The Things That I Left Behind..

Chapter -14

Happy Ganesh Chaturthi!
Stay blessed :)
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C h a p t e r - 14

"We do not remember days,
We remember moments."
~Cesare Pavase
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Sanjana smiled and spoke,"You know,Raj always spoke about you.As soon as he met you,he was awestruck."
Mr Malhotra's eyes lit up and he spoke,"Really?"
Sanjana spoke,"Nah."
His face fell and said,"Oh."
Sanjana laughed and spoke,"Kidding,kid.You take statements too seriously."
His ears were now red due to embarrassment.
Sanjana pinched his cheeks as if he was a little child,"Aww you are blushing.He told me,so right about you."
Mr Malhotra was scared of Sanjana.
The lady always found to embarrass him.
Sanjana continued,"You know,from first sight,he saw you,he knew you would become great.Your ability and sense of responsibility at such small age,impressed him.You know,he should be proud!"
Mr Malhotra gave a small smile.He remembered the moments and spoke,"He was always my role model."
Sanjana suddenly perked up and spoke,"Would you like to talk to him?"
Mr Malhotra asked,"Is that possible?"
Sanjana spoke with a sigh,"Actually.He can listen everything.Its just his response...we are waiting for some kind of sign.Umm..I meant to say you can talk to him.I swear when my kids were little and Raj was there,I knew everyone's secret but now it's him who knows everyone's secret.I am jealous though but that's alright."
He chuckled when he spoke,"I would like to meet him."
Sanjana guided him to the room and left the door open.
Mr Malhotra for a minute held his breath.
He remembered Raj as man of aura of power and leadership.
He never expected to see him with all machines running for his life.He seemed so pale and weak.
His eyes teared up.
From the vivid memory he had,this memory saddened him.He literally backed out of shock.
A hand crept up at his shoulder to support him.
He heard,"Be strong.Thats what dad always taught us."
He looked back and saw Sara giving him a sad smile.
She entered the room and spoke,"This is time for his medications.So I had to come."
He looked unsure and spoke,"Its fine.I will go ...."
He motioned to go out when she held his arm and faced him.
She spoke,"Don't."
He stared at the beautiful eyes that stared back at him. He saw her dark circles and he instantly knew she must have had sleepless nights.
As they stared back at each other,he noticed a slight cut on her,near her lips.
Before he could say,she led him towards her dad and made him sit at the chair.
She did the procedures and spoke,"I hated hospitals.I hated biology.If dad is watching me,he must be so proud of me."
He gently spoke,"I am sure he is."
Sara smiled and said,"Whenever I had problems,I would share it with him.He is a great listener."
He watched her as she moved and noticed a old bruise at her ankle.
He stayed silent.
She happily rambled about her and Raj's moment.
It was then he saw a finger twitch.His eyes widened.
He spoke,"Sara?"
Sara looked back,frowning that he interrupted her talk.
He motioned towards the twitching finger.
Sara looked and her eyes widened.
She uttered,unsure,"Is it really...?"
He nodded and smiled.
She grinned and She hug Mr Malhotra out of excitement.
He stood there,stiff.
A new wave of emotion ran through him.
Sara,not realising what she is doing,in burst of excitement,hugged him and went off shouting the whole house,"Ma,Saransh,come quickly.Dad has shown a response!"

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"That's great!But I need to say.Still it is too early to say anything.It could be worse too for him.Just pray he should recover soon."
Everyone nodded and Saransh dropped the doctor off.
Sanjana spoke,"I can't decide if I should be happy or scared?"
Sara spoke,"I don't know Ma."
They all were silent when Mr Malhotra spoke,"Maybe it's a good sign?I mean he reacted?"
Sanjana bit her lip and spoke,"I don't know."
Their clock dinged.It was 12.
Sanjana sighed and spoke,"I am sorry Mr Malhotra.Because of us,you hadn't dinner till yet.Please wait for few minutes,I will set up everything."
And she went out of the room.
Sara stood unsure whether to leave her dad alone or not.
Mr Malhotra suddenly asked,"What are these bruises from?"
Sara frowned and stiffened.
She spoke,"Where?"
He came and pointed towards her leg.
Her face grew bitter at the foul memory.

"Come on!Or else I will break this!"
She had no money to give.All her life savings were gone now.
Tusshar slurred and spoke,"Fine.You asked for it."
He broke the vase and pushed Sara.
She caught herself but not before injuring herself.The broken vase left the mark.
But it was his actions that had wounded her more.

"Sara?Sara?"
Mr Malhotra looked concerned.
She was sweating.She wiped herself after coming out of the flashback and knew her PTSD was becoming worse.
She gritted her teeth and spoke,"None of your business!"
And she stormed out of the room.
Mr Malhotra watched her leave and sighed.
Truly it was of his no concern.
He turned towards Raj and spoke,"Hi sir."
He gulped.This was really happening.
Just then he heard a knock and he looked at Sanjana.
She cracked a smile and asked,"By the way,Mr Malhotra.I never got your name."
He gave a grin and spoke,"Oh yeah.I am sorry.I should have properly introduced.My name is...."
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C L I F F H A N G E R
How many of you are guessing the name?Raise your hands!