Part 7
Sai and Satya were on duty at the hospital when they were informed of a patient who had attempted suicide. Upon arriving at the hospital room, they found a young woman unconscious and hooked up to machines, fighting for her life. Satya was visibly disturbed by the sight, yet again, feeling suffocated and helpless.
Sai noticed Satya's unease but attended the patient first, Satya walked away immediately. Sai and a few nurses did the needed and kept her for observation. Sai saw Satya sitting in his cabin staring blankly at nothing. Sai entered and sat infront of him. Without a word. Satya looked at her, his eyes filled with tears, and said, "Log aise kyun karte hai? Sai. Agar unhe kuch milta nahi hai toh apni zindagi khatam karne ka faisla kyu lete hain?" He shook his head in despair, "aur chahkar bhi hum inn logon ki madad nahi kar paate hain, kaise samjhaoun inn sabko ki khudkushi karne se kuch theek nahi hota, unka ek minute ka faisla unke apnon ke zindagi tod deti hain "
Sai listened calmly, from his past breakdowns she knew Satya had lost someone to suicide, she then said "Jaanti hoon Satya, lekin hamre liye jo galat lagta hai, kya pata unhe us waqt sahi lagta hai? kya pata unki zindagi mein aisa kuch hua ho joh unhe aise decision lene par majboor karti hai? Lekin, hum unko bachakar unko ek nayi zindagi toh de sakte haina?." She gave him a reassuring smile.
Satya sighed, "jinko hospital mein treatment ke liye le aate hain, unhe toh hum bachalenge Sai, lekin har baar toh nahi na?"
Sai looked at him with empathy, "Satya, lekin jo humse ho sakta hai, woh toh hum kar hi sakte haina? Ab chalo, Uss patient ko tum hi treat karoge, uska case history main batati hoon, aur uske uthne ke baad uski problem ke liye koi solution dhoondne ke liye hum koshish karenge."
Satya straight away nodded a no. Sai got up and pulled him to the patient's room, just then the patient suffered from fits, both Sai and Satya rushed to help and were able to revive her. Though Satya rushed to her as an instinct to help, he unknowingly overcame his fear of seeing and treating suicidal patients.
After a long day, Satya and Sai were sitting on a bench outside the hospital, taking a break from their duties. Satya was quiet and lost in thought, his eyes fixated on the ground.
Sai noticed his unease and asked, "Kya hua Satya? Tum theekh toh ho?"
Satya took a deep breath and looked up at Sai. "Mere andar ka dard bahut gehra hai Sai. Kabhi-kabhi toh mujhe lagta hai ki main isse seh nahi paunga," he said with a heavy heart.
Sai put a comforting hand on his shoulder and asked, "Kya hua tha Satya? Kya baat hai jo tumhe itna pareshan kar rahi hai?"
Satya looked at Sai and his eyes filled with tears. "Girija...," he whispered, "Girija meri zindagi thi Sai. Wo meri sabse achchi dost, meri saathi thi. Hamne pyaar kiya tha aur 3 saal se hum shaadi karna chahte the. Lekin uske maa-baap humare rishte ke khilaaf the."
Sai looked at Satya with concern and asked, "Phir kya hua Satya?"
Satya took a deep breath and continued, "Girija ne khudkushi kar li Sai. Us din se mera zindagi khatam ho gaya. Mujhe lagta hai ki main kabhi khush nahi ho paunga. Uske bina main adhoora hoon. aur isliye mujhe yeh suicide cases se bohot dar lagta hai, girija ki yaad dilati hai. aur mere dil mein sabse bada dard toh yeh hai ki main usse aakhri baar nahi dekh paya. aaj bhi yaad hai mujhe woh pal, girija uske parivaar ke saamne, mere saamne, apni jaan se lad rahi thi, itni dard mein thi, lekin uski parivaar itni ghatiya thi, bas unki beti ko marte hue dekhte jaa rahe the. uss pal mein bhi usne mere haaton ko thaamne ki koshish ki, lekin, lekin" Satya choked
Sai placed her hand on his shoulders to comfort him. "kisi ne mere sar par zor se maara, aur mein behosh ho gaya, uss halat mein bhi girija ne mujhe pakadne ki koshish ki jab woh khud mar rahi thi." Satya ended with a sigh. Sai already was in tears. This man who she thought was a clown in the beginning had been through so much. It was probably right, those who smile the most have the loneliest hearts and never-ending tears. They sat there for a while in silence, Sai had her hands in Satya's, and that warmth relaxed Satya. They were doctors, seeing death was inevitable, but they were also human beings, seeing their loved ones die was equally traumatizing.
They left soon as Sai had to pick up the kids, she was already late. Sai was worried sick when she got a call from the school that her children were picked up early by someone who claimed to be their father. She immediately called Virat, but all her calls went unanswered. Panic gripped her as she rushed to the school, hoping that her kids were safe. Upon reaching the school, she found out that it was indeed Virat who had taken the kids. She tried calling him again, but he continued to ignore her calls. Sai felt helpless, not knowing what to do next. She instinctively called Satya for help.
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Virat sat in front of his kids, trying to convince them that he and Sai should get married. "Baada, aap dono ko pata hai na, ki main aur Sai aai kabhi alag nahi hue the. Bas ek choti si ladai ho gayi thi, lekin ab main aur Sai mamma phir se saath hona chahte hain. Tum dono ko ek happy family chahiye na?"
The kids looked at Virat with confusion. "Par baba, aai ne kaha na, ki hum 2 alag family mein rahenge, aap Pakhi mumma ke saath aur hum dono aai ke saath." Vinu asked
Virat tried to convince them further, "Haan baada, lekin aapki Sai aai bhi toh aapki aai hi hai. Aur main bhi toh tumhara baba hoon. Hum sab saath reh sakte hain na. kab tak hum aise milte rahenge. Agar hum sab saath rehenge toh aise milne ki zaroorat nahi hogi. Aap dono hum dono se pyaar karte hai na?"
Vinu replied, "Baba, hum aapse pyaar karte hain, lekin aai ne mujhe aur Savi ko samjhaya hai ki hum chaaron ek saath ek ghar mein nahi reh sakte."
"Aur Vinu dada, aai nahi jaanti hai ki hum yaha baba ke saath hain, aai pareshaan ho jayegi dada"
Virat sighed, knowing he was getting nowhere. He replied, "Baada, dekho aapki Sai aai aur main kuch din mein ek dusre se shaadi karenge, aap itne lucky ho, aap apne aai baaba ke shaadi hote hue dekh sakte hain."
The kids remained silent, not wanting to engage with Virat any further. They just wanted to get back with their mother, and nothing would change that.
"Aur, Baccho, tumhari aai abhi thodi gusse mein hain. Isiliye main tum dono se baat kar raha hoon. Lekin don't worry, main use samjha doonga. Aur woh bhi jaldi samjh jayegi."
"Lekin papa, abhi toh aapki shaadi Pakhi mumma se hai na? To phir aap aai se shaadi kaise kar sakte hain?"
"Beta, aisi baatein badi ho kar samajh mein aati hai. Aapke baba aur aai ek doosre se bahut pyar karte the, lekin kuch gadbad ho gayi thi. Ek kaam karte hain, main yeh bhi soch raha tha ki aaj tum dono mere saath ghar chale jaao aur hum saath mein baat karenge. Shaayad aapki aai ko bhi samajh mein aa jaye ki humein shaadi karni chahiye. Tum log ready ho?"
"Nahi, hum nahi chalenge." Savi said angrily
As Virat gets more frustrated with the kids' refusal, he stands up abruptly and slams his fist on the table. The kids shrink back in fear as Virat glares at them.
"theek hai, tum logon ko apne aai ke paad hi rehna haina? toh jao."
With that, Virat throws some money on the table and storms out of the cafe, leaving the kids behind. They sit there in stunned silence, not sure how to process everything they just heard. The whole cafe saw the scene and were disgusted with Virat.
A kind man came forward, noticed the kids looking upset and approached them, "Are you two okay?" he asked. The kids explained their situation to him and he offered to help. He took their phone and called Sai, explaining the situation to her. Sai who searched every existing place closer to school with Satya was finally relieved after the call. They immediately agreed to pick up the kids and thanked the man for his kindness.
After a few minutes, Sai arrived at the cafe and hugged the kids, relieved to see them safe. The man explained the situation to her and Sai thanked him again before taking the kids home. Sai and Satya were beyond disgusted with what Virat had spoken to the kids and how abruptly he had left. Satya dropped the three at their place and asked Sai to take care of them. He knew the kids needed Sai the most now.
Sai comforted the kids and assured them that everything would be alright. As they were going back to their home, the kids kept holding onto Sai's hand tightly, still scared from the earlier encounter. Sai felt her heart aching for the kids, knowing that they were going through a tough time. She decided to talk to Virat about his behavior and try to come up with a solution that would be best for everyone involved.
As they reached home, Sai made some hot chocolate for the kids and they sat down to watch their favorite cartoon. Sai couldn't help but think about how much the kids needed stability and love in their lives, and she was determined to do everything in her power to make sure they got it.
Virat sat in his car, his mind racing with regret. He knew he shouldn't have left the kids alone in the cafe in anger. He had let his frustration get the best of him, and now he was paying the price for it. As he drove aimlessly around the city, he couldn't shake off the guilt that was consuming him. He had always been a firm believer in the importance of family, and he knew that his actions today had jeopardized that. He wanted to get back with Sai, but he soon realized that he shouldn't have left the cafe and went back in, to see Vinu and Savi hugging Satya tightly, Sai looked at Satya with tears and assured her through his eyes. He felt betrayed and left.
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Sai was beyond angered by the incident. Just then, she received a text from Virat asking her to meet at a marketplace the next day, and Sai decided to go to question him. She had had enough of that man.
As Sai reached the marketplace, she saw Virat waiting for her. Sai looked furious, like a lioness who was ready to pounce. Virat tried to explain himself, saying that he lost control of his emotions and didn't mean to scare the kids. But Sai was not ready to listen to his excuses.
"Virat, tum mujhse bataye bina, mujhse permission liye bina bacchon ko kaise leke jaa sakte ho?," she said, her voice rising. "Aur kya soch kya rahe the? Tumhari aur meri shaadi ke liye unhe manane ki koshish kar rahe the? Tumhari ek biwi hai Virat! Pakhi ke baare mein bhool gaye ho?"
Virat looked down, ashamed of his actions. "Jaanta hoon, Sai. Lekin main... nahi jee sakta tum teeno ke bagair, mujhe apna parivaar chahiye."
"Tumne jis tarah se mere bacchon ko kal daraya hai, uske liye main tumhe kabhi maaf nahi karoongi, aur ainda se mere bacchon se milne se pehle agar tumne mujhse permission nahi li, toh yaad rakhna dcp sahab, main commissioner se khud jaake tumhare saari crimes ke baare mein complain karungi. Tumse main bas itna hi kehna chah rahi thi, aur meine keh diya, tumhare bakwaas sunne nahi aayi hoon. Aur haan MR. Virat Chavan, mere saath apni shaadi ka sapna banana chod hi do, main mar jaaungi lekin tumse kabhi shaadi nahi karoongi. Kyunki tum us aukaad ke ho hi nahi, tum na hi mere pyaar ki layak ho, na mere bacchon ki, aur jo raita tumne phailaya hai, use tum hi sametoge, mere bacche ab tumse darte hain, door rehna unse, kuch din ke liye humare ghar ke aas paas bhi nazar mat aana."
Virat was getting frustrated with what Sai said. He grabbed her hand tightly and accused her of taking away Savi and Vinayak from him.
"Sai, woh mere bacche hain, tum hoti kon ho mujhe unse door rakhne waali?," Virat yelled at her.
Sai pulled her hand away from his grip and looked at him angrily. "Apne bacchon ko ek anjaan jagah mein akela chodke konsa baap jaata hai? Kaisa baap ho tum? Aur konsa haq jata rahe ho?" she retorted.
Sai tried to pull her hand away from Virat's grip, but he tightened it, making her wince in pain. "Virat, chodo. You're hurting me," she pleaded with him.
Virat's eyes blazed with anger and frustration as he accused Sai of brainwashing Savi and Vinu. "tumne hi bataya na, bacchon ko ki hum hum 4 saath mein kabhi nahi reh sakte, aur na jaane kitni baar kaha hoga tumne, un dono ke dil mein mere liya pyaar hi nahi hai, yeh sab tumhare wajah se ho raha Sai, lekin tumhari yeh saari harkatoon ko maaf karke main tumse dobara shaadi karna chahta hoon aur tum mujhe aukaaad ke baare mein bol rahi ho?," he spat out.
Sai's eyes widened in shock at Virat's words, but he was beyond reason. He pulled her closer to him, his grip on her hand still tight, and glared at her. "Tum mere bacchon ko kahi nahi leke jaa sakti ho, aur aise main hone nahi doonga, tum sirf meri ho, sirf meri," he says, his voice low and dangerous.
Sai's heart raced in fear as she struggled to free her hand from Virat's grip. She knew she needed to get away from him, but she also knew that he wouldn't let her go easily. Suddenly, Virat felt a sharp pain in his cheek, a burning sensation, and before he could recover, his other cheek felt the same. He looked straight to see the cause of the pain, and he saw a lady in her 50s. It took him a while to recognize the very similar face.
It was Amba Bai Adhikari. She had been noticing Virat screaming at Sai while she was shopping. She knew Sai was Virat's colleague, as they had met at the same place previously. "Tameez nahi kya? koi ek ladki se aise baat karta hai?"
Virat was even more angered, "woh meri biwi hai"
"accha, biwi hai toh aise baat karega tu? saala, teri poori kahani jaanti hu main, tu dcp hai iska yeh matlab nahi ki tu kuch bhi kar sakta hai, pehle toh tujhe jail jaana hai. tu ruk" Amba said while trying to dial the police. Virat threw her phone, but little did he know that someone among the crowd had already done the honors. Sai stood shaken by what happened. Satya was her good friend, and probably Amba knew about her personal life, but unlike others, she stood up for her amongst a crowd unbothered by its consequences. Sai pulled herself up and stood strong. Virat's face turned red with anger as he realized that he had lost control over the situation. He never thought that she would get the support of the public. He tried to calm himself down, but the anger was too much to bear.
"Tum khudh ko bohot smart samajhti ho, hai na? Lekin main tumhe bata doon, Sai, tumhe pata bhi nahi hai tumne kya kiya hai. Main koi aam insaan nahi hoon jiske saath tum aise kar sakti ho," Virat said, his voice shaking with rage. Sai, however, was not intimidated. She stood her ground and replied, "Main tujhse nahi darti, Virat. Tu chahe jo bhi ho sakta hai, lekin tu mujhe aur mere bachchon ko nahi rok sakta. Tujhe samajhna hoga ki tere kaam ke parinaam hote hain aur tu hamesha humare bachchon ko apni marzi se nahi le jaa sakta."
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Before the police could arrive, Virat had already fled from the scene. Amba stayed with Sai to console her and helped her to reach home safely. Sai, feeling overwhelmed, collapsed onto the floor and began to cry. "kyun? kyun? hamesha mere saath aur mere bacchon ke saath hi galat hota hai?" she screamed in frustration. Amba calmly rubbed her back and sat beside her, comforting her. Sai eventually realized that she had been crying for a long time, yet Amba had not left her side. She apologized and wiped away her tears, noticing that Amba's saree was wet from her tears. Sai got up to get tissues, but Amba stopped her and insisted that they both sit on the sofa.
Amba slowly asked, "woh aadmi tujhse aise kyun baat kar raha tha?" Sai felt a flood of emotions rush through her and voluntarily began to tell her story, from the time when Jagtap was a jerk, to the loss of her father, to her marriage with Virat, to Pakhi's jealousy of their relationship, and to Virat's unavailability when she needed him the most. She continued on to discuss the surrogacy, separation, and everything that had happened to her until now. Sai felt lighter after sharing her story, and Amba patiently listened and empathized with her. Amba explained how similar her own life was to Sai's, and they discussed their respective difficult times. Amba was one of the first people to address the fact that Virat had always been a sore loser, from being a son, to a police officer, to a husband, and now a father.
Amba's journey and words motivated Sai, despite Amba's soft demeanor, she had a strong heart and character. Sai eventually dozed off on Amba's lap, feeling for the first time in ages that someone understood and cared for her. She was grateful for the moment.
Thank you so much for your love. Hope yall enjoy this one too. Feel free to comment on how you feel; your comments and feedback mean a lot. Thank you!!
Mannat Har Khushi Paane Ki
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