Tears pooled my eyes. My head was swirling. My body seemed to weaken. The only thing that helped in keeping me integrated and rooted was gravity. I just want this to be a dream or a prank, but the news was from Anirudh, he never pranks.
I felt a warm and protective arm around me, it was Charan. He stood like a rock.
"It's okay, Chinnu...Shh now..."
I saw Megha coming running towards me and hugging.
Charan, Megha, Anirudh and me walked into the Mansion.
Everyone looked devastated, especially Badi-Ma, it did look like she almost fainted listening to the news. Ma stood next to her with a glass of water while Chaachi was beside daadi ma. Tears befriended them. Bade Papa was sitting on the sofa with both his hands on this head. Papa and Chaachu looked clueless and heartbroken and were standing next to daada.
Everybody was jinxed in shock. There were still so many guests at home. Most importantly my Bhai and Bhabhi battling for life in the hospital.
Charan analyzed the situation with a calm mind. He looked incredibly calm and he responded to the situation.
" Aap log chinta math karo.. Sab teek ho jaayega... Abhi hame, we should be leaving to the hospital. But since guests and daada daadi are there, all of us can't go. Bade-papa, Anirudh, Veera, chaachi and me will go to the hospital. Anirudh and bade-papa can take care of Bhai and Chaachi and Veera of Bhabhi.... There will be a lot of bill works and running for medicines, I 'll take care of that.
Chaachu, Akhila and Chinnu you can take care of the guests na. Explain the situation and handle them. You both girls can take guidance from chaachu...
Ma, please take care of badi-ma daada and daadi.... please...
Don't worry, all of you... Everything will be fine. Our prayers and goodwill will be heard by Krishna Bhagwan... They will be fine....
Chalo, let's go..."
Listening to Charan calmed all of us. He is the perfect MBA student. He knows how to handle situations even during a crisis or an emotional extremity.
"Beta... mujhe bhi aana h-hai..." spoke badi-ma through her tears...
Charan went to her, held her hands tightly and said, " Badi-ma... ab aapki man shaant nahi hai.... Aap thoda aaram kijiye. Bhagwan se praarthna kijiye... I'll definitely take you... But not now maaa... "
A wave of thoughts suddenly conquered me... of how Vivek bhai was there by my side, every single time... He only showered his love on me... More tears pooled in my eyes...
"Mujhe bhi aana hai Charan", I squeaked...
"Chinnu... You know that you cannot withstand hospital smell or the sight of blood. This is not the time to think emotionally.. Please understand..."
Charan's words hit all of us... as all of us moved to execute the work assigned. Megha was standing next to me all the time and held me tightly. Charan stopped for a second next to her, gave a meek smile and whispered, " Please take care of them...Will you? " When she saw her nod, he left...
Akhila, Chaachu, Megha and me walked out to the garden to break the news to the chaotic crowd. They empathized a lot for us... especially after knowing that they were newly weds and were returning from their honeymoon.
OMG, the most trivial question didn't strike me until now, they were supposed to return next week, what were they doing in Bengaluru today then?
Daadi, Ma and Daada went to the pooja room and I heard maa pouring her heart out and singing. Akhila and Megha were still standing next to me out in the gardens and we could listen to maa's choked voice, which brought me to reality from my thoughts.
As the mob slowly started clearing out, my phone started ringing.
Anirudh calling...
I immediately picked up the call...
"Chinnu... both Bhai and Bhabhi are in emergency wards. Bhai has multiple fractures in the ribs and Bhabhi has a head injury. Doctors have kept them in observation.. Specialty doctors will visit both of them in a while... Can you please tell everyone at home? "
Fresh pool of tears befriended me...
"Chinnu, you there? "
" Y-yes Anirudh, I- I'll inform."
"Bye di..." He cut the call.
I hugged Megha and cried even more. She consoled me that everything will be fine and it was Lord Krishna's testing time.
I went inside the Mansion to give away the news. Badi-ma almost fainted again and I immediately ran to handle her.
I wiped her tears and hugged her.
"Badi-ma, sab teek ho jaayega. Doctors hai na... aur Krishna bhi hai na, hamaare saath..."
She shuddered and tried to calm herself down.
Now, I heard Daadi singing bhajans with utmost devotion and pain...
*********
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The Journey from Ms. Sharma to Mrs. Who [✓]
RomanceChinmayi Sharma is a confident, independent young girl, pursuing her final year Engineering. Being one of the youngest children, she has been pampered by her grandparents, uncles and all her cousins. Brought up in a closely knit and culture-enriche...