Over the next few days, Sonakshi's medications and treatment went on simultaneously. But she didn't want to be admitted in the hospital all the time, so she was advisised bed rest at home itself. Dev used to visit her everyday twice. Once in the morning, before going to college and then in the evening after returning. They still used to behave as if nothing had happened. They are still the same Dev and Sonakshi.....the only difference being Dev used to take care of more than he used to. He even read out books to her so that she would not have to hold them and exert her hands. Sometimes, her friends also used to come and pay her a visit, lightning up her mood.
****************************
One month later
Though there weren't any improvements in Sonakshi's health, the condition was stable. Doctors tried various methods, but none of them worked.
One day, Mr and Mrs Patil (refer to character sketch, if you have forgotten) came to visit Sonakshi.
Mr Patil (caressing her hairs)- "Dekha Sushma....aaj hamari Sona kitni fresh aur pyaari lag rahi hai??"
"Haan bilkul....waise toh Sona humesha hi pyaari lagti hai. Bass beta...sirf khush raho. Fir dekhna...ek week mein theek ho jaogi" Mrs Patil smiled at her
"Wohi toh main kehti hun aunty...par maa kehti hai ki mujhe aur rest chahiye" said Sonakshi making faces
"Rest is best beta......aur usse yaad aaya ki Sona..kitne dinon se tumne hum logon ko khana bhi nahiin khilaya....its pending. Ek baar theek hojao fir hum log tumhe nahiin chodne wale" Mr Patil joked
"Jee uncle...main aapko zaroor khana bana ke khilaungi" Sonakshi forced a smiled
"Theek hai beta....ab hum chalte hain. Apna khyal rakhna" and after bidding bye to Sonakshi left.
As they descended down the stairs, Mrs Patil broke down. Her husband tried to console her, but her tears didn't stop. "Isse accha toh hota bhagwaan mujhe apne paas bula lete. Hum logon ne toh apni zindagi jee li hai. Aur koi bacche bhi nahiin hai.....jinke liye hum jeeyein. Sona ek bass hamari thi....Aur woh bhi" she cried
"Sambhalo khud ko Sushma....." Mr Patil consoled her, wiping away his own tears.
**************
Dev visited Sonakshi that afternoon. Sonakshi was surprised to see him at this time of the day.
"Hii Dev!! Aaj tum college nahiin gaye??" she questioned
"Gaya tha naa....wahin se aa raha hun. Aaj zyada lectures nahiin the" he replied smilingly. "Waise...ek baat bolun?? Aaj tum bohot zyada beautiful lag rahi ho??" he winked. She playfully smacked his arm and asked, " Accha Dev...ek baat batao...College mein sab kaisa chal raha hai?? Bunty aur Niti ke nok jhok waisi hi hai kya?? Aur kya Vicky elena ko abhi bhi irritate karta hai?? Hamare librarian abhi bhi utne hi atrangi hain?? she asked, remembering those moments fondly.
Dev smiled sadly, and replied "Pata nahiin....yeh sab maine dekha hi kahan hain?? I can only see your empty seat in the class. Teachers kya bolte hain samajh hi nahiin aata...."
Sonakshi turned silent after listening his heartfelt confession. After an awkward silence, she decided to break the ice but was surprised seeing Dev staring into her eyes. "Aise kya dekh raho ho" Sonakshi asked suprisingly
"You know Sona....maine kal hi padha tha that if a couple look intently into each other's eyes, then their love increases" Dev smiled
As soon as she heard it, Sonakshi immediately lowered her eyes. "Aur kitna pyaar karoge Dev?? Aur kab tak??" She said softly. Dev just held her hands and caressed it in response.
After a while, Sonakshi randomly asked him, "Ek baat puchun??"
"Ek baat?? Jitne mann utne baat pucho" he said cheekily
आप पढ़ रहे हैं
Love Till Eternity
Short Story• Highest Rank- #12 in Short Story • (This book is private. If you wish to read it, you will have to follow me before adding it to your library) A simple love story between two ambitious students. Everything works in their favour, but their fate has...
