. He was silently staring at the ceiling. He typed something on his aid and showed that to Abhijeet.
Abhijeet after reading it was left bewildered. He was in shock after reading what Daya asked. He sat upon his bed and took Daya's shivering hand: yeh sb kya hai Daya… kya tu sach mai… (Daya closed his eyes in pain and then opened them with a determination) lekin yeh sb… kyun chotu?
Daya typed the happenings of the evening: bhai mai aap logo ko aur pareshaan nahi krna chahta… esy kam az kam aap logo ko thora hi sahi sakoon to mily ga mjh sy… saraa din Mumma meri dekh bhaal mai lagi rehti hain… khud ka dehaan hi nahi rakhti… or unhy chakkar sirf aaj hi nahi aaya hai… pehly bhi kai dafa esa ho chuka hai… unhy lagta hai k mai ab stupid ho gaya hun na to mjhe kuch pata nahi lagta…
Abhijeet sighed as he very well understood what Daya was saying. But still, he can't agree with what he was saying.
Abhijeet tried to make him understand: lekin bhaloo… esa nahi ho skta na bach'cha hum tjhe iss condition mai kesy khud sy dur kr skty hain…
Now was the time when being stubborn was the key to complete his demand. He again type: mjhe kuch nahi pata lekin ab mai yahi karun ga… or aapko meri baat man'ni pary gi… warna mai Mumma ko bata dun ga k aap bhi koi dudh k dhuly nahi ho… unky mana krny k baad bhi apny aapko overwork krty ho…
Abhijeet cupped his face lovingly: lekin chotu mai kesy tjhe school staff k reham o karam pr chor dun… nahi esa nahi hoga…
Daya again typed: please bhai… aapko meri kasam… (Abhijeet looked at him with pain in his eyes) (Daya looked at him with regret in his eyes but what else he can do) sorry…
The next day, while having breakfast Abhijeet unnecessarily cleared his throat to gain everyone's attention.
Disha looked at him with a questioning gaze: kya hua Jeet kuch kehna hai…
Abhijeet nodded with a down head and said: hmmm…
Disha asked: kya hua?
Abhijeet replied while maintaining his posture: wo mai keh raha tha k hum Daya ko kisi special school mai…
Daya closed his eyes anticipating his mother's reaction while Disha cut him furiously: iss sy aagy aik or shabd nahi Abhijeet… or Daya kahi nahi jaye ga… and that's final…
Abhijeet tried to say something but Disha's strict voice cut him: no more arguments Abhijeet… (When Disha took Abhijeet's full name it means business. He can't argue further throwing the ball in Daya's court.)
Daya typed: Maa… yeh meri request hai… maine bhai ko kaha tha aapsy baat krny k liye… mai chahta hun school jaana…
Disha maintained her strict avatar: maine aik dafa keh diya to keh diya… I don't want more arguments…
Daya typed something: aapko meri kasam hai Maa…
Disha looked at him with tears threatening to fall off her eyes: theek hai Daya… (she left the room. Abhijeet rushed after her. Daya closed his eyes in pain.)
Abhijeet tried to stop her. But she went into the kitchen and started chopping vegetables. Abhijeet cringed as soon as the knife made contact with the cutting board.
Abhijeet put a hand on her shoulder: Maa yeh sb Daya aapky liye kr raha hai… (Disha looked at him with questions) (Abhijeet narrated her everything Daya shared with her) (tears started beaming in her eyes and she hid in her son's arms)
Disha choking her sobs: theek hai… agar Daya yahi chahta hai to theek hai… mai ussy rok kr usky dil pr or bojh barhana nahi chahti… (putting some conditions before Abhijeet) lekin meri kuch shartain hain… Daya ko mai kisi boarding school mai hr giz nahi bhejun gi… wo day school mai jaye ga or shaam ko wapis ghar aye ga… ussy chor kr aana or laana meri zimedaari hogi… (strictly) or kisi bhi point pr mjhe esa laga k ab bs Daya continue nahi kary ga to tum logo ko meri baat maani hogi…
Abhijeet nodded in yes: theek hai mai Daya ko samjha dunga…
Abhijeet talked about it to Daya and he agreed. Hence the hunt for the school started.
"Sometimes, the things we can't change end up changing us."
A/N:
Thank you everyone for your precious feedback. Here's is your next update as I promised.
Those who are asking for happy ending, the end is already decided long before I started to write the story. Please wait for it.
About "Silent Whispers" I will update it after I end this on as I can't update two stories at a time. I can update that one too but then this story will be updated after every 15 days. Decision is yours. Please tell me if you want me first complete this one or you want updates of both stories at the same time.
Next update will be on next Saturday after at least 40 reviews.
Take care.
Stay safe and healthy...
Bye...