The Second Chance

Saving shaurya

The moon glowed brightly in the sky, casting a silvery light over the Luthra mansion. Inside, the air was tense. Palki had kept a Karwa Chauth fast for Shaurya, praying for his long life and well-being. But instead of the anticipated love and appreciation, the day had been marked by Shaurya's cold demeanor. He was angry with her, and though Palki didn’t fully understand the reason, she knew she had upset him. Despite his anger, Shaurya couldn’t ignore the tradition, and he performed all the rituals with Palki. The moment was tense, the emotions heavy between them. When Palki finally fainted from exhaustion, Shaurya broke her fast, his touch gentle even in his anger.

After the rituals, Palki, determined to make amends, sought out Shaurya to apologize. Her heart ached with the weight of his anger, and she couldn't bear the thought of their relationship being strained. But Shaurya was in no mood to listen. His face was a storm of unresolved emotions, and without saying a word, he turned and walked away, heading to the terrace.

On the terrace, Shaurya paced back and forth, trying to calm the storm within him. The cool night air did little to soothe his frustration. His thoughts were interrupted by a video call from his friend. As he spoke, unaware of the danger lurking in the shadows, a snake, hidden within the elaborate decorations, slithered closer. It was only when the sharp pain shot through his hand that Shaurya realized something was wrong. The snake had bitten him, and the venom began to work its way through his system rapidly. His friend, horrified by what he had just witnessed, immediately called the Luthra household landline, desperately trying to warn them.

Palki was the one who picked up the call. Hearing the panic in Shaurya's friend's voice, her blood ran cold. Without a second thought, she dropped the receiver and raced towards the terrace. The urgency in her movements was palpable, her heart pounding in her chest. By the time she reached the terrace, Shaurya was already lying on the ground, his face contorted in pain. The family had also gathered, their faces masks of fear and helplessness.

Preeta, Shaurya's mother, immediately video-called the family doctor, her hands trembling as she explained what had happened. The doctor, recognizing the severity of the situation, instructed that someone needed to suck the venom from the bite immediately. When he asked to see the snake, his face turned ashen. The snake was extremely venomous, and he warned that Shaurya had only thirty minutes before the poison would take a fatal toll.

Palki, kneeling beside Shaurya, was already trying to keep him conscious, ordering him not to close his eyes, to keep talking to her. Her voice was steady, but her heart was in turmoil. Rajveer, Shaurya’s brother, had already called for an ambulance, and they rushed to get Shaurya to the hospital. As they moved him, Palki clung to his hand, whispering reassurances, though fear gnawed at her heart.

The ambulance sped through the city streets, sirens blaring, but soon they were brought to a halt by a massive traffic jam. Palki, realizing the gravity of the situation, didn’t hesitate. She jumped out of the ambulance, ignoring the throbbing pain in her foot from where she had stumbled earlier, and began pleading with drivers, directing the chaotic traffic alongside Rajveer. Her only thought was to clear the path for Shaurya, her desperation evident to everyone around.
When they finally managed to create a small opening, Palki rushed back to the ambulance. But as she climbed in, her heart nearly stopped. Shaurya was slipping away; his skin had turned a frightening shade of blue, and a white foam began to dribble from the corner of his mouth. Panic surged through her veins, clouding her thoughts. But then, instinct took over. She knew what she had to do. Without a second thought, she grabbed Shaurya’s bitten hand and began to suck the venom from the wound, spitting it out repeatedly.
Rajveer, seeing this, tried to pull her away, his voice filled with alarm. “Palki, stop! This is dangerous! You could die!” he cried out. But Palki, her eyes filled with determination, met his gaze and said with a steely resolve, “Do you consider me Shaurya’s wife or not? If you do, then you won’t stop me. My Karwa Chauth fast was true; I won’t let anything happen to him, no matter what happens to me.”

Rajveer, seeing the unwavering determination in her eyes, fell silent. He understood the depth of her love and her unwavering commitment. He couldn’t stop her, so instead, he supported her, holding a dustbin close so she could spit out the venom. As Palki continued her efforts, her strength began to wane, her vision blurring as the poison took its toll on her as well.

Meanwhile, Shaurya, drifting in and out of consciousness, opened his eyes just enough to see Palki’s face hovering above him, her lips stained with the venom she had been pulling from his body. Tears welled up in his eyes, and one slipped down his cheek. He couldn’t believe the lengths she was going to save him. Rajveer, trying to keep both of them awake, kept talking to Palki, urging her to stay conscious.
You’re so stubborn, Palki,” Rajveer said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I tried to stop you, but you wouldn’t listen. You’re so determined to save Shaurya, no matter the cost.”

Finally, the ambulance reached the hospital, but as they tried to rush Shaurya and Palki inside, the stretcher carrying Shaurya got stuck in the door. Panic surged through the family as they arrived, and Karan, Shaurya’s father, turned to Rajveer, demanding to know what had happened. Rajveer quickly explained the situation, and the horror of it all settled over the family like a dark cloud.

Inside the hospital, Shaurya was a mix of fear and fury. His heart raced as he shouted at the hospital staff, demanding they move faster, that they treat Palki immediately. “If anything happens to my wife,” he yelled, his voice shaking with emotion, “I will sue this hospital! Move now!”

The staff, frightened by his outburst, sprang into action. Doctors rushed to Palki’s side, assessing her condition. The lead doctor turned to the family with a grave expression. “She’s very critical. We’ve done all we can, but now... it’s in God’s hands.”

Shaurya, hearing those words, felt his heart shatter. He looked at Palki, lying there pale and still, and he was overwhelmed by a tidal wave of guilt, love, and fear. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered, “Please, Palki, you can’t leave me. Not now.”

The family gathered around, their hearts heavy with worry. Preeta clutched Karan’s arm, her eyes red from crying, while Kavya held Rajveer’s hand, trying to keep it together for the sake of her brother and sister-in-law. The hospital buzzed with activity, but all Shaurya could see was Palki, the woman who had risked everything to save him.

As the hours dragged on, the family waited, praying for a miracle. Shaurya stayed by Palki’s side, refusing to leave her, even as the doctors worked frantically to save her life. His mind replayed every moment they had shared, every smile, every argument, every tender touch. And now, as he sat there, holding her hand, he realized just how much she meant to him.

He had been angry with her, yes, but that anger was nothing compared to the love he felt for her now. She had risked her life for him, and in doing so, had shown him just how deep her love ran. He couldn’t lose her. Not now. Not ever.

That's it for today's update
Signing off
Diksha

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