A Young Love Story...

Part 26 - A Fresh Start...Again...

Rishi was shifted to the normal ward later that day. He was still under the effect of anesthesia. He regained consciousness by 1 pm. The first thing he uttered was "Ananya...." Everyone present were shocked with the sudden voice. Then they all looked at Ananya and signaled her to go to him. They had all been curious as to why Rishi had taken such an extreme step, but no one spoke anything. Ananya maintained her silence, and decided she would give Rishi the choice to either speak the truth or cover it up. 

As soon as Ananya went close to Rishi, he smiled faintly. "Ananya" he called out, and as soon as he raised his hand, it hurt him. He cried out in pain. Ananya immediately eased his hand back to rest. "Relax... I am right here, Rishi. Rest for now." She sat beside him, holding the other hand in her own. After few minutes, Sukanya came and sat beside him. "Rishi.. why did you do this my son? What was the matter? You did not once think of me? Or Ananya?" she asked. 

"Mumma, I am sorry... I know this was cowardly but actually I got worried... I thought I am going to lose...." he stopped mid-way, realizing he had to quickly make up a story. He could not think of anything. He lay still. Then he said, "Will you all give me just 5 minutes with Ananya? Please!" They all obliged, and moved out of the room. 

Rishi looked at Ananya, and said, "I am sorry Ananya. I know this was not the right way, I should have understood your feelings too. But I just could not. I love you a lot Ananya. I have never been good at expressing but I love you a lot. But I guess this deep sleep of few hours has relaxed me a lot. I have understood, Vishesh and you both love each other. It is I, who needs to move away and make space for you both. So, I am happy to let you go. I will miss you a lot. Really! But, if you are happy..."

"You talk too much Rishi. I am not going anywhere. Just rest. Okay?" She said smilingly. 

"Ananya...but.." he said, to which she replied, "I was foolish Rishi. I am married to you, you and I are a team. We will always be there for each other. Vishesh was my past. You are my future. And I am willing to make it work. I am sorry for all the pain.. Please forgive me...." she looked down.

"Ananya... if you are saying this out of sympathy at my present condition, let me tell you..." Again she did not allow him to complete... "Rishi. I am your legally wedded wife. Are you going to let me be? Please?"

He smiled. "Thank you Ananya. Thanks for everything. I love you." He pulled her hand close to his mouth, and kissed the back of her palm. 

She rubbed her hand lightly on his forehead. "Rishi, no one knows why you did this. It is up to you what you want to tell them. I am okay if you want to tell the truth. But I am going to make our marriage work, that much I assure you." 

"Yes, I know you have made up your mind. I can see it in your eyes. I am going to tell the truth to everyone, but partial one. I can't spoil my wife's reputation right?" he winked. 

She nodded, and kissed his hand. She then walked over to the corridor and called her parents and Rishi's mother in. They all sat next to him. After few moments, Ram asked Rishi, "Son, what made you take this step? Some problem in business? What is it, tell us..."

"No, Papa. Nothing. I know this is silly. But actually Ananya and I had a small fight when she was coming to stay at your place. And I was in a fit of rage. I wanted to make her feel bad at her rudeness but did not realize the extremity of my step. I am sorry..." he looked at all of them, one by one. 

They all shook their heads as if to condemn this as a childish act. But Rishi smiled because a lie to keep things intact, was not bad after all. Ananya smiled at him, thanking him with her eyes. 

Vishesh wanted to know how Rishi was, but he decided not to call Ananya. He tried Rishi's number after a day. He picked it up, and spoke very warmly to Vishesh. He even thanked him after getting to know of the blood transfusion. Vishesh said it was his duty, and the best he could have done. They hung up, and Vishesh immediately deleted two numbers from his mobile phone. This chapter was over forever. He would never ever call Ananya or Rishi again. 

After 2 days of observation, Rishi was discharged and sent home. Ananya had applied for a few days off as soon as she had reached hospital that night. She helped him with everything, from helping him pick up things to holding anything. His stitches hurt a little, and she gave a cold compress as per the doctor's instructions. She used to feed him food too, because he just could not manage to eat with his left hand. She had finally done all that an ideal wife would. This made her satisfied, and Rishi, happy. 

Ananya kept her resolve well enough, and never tried calling Vishesh. She had a picture saved for him on her phone. She often took her phone, and went to his name on the contact list, and kept staring at his pic. She missed him terribly, but she never wanted to repeat any of her past mistakes. She decided it was the best thing to do. With a heavy heart, she kept herself from thinking of him. Only then she could start afresh. 

Rishi resumed work within a fortnight, so did Ananya. But she had decided she would now quit job and concentrate on building her home. She started finishing her allotted work, and refused more work gradually. 

Rishi and Ananya spent a good time, reconciling their lost relationship. After almost two and a half years of marriage, one night Ananya asked Rishi to chuck the couch, and shift to the bed permanently. Rishi was stunned. He asked her if she was sure. She answered in the affirmative. "You are my husband, and this is your place. No more couch, Rishi." They hugged. Rishi slept next to her, but maintained an awkward distance. Ananya pulled him close, and said, "I am tired of hearing 'when will you give good news?', so can you help me shut peoples' mouth?" Rishi was completely shocked at Ananya's overtures. "Ananya, are you sure?" She again nodded. "Yes, let us make a baby, Rishi. I am sure the baby will be a blessing, and will bind us better." Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Rishi made love to his love, his wife. They consummated their marriage. Though Ananya initiated it, in her mind, it was a more mechanical response. But Rishi was obviously pleased, beyond measure. 

Work continued well enough, and Ananya decided to wait for her pregnancy, whenever it happened. She told herself she would quit once the baby was on its way. 

It was the month of January. She had just resumed work after the Christmas vacation. She felt uneasy. So she walked up to her office restroom, and threw up. She felt strange because she had had no change in her diet recently.

Later that day, she threw up twice at the office and almost three times at home. That night she could not sleep peacefully. She kept waking up, and walking up and down the room. Finally, she woke Rishi up. She told him she was feeling uneasy. He immediately went to the kitchen and got her some juice to sip on. He also got some salted biscuits for her to munch. She felt better. Then Rishi softly whispered, "Have you checked? Could be the good news after all..." Suddenly, it dawned upon her. Yes, Rishi could be right. She felt foolish as to how she could not make out. They both slept, planning to check her status the next morning. 

Because of the disturbed night, Ananya slept till late, while Rishi woke up, and went and bought a Home Pregnancy Test (HPT) kit for his wife. He prayed their first attempt at love had proven successful. Ananya woke up, and looked at the clock. 10 a.m!!! She was feeling drowsy still. She immediately rushed to go for a bath, because she wanted to get to office by 12. She had an important meeting. As soon as she entered the bathroom, Rishi appeared out of nowhere, and handed her the HPT and said, "Go... check first.." 

Ananya felt good that Rishi was so thoughtful. She went and took the test, and came back smiling happily. She just nodded her head up and down, to say yes. Rishi jumped with joy. He hugged her, and kissed her on the forehead. He immediately ran to the kitchen and told his mother, "Maaa... Maaa..." and held her and turned her all around, almost making her lose her balance. "Mumma... you are going to be a grand mother!!! I am going to be a father... Ananya is pregnant..." She was elated too. She immediately went to Ananya and hugged her. She did the customary action of warding away the evil spirit, and congratulated her. 

In the next ten minutes, Rishi had called his in-laws too, and given them the good news. They were jumping with joy too. While they called and came over, and all of them were rejoicing, somewhere in her heart Ananya cut another cable... one more step away from my Vishu.... she thought!