Dhruv Tara: An End To a Long Wait

Chapter 9 - As the truths start unraveling

As Shaurya was leaving to go pray, both Tara and Mahavir were working on Dhruv's treatment. Having the kadha prepared, Tara started feeding Dhruv the kadha, while Mahavir kept rubbing his hands and feet, trying to maintain his body temperature. As much as Tara was trying to control it, Mahavir could see she was getting increasingly worried and frantic. They still couldn't see any improvement in Dhruv's condition. He had inhaled the poisonous gas for too long. And his head injury was making matters worse.

"Bhaiji kuch asar kyun nahi ho raha? Uth kyun nahi rahe ye. Hume bohot darr lag raha hai Bhaiji. Koi sudhar kyun nhi hai unke swasth me. Bhaiji, agar Dhruv ko kuch ho gaya to..." Tara said, tears glistening in her eyes, as they reflected her fears.
"Taru, aisa mat sochiye. Kuch nahi hoga unhe. Kanhaji ka ashirwad hai unpar. Bas unke upchar par dhyaan dijiye."

Hearing his Maasa, a new fear caught hold of Shaurya. He ran towards the temple to pray to Kanhaji. Jaadugar had saved his life and now he was in danger. He needed to pray for his Jaadugar's life, his well-being. He went and, with his tiny hands, started lighting the diyas kept there. Tears flowing freely from his eyes, he joined his hands in front of Kanhaji.

"Kanhaji, Maasa kehti hai aap humesha humari sahayta karte hai. To aj bhi humari prarthna sunn lijiye. Jaadugar ne humare praan bachaye, humari raksha ki, parantu ab wo swayam theek nahi. Unka upchaar to chal raha hai. Ab aap bhi aashirwad deke, unhe jaldi se theek kar dijiye na Kanhaji.", Shaurya pleaded.

Shaurya remembered his times with his Jaadugar, and felt heavy in his heart. Just thinking about losing him scared him. He couldn't understand all of it. Just yesterday he was so angry at Jaadugar, but now, he was feeling so sad. He had wanted Jaadugar to go away from him, but right now, he didn't want him to even get out of his sight. Why? He was angry with him, but of course, he didn't want his Jaadugar to die. Even the thought terrified him. He closed his eyes, and kept praying to Kanhaji.

As Shaurya prayed, there, in the Vaidshala, Tara felt Dhruv's pulse rate start improving. She kept feeding him the kadha sip by sip, as Mahavir continued rubbing his hands. As some more time went by, his pulse had gotten much more stable, just as his body temperature increased.

Although he hadn't yet gained consciousness, Tara and Mahavir were both elated, Dhruv's condition was much better than before. They both sighed in relief, as it seemed that they were past the worst. But still, she was worried. Until he didn't wake up, she couldn't relax. She sat there, besides Dhruv's bed, holding his hand, and looking at him. She couldn't control her tears now, she had come so close to losing him. And he was still not completely out of the woods yet. She couldn't help but think. What if they had reached a little late? What if Shaurya hadn't woken up and told them about Dhruv being inside. They would have never known. What would have happened then? And Bhabosa had just sat there, lying to her face. Even trying to put the blame on Dhruv. She still couldn't believe it. She thought back to those times when Bhabosa had tried some way or the other to harm Dhruv. And those were many.

Tara was lost thinking about all those times, when Meenakshi came in.
"Tarapriya, ab kaisa swasth hai Dhruv ji ka?"
"Behtar hai ab. Vishaile dhue ka asar to kam hua hai. Parantu purn tarah theek nahi hua hai."
"Wo to accha hua hum waha samay se pohoch gaye, warna pata nahi kya ho jata.", Meenakshi said, sounding releaved and scared both. "Parantu, ye sab hua kaise, aur kisne kiya. Shaurya banna ke saath aisa kaun kar sakta hai?"
"Bhabosa", Tara stated, anger evident in her voice.
"Kya?"
"Bhabosa ne kiya ye sab."
"Parantu Bhabosa Shaurya ko nuksaan kyu pohchaengi? Kya keh rahi hai aap."
"Shaurya banna ko nahi, Dhruv ko. Dhruv ke liye racha tha unho ye sab. Galati se Shaurya banna phas gaye. Jab Dhruv uss shadyantra me phase nahi, tab unhone unke sar pe waar karke unhe murchit kiya, aur uss kaksh me chhod diye. Ye baat Shaurya banna svayam apni aakho se dekhi hai."