LOVERS FOREVER

Chapter 17 - Can Love Withstand the Storm?

The Malhotra household buzzed with the usual morning activity and just as they finished breakfast, the doorbell rang, shattering the morning routine. A collective look of surprise passed among the Malhotras as they saw Gaurav's parents standing at the doorstep. Savitri rose to welcome them.

Gaurav's parents exchanged a nervous glance. Mrs. Gupta, her voice laced with apology, spoke first. "Namaste, Savitri ji"

Sa: Namaste.. andar aayiye na.. baithiye.. she ushered them inside.. asking them to take a seat..

"hum yaha aapse maafi maangne aaye hai.. kal restaurant mein Gaurav ne jaise react kiya.. uske liye.. Ishqi.. Ahaan.. hume maaf kar do.." Mr. Gupta spoke with a deep bow, his voice laced with regret.

Ahaan, Ishqi, and Kartik remained exchanged glances while the rest of the Malhotras who had no idea of what happened the previous evening looked confused.. Savitri turned to Ahaan for clarification.

Sa: Ahaan.. kal kya hua tha..? Gaurav ke parents aise maafi kyu maang rahe hai aur Gaurav.. ye.. ye sab kya hai..?

Ahaan, taking a deep breath, decided to reveal all that happened at the restaurant.. Gaurav's mother, desperate to salvage the situation, spoke up in a pleading voice. "Hume nahi pata tha ki Gaurav aisa kuch karega.. hume bhi kal raat ko pata chala ki Gaurav zindaa hai.." 

The weight of their words settled heavily on the room. The Malhotras, still struggling to process the sudden turn of events, looked at each other in stunned silence.

Sa: zinda..? ye.. ye aap kya keh rahi hai..? Gaurav toh shaadi ko chodke.. 

Gaurav's father nodded grimly..

"ha savitri ji.. wo shaadi ke din gayab ho gaya.. hume bhi yahi lagaa tha.. par baat toh ye hai ki uska accident hua tha.." He then launched into a detailed explanation of Gaurav's accident, the coma, and the memory loss. He spoke of how Gaurav had recognized their house after seeing Ishqi at the restaurant, a glimmer of hope flickering in his eyes.

Mrs. Gupta now softly speaks.. "Ishqi beta.. kal jab gaurav ne tumhe dekha tog use ghar ka raasta yaad aa gaya tha.. ek tum hi ho jo uski yaadasht wapas laa sakti ho.. toh agar tum uske saath thoda.." 

But before she could complete Ahaan stepped forward, his voice firm and laced with a hint of possessiveness.

A: Aunty.. Ishqi ab us past ka hissa nahi hai.. is ghar ki bahu hai aur meri biwi hai.. aapko koi bhi help chahiye toh I'll provide.. best of the doctors will treat Gaurav.. lekin Ishqi yaha se kahi nahi jaayegi..

The air crackled with tension after Ahaan's firm yet protective statement. Gaurav's parents, visibly deflated, exchanged a helpless glance. Mrs. Gupta, her voice tinged with a touch of resignation, spoke..

"hum samajhte hai, Ahaan beta.. Ishqi tumhari patni hai.. maaf karna maine hi kuch zyaada bol diya.."  

A flicker of empathy softened Ahaan's gaze. He understood their desperate hope to help their son recover, even if their request was misplaced.

A: aunty.. uncle.. Gaurav ko best treatment milegi.. I assure you of that.. wo jaldi theek ho jaayega..

A wave of relief washed over Gaurav's parents. Mr. Gupta clasped Ahaan's hand in a grateful gesture. "tumhara yeh kehna hi boht hai beta.. thank you so much.."

As Gaurav's parents took their leave, a heavy silence descended upon the Malhotra household. The Malhotras, their hearts filled with sympathy for Gaurav's plight, couldn't help but feel a sense of unease lingering in the air. The revelation of Gaurav's disappearance, his memory loss and his sudden reappearance had left them with more questions than answers.