Aarush
She freaking fainted in my arms when I asked her regarding allergies. Her skin turned red and that showed many tiny bumps, along with white bumps. These were not present usually on her skin.
A shiver ran down my spine as I saw her blacking out in front of me. "Yu-" I heard Maa say, while she was sprinkling water on her face. But it had no effect on her. I didn't waste any other second in picking her up in my arms and driving her to the hospital. Meanwhile I kept calling her name in the hope if she could reply, but there were none.
As soon as I entered the hospital, the staff ran towards me and they brought a stretcher and I carefully placed her on it. A sense of pinch at my heart happened at that moment, when I was letting her go. I was following the stretcher but they didn't allow me to do so. Instead they asked me to sign up for some formalities.
I right away called her parents to ask and let them know about the same. My father in law picked up a single ring. "Hello" I shivered.
"Hello, Aarush? Is everything alright, beta?"
"Papa, that- I-"
"Why are you sounding so low? You are worrying me, child. Tell me what's the matter?" I can sense the urgency in his tone. And I can't simply hide these things from him because he shouldn't bother. He's her father, he should know.
I don't know why it is getting so difficult to tell him. I opened my mouth to tell him, but no words came out of it.
"Yuvaani has an allergy?" This was the only question I was about to utter.
"Yeah, she has a peanut allergy. But why? Did she- did she eat something wrong-?" He panicked.
"Yeah, we are in the city hospital. Can you please come over?" I asked
"I'll be there" I sensed him getting panicked, whereas I sat on the nearby chair, trying to calm myself down.
Unknowingly, I felt the wetness rolling down my cheeks but I cared less. I put my elbows on my knees and my face in my palms, and weep silently.
I am sorry! I am so sorry, Yuvaani!! I never know- you were going through this much-! I felt my body shaking convulsively due to cries. The guilt of her facing pain because of me was gripping my heart hard! It feels like the whole world is collapsing by my side, and I'm extremely helpless. I didn't know what to do.
I felt like being back to square one. First Priya, now her. This time, I don't want to lose my wife. A sob left my mouth thinking about Vaani. That poor soul doesn't even need to face all this- but still she did. For us.
Her outburst- I don't know! Hearing every word, it felt like I'm dying in a thousand flames of guilt every second. The pain she endured- just because of the fact that she's a second wife? I failed to protect her as a husband. I'm sorry Vaani- I'm just so sorry! I never knew you could think- moreover- her one sided thing- Oh my God!
I felt breathless at the moment.
I know what one sided heart feels like. Before me and Priya came into a relationship, it was all one sided for me. But when she said It hurts to see your husband crave for someone else, in front of you. Then whether you're the first wife or second, the pain is the same.
A fresh set of tears rolled down my cheeks remembering her exact words. My heart again fell into the pit of my stomach, and it gave me a feeling of breathlessness. How did you even manage to endure this much? Hm? You could've just come to me and slapped me. You can tell me all this long back, you don't have to endure any of this. You're not meant for this. Clearly. This is because of me, you're facing this right? I'll make it right. I really will. Will you give me a chance to make it right-?
I felt a touch on my shoulder. I rapidly cleaned my eyes and looked up. It was the doctor. I quickly stood up to ask him about her health but he gave me a writing pad instead. I furrowed my brows and took the writing pad and looked there were some papers attached to it. My gaze again went to him, this time questioning him.
"This is the consent form. The allergy has grown rapidly in her body. This is a very risky situation as her body is too weak to react to the medications. I want you to sign this, as if anything wrong happens, she might lose her life." he spoke.
I felt like the ground slipped under my feet as I heard his words. Oh God, not again, please!! I can't lose my wife, again.
"What are you say-" I managed to speak but he put his palm on my shoulder instead assuring me "We'll try our best" and he asked me to sign. I unknowingly signed.
"Sir, please don't care about money! Just save her!! I'll pay you how much you want-"
"Control yourself, Mr. Nair. It's not about the money. Her body is too weak-"
"I don't care, please fucking please save her" I busted in tears but then I was engulfed by my father in law out of no where. I didn't know when he came.
"Dr, I think you should treat her. I'll handle it here" He said and the doctor went away to the ICU.
"I'm sorry Papa- I-I didn't know she was allergic-" he silently hugged me and pacified me.
"She'll fight this. She's a strong girl, I know. My daughter-" He cried. He literally cried.
"My baby" Mother in law cried behind him. I can- relate to her. If any shit happens to my babies- No, I can't even stand by the thought of it.
"Mumma, She'll be fine soon. You see? Your daughter is a strong person. She fought many battles- she- she'll win- '' I tried to pacify her, but instead she hugged me. Seeing in her eyes, I could probably pinpoint what she was feeling internally. Only the difference is, I was feeling guilty too.
"Meri bacchi- usne ek- ek phone nahi kiya shadi ke baad se- Mai phone karti thi toh uthati nhi thi- was she okay-?" she sobbed again.
[ My daughter- she didn't even call me once after her marriage- and if I called, she wouldn't pick up- was she okay? ]
I was blank. She wasn't okay, clearly. And after morning's conversation, she can be called anything but 'okay'.
"She'll be fine. She'll talk to us very soon" I assured her. Even though I don't know how true my assurance was, still.
Time passed by and the doctor came out in three hours. We all looked expectant to hear she's okay.
"How's my kid-?" Papa asked.
"Certainly, good news. She's okay, but not fully out of danger. We need to keep her under our observation. She's not conscious yet. But yes, the situation is now under our control. I can assure you, she'll be fine." THe doctor uttered and left.
I felt an unknown relief spreading in my heart. It felt as if things had the possibility to get better. Optimism striked me as I heard the doctor's words. Thank you so much, God. You saved her. Thank you so much! I can't really thank you enough- but- Just- Thank you!
37 hours later -
I kept my parents updated about her health as I didn't allow them to be here, because of my babies. Still, Papa came once to check how she is. It was almost one at night and finally she gained the minute consciousness but she slept again. Then she woke up again, six hours later and we met her. The Doctor advised us not to touch her as she's sensitive, and she might catch infection. We tried to talk to her from a distance. She wasn't in the mood to talk to her parents, as when they went in, they certainly cried, but she didn't utter a single word. Then I visited her.
She mingled her gaze with me and was not taking it away. I took it as a positive sign and took slow steps towards her. I took a stool and sat beside her bed.
"Hey" I kept my voice low but she just stared at me
"Vaani-" I again tried to talk to her but this time she interrupted me, shaking me to the core.
"Just kill me already, please."
"Vaani- I'm sorry-"
"No, It's not because of you. I don't want to live. Please" she whimpered.
"Please don't say such things- I- You're so strong, Vaani. We'll get through this together" I tried to console her but she shook her head.
"Please" she cried out and literally her tears flowed down her cheeks. I couldn't touch her, else I would wipe them up and take her into my embrace to calm her a bit.
Two days later, she was discharged. But her parents insisted on taking her to their home. She again fell silent. No words exchanged. I can't deny her parents, as they have right on her, ofcourse. And, I knew she would recover soon at her place. I completed the hospital facilities and dropped three of them to Parekh's.