It was a gloomy day for all the raizaada's. They all witnessed 38 years of their married life and 39 years of their blooming love and burning hate journey. It was the day of Arnav-khushi's 38th wedding anniversary.
* * * *
Anjali was sitting lifelessly on the bench of the hospital. Arshi was hugging her tight and crying endlessly. Naina was pacing here and there in the corridor restlessly. Palak was hugging advik and aryan to make them calm a bit and was controlling her sobs to look strong infront of their children. Aarav and Arpit neared the ward with Akash Payal nad Khushi. Aarav was holding khushi's shoulder tight to give her the required strength to face the situation. Rajesh came out the doctor's chamber holding Raashi's hand and carrying some reports and prescription.
Naina saw khushi and hugged her tightly and cried aloud in her embrace
Naina: "Maa ye sab kya ho raha hai aap kuch boliye na... Papa aapki baat humesha mante hai unhe boliye na jaldi se thik ho jane" she said between her sobs and Khushi lovingly caress her daughter in law's hairs to soothe her pain. Just then the doctor came out of the ICU with a sullen face. Seeing him Aarav rushed towards him and started firing a lot many questions on him
Aarav :" Doctor... Dad kaise hai.. wo kab tak ghar chal payenge... Boliye na doctor wo thik to ho jayenge na.. aaj unki aur mom ki anneversary hai.. ghar me party hai... Boliye na wo kab tak discharge honge.. Speak up.. SAY SOMETHING DAMN IT.." He jerked the doctor holding his collar as he wasn't getting any answer of his queries he really got impatient and held naina's hand "Naina tum bolo na tum bhi to doctor ho ye kuch bol kyu nai rahe hai.. tum inhe bolne bolo na.." He was breaking every moment from inside but couldn't express his emotions clearly just like his father. Naina held his palms tight with both her hands and looked at the doctor for some information.
Doctor : " Mr. Raizaada kisi bhi medication ko respond nahi kar rahe hai... We are very sorry to say but unke pas bohot kam time bacha hai aap log chahe to unse ek ek karke mil sakte hai" doctor said excusing himself from there whereas whole raizaada family shattered listening to his reply. Anjali stood up her seat disappointed and entered the cabin.
* * * *
(In the cabin)
Anjali came and sat on the small stool next to her brother and caressed his forehead. Arnav slightly looked up to see his di sitting next to him and passed a weak smile but Anjali's tears were flooding her cheeks even more.
Arnav : " Mishri se meethi hai; imlee se khatti hai; khatti meethi hai teri kahani.. Anjali di hai sabse sayani" he said weakly which made her smile a bit and cry even more.
Anjali : "Papad ka tukda; jab dekho ukhda; detta hai apni di ko aansu mote mote wo hai gusse wala humara chotte..." She said between her sobs holding his hands tightly "chotte tum apni di ko chor ke kaise ja sakte ho... Ab hum badam kheer kiske liye banayenge... Mat jao na chotte please ruk jao na" She said crying hard and slightly complaining her little brother to not leave her alone in this world forever.
Arnav : "Sorry di.. par ab mujhe jana parega and aapko yaha sare bachho ko sambhalna hai please stop crying... Aap toot gayi to baki sab ka kya hoga" her sob increased. Just then payal and akash entered the cabin with dry tears on their faces.
Akash : "Bhai... Aap.. aap itni jaldi kaise ja sakte ho abhi to hume humare pote potiyo ki shaadi me dance karna tha... Aur aap hume akela chor ke ja rahe ho... That's not fair" he said to find an excuse for him to stay and others to smile a bit.
Arnav : "Akash... You will have to take care of everything.. tum weak nahi par sakte..." It was enough for Payal she ran out of the room crying "Bachhe" he asked weakly. Anjali wiped her tears and stood up with the help of akash and went out the room to call the kids.
* * * *
(In the ward)
Aarav : "Mom aap jao andar Dad se mil lo mai baad me mil lunga..." He said hiding his face from everyone "Late ho gayi to aap mil nahi paoge" every word of his choked in his throat but he still managed to speak.
Khishi : "Aaj tak aapke Dad humse bina mile kahin gaye hai jo aaj jayenge aap sab jaiye unse mil lijiye.. hum baad me jayenge" she said smilingly to her only son.
Aarav : "No.. mai unse nahi milunga.. mujhe unse ahii milna... I just hate him.. i hate him for everything" he said finally crying and pouring his heart. " Wo hume chor kr kaise jaa sakte hai.. unhone ek baar bhi nahi socha humare bare me.. mere bare me" He said hugging hid mom trying to find solace in her embrace.
Naina : "Aarav please.." she said pleading him through eyes... He wiped his tears and nodded and asked Arshi, Arpit, Palak to join them Rajesh stood outside taking care of their children.
* * * *
(In the cabin)
All the kids entered the cabin and saw arnav staring at the empty wall slowly they paced near him.
Arshi : "Dadda.." Arnav looked at her with sparkling eyes "Dadda aap kaise ja sakte ho aap chale gaye to mujhe maa aur mumma ki dant se se kaun bachayega... Dadda please come back to me..." She asked her dad to return to them and live happily as they used to be before.
Arnav : "Pari.. don't cry beta.. aap to dadda ki strong girl ho na.." Arshi nodded and hugged her dadda... Aarav neared him and stood beside him watching his sister cry.. he felt helpless in every manner. Arnav saw him and extended his hands towards him "Hey big guy.." He said it the same as he said when he met him for the first time.
Aarav : "Dad aap.. aise.. kyu... I.." he was just not able to speak up anything.
Naina : "Papa aap chale gaye to hume inke gusse se kaun bachaega.. sirf aap hi hai jo inko gusse me sambhal sakte ho please papa.." she pleaded her father in law to come back to their lives.
Arnav : "Aarav sab ka dhayan rakhna.. naina se jyada mat ladna... Arpit Palak tum dono ko ab is parivaar ka support banna banna hai.. stay strong.." Arpit and palak both nodded not able to trust their voice..
* * * *
Khushi finally entered his cabin and saw him extending hand towards her. Everyone was crying and moaning but khushi didn't shed even a drop of tear she kept smiling all the way because she could feel something which others didn't. Everyone knew Arnav is leaving them FOR EVER but she knew she is going to be with him FOREVER. She wore a beautiful red colour saree and was ready just the way he likes to see her. She held his hand securely and sat on his bed beside him and rested her head on his shoulder on the other hand she was holding his collar and their chest were just moving in sync.
Arnav : "Khushi I love you.."
Khushi : "Damn it" they both smiled and rested in peace and solace in each others embrace FOR EVER.
* * * *
Doctor : "We are sorry but Mr. And Mrs. Raizaada both are no more" Aarav could not bear this and started pacing backward. Anjali crept a sad smile on her face and sat on the chair disheartedly.
Anjali : "Humne ye socha bhi kaise ki Arnav aur khhushi ek dusre ke bina ek pal bhi zinda reh sakte hai.."
* * * *
They both died at same place, same day, same date, same hour, same minute, same second. Not a single second they could have left without each other and they walked hand in hand to light where no one would ever be able separate them,where there is no pain and no sorrows where there is only their love...
Arnav held her hand and brought her close to him
Aranv: '' Khushi I... ''
Khushi : '' Hume Pata hai.. Hamesha na''
Arnav : "Always"
They lived together FOREVER FOR Ever.
________________
Ishani
