chap 33- death
It was test of their bond, their love, their courage, their strength today. Imlie was ready in morning. The nurse gave her preop instructions and also the overall details of surgery- expectations, and the post op instructions.
Aryan hadnt come in yet after he left in morning.
She was getting nervous as the time started to near. Finally half hour before surgery he came, his eyes were red but Imlie didnt tell him that because she knew that he had cried. His moment of weakness and she wanted to respect that , his privacy.
She smiled and nodded to him. He came hold her hand and whispered in her ear " Do this and you have won half the battle" he kissed her cheeks.
Imlie was overwhelmed with this man. Words were not enough to even thank him. They wheeled her to OT,Aru will wait in waiting room.
Imlie opened her eyes, she felt heavy looked around for Aru. Door opened and Rati came in looking solemn. But she smiled when she saw Imlie awake. "How is the pain"
"Not feeling yet "she replied slowly.
"Where is Aru?"
"Mumbai" Rati said
Imlie was surprised by this news. So he wasnt there during her operation?
"He will be back in two weeks ok?He did not want to go"
"Rati i feel weird, something is not right please tell me"
"I dont know Imlie honestly" just then nurse walked in checked her vitals and also instructed that she must walk from tomorrow. There should be movement.
Imlie nodded.
One week later,
"Rati i want to go Mumbai something is not right please drop me at airport"
"I canot do that"
"Please"
"Imlie your stitches are not even fully healed so no"
Yes her stitches werent healed but she couldnt sit here her heart was restless. No calls or text from Aru nor he replied to her calls. She will go Mumbai come what may.
Next day, when Rati went home to freshen up, Imlie sneaked out somehow with small bag and boarded a flight she had booked previous night.
She arrived at home after year, she got emotional looking at her home. There were people outside and some going inside in white clothes. Imlie panicked , which triggered her pain but she didnt care. She went taking long stride and entered. The bag dropped from her hand, while she stood there wide eyes "Dad!!!!!" She screamed and became hysterical. Aru was at the front of the group when he heard the scream. He saw her and ran towards her but she fell on her knees shocked. Dad's photo with garland.
"Baby why what what are you doing here, chalo andar rest karo"he tried to pick her but she pushed him
"Dad" she cried she screamed again.
"Aru, dad ko dad kya hua?"
"Please calm down" Imlie lookes at him his eyes were red and he bags under his eyes.
He started crying as well . "He is gone" he simply said. "No no no" she became hysterical and hugged Aru . Her stitches became undone with stress of screaming and traveling. She had started to bleed.
"Imlie kisne bola idhar aane ko" he scolded her
"Dad Aru"
"I lost him i cannot lose you" thats when he saw the bleeding.
Without a word , he picked her up and took her to bedroom and called the doctor.
"I couldnt tell you , this is the reason Imlie" he continued "he died same day as your surgery. Just finishing up some rituals" tears spilling from his eyes.
"Dad" imlie cried out again "its all my fault, i should have been gone not him"
"Shut up!!" Aryan yelled at her
"Just shut up Imlie, first all how dare you come here in this state, are you crazy?!"he was bewildered at his woman.
She kept crying , he went to her and hugged her trying to calm her down , he whispered "dad loved you lot Imlie more than me, he loved you he would not want you to break down like this. Infact, before he closed his eyes he said that he wants his kids to be happy and smiling. " he wiped her tears and his own. Doctor rushed in with a nurse "please mr rathore, " directing him out of room.
Aryan waited patiently outside one hour. Finally doctor and nurse came out. "We have taken care of the stitches but be very careful with her. She needs care and bed rest" Aryan nodded and took a prescription that doctor gave him.
He went inside and saw her sleeping.
Too many things happened at once he sighed. Dad is gone he was strong enough not break but if he looses her , he doesnt know what will happen he cannot lose her . He will take utmost care for her and thats what dad would also want. He smiled sadly closing his eyes his back against the door.
