Grief-Striken he walked straight to Ragini's cabin, who had her head in the files..Ragini lifts her head, sensing someone entering.. and is horrified to see Nachiket in that state..
Ragini (horrified and worried): Nachiket... kya hua?
Nachiket (staring into the Abyss): Ragini.. ruk gaya!! mere HAATON me ruk gaya Ragini..
saying that he sinks down on his knees, breaking down..crying aloud.. tears flowing rapidly..
--------
Part 8
Ragini immediately rushes to him, quickly takes off his bloody gloves..instantly cups his head and hugs it to her chest. With tears flowing out of her eyes, she hugs him tight, burying his head in her chest. "Its ok Nachiket.." she manages to say, in an attempt to stop his tears and ebb the shivering of his body. Nachiket, crying vigorously, puts his arms around her and holds her close. Trembling, like a petrified 5 year old.. he murmurs, "Ragini.. I failed".
She knew exactly what had happened. Nachiket had come face to face with the biggest fear of his professional life, the heart he was operating on, had unexpectedly stopped when he held it in his hands, his eyes witnessed the arrest before them and his hands felt the life escape out it. He was unable to do anything at that moment when everything was in his hands. Inspite of being an expert, there was nothing he could do to revive it, from the state it was in.. he had lost his battle, and the patient lay dead.
Nachiket was devastated at the scene, the world around him had stopped. The feeling of betrayal, guilt and failure all engulfing him at the same time. He was broken, his confidence shattered and felt professionally inept. As a doctor, he very well understood that, there would be as many failures as successful opertations. But this was something he was never ready for, never prepared himself for, or had even thought of. As an expert cardiologist, he believed that with enought fore-thought, study and expertise, such a situation can be completely avoided. But today he wasnt lucky. His capability was being questioned by his own self combined with the feeling of letting down the person who had trusted him with his heart. He lay in her arms, weeping uncontrollably, unable to figure how to be accountable to himself.
"Nachiket sambhalo apne aap ko. Its ok, this was a complicated case, its not your fault", she repeated over and over again, trying to console him. "Nahi Ragini, that man had trusted his heart to me, with a belief that I would cure all its ailments and help him live on for many more years. But I failed. You know when I was operating, I was almost there, I had removed all the blockages, and was working on the last, tiny one at the back of his heart, thinking to myself that I had saved this man, when suddenly the blood pressure started rising, which we were able to control. I was still confident that I could save this man, I worked my way at the back of the heart, when it suddenly stopped. I tried my best to revive him, with no success". controlling the sobbing with a heavy voice, "I killed him Ragini.. I killed him", tears started flowing again and he burried himself deeper into her, tightening his grip around her.
Ragini trying her best to calm him down she says, "Nachiket apni aakhen bandh karlo, try to relax, its not your fault". Nachiket closes his teary eyes for a moment, but then instantly flings them open. Holding her close, he lifts his head.. "Ragini wahi dil ka rukna bar bar aakhon ke saamne aa raha hai, I cant close my eyes, when I close them I can feel the life escape out of that heart." his body shivers, "Mujhse nahi hoga Ragini, I cant handle this.." he says shaking his head. Ragini cups his head, in her palms and tries to get his attention "Nachiket, Nachiket..listen to me..listen to me.. look at me, look into my eyes.. tum hamesha kehte the na, mera chera dekh ne se tumhe sukoon milta hai.. look at me". Nachiket looks at her, and then into those eyes... They stay still, their eyes locked on each other's..Both are lost in others' eyes, which are speaking clearly with no facade or barriers of any kind. They can see each others' love, their care, their hearts, their souls in the eyes. Nachiket calms down gradually, her eyes providing all the solace that his heart was seeking. After a while, Nachiket pulls her close an hugs her.. both of them close their eyes.. the hug lasts for a long time, their hearts beating in unison. It felt calm, serene and peaceful for the first time in 15 years, a feeling that both had almost forgotten, yet seeking so anxiously. In that moment, the 15 years of separation seemed like 15 mintues, nothing had changed between them, they shared the same warmth, the same understanding. It was like the time has stopped around them, it felt like a dream. They had both finally at peace.
After what seemed like eternity, Nachiket opens his eyes.. Suddenly he realizes where he was. He pulls himself out of her embrace.. unable to meet her eyes.. he shakes his head gesturing "no.. no what have I done.." He utters "Sorry, sorry for all this." and gets out of her cabin.
Ragini, coming back to reality, tries to fathom all that happened, she is surprised at her actions, and unable to believe that she had just embraced and solaced the man she hated the most, so effortlessly. She is not angry about it at all, not on her, or him, neither is she regretting any of her actions. Contrarily, she is actually feeling happy, for what she had done. But, Nachiket's apologies left her confused. She didnt expect an apology. Shaking those thoughts, she hopes that she was able to console Nachiket and he is ok now. Still replaying the moments, She smiles to herself and murmurs "Nachiket bilkul nahi badla..".
She gets back to her work. She is unable to concentrate and is distracted continuously by those eyes and the warmth that she felt around him. It stays fresh in her heart and mind the rest of the day.
She gets home feeling light and happy. When doing the chores that evening, she is smiling and humming "tujko sambhlo yeh mera zimma..la la la la..", which she had heard on her way back home and to her surprise enjoyed it. Everyone notice, that this was strange to do, for Ragini they had known. Nishi and Maa try to ask the reason for her happiness, but she disposes them off confused at their question, saying nothing unusual had happened.
Next day morning, Nachiket walks into the hospital, feeling fresh and energitic after a good night's sleep. He had effortlessly fallen asleep and had slept in peace after 15 long years. He had experienced a new kind of energy in him since morning, that he had forgotten, ever existed. Luckily that morning, he didnt have any surgeries scheduled. He walked straight to Ragini's cabin, knocked once and flung the door open just enough to peep his head inside. "Will you please join me for a coffee", he asked. Ragini who had her back towards the door, with her head in a file, instantly turned around and smiled her heart out. It was as if she had been waiting. Putting the file away, she walked behind him to the canteen. The sleep was no less refreshing for her too. She was smiling and after what seemed like ages, she had a fun breakfast with her kids. Their teasing and laughing had brought tears of happiness in Nani's eyes. Nishi had told her, that she didnt know her mom could be so sportive and Aarav had called her the best mom ever.
Nachiket grabbed 2 cups of coffee, one Black and the other latte, with 1 packet of sugar and a sprinkle of cinnamon dust. He walked over to the table she was seated at and served her the latte before taking his seat. She took a sip, "You still remember. It feels so good to be drinking latte again after 15 years.".
Nachiket: "Of course I remember.. Glad that you agreed for a coffee with me... I actually wanted to Thank you for yesterday. If it was not for you, then I cant even imagine what would have happened of me. Thank you for being there yesterday and providing that much needed support."
Ragini (smiles): Its ok.. I did what I could.
Nachiket: you did, what only you could. (smiles). If it was a physical wound, then any nurse or doctor would have cured it, but only you know how to heal my emotional, mental wound. I couldnt have gone to anyone else.. And you didnt even think twice before rushing to my side.
Ragini (smiles) :"Can I ask you something.. why did you apologise before leaving?"
Nachiket: I had to say sorry, I am sorry even now, for barging into your private space like that. you didnt have to do what you did. Its a big favour to me. I never tried to find out about your personal life. Partly because I wasnt interested, and partly because I was scared in my own way. I dont even know if you are remarried. Either ways, It was not right on my part to invade your personal space and come to you, expecting that you to comfort me. Thats why, as much as I am thankful to you, I am sorry.
There was silence.. Ragini could not find words.
After a while, to overcome the awkardness that had set in, Nachiket spoke.. "Now that I have brought up the topic, are you married?"
Ragini taking a while to answer, she didnt want to let him know that she was stuck in the same rut that he had left her in.. especially now, that she knew he had moved on. She replies "There are some proposals, I am taking my time.."
Nachiket smiles and nodds his head.."fair enough"
Ragini: So tell me about your wife
Nachiket: My wife.. ummm..My wife has started wearing a bun. It doesnt suit her..
Just then, Dr Pallavi comes running towards Ragini, excited beyond words, shouting her name.. she hardly notices Dr Neil..
Dr Pallavi: Ragini, Ragini, Ragini.. Tussi great ho yaar!! It worked, it worked, it worked!! Last night was magical.. my husband.. he couldnt take his eyes off me.. We had the best night of our married life..I didnt know my husband had so much passion, thanks to you for bringing it out..
Ragini embarassed, tries to unsuccessfully calm her down and make her realize Dr Neil's presence. Ragini, is involuntarily blushing and smiling.
Nachiket wide eyed, was enjoying Dr Pallavi's kudos to Ragini on the topic they were talking about.
Dr Pallavi (Not even thinking of what Ragini is trying to say, kissing her hands): I dont know how to thank you enough! You should call yourself Love Guru.
Ragini pats her shoulder and points at Dr Neil.
Dr Pallavi: Oops, sorry, Dr Neil. I hardly noticed you..I hope I didnt ruin your conversation.
Dr Neil: No its ok, your conversation, seems more important. continue..
Ragini is avoiding his gaze blushing smiling. Dr Pallavi hugs Ragini, whispers thank you in her ear and leaves with a "got to go, will catch up later."
Ragini, trying to hide her blush and curb her grin, gesters to Dr Neil "We should get back to work too". Nachiket replies "you are right! lets go", they both walk towards the cabins, hiding their smiles from each other. As Ragini turns towards her cabin, Nachiket whispers teasingly, "Do tell me sometime how you created the magic, love guru!" and walks away.
Ragini cheeks turn red, she hides her face and walks into her cabin grinning ear to ear. She is unable to believe whats happening to her. Although he doesnt mean anything to her, yet she seems to have lost her older-self in his presence.
Nachiket, gets back to work and looks at his calendar. He had a scheduled meeting with Dr Aman and Ragini in an hour, to get some of the last peices of information and paperwork about their hospital. In the meeting, they discuss various concerns in the hospital that Dr Neil has noticed in the last few days and are required to be addressed for the international acclaimation. He requests a bunch of paper work from Ragini, that needs to be submitted. During the entire time of the meeting, Ragini's phone is beeping frequently, Nachiket remembers that it was beeping even during their coffee in the morning. Ragini, has been ignoring the messages and trying to concentrate on work. Nachiket wonders, who could be constantly messaging her, and why? could it be one of her proposers?
TO be continued..
Health and Fitness
