(Abdul’s room)
The moment Jalal opened up the door to Abdul’s room, Mirza shrieked...
Mirza: Oh man! You scared me..You wouldn’t believe, I saw Abdul budge, bro.He did that squinty eye thing and then..then..
Jalal (panicking): Then what? Is he conscious? Did the doc come? What did he say??
Before Jalal could process anything further, Abdul’s doc came in..
Doctor: Oh Mr. jalal..We’ve a good news, his vitals are way stable..He is not there yet, but can regain consciousness anytime now..Its the lingering affect of the pain relievers I guess, but he is making bouts of consciousness frequently..
Jalal (though relieved, still worrisome): What about the injuries doctor?
Doctor (shook his head, trying to stop Jalal from talking anymore): Let me be honest,its gonna be a long and tough road to complete recovery..He might have to go through an entire routine of physio and rehabilitation before he can walk properly. Even if the fractures get healed, the injury to the muscles around his thigh bones, are extremely grave.But for now, let’s not talk about that. For now he needs to survive this.. Once all the vitals are in control and functioning, we’ll talk about what needs to be done next..but stay relieved for now, I think he just pulled through..By the way, I heard from my colleagues, Ms Khanam, and Oh! the one who brought them here, Ms. Heer I presume, they are doing okay too.
Jalal nodded ingratitude. And Mirza just jumped on Jalal pulling the doctor in a bone crushing awkward hug..
Mirza (squealed): Gosh! Is that so..Is that so?? All of them pulled through?? Oh my Gawwwddd…
The doc gave a “what a weirdo” kinda look to Mirza, who had been squeezing and hanging off the doc’s neck, in complete delirium..Jalal apologetically released the doc from Mirza’s grip pulling Mirza off him..But yeah! There was no denying, Jalal was unbearably happy too..he was happy, very happy..too happy to contain the relief, the gratitude he felt for that eternal power who kept all three of them breathing through this chaotic mess..He felt as if he would be forever indebted for the blessing God showed him..And there would never ever be anything that could express how utterly thankful he was,for it wasn’t the lives of his friends and love that was spared..it was his life, his existence that just got saved from an impending doom.
Jalal rubbed Mirza’s hair in utter adoration and Mirza just broke into a full fledged smile,“Heer is okay too..They are all gonna be okay”..
Mirza: Hey Bro..You keep an eye on this rascal..who scared the shit out of us..n I’ll go let Ruks know, what the doc just said..I might coax that brat of a woman into actually eating something..She might give in if she hears the good news..
Jalal nodded smiling, “Get yourself something to eat too..will you?”
Mirza: Sure! How bout you??
Jalal: Later…
Mirza left to check up on Ruks, while Jalal sat next to Abdul, who still looked awful, but the signs of his vitals on the screen were beeping in rhythm and normal..Somehow he looked so physically broken, yet so adamantly strong, and mentally resilient..And Jalal would forever be grateful that the man has the nerve of steel to fight back, whatever may come..
(Jo’s room)
Shibani was still standing at the door, far yet in-view for Jo. The doctor was checking the vitals n writing the same in his note-pad..Once done, he gave a small nod to Jo and Shibani, cautioning Jo to take it easy and left off, accepting the gratitude from Adi, on their way out…
Sitting on the hospital bed with bandages wrapped around Jo’s skull, the sight has always been haunting for Shibani..She hates nothing more than to see Jo as such..She has hated it since past ten years..like a part of her dies everytime her little sister gets through this..The heartache clogs her throat every single time. Today is no different. She wants to say something, but can’t seem to find the words, she wants to rush ahead but her legs seem to have given up..The burden of guilt, the forever truth that she is the reason why Jo is always in that state, lies heavy on her shoulder..She wants to sag down, but somehow she feels as if she is not allowed for even an ounce of relief..So, Shibani remains there, waiting to see what Jo wants from her..Guilty yet overwhelmed with love for her little one..
Jo looked at rooted Shibani, and somehow she knew exactly the struggle her elder sis was going through..with a simple smile and nod, Jo asked her to come close..Stretching her hand as to bring her in the warmth of her hug..Shibani followed and hugged Jo back, concerned as if Jo was brittle..
Jo: I’m alright..Dont you ever think, you’re ever gonna get rid of me that easy…
Jo tried to pull off, to bring her face to face, but Shibani didn’t let go.
Jo (still hugging Shibani): I’m sorry, I yelled at you the last time we spoke…
Shibani shuddered at the reminder, she let go of Jo, and looked back at her. A wave of utter humiliation swept past her, not able to with-hold the gaze, she lowered her lashes,and big drops of tear dripped off right on top of Jo’s palm, that were held in Shibani’s grip..
Shibani: You should know, you’re here because of me..I did this to you…I deliberately kept you away from him, for all these ten years..Its because of me that you almost lost your life, for sure your cherished memories, the people you loved dearly, him, even Dad…I took Dad’s life, almost yours, and robbed you off from all the happiness that you could have had.. If there was only a way to go ten years back to that horrible moment and be dead instead..I would do it over and over again, anything to keep you n dad safe..
Jo pressed her sister’s mouth with her palm.
Jo: And so would I, so would Dad..because we’re family, and that’s what family does..We lost him together, and the grief we had to go through was mutual, yours was no less them mine…
Shibani opened her mouth to say more, but Jo stopped her again..”I remember it all..And I don’t want you to say anything…Please stop killing yourself with all this guilt and pain…It was not your fault, but a circumstance that no one saw coming…It wasn’t deliberate on your part.. and you did what you could to keep me alive…I survived because I had YOU”….
Shibani moved back into Jo’s hug, tear stricken, “I’m so sorry Jo. Please forgive me if you can”…Jo hugged her tight, “I love you, and I know you dot too…nothing can change that”…
Adi entered the room and seeing the two, gave a sigh of relief..He moved past Jo’s bed..Shibani was still wrapped in Jo, who released her seeing Adi approaching…Adi gave a smiling, “Hey..You feeling….” to Jo, who reverted her gaze back to Adi, “Never better….”
Seeing Shibani’s eyes still downcast and her face soaked with tears, Adi picked the glass of water from Jo’s bedside…and offered to Shibani..
Jo (to Adi): Hey! Seriously man…Its me who is sick and that’s MY water…
Adi flustered, tried to answer..but Jo snatched the tumbler of water from him, and offered it to Shibani herself..
Jo (to Shibani): Here! Water… You know what I was born to ruin his chances of courting you..
Shibani broke into a surprise chuckle, and an embarrassing shade of pink covered Adi’s neck and ears..He glared at Jo, “You’re impossible”..and Jo answered“You bet” with a goofy pout..
(continued)...
Edited by sm1308 - 3 years ago
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