Estranged | ✓

→ ch 6 | His Secret - Part III.

His Secret - 03. Reverie

vanraj :

I finally shut my eyes.
On the hospital bed.

The operation was to start.
I knew Anupamaa sat outside, constantly fidgeting with her fingers, constantly asking her Kanha ji to take care.

The anesthesia was injected, as I started to lose my consciousness.

For moments, I could hear the sound of the ECG machine.
Beeping.

And then, my mind started to drift.

"Offo! Anupamaa why can't you do even one thing right?!", I said irritably, wincing in pain.
She bit her tongue taking a step back.
"I also na.. Surry Surry.. I-"
"It's sorry!", I said immediately.
"Ha.. that only I said..", she mumbled.

I sighed looking at her.
"You're hopeless.", I said.
"Don't say that..", she mumbled looking down.

It was four years after our marriage.
"So? What else will I say? You stood on my foot.", I said standing up straight, buttoning my shirt.
She held her ears, looking innocent.
"Don't be angry on me.. please.", She said.

"Fine. Now get me my breakfast.", I said drawing in a deep breath.
She immediately nodded, beaming.

I opened my eyes very suddenly.
The hospital room was empty.
An eerie silence hung.

I sat up, realising I felt no pain.
Nothing at all.

"After life?", I mumbled getting off the bed.
I walked down to the door and opened it.

Anupamaa sat there, looking at the door right past me.
Teary eyed, clutching onto her Kanha ji's photograph in her hands.

I knelt before her, but she didn't seem to see me.
I felt the panic rise.

"You are not dead. Not yet.", I heard from behind.
I stood up and turned.
"Moti Baa?"

She smiled back at me, warmly.
"You are in between. You still have a chance of going back.", She said.
"But.. then.. why am I here.. what.."

The scene shifted abruptly, as if dissolving in the darkness.

"OH HELLO! CAN'T YOU SEE!", I heard a shrill feminine voice from behind.
It was a distant memory.
From the time I was fifteen.
I immediately picked up the ball and turned in annoyance.
There was a girl, maybe twelve who ran down to me with hands on her waist, puffed up face.

"What!?"

"This ball is ours. Give it to me.", She said authoritatively.
I raised a brow.
"Listen smallie, if you throw an attitude I will give you nothing.", I said raising the ball in one hand.
"Don't call me smallie! Lambu!", She snapped.

"Vanraj Shah is the name. Huh!", I said as she jumped up and down trying to snatch the ball.
Defeated she looked at me with narrowed eyes.

And before I realised she jumped on my foot.
"Ouch!", I winced as the ball slipped from my hand.
She immediately caught hold of it.
"Next time don't try to be oversmart with Maharani Anu, Lambu Gadhedo Shah.", She said before sticking her tongue out.