sᴛᴀʀ-ᴄʀᴏssᴇᴅ - 𝒜 ℬ𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓀𝒶 𝒱𝒶𝒹𝒽𝓊 𝒜𝒰

Old Wounds

Unable to stay patient, Jagya paced in the lobby outside the ward where lay his wife, under treatment. This is not how he wanted to meet Anandi, with her lying unconscious. Bhairon laid a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Jagya, worrying won't help her in any way. It's better if you pray for her recovery."

"But Baapu, this wasn't supposed to happen! She was supposed to greet me with a smile on her face!"

"Often things happen that we don't want to but that doesn't mean we should stop hoping. Let's all hope that she gets up and well soon."

Jagya nodded but his mind was still racing with countless possibilities Anandi might've fainted and none of them were good. After all, she had been shot in her head before. Because of you, his annoying subconscious added. Yet it was true. She had taken the bullet meant for him. There wasn't a day when it hadn't haunted his dreams. He could still remember the sight of her heartbeat stopping. It truly was his worst nightmare.

Doctor came out of her room, looking particularly grim. Jagya ran to him and gripped his shoulders.

"What happened doctor? What happened to my wife?"

"Look Mr. Singh, this is a crucial case. Her medical history says that she was shot in the head a few years ago and her treatment wasn't completed. That has caused a clot to be formed in the vein where the bullet was lodged. It has to be removed as soon as possible otherwise..."

"OTHERWISE WHAT? ANSWER ME!!"

"Otherwise she hasn't got long."

And with that he left, calling for the ward boys to take Anandi to the Operation Theater.

Bhairon fell on one of the chairs while Shyam comforted him. Jagya stumbled back and slid down the wall. Otherwise she hasn't gone long. These words were ringing in his ears. No. he couldn't lose her. Not after waiting for her so long. She had no right to leave him alone like this. He wasn't going to let her go. Shyam stood up and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Jagdish, you have to stay strong. Anandi is a fighter; she'll fight her way back to us. She won't let death win. We have to stand by her. Stand up."

His words seemed to fill Jagya with confidence as he wiped his tears and stood up.

"Baapu, tell the doctors to start the operation as soon as possible. I'm going to fill the documents required. We can't delay this any further."

Bhairon nodded and went after the doctor. Jagya reached the reception desk and started filling the documents. His hands were shaking terribly but he pushed himself to complete them, for Anandi's sake. After submitting the documents, he went straight to the OT.

"Did they start the operation? How is Anandi? Is she ok?"

"Calm down Jagya, they have started the operation. Anandi is going to be alright. She's a strong girl. You'll see, she will be up and running soon!"

"I sure hope so Baapu because I don't know what I'll do otherwise."

An hour had passed since the operation had started. Minute by minute, the family's worries were starting to grow. Anandi's parents were praying in the shrine of the hospital. Jagya's family, whom Bhairon informed of the incident, was also praying for Anandi's well being. Sumitra was sitting with Jagya, trying to comfort him. However it wasn't working. He could barely sit still. His eyes were constantly looking for any movement in the OT. He was desperate. He wanted her to be ok. For him, for their families, for herself.

At last, the light went off and the doctors came out. Without wasting a moment, Jagya ran to the doctor.

"What happened? Is she alright? Did the operation complete successfully? Is she gonna be fine?"

"Mr. Singh, please calm down. Your wife is stable for now. The operation was successful. We removed the clot. She's unconscious for now. Until she gains consciousness, we cannot say clearly how stable her condition is but we can say that she isn't in any imminent danger."

The doctors left and Jagya went into the OT.

"Sir, you aren't allowed her yet!"

"Please, let me just see her. I won't do anything."

The nurse nodded and left the room. Jagya went and stood near the bed. Anandi was lying unconscious, still looking beautiful as ever. He held her hand and tears fell from his eyes.

"I'm so sorry. This is my fault, all of this. If only I hadn't ran away to Mumbai, none of this would've happened. I'm sorry Anandi; all I've given you is pain and suffering. But I promise, not anymore. I will never ever let you suffer any form of pain."

He wiped his tears and caressed her face affectionately. He could feel her heart beating. Last time she was in this situation, her heart had stopped. He had almost lost her. He glanced at her one last time before leaving the room.

"Baapu, Shyam Jeeju Sa, Ma, you all go home. I'll stay here with her."

"But Jagya, how can we leave you alone?"

"Don't worry about me Jeeju Sa, I'm not alone. Anandi's parents are here with me. You both go home. Sugna Jiji is pregnant, she needs you more."

"Alright Jagya, but I'll keep calling. Take care of her and yourself. Let's go Baapu Sa."

With that, they both left. Jagya sat on one of the chairs, exhausted. His eyes drooped and he fell into a peaceful slumber.

-------------------- Time skip brought to you by Teepri -------------------

"Jagya, wake up son!"

Jagya woke up, startled by his mother's voice. He rubbed his eyes and a string of pain shot in his neck.

"Ow! What in the name of-"

"Jagya! Anandi is up!"

The pain disappeared as soon as he heard her name. He shot up and ran into the ICU. There she was, staring at the ceiling with her wide, doe-like eyes.

"Anandi."

His voice seemed to stir her out of whatever trance she was in. She glanced towards him and a warm smile crept onto her face.

"Jagya! You're here!"