Hope Believe Magic

Lucky charm

Rachna took a quick click of the moment on her phone. Just then they heard a knock on the door with a male voice saying, "Dr. Rakesh here" and he stepped in. He was a young cardiologist. He walked in smiling, "Hello Shivu aunty? Sorry I was at my conference and couldn't call you but I am glad you brought Uncle here. I got back just this afternoon. Don't worry he is in good hands. Dr. Chandramouli who took care of uncle is the best cardiologist in the country. To be honest though, aunty, I looked at Uncle's chart and he has had 3 stents put in but he is going to recover and within 6 months, he will be back to normal. Just tell him to slow down a bit." Shivu hugged Rakesh and said, "Thanks da Kanna. Yes, we were taken care of really well. By the way, thanks to Rachna here. Ava thaan paatha avar collapse aanadhu and she immediately called for me." Then she quickly introduced Rachna and Rakesh. "Rachna, Rakesh thaan Monisha oda paiyan. Rachna, enga pakkathu veetu Ramya oda daughter. Archana irundha veetukku oru family 3 years back vandhaanga nu sonnen illiya? Rachna is their daughter." Rakesh and Rachna nodded a quick hello to each other and then Rakesh started to check AK's vitals and IV. He then looked at Shivu, touched her shoulder and said, "He looks perfectly fine, aunty. I am giving orders to reduce the sedation dose on his IV. He will slowly start waking up. Pain medication um kammi pannaren but if he is in too much pain, let me know. The idea is to get him to walk up to the restroom on his own. He has gone through a major procedure so it is very important for him to take it slow. Naan inniki night duty thaan paakaren so I will come back and check on him before my duty ends." Then he looked at Shivu and Rachna and said, "I insisted on this private room for uncle so that you can also get some rest. There is a sofa cum bed there and also a reclining chair. Please use them." He then waved at Shivu saying he needs to continue with his rounds.

Shivu took the sofa and Rachna, the recliner but the ladies were not ready to sleep yet. They wrapped themselves with blankets but Rachna said, "Aunty tell me more please? Your love story sounds like a fairy tale." Shivu smiled, "Like I said, engaloda personal time andha car ride podhu thaan. Appo naan neraya kelvi keppen, especially about his child hood and his family. That's when I got to know how much he has sacrificed for his passion. He grew up in a well to do business family. Being the only son, his mother doted on him. Her life revolved around him. His father had decided that his son would do his B.E and MBA and take over the family business. For the longest time AK too grew up thinking that but it was by chance, that he got an opportunity to do an ad and he loved it. He also did a few short films for friends and realized that acting was his calling. When he told his parents, they were obviously upset. When he stood stubborn and left for chennai, they decided not to support him financially with the hope that he will come back home but AK struggled. He did ads, fashion walks, TV serial, game shows, short films, music videos and what not but he managed to stay strong and patient. I loved that man every day. My respect for him kept growing everyday. I put myself in his shoes and wondered if I would be as determined as him. Will I be able to handle a tough situation? Will I ever be as determined as him and put my foot down like him?" Shivu sighed.

Rachna listened to her intently and asked, "And? Did you ever get your answers for those questions?" Shivu looked up at Rachna blankly and then nodded sadly, "Yes I did. Until then I thought I was the luckiest girl in the world. I mean, people fight tooth and nail to have their parents listen to their tiny wishes but my parents immediately accepted AK's proposal. They were willing to wait till he made it into the industry. They were open minded. They respected my wishes. I was so lucky, wasn't I? Avar enga Appa kitta pesi konja months romba nalla pochu. We could go out. Avar enga veetukku varuvaar. Ellame romba jolly ya pochu. Meanwhile avarukku oru movie la lead aagara opportunity kooda vandhudhu. He would call me his lucky charm. Naan avaroda life la vandha aparam thaan avarukku ella nalladhum nadakkudhu nu solluvaaru but yaaru kannu pattudhu nu therila, enga life layum oru sooravali vandhudhu. Life hit us like a tsunami."

Just then they heard the church clock strike midnight and Rachna said, "Aunty I really want to listen to the rest of your story but Neenga please rest eduthukonga. We can continue tomorrow. Neenga thoongina thaan naaliki uncle ezhundhukkum podhu Ungalukku energy irukkum." Shivu agreed. She was feeling worn out too and her body was really telling her to wind down. She wrapped herself with the blanket and wished Rachna goodnight before sleep slowly took over.

Brinda Subramanian