by Atul Sharma
“It would have been a hard time for me had you not prepared the notes for me.”
Nandini acknowledged the fact that Raghav’s family was going through a financial crunch. So she made the University garden their meeting place instead of Mehfil Restaurant. She knew it well that Raghav would mind her paying the bill every time.
The final exams started and now they met during the exam days only.
“My family is going to Egypt next week,” Nandini informed Raghav after the exam one day.
“All of a sudden! When?” Raghav was surprised.
“It’s an official trip. Papa has a conference to attend in Cairo on behalf of the Archaeology Survey of India. The good news is that the family is also allowed to accompany him on this trip,” said Nandini.
“When are you going?” asked Raghav.
“I am not going as they have to leave on 24th and our last exam is on 27th. Aman’s exams are over, so he is accompanying papa and mumma.”
“Oh! It’s sad that you missed the chance to go by three days only,” said Raghav.
“Whom are you feeling sad for? I’m happy by the way,” said Nandini.
“Happy! Why?”
“It means that after the exams I’ll have plentiful of time to spend with my Sweetu,” replied Nandini happily.
“How long is their trip and would you stay alone in their absence?” asked Raghav.
“It’s a week long trip. In their absence, I’ll stay in Kiran aunty’s house,” said Nandini.
“Who’s Kiran aunty?”
“She’s our neighbour in the ASI estate. She’s a good friend of mumma.”
“I hope you won’t feel sad in their absence,” said Raghav.
The exams got over.
“Nandini, we are Post Graduates now. I enjoyed every moment of this period with you.”
“Raghav, what are you doing tomorrow?”
“We’ll take papa to the hospital for routine check-up. I’ll be free day after tomorrow. Why not we spend it together somewhere?” asked Raghav.
“Where?”
“I like to spend time in Hanuman Ghat. Would you like to go there?”
“I have been there few times and liked the serenity of that place.”
“My mind soothes whenever I go there,” said Raghav.
“I have noticed it many a times that your face radiates with enthusiasm whenever you talk about Hanumanji,” said Nandini.
“His dedicated love attracts me the most. Ever since I have heard from dadaji that He still lives on earth in His original form, I am dying to see a glimpse of Him,” said Raghav.
“I’ll pick you from the ASI estate at ten in the morning,” said Raghav.
“Park your car outside the main gate. Kiran aunty shouldn’t know of our meeting,” said Nandini.
“Aunty, I’m going to Hanuman Ghat,” Nandini informed before leaving.
“Are you going alone?” asked Kiran.
“There is a get together of our batch there. We’ll go in tourist cabs from Shimla.”
I told aunty that there’s a farewell meeting of our batch in Hanuman Ghat. She was very impressed.
“What if she also comes there?” asked Raghav.
“No chance. She would rather visit a beauty parlour in Shimla,” said Nandini.
They sat in the wooden shed where Raghav used to sit with his grandfather.
“I miss dadaji a lot. We used to converse on various topics. Of late we talked a lot on astrology.”
“Are you convinced about astrology now?” asked Nandini.
“I haven’t studied that much to comment on it. I have observed that astrology sheds light on human traits quite well. But I’m not convinced that it can predict the future clearly. My opinion is that faith in God is above destiny and can turn around your life,” replied Raghav.
“Was your grandfather very close to you?”
“He wasn’t a stereotypic elder. He was very friendly and shared his feelings with me. I have also seen him crying once when I asked him about my dadimaa,” Raghav recalled the moments from the past.
“When did your grandmother pass away?”
“I was just three months old when she died. The way dadaji described about her felt like she was a pillar of strength for him.”
“I think the love in that era was less vocal and more silent,” said Nandini.
“I am fascinated by this kind of love which is silent yet deep rooted. Your feelings should reach the other person’s heart even if you haven’t expressed it,” said Raghav.
“Those people are really very fortunate who experience this kind of love,” said Nandini.
“I want to make you one of those fortunate people,” said Raghav.
“I trust you,” said Nandini.
“Nandini, it’s my resolve to love you unconditionally till the last moment of my life. I want to become a caring and friendly husband of yours,” said Raghav.
“So Mr. Raghav has now become my husband without even proposing to me formally,” Nandini teased him.
“I didn’t feel the need to propose to you because I am sure that you’ll never dispose me,” replied Raghav bringing laughter.
“Raghav, since you have initiated this topic I want to know from you that are you really serious regarding our relationship.”
Raghav looked at her eyes while holding her hands. He didn’t say anything but she got the answer. The silence was not just his consent, it was his commitment. Listen and Silent are two words with same alphabets. Your soul mate can listen to you when you are silent.
“Raghav, I always wanted someone like you in my life. By sending you for me, God has proved that wishes do come true.”
“Nandini, I’m waiting for that day when I’ll take you to my parents and tell them that this is the girl in whom I have seen my other half, my better half; this is the girl who’ll stand by me in thick and thin like you both have supported each other; this is the girl who’ll make you feel how lovely and caring the daughters are; because this is the girl who’ll not only be my life mate but my soul mate.”
“Raghav, I can feel how wonderful your parents would be because the garden that has produced a flower like you must definitely be more fragrant.”
“Nandini, I’m sure from my parents’ side. I hope that your parents too give their approval for us when the time comes.”
“I’m confident. They know that the choice of their daughter will simply be the best.”
“Nandini, I’ll tell my parents about you once papa gets well. It is rightly said that love happens. Two years ago, I couldn’t have thought that a girl will come in my life and become an inseparable part of it.”
“Nandini, how’ll you manage your career after marriage? If you get a job outside Shimla, how’ll we manage?”
“Career is not my priority, you are. If I get a job here then it’s alright, otherwise Mrs. Raghav has other works to do at home,” replied Nandini.
“Mrs. Raghav!!! Sounds breathtaking,” said Raghav.
“It is a very good place to meet occasionally. I want to retain today’s memories. Take my cell phone and click my pictures,” asked Nandini.
“The view behind is adding grace to your beauty,” said Raghav as he took some pictures.
Nandini tried to climb on a stone parafit which was at the corner of the ground.
“Don’t go there, it’s risky,” Raghav shouted.
“A stunning picture will come with me in front and mountains in the background,” argued Nandini.
“What are you doing? There’s no space to stand on that retaining wall. Climb down,” Raghav advised but Nandini was busy in positioning herself. She didn’t heed to his advice.
“Don’t go behind, don’t move; don’t go that far . . . !!!”
Raghav’s
advice remained an advice only because Nandini had gone far, infact very far, deep down in the gorge. Nandini’s foot slipped from the corner of that parafit and she fell in the deep gorge. For a moment, Raghav’s thoughts came to a stand still. He could not believe what had happened. He found his feet frozen. He regained sense and shouted. The Priest and some people near the temple rushed on hearing his voices. The way to go down was from the other side. Crossing the hurdles they reached where Nandini lay, unconscious and bathed in blood. Raghav trembled on seeing her.
“She’s alive,” shouted one man who had put his fingers in front of her nose to ascertain if she was breathing or not.
This was enough to put Raghav into action. He along with other people lifted her and slowly and steadily they brought her upwards.
“Open the back door of the car,” Raghav asked one of them.
They put Nandini on the back seat of the car. One of the other three persons sat on the front seat of the car and Raghav speeded the car towards the hospital. He had never driven the car so fast in his life but this was one moment when only speed could save Nandini’s life. He wanted to cry loudly but the presence of the other man in the car fighted with his tears.
“Who’s she?” asked that man.
How could have Raghav answered his question because the girl behind wasn’t a relative or friend. She was his life.
“Don’t worry, nothing will happen to her,” said that man to raise Raghav’s morale.
On reaching the hospital, they put Nandini on a stretcher and rushed towards the emergency ward.
“Bring her here,” asked the nurse so that the doctors could examine her.
“Lot of blood has come out,” said one doctor.
“Sister, check her blood group and get two units of blood,” asked the doctor.
“Get these from the medical shop,” a doctor gave a medical list to Raghav.
“The heartbeat is running slow,” said a doctor and put on the oxygen mask on her face.
“You have to give two units of blood in the blood bank. Who two will donate?” asked a nurse.
“Sister, can I give two units of blood?” asked Raghav. At that moment, he wanted to give not one or two units but every drop of his blood to save Nandini.
“Don’t you know that a person can give only one unit of blood!” The nurse stared at him.
“I’ll give one unit,” said that man who had accompanied Raghav from the Hanuman Ghat.
“I can never pay your debt.” Raghav thanked him.
After the blood donation process was over, Raghav realised that he should inform Nandini’s family about the incident. But he called his mother first.
“Maa, my friend Nandini is seriously injured and her family is out of the country. I’m in hospital now with her.”
“Inform her parents or relatives,” advised Neha.
“Nandini’s cell phone was with him. He searched the contact list to find Kiran aunty’s number but could not find it. He found Nandini’s father’s number.”
What’ll I say to him? How’ll he react? What if he asked how was I there with her? All sorts of questions aroused in his mind.
Calling papa flashed on the screen when he dialled the number.
“Hello beta! How are you? Nandini’s father asked on picking up the call.”
“Sir, I’m Raghav speaking.”
“Who Raghav? And Nandini?” Avinash was surprised.
“I am her friend. She has met with an accident,” said Raghav.
“Accident!!!” Avinash was taken aback. He couldn’t speak further.
“She fell in the gorge at Hanuman Ghat. I have brought her to the hospital with help of some other people. I have called you from her cell. Where are you now?” asked Raghav. He didn’t show that he knew that they were abroad because Nandini feared her father and Raghav didn’t want to put her in any trouble.
“We are in Egypt now. I’ll ask my friend and my neighbour to reach there. We’ll also move shortly. Please take care of her till then,” requested Avinash.
After informing her father, Raghav rushed to the ward where Nandini was being treated upon.
“How’s she now?” Raghav asked the doctor.
“She is regaining consciousness in between but her overall condition is bad,” the doctor replied after checking her X-rays and other reports.
“When’ll she be able to speak?” asked Raghav.
“She has got a serious spinal cord injury from the neck
to the lower back. It’s difficult to say something now as the spine is in a spiral shock. Only after the spiral shock wears out can a
more appropriate judgement be made. Till then we are shifting her to the ICU.”
“But will she be alright?” asked Raghav.
“How’s she related to you?” asked the doctor.
“She’s my friend,” replied Raghav.
“I won’t keep you in the dark. She’s in grave danger at the moment. Call her family to reach here soon because it might be the end of the road for her,” the doctor stated sympathetically.
The doctor’s assessment left Raghav in a state of deep
shock. ‘End of the road!’ This was the worst thing he had heard
in his life. He watched Nandini from the small glass of the door
in the ICU and rushed to the washroom. He cried, cried and
cried. Within some time his life had changed altogether. The
dreams of a happy married life with Nandini seemed crashed at
the moment.
“O God! Please do something. How’ll I live without her? Dadaji’s demise, papa’s illness, financial loss – I accept your decisions. But I can’t accept this one. Not without Nandini.”
Raghav washed his face and came to the ICU where Nandini lay with tubes attached to her veins and oxygen mask on her mouth. The movement of the ECG lines were adding to his tension. Suddenly something positive happened. Nandini opened her eyes. She was solaced to see Raghav in front of her. She wanted to speak but the mask acted as a hindrance. She couldn’t move as both her arms were fractured. Raghav moved the mask slightly up so that she could speak. He wanted to hear it from her that she was alright.
“How are you? Speak up Nandini,” Raghav urged.
“Raghav, thank you for being with me till my end,” Nandini said in a shaky voice as if she was counting her breaths. “See what I have done by ignoring your advice. I have ruined many lives. I can’t even meet mumma, papa and Aman in my last time.”
“Nothing will happen to you dear. You’ll be all right. I am with you,” said Raghav.
“I trust you,” replied Nandini. “You are with me but God is on the other side today.”
“Nandini, why are you losing hope? You have to live long for my sake.”
“I don’t have much time. Perhaps God has given me some extra time so that I can talk to my Sweetu one last time.”
“If you dare to leave me, I’ll also follow you,” Raghav said and wept.
“Raghav, see my bad luck that I can’t even raise my hands to wipe your tears. You have to be bold now. You have to live for your parents. I got the love of my entire life in this short span. The way you celebrated my birthday, even my soul won’t forget it. No one has seen God but I’m sure He’ll be like you only. I don’t know what happens to us after death but wherever I go from here, I’ll tell one and all that see I had Raghav in my life. I’ll complain to God that you separated me from Raghav in this birth but don’t do that in any other birth,” Nandini said and she herself cried inconsolably.
“Nandini, could you live without me? Then how’ll I live without you. What’ll I do when I’ll feel sad and depressed? With whom I’ll share my feelings and who will motivate me?”
“Raghav, you’ll always find me near you. I’ll still live as your shadow. I am feeling suffocation and loss of breath
. Please hug me and give me my twenty-first birthday gift once again.”
Raghav bent down to hug her. He kissed on her forehead.
“Raghav, I am yours forever,” Nandini said and closed her eyes. FOREVER.
Nandini was no more.
“Nandini, Nandini,” Raghav shouted and shook her body. The doctor took no time to declare her dead. Raghav begged the doctor to do something because he believed in miracles. But miracles don’t happen always. He touched her face and started weeping. He had told Nandini on her birthday that a part of him had arrived when Nandini was born. That part of his died with her.
Some people came to the room crying. They were Nandini’s neighbour Kiran, her husband Pankaj and Avinash’s friend Ravinder. They were informed at the enquiry desk that Nandini had passed away. There were wails and cries all around. The three of them were weeping inside the room, Raghav outside.
Major damage to parenchyma organs of the abdominal and thoracic cavity is the cause of death – reason of patient’s death written on the report.
Ravinder and Pankaj got busy in completing the formalities.
“Now what’ll I say to her parents,” cried Kiran. I couldn’t preserve their treasure.
“You had gathered there for a get together. What happened then?” asked Kiran.
“Nandini’s foot slipped from the edge of the parafit where she was standing after the get together,” said Raghav. I brought her here with help of some other people.
How could he disclose to her their love story which Nandini wanted to be kept as a secret for some time!
“Kiran, the paper work is over. Should I call an ambulance to take her home?” asked Pankaj.
“Don’t worry uncle. We can take her in my car,” said Raghav.
Kiran sat in the front seat while Nandini’s body was on the back seat. Pankaj moved with Ravinder on his bike.
How cruel the destiny can be! The girl who should have come as a bride in this car was going back lifeless in it.
They kept her body in the hall in Nandini’s home.
Raghav called Neha from there.
“Maa, Nandini couldn’t be saved,” Raghav said controlling his tears.
“Oh my God! It’s very sad,” said Neha.