by Candy Laine
“What is it Shweta?” Urmila put the dish of kanda poha on the table and looked at her.
“You remember Arun? Gagan’s cousin?” She held out her plate as her mother served her the poha.
“Yes, Rahat’s husband’s cousin. The boy who lost his father. The one who you are helping with his physiotherapy. I know him.”
“That’s the one.” Sameer piped up from his end of the table. Urmila looked at his smug expression and looked back at Shweta. Her eyes curious.
“Er, the thing is.” Shweta fidgeted with her spoon. “He’s a good guy.” She could feel her cheeks burning.
“I’m sure he is.” Urmila’s maternal instincts were kicking in. She looked at Sameer tucking into the poha, observing both of them like a hawk. “Isn’t he in the army?”
“Yes. Yes, he is.” Shweta seemed to be getting more tongue tied by the minute. “He has been here for the last month. In Pune.”
“Oh...” The hesitation, the late nights were now making sense. Urmila swept a glance over her daughter and then stilled when she saw the ring on her left hand.
“He asked you to marry him?” She picked up the hand with the ring. Shweta nodded her head.
“And you said yes?” Shweta nodded again. Refusing to glance away from her plate full of poha.
“Well, congratulations. When do I get to meet him?” Shweta looked up at her mother and saw the tears glittering in her eyes. She got up and gave her a hug.
“How about tonight?” Shweta asked.
“The sooner the better.” Urmila kissed her cheek and patted her shoulder. “We need to have a celebration. Can his mother and he come over for dinner?”
“I’m sure they would love to.” Shweta gushed in relief. Her mother was okay with her marrying an army officer. She did not question her decision. She did not judge her for changing her mind. She just accepted it and was happy for her.
“Now you have no excuse.” Urmila shook a finger at Sameer as Shweta picked up her spoon and attacked her poha with renewed zeal.
“Excuse for what?” His spoon paused halfway to his mouth.
“Getting married, of course! You always said you wanted Shweta to get settled before you married.” She waved at Shweta. “Now she’s settled. It’s your turn next.”
Sameer made a choking sound in his throat and lowered the spoon. “She’s just engaged, not married. There’s still a lot to do.”
“Oh no you don’t.” Urmila smiled at her children. “I want both my children to find a life partner and be happy.” She dabbed the corner of her sari at her eyes.
~~~
Arun stood before the officer in charge of the medical review board. His tests were normal, everything was under control and he was going to be pronounced fit for light duty. He should be happy, but mixed feelings swelled his chest. He would have to report back to his unit within three days.
He didn’t want to go back. He wanted to stay here. He could hardly imagine leaving Shweta behind and going away. It was like his heart was breaking at the mere thought of the impending separation. Arun mechanically shook hands with the doctor as he congratulated him. He collected the medical papers the doctor had signed and stamped. The entry was made on his sheet by the clerk and he walked out of the hospital with a heavy heart.
He drove back home, his eyes on the road but his mind distracted. He needed to speak with someone. The car slid into the parking lot at the apartment complex and he took out his mobile. He sat looking at his contact list trying to make up his mind. That’s when the phone rang.
“Hey, how did it go?” Shweta sounded excited on the phone.
“Quite well. I’m good to go back on duty.” Arun tried to sound happy.
“That’s great. One more thing to celebrate tonight.” There was a slight pause. “Would you come home for dinner? My mother wants to meet you.”
Arun closed his eyes for a long second and opened them. “Yes, of course. What time would you like me to be there?”
“I think 8 o’clock should be good. She’s really looking forward to meeting you and your mother.” From Shweta’s excitement it was obvious that her mother approved.
“From your tone I take it that she did not have the same issues her daughter had about marrying a man in uniform?” Arun remarked dryly.
“No, she’s just happy that I’ve decided not to remain a spinster for the rest of my life.” Shweta laughed. “And now she’s on Sameer’s case to find someone.”
“Should I tell her about how he was mooning over Ashima?” Arun smirked.
“Not if you want to stay alive for our wedding!” Shweta giggled. There was some noise in the background. “I have to go now, Arun.”
“We’ll see you tonight. Goodbye Shweta.”
“Bye Arun.”
~~~
That evening there was a spring in Arun’s step as he escorted his mother to the door of Shweta’s home. He was in a formal shirt and trousers and his mother had dressed up in a beautiful sari for the first time since his father’s death. They were both ready to move on. Sameer answered the doorbell.
“Welcome Mrs. Rastogi, and Arun.” He was smiling broadly.
“Thank you beta. Just call me Geeta Aunty. Mrs Rastogi sounds too formal.” She took his hand as he led her into the house. Arun followed pulling the door shut behind them.
Urmila Karkare came rushing out of the kitchen. “I’m so happy to meet you.” She gave Geeta Rastogi a huge hug. The two ladies went on to sit together on the sofa leaving Arun wondering where Shweta was.
“Shweta got delayed at the hospital today”. Sameer answered his unasked question. “She just called to say she’s on her way. She should be here in fifteen minutes.”
Sameer played host and fetched everyone their preferred drinks even as both the mothers chatted and bonded like old friends. While they were being the perfect hosts, after about twenty minutes Arun was getting restless. Shweta should have been here by now. He wondered where she was.
Sameer’s phone rang. He went to answer it in the neighbouring room. Arun messaged Shweta to check when she would be there. Sameer came back into the room. His face was ashen. He headed to his mother and squatted on the floor in front of her. She stopped speaking and looked at him.
Sameer took her hands in his, “Mama, there has been a small accident.” She looked confused for a second. She looked at Arun and his mother and looked back at Sameer. Then it registered.
“Shweta...” Her voice squeaked. Sameer held her hands firmly as she tried to get up. “What happened? Is she...”
Urmila couldn’t even bear to say the words. Arun’s heart nearly stopped. He stood up with a shocked expression on his face. His mother got up rubbed his back.
“She’s alive. They took her to the hospital. One of her doctor friends, Deepti was with her and gave me a call. They are taking her into surgery.”
“We have to go to the hospital.” Geeta Rastogi’s voice was calm and soothing. She walked over to Urmila as Sameer got up. “Come let’s get ready to leave. Is there anything in the kitchen we need to switch off?”
Within fifteen minutes they were all bundled into the car and headed for the hospital. Sameer was driving and Arun sat up front with him. Urmila was weeping softly while Geeta spoke soothingly and patted her hand. Sameer stopped in front of the main hospital door and went off to park the car. Arun, Urmila and Geeta walked in.
A nurse at the reception recognised Urmila as Shweta’s mother and quickly took them up to the third floor. Dr. Deepti was waiting outside the operating theatre. The nurse left them with her and returned to her post. Deepti got up from the chair and gave Urmila a big hug and guided her to sit.
“What happened to her?” Arun wanted to know. Geeta sat on Urmila’s side and both of them looked at Deepti. Hoping to find out more about Shweta’s condition. “How is she?”
“We had just walked out of the hospital together and were heading home. I walked with her to the parking lot. She was parked closer, so I said goodnigh
t and walked towards my car. Just as I got in and strapped myself in, I saw a car speeding into the car park. The driver of the speeding car crashed right into Shweta’s side. They suspected him to be drunk.” Deepti took a deep breath.
“He was declared DOA. I hurried to the car and tried to help Shweta out, but the car door was badly mangled. A couple of ambulance drivers came running and managed to get the passenger side door open. She was unconscious and her left leg was bent in an unnatural position.” Deepti’s voice quivered.
“I was worried about injury to the spine, so I told them not to move her till I could get a stretcher organized. We rushed her inside and the emergency team took over. Thankfully the head of the surgery department was available and he’s operating on her now.” Deepti looked at Urmila and then at Arun, “Are you the fiancé? She was so excited about dinner tonight.”
“Yes, I am.” Arun nodded and looked at Sameer as he walked towards them.
“Deepti, how is she?” Sameer’s face was lined with worry.
“They are operating on her now. We should know more after the surgery.” Deepti replied. “You will need to fill out some forms. Would you like to do that now?”
“How long is the surgery likely to last?” Sameer looked at his watch. “You said that they started at 8.25 and it’s almost 8.55 now.”
“They have to set her leg bone, check for spinal injuries as well as concussion. I don’t know if she has gained consciousness. I’m not sure what they will find in terms of internal injuries. It could take another ten minutes if everything is fine…”
She didn’t mention that if there was internal bleeding, it would take longer. Sameer went with Deepti and finished the paperwork. It was another hour before they were told that the surgery was over and that Shweta was being shifted to the ICU.
“She’s stabilized. There is a simple fracture in the left femur. Some cartilage damage to the right knee. A couple of torn ligaments and tendons. Thankfully the spinal cord was not injured.” The operating doctor let them know.
“Once she is shifted to the ICU one of you can visit her for five minutes. The other’s should wait till tomorrow morning, when she is actually conscious to visit her. We don’t want to put her at risk for secondary infections.” The head of surgery informed them.
Sameer shook hands with him, “Thank you, doctor.”
“It was my pleasure. Your sister is a popular young lady. She will need some intensive care and follow up physiotherapy but she should make a complete recovery.” He nodded to them and walked away.
“Sameer, I want to see her.” Urmila got up from the chair. Wiping away any last tears now that she knew Shweta was going to be alright. Sameer took her arm and started down the corridor with her.
“I’ll go check if she has been shifted,” Deepti said as she went off at a fast trot in the direction of the ICU.
Arun sank in the chair next to his mother. Geeta turned and looked at him. “How are you holding up?”
“As well as can be expected. And she thinks I have a dangerous job.” The mother and son duo smiled at each other.
The next morning Arun sat next to Shweta’s bed in the ICU. Holding her hand even as she slept. She had regained consciousness early in the morning. The doctor said she was coherent and lucid, but very much in pain. She was now allowed one visitor per hour and Urmila had just left with Sameer after sitting with her daughter for an hour.
Now Arun sat and held her hand. Mentally willing her to get well soon. He hated seeing her laid up in the hospital bed with the white sheets pulled up over her white hospital gown. The colour and sparkle he associated with her was missing. Even her cheeks were pale. Arun pulled his chair closer to the bed with his free hand. He refused to let go of her even for a second.
“Please be alright Shweta. I love you.” He laid his cheek on the bed and looked at her. “I don’t want to leave you like this and go.” His heart was breaking. “I need to return to the unit by Monday. That means I need to leave this evening. I wish I didn’t have to go back.” He was trying hard not to cry. “I wish I could stay with you.” He closed his eyes.
Shweta could hear Arun’s words as though they came from a great distance. She could feel his misery and wanted to comfort him. Her eyes wouldn’t open. They seemed glued shut. She tried to pry them open, just a crack. The room was dimly lit and the sight of Arun’s head resting on her side motivated her to make a move.
Arun felt a slight pressure on his hand which was interlaced with hers. His eyes opened and his head shot up. “Shweta, you’re awake. Thank god. How are you feeling?” Arun hovered over her side.
“I’m fine.” Shweta said in a hoarse voice.
“Liar.” He smiled at her as she blinked at him. “How are you really feeling? Do you need anything?”
“Help me sit up.” Her voice was weak. Shweta tried to move up but her limbs didn’t seem to respond to her will. They felt like rubber.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to move too much right now, Shweta.” Arun’s eyes narrowed as he observed her movements. She gave a resigned sigh and nodded her agreement.
“I’m so sorry my love. I have to leave today.” Arun’s misery was obvious on his face.
“I know you have to go.” Her voice was much stronger now. “I don’t blame you for it. It’s what you have to do.”
Arun tucked her hair behind her ear and kissed her brow. “I feel like I am failing you somehow. That I can’t be with you when you need me. It’s like your worst fear coming true and I can’t do anything to change it.”
“I knew what I was getting into when I decided to give us a chance.” Shweta laid back down on the pillow. “I’ll be alright. I’ve got my mother and brother to fuss after me. You can go back and do what you need to do.”
“Shweta, I am seriously considering a change in lifestyle. I promise you. I won’t disappoint you. Just give me sometime.”
“I love you, Arun. Take all the time you need.” Shweta closed her eyes for a bit and smiled as she felt him kiss the back of her hand.
“I’m going to go out and send Rahat in now.” Arun whispered to her. “You can pretend to be asleep if you don’t want to talk with her.” That coaxed a small laugh from her.
“Who all is out there?” Shweta opened her eyes and looked at Arun. She reached out with her hand and he took it in his instantly.
“Besides Rahat and Gagan? Vishal, Ashish, Ashima and my mother.”
“Geeta Aunty’s here?” Shweta’s eyes went wide. “Please send her next. Rahat can wait.”
“Hmmm, already pandering to the mother in law, huh?” Arun couldn’t bring himself to release her hand.
“Well, she will be the grandmother of my children...” Shweta joked.
“I’ll send her in. Then I’ll take her home, pack my bags and come back to say goodbye before I leave for the airport.” He kissed her hand again and released it.
“Before you go,” Shweta looked at him from under her eyelashes, “Can I get a proper kiss?”
Ever so gently Arun placed his lips lightly on hers and stepped away from her. “I love you.” He gave her a flying kiss as he stepped out of the ICU. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
As he stepped out of the door he put his back to the wall. Dropping the smile he had pasted on his face, his anguish found vent in a fist hitting the wall behind him.
“She’ll be okay, Arun.” Sameer tried to comfort him. “Shweta has always been a tough nut. Trust me, a couple of months and she’ll be right as rain.”
“I hope so. It’s killing me to see her laid out in the hospital bed like that. She wants to meet my mother.” Arun pushed himself off the wall and began walking towards the waiting room.
“Then let’s go head off Rahat before she barges in next.” Sameer walked with him to the room where the rest of their friends were gathered.
“I’m going to be there for her, Sameer. I’m going to make some changes.” Arun said to him as they walked in.
&
nbsp; “You don’t have to make any changes for her, Arun. She accepts you just the way you are.”
“I know that. She hasn’t asked me to change a thing, but I need to do this for me. It’s a second chance that I want to avail of.” Arun told them all what he was planning when his mother went in to visit Shweta.
Rahat, Ashima, Vishal and Gagan approved. Ashish was supportive, but cautious. Sameer repeatedly told him he didn’t need to make such drastic changes. It would take a while but it would be worth it. Arun knew he could make it work. He just needed some time and the support of his friends.
He wanted to be with Shweta. Arun knew she loved her job and he didn’t want to make her give it up. At the same time he wanted them to be together all the time. He didn’t want a part time marriage of convenience. He wanted to be there with her each night when they returned home from work. He wanted to see each stage of raising their children. He wanted to participate in regular family outings. He wanted so much, would he be lucky enough to have it all?
“”Do you think it will work?” Arun asked his friends.
“We’ll make it work.” Vishal replied and everyone else nodded their support.
o0o
23
New Beginnings
o0o
Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?
Thou art more lovely and more temperate.
Rough winds do shake the darling buds of May,
And summer's lease hath all too short a date.
William Shakespeare
Shweta stood still in front of the mirror as Rahat fussed around with her hair. Her knee still hurt sometimes but she had recovered from the worst of her injuries in the six months it had been since her accident. Rahat was making her stand because she was really huge and pregnancy hormones combined with an inability to sit comfortably were not a good combination.
Rahat was playing with hairstyles for her wedding day. “If you intend to keep the sari on your head, nothing will be seen. You need to pin it on in such a manner that the style is seen and your head is partially covered.” Rahat readjusted the dupatta she was using for practice. “Now tell me if this feels more comfortable than the last one.”
