The String of Hearts

25) Vennela goes Missing

Vibha's Point Of View

*****

Hours passed by. I waited outside the operation theatre, impatiently waiting for Akka to come outside and say that Anand is completely alright. I cursed myself a thousand times for not being there by his side when he needed me the most. It's hurting me so much. The last words he said before loosing his consciousness is playing in my head making me difficult to breath. I prayed to all the gods not to make anything bad happen with him.

My thoughts halted when I saw Akka stepping outside the room. I quickly stood up and rushed towards her.

"Akka tell me...please tell me that he's alright"I said sniffing hard. Akka held my hand and made me sit in the chair. She then gave me faint assuring smile after removing her mask

"God is with us. Anand is completely alright and out of danger. Don't worry"she said and my breath fell into place. I hugged her tightly and cried. She hugged me back and caressed my hairs

"Calm down. I told you right. He's okay"she said and I broke the hug.

"The wounds are a bit deep. It will take few weeks to heal completely. But he's alright Vibha"Akka said again. I wiped my tears

"It's all my mistake Akka. I shouldn't have left him alone. I should have trusted him. He didn't do it. He didn't kill my baby"I shut my eyes tight. I heard her sighing

"This is what we tried to make you understand Vibha. He wouldn't do that. Why would he give so much pain to you? He can't. Because he loves you. He loves you a lot much more than you think. He was in pain as well. He'd lost his baby too Vibha. You stopped talking to him as well. Just imagine how much he would have gone through"Akka said and I felt my chest tightening. I broke down again

"I didn't say all this to make you regret. You still have time to forgive him and move on with a new life. And also to make sure that you won't ever leave him alone like that"she said.

"Can I meet him? Please, just once"I asked hopefully

"In an hour you can. But before that you need to eat something. I'll go, change and come. Okay?"she asked and I nodded my head.

Akka got up and walked away while I continued to sit there lifelessly. I recall all her words and shed tears. I felt angry on myself for doing this to Anand. Grief and pain occupied my heart.

I wondered if not Anand then who might have done that. Was that his mom? Or someone else?

I walked to the window and stood there, crossing my hands across my chest. I wiped my tears and made myself strong enough to confront and apologise to Anand.

A little later Akka came back. We walked to the canteen and had our food.

"I told Amma that I took you back home. I didn't inform her about anand's accident"Akka said and I just nodded

"She said you barely talk to her now"she said and I stopped eating

"I didn't mean to do it. I didn't even know how to talk to her Akka. I was broken. I did not had enough strength even to come outside that room"I said and raised my head. She smiled at me.

"You know what, life had given you second chance to reset everything. Don't worry. I'm always with you"she said and I smiled back

"I know"

"My duty will be over in some time. I will go back home and get anand's clothes from there"Akka said

"Akka you can come back by tomorrow morning. I'm here know? I'll take care of Anand. Already you look so tired. I want you to take rest"