Raat Akeli Hai | 𝒂𝒏𝒖𝒓𝒂𝒋

LI. a dream victory

vanraj :

I rushed down to the OT door.
I saw the doctors working.
Mahi was getting operated upon.

I drew in a deep breath. My heart ached.
I stepped back, turning away.
I had caused this mess, one wrong decision years ago and look what a mess my life had become.
I sat on the seat nearby, breathing coldly.
I pulled out my phone and opened the "live" event.
It had not started yet, thanks to the power cut stunt I pulled off.

Anu would manage to reach before time, I knew.
"Sir?", I looked up.
"How are you related to the child? Moments ago another woman was here.. and she said she was the mother.", The nurse said.
I stood up and nodded.
"I.. I am the father.", I stammered, awkwardly.
"Please call the mother back.. We need blood for her. Her mother's blood was compatible-"
"Then it will be compatible with me as well.", I said immediately, "We share the same blood group."

"Ah..", The nurse smiled, "Lovely. Truly a blood bound family."
I forced an awkward smile.
Now who is going to tell her?
"Please be seated here, we shall call you for the blood transfusion.", She said as I nodded and sat back.

"And finally, we are back!", I heard the host on my phone.
The event was starting.
But did Anu reach?
I could not call her now.. she would probably be running in or driving.

Keeping my curiosity to myself, I drew in a deep breath.
I was more nervous than I had been for my own job interview.
Anupamaa Joshi had truly bewitched me.

.

anupamaa :

I jogged into the dressing room.
"Mummy!", Pakhi said, noticing me. Everyone drew in a sigh of relief.
"Perfect timing Anu aunty.. the event is just starting.", Nandini said as he handed me a bottle of water.
"Mummy just sit.. I will do the touch up for you.", Dimpy said.
I said nothing as I simply went and sat.
"Why did you get late today?", Aadhya asked, rather coldly.

"Mahi.. she is in hospital. I could not leave her.", I said.
Everyone audibly gasped.
"Don't worry.. Mister Shah is there now. He will manage it.", I said, as Dimpy started with the touch up.

Aadhya looked at me, a little taken aback.
"He will? Alone? Like.. he doesn't need family or I mean.. you.. as a support.", She asked.
"He will.. Although in ideal situations he would have needed someone, this is a challenge for him. He does not give up or breakdown in times of need.", I replied.
"Except once.", I added, remembering what had happened when we thought Samar was dead.
Aadhya gulped, absorbing the information.

Everyone seemed to have realised the "once".
Just then Samar stepped into the green room. Dimpy stepped away after the touch up.
I immediately stood up.

My son beamed.
It truly felt like a dream.
He rushed down to me and hugged me tightly.
"You will definitely win it, my Rockstar Mummy!", He said, giving me a warm hug.
I tried very hard to not break down into happy tears.
I hugged him back, tighter.
"You wished me.. I will definitely win now..", I whispered, "My Bakuda."
"Even if I don't wish.. you will win. Because you are the best!", He said as we broke the hug.

A tear rolled down my eye.
"Arrey..", He said immediately, furrowing his brows as he wiped off the tear.
He cleared his throat and said in a heavy voice, "Anu.. I hate tears."
I broke into laughter, as he smiled back.
"I love to see you smile, Mummy.", He said warmly.
"I missed you, my Bakuda.", I said, looking up, smiling through the tears.
"I cannot say I missed you.. because you were always in my heart.", He said, wiping my tears again.