The movement of the hand underneath his woke up Omkara after a short nap. He lifted his head from the hospital bed and sat straight on the chair beside it. From what he could tell, Anika was waking up. And as his gut feeling told him, managing her wasn't going to be an easy task.
Taking her hand in his, Om thought that he had to be there for her. Despite him not seeing eye to eye with her regarding the choice to keep Shivaay unaware, he felt responsible to uphold the trust she put in him.
The phone beside him started to vibrate, indicating a call. But Omkara declined it quickly, after seeing the caller to be Rudra.
After Anika was taken into surgery for her hand, Rudra reached the hospital, though he was not in the state to be there. Hence, Om took the call to send him back before she could come out of surgery.
Out of the two of them, they knew Anika's bond with Rudra was more relaxed and laid back. They messed about and pranked everyone. Their childish behaviour and activities seemed to match those of the young children in the house.
Her relationship with Om was more serious and mature. They both where well aware of how to handle situations in a sophisticated manner. This helped Om to decide that he should be the one waiting for her to wake up.
Back to the current time, the effects of the anaesthetic drug was slowly wearing off. Anika's eyes were opening, but with much difficulty. Om stood up to lean across her, so that he could reach her right side. He adjusted the position of her right hand, which was wrapped up in bandages. Returning to his seat, he moved the stand carrying the IV fluids back so that and sudden movement from her wouldn't knock it over.
Om: Bhaabi?
Her neck turned to face him, and she raised her hope-filled eyes to meet his. Suspiciously he was avoiding eye contact since Om's gaze was fixed to looking down. Anika was too smart not to realise there was something wrong.
Anika: mera bacha?
The mere whisper left her lips, and she attempted to lift her arm and rest it on her stomach. Unluckily, the cast was too heavy for the feeble Anika to lift.
Om: I'm so sorry Bhaabi lekin...
A small pause was taken to wipe his tears and take a deep breath.
Om: the baby wasn't strong enough
Almost immediately, Anika began to repeatedly deny his words. Although weak, she managed to shake her head furiously, wishing for some hope.
Om: I wish I could tell you something else
Tears began to flow, and soon the small sniffles and sobs became louder cries and wails. Om climbed onto the edge of the bed, and allowed space for Anika to rest her head back onto him. He was well aware that Anika would have been better off with Shivaay, but there wasn't any other option at that moment.
Anika: Nahi Om
She slowly became restless, gathering a little bit of energy. She tried to get out of the bed and in attempt, waved her arms about.
Om was quick to react, wrapping his arms around hers and holding her in that locked position. His plan was to calm her down and try to divert her mind.
Om: it's okay Bhaabi, let it all out
He caressed her hair back and placed a light kiss on her forehead.
The sound of loud footsteps getting closer pulled his attention to the room door. There he saw Gauri shocked, a hand rising to cover her mouth to stop the cries. Her poor sister, as if she hadn't suffered enough, lost a symbol of her love and marriage. She was uncontrollably crying, and Gauri could see Ok trying to calm her even a little bit.
Gauri would have burst into the room, but Priyanka stopped her and held her back
Gauri: Priyanka chod mujhe, Di needs me
Priyanka: Bhaabi no
Gauri: Prinku you don't understand...
Priyanka: yes I do
Gauri looked up to her, eager to listen to her advice.
Priyanka: Anika Bhaabi ko support ki zaroorat hai. Agar aap ese andhar jaayenge toh kaun Anika Bhaabi ko sambhalega?
It took a while before Anika calmed down and relaxed. She was still fidgeting, but certainly more steady than before
Anika: Om?
Om: haan Bhaabi?
He was quick to respond to her, and she lifted her head to look at her
Anika: Shivaay ko pata hai?
Om: abhi nahi
With his next words, Om pulled out his phone from his pocket and forwarded it to Anika
Om: yeh leker unhe call karo
Anika: nahi, aur aap sabko bata de ki Shivaay ko kuch maat bol
Om: lekin...
Anika: nahi Om
Her quick reply cut him mid sentence, and he gave her a glass of water. When Anika tried to take the cup, she realised her hand was in a cast.
Om: the bones in your hand were crushed in the fall. Surgery mein repair kiya lekin vact ke saath aur improvement hoga. Ek chota sa cut hai aapke forehead per, and that's been sutured up
The glass was raised to her lips, and Anika took a few sips of the water before looking towards the door
Anika: Gauri? Priyanka?
Om noticed her teary face and nodded negatively, signalling her to wipe her eyes. Gauri did that, and rushed to hug her sister
Gauri: aap theek ho?
Anika: nahi, lekin I'll be fine
Gauri: Radhika was giving me a hard time, isi liye late aayi
Priyanka soon followed in
Priyanka: kohi dard hai Bhaabi?
Anika: itna nahi
Priyanka: Dr Roy kuch dehr mein aayegi, discharge papers ke saath. Aap ghar aa sakte lekin bohot rest karna hoga aapko
Anika: kis kis ko pata hai?
Gauri: hum teeno, Rudra aur Bhavya. Dadi kal aari hogi, lekin Rudra ne bataya nahi.
Anika hummed in response, and Priyanka's pager buzzed.
Priyanka: mujhe jaana hai, mere patient ka surgery hai abhi
Om: theek hai, jaaye
Priyanka took their leave and hurried away.
Gauri: aapko kuch khaane ke liye chahiye? Aloo Puri yah kuch aur?
Anika: kuch nahi
Gauri looked up to Om.
Gauri: kuch toh chahiye hoga naa?
Anika: no
Gauri: I'll go see where the doctor is
She caught hold of a nurse outside the room, and asked for a time. The nurse replied saying the doctor would get to them in another hour or so.
Gauri: discharge hogi, kapre badalna?
Anika didn't give much of a response, but Om assisted Gauri in making her stand up. They lead her to the washroom and Gauri took the clothes.
Gauri: aap gaadi arrange ki jiye
The girls came out, Anika in a loose dress. She sat down on the hospital bed and didn't say a word.
Om: Bhaabi, Shivaay ka phone aaya
Her head quickly turned to him, wanting to know what he did.
Om: I let it go to voicemail
Anika relaxed a little, lay back in her bed
Gauri: lekin batana hoga Di, varna...
Om: Gauri shh
Keeping a hand on her shoulder, Om took Gauri out of the room to discuss the matter.
Om: Kya kari ho tum?
Gauri: Bhaaiya has to know
Om: I agree lekin...
Gauri: then let me tell him
Taking a few steps back, she took a long breath before continuing.
Gauri: Di toh batane nahi wale, kam se kam mujhe karne di jiye
Om: it's better if he gets to know from her rather that us
Gauri: It's better if he gets to know from family rather than outsiders
Om: she would want to tell him herself. Aur don't pressurise her into telling him.
Gauri: look, mein kisi ki side nahi lehri, lekin agar mein hoti toh I would want you there with me
She traced her hands down his arms and then interlocked his fingers with hers.
Gauri: un dono ke bond dekh ker, I think it will be best for them to get the pain out together. Aur vese bhi, Di is too selfless and selfish at the same time, to let him know.
Om: pehle ghar jaate, phir usse samjhayenge
A ringing phone diverted their attention, and Gauri saw the caller ID
Gauri: Rudra
She informed her husband before attending the call
Gauri: haan Rudy?
Rudra: Bhaabi, sorry to disturb lekin Radhika bohot roh rhi hai. We tried to calm her lekin I think she wants you only
Gauri: mein abhi aati
She kept the phone in her pocket and turned to Om
Gauri: it's Radhika, bohot roh rhi hai aur...
Om: it's okay, you can go
He dismissed her, and returned to the room himself. He saw Anika staring at a phone as it continuously rang. Placing his hands in his pockets, Om then realised he left his phone in the room.
Anika: Khannah Bhaaiya
She read out the name on the screen that was clearly written in the white font. This was a person she has and could blindly trust with her life. Om rushed to her and attended the call, mindful to keep it on speaker mode
Khannah: Om Sir?
Om: haan Khannah
Khannah: aapko pata Anika Di kaha hai? Voh apna phone nahi uthari hai. Mujhe kuch zaroori baat lan karni thi. Shivaay Sir bhi uska phone try kara hai par kohi response nahi aara
Om: Khannah tell me, I'll pass the message to Anika Bhaabi
Khannah: If you don't mind, kya mein directly usko bata sakta?
Om looked up to Anika, wondering what the matter could be. She was quick to realise what he was asking for.
Anika: usko pregnancy ke baare mein pata hai
She whispered to Om, confusing him.
Om: Khannah hold on a second
He put the call on hold, then looked at Anika for an explanation.
Anika: usko pehle pata challa. Khannah Bhaaiya ne hi mujhe test diya. Ke somehow got a feeling, kyu ki uss din mein thora kamzor aur bimar lagri thi
Om: toh he'll be expecting a reply
Anika: phone mujhe dedo
Taking the phone from him, she took the call off hold and began speaking
Anika: Khannah Bhaaiya?
Khannah: Anika Di? Phone kyu nahi uthari ho? Shivaay Sir pareshaan hai, aye test he results kese aaye?
Anika: Khannah where are you?
Khannah: Humare parents ke ghar mein. Seema ne Snivaay Sir aur Chutki ko bhar ghoomne leker gayi, aur Maa Baap soh rhe- kya hua Di?
Anika: Bhaaiya joh mein aapko batane wali hoon voh kisi aur ko maat batana, chahe kuch bhi ho jah
Khannah was a little scared, intimidated by the way she was speaking.
Khannah: esa kya hua Di?
Anika: I was pregnant, aapne sahi guess kiya lekin...
She needed a moment to take another deep breath. No matter how many times she heard or said it, the fact didn't seem to process.
Anika: I fell and...
Khannah: Oh God, mein abhi flight arrange karta hoon aur hum vaapis aare hai
Anika: Khannah Bhaaiya nahi, aapka meri kasam. Aab Shivaay ko maat batana, mein khud unhe bata ker sambhalungi
Khannah: Aap sahi nahi kar rhe hai Di. Aur I'm sure yeh baat Om Sir ne bhi kaha aapko. Par aap kab baat maante?
Anika: Khannah please, ek cheez maang rhi hai mein aapse
She begged him to keep the secret, but it wasn't easy getting him to agree. Anika managed it, after trying to explain her point of view.
Once she kept the call down, the doctor entered the room.
Kalpana: how are you feeling Anika, any pain?
Anika: haath mein thora hai, aur headache bhi.
Kalpana: main uske liye medications prescribe karungi. Otherwise you're free to go.
Om helped Anika stand, and picked up the bags as well. He made sure that he supported Anika in every step she took.
Kalpana: Light a candle
Just as the two were going to leave, their physician spoke to them.
Kalpana: before i had my son, I lost a baby shortly after birth. Har saal, jab uska birthday hota, mein ek candle light karti uske liye.
Anika nodded her head, and left with Om. When they reached home, he immediately led Anika to the bedroom. Bhavya and Rudra followed them and helped keep the bags away.
Om: Bhaabi aap yahi rukho, hum abhi aate
Om went out, and Bhavya followed.
Bhavya: Meine already aloo puri bana ke rakhi
Om: great, voh laake aao please
Bhavya rushed to get the meal for her sister-in-law. On the other side of the door, Rudra was ensuring Anika's comfort.
Rudra: ek aur pillow?
Anika: nahi Rudra
She took a seat on the bed as Bhavya came in with a plate of food
Bhavya: Bhaabi, meine aapka favourite aloo puri banaya. Pehli baar meine try kiya, toh batao kese laga?
Anika: mann nahi kara hai Bhavya, sorry
Bhavya: ese kese mann nahi kara? Aap mere haathon se khayein
Anika: Bhavya no
Rudra: Bhaabi, jab hume se kohi bimar ya naraz hota, aap aake humme khilaate. Jab tak hum khaate nahi, aap vaha se nahi jaati.
Bhavya: aapko kyu lagta ki hum aapko chodenge?
Bhavya forwards the morsel to her mouth and Anika smiles whilst eating it.
Bhavya: good. Aab mujhe pata ki Chutki kese nakhre bina khaati. Bilkul aap per gayi
Rudra and Bhavya both tried their best to feed Anika whilst distracting her. They told many jokes and funny stories that helped take her mind off things.
Rudra: yeh itna bada patti kyu baanda?
Rudra commented on the big bandage wrapped around her hand, which was tied in a sling.
Gauri: kyu ki doctors ko pata hai ki Di baat nahi maanti. Agar araam karne ke liye bol, toh madam poora gharr ka safai karegi
Gauri walked through the door and took the empty plate from Bhavya's hand.
Gauri: Di kuch aur?
Anika: ek cheez hai
Bhavya: kya?
Anika: poolside
Rudra helped her up, and they went to the poolside as Anika requested. Om was already there, waiting with a stand of candles. Discreetly he signalled for them to go as he brought Anika forward.
Anika: how did you know I was going to come here for this?
Om: bas ek feeling tha
Anika's left hand reached out to pick up the matchbox. When she tried to open the it she realised her hand was all bandaged up.
Om: may I?
She nodded, and let him strike the match. Quickly, he gave back the lit stick, and let Anika light a candle. Om thought to let her have some space, but he felt a grip on his wrist when he started to move ahead.
Anika: Om, Mujhe pata hai ki aap ne mere liye bohot kuch kiya, aur kaafi madat offer kiya. Thank you
Om: anything for you bhaabi
Has slipped away and let Anika reflect.
Anika: Yeh news sunke mein bohot kush hui. I started to imagine Shivaay ka reaction kese hoga. Jab sab ko pata chalega toh saare itne kush hote. Par yeh kushi, it was short lived. I'm sorry baby, tumne mere vajhe se iss duniya ko itni jaldi chodke gaye. Mere lahparwahi...
Before the tear in her eye could fall, Anika wiped it away and took a deep breath.
Anika: i just hope I have enough strength to handle this and get through it
After a while, she made her way back to her room. It took a while of staring at the ceiling before Anika found it possible to shut her eyes. Sleep was far away from her as she lay awake for hours. She was extremely restless and wasn't able to stay in a position for long. Somehow she managed to get through the night.