Part 18 –

 

When she found prithvi's room, his parents were already there, seated at their son's bedside.

Damini – krips, dear!! I'm so glad you are here.

Mr. bose – krips! Thanks for coming. How did you get here?

Kripa – drove (cutting off the conversation by moving quickly towards the bed) how is he? Any change?

Damini – they've wound down the drugs. They're waiting for him to come out of it.

Kripa – he's going to be alright.

Damini – (sobbing) he has to be alright .

Mr. bose – damini stop it. You're  wearing yourself out. Prithvi is going to be okay now krips here.

Kripa – (thinking) please, please, please, don't put this on me. Something like  panic crawling across her skin.

How was she supposed to feel when prithvi had been continuing an affair with his old flame? Ready to forgive and forget? It seemed so. As far as the bose were concerned she and prithvi were destined to marriage no matter what! The bose adore there only child so much they were prepared to make any sacrifice for him including her. If, god forbid, prithvi were to be confined to a wheel chair they would still expect her to go through with the marriage. If she loved him, she would. Now she fully understood she didn't love him.

The bose, sick and exhausted, had gone off to have coffee leaving kripa still sitting by prithvi's bed. She too, had shut her eyes as a headache pressed down on her temples, although she was still gently holding his fingers.

Prithvi – krips?

Her eyes flew open, she hadn't imagined that prithvi had spoken, sounding perfectly lucid.

Kripa – you're awake. Oh thank god!

Prithvi – what happened?

Kripa – it's okay. You're all right. You're in hospital. You were in an accident. You were badly concussed. Hang on, I've to get a doctor in here.

Prithvi – don't leave me. Don't ever leave me.

Kripa flew out to the nurses. Her mind swirling with crazy thoughts.

 

Bose were ecstatic.

Damini – it was you! He heard your voice, he felt the touch of your hand.

Kripa – he was ready to come out of it, aunty.

Damini – no. you were the miracle! You, kripa sharma, you're an angel.

Kripa – an angel, imagine!

Doctor – look I'll have to shoo you all out for ten minutes or so. You can come back one at a time and say your goodbyes, this sleeping beauty might have awakened, but he's still in need of plenty of rest.

Mr. bose – we'll go, love you son! We'll be back later.

Prithvi – don'y go krips, I need you here. Krips?

Kripa looked at doctor unsure what to do.

Doctor – she can come back latter. Settle back, young man. You want to get out of here as soon as possible, don't you?

Prithvi – can't wait. Everything is going to be okay, krips. Kiss me before you go.

Kripa – I'll come back latter, okay? (without kissing she goes )

Prithvi – I love you. (jerk as there were no other woman in the world)

Bose were waiting for her down the corridor.

Damini – you're really a godsend, krips, you are the one he needs.

Kripa – we should talk about that, but not today. Are you going to look in on mishti? She hasn't been discharged yet.

Damini – of course we're not going to look in on that scheming young woman. She's gone nothing but throw herself shamelessly at prithvi.

Kripa – it appears I was the only one who didn't know that.

Mr. bose – my son loves only you, krips. Mishti khanna meant nothing to him.

Kripa – actually she did, uncle. Why did men want so much power over women? But let's not spoil the moment. Prithvi is going to make a full recovery.

Bose – (unison) thank god!

Damini – come and have coffee with us, krips. We're drowning in it but we can have tea.

Kripa – thank you, but I intend to look in on mishti.

Mr. bose – good! Give her what for!