Destined (Part 5)

Posted 6 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“Doctor Uncle, you tell us. What should we call her? Didi or Auntie?” two kids came to Paritosh and Rupali when they went to the orphanage for the weekly checkup and asked Paritosh to resolved their dispute about Rupali.

“What?”

“Mihir says we should call her Auntie, I think we should call her Didi.”

Paritosh laughed out loud, while Rupali blushed, “I think you might have taken the more advantageous position in betting on Didi, but why don’t you ask her what she would like to be called.”

“How about you just call me by my name? Rupali? It is a nice enough name, don’t you think so?” Rupali intervened.

“But elders are not supposed to be called by their name,” the kids were not satisfied.

“Hmm…” Rupali became thoughtful, while Paritosh laughed again. “They are not going to let you off the hook so easily, Dr. Banerjee.”

Her eyes shone on hearing him, “How about you call me Dr. Rupali? That is respectful enough.”

“Will Suma Auntie agree?” the kids consulted amongst themselves talking about their caretaker.

“She will. Don’t worry.”

“Okay then. Dr. Rupali. We will call you that only.”

“Good,” Rupali smiled and patted their heads.

“Well… Didi wouldn’t have been too bad,” Paritosh was still amused, “Auntie would be totally out-of-place, of course.”

“I don’t care how old I am perceived to be,” Rupali smiled, “But I… Just don’t feel comfortable with relations… It is better to keep it impersonal.”

“Why do you come here, then? This can not be impersonal?” he asked suddenly.

“Why do you come here?” she asked in return.

“That’s not fair. Turning the question on me like that.”

“No. No. I didn’t intend to do that. I am sorry,” Rupali was flustered.

“It’s okay. No need to get worked up. But yes – coming here is extremely personal for me. My first memories of life are of this place. I was here.”

Rupali looked surprised, “You are an orphan?”

“Daar ji had adopted me, when I was twelve. But before that…”

“Oh!”

“What?”

“I come here, because I could have been here,” she said slowly.

“How come?”

“My parents died when I was eleven. In an accident.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Insurance payout never came. They declared that it was a suicide. There was nobody to argue or fight with them on my behalf. Without the insurance money, no relative was willing to take on the responsibility of a young child, especially a girl. They had almost packed me to this place, when my father’s employers stepped in and took me in.”

“That was great. You were lucky. They obviously brought you up well.”

“Yes. I guess.”

“You don’t agree?”

“I don’t disagree… But sometimes I do wonder… If deprivation is better while growing up or a burden of favor? Did you never feel that conflict?”

Paritosh smiled in understanding. “Not exactly that. But yeah – I understand. We all have our shares of conflicts in that situation.”

“What was your conflict?”

“Luckily for me, I didn’t grow up with that feeling. It was only during Daar ji’s last days that I realized that I was a substitute for someone.”

“Substitute?”

“His daughter… Whom apparently he had lost due to his own fault…”

“Hmm…”

“What did your father do, by the way?” Paritosh asked shifting the focus away from his story.

“He was the principle at one of Nihar Education Trust’s schools.”

“You were adopted by Dr. Moitra’s parents?” Paritosh asked immediately surprising Rupali.

“How do you know?”

“Well… his father is a member in the hospital’s board. I have known him for last four years As head of the department, I have to work closely with the board. NET belongs to them…”

“Oh! I should have known…” Rupali mumbled.

“I… I am sorry if it became awkward for you. I am not going to talk about any of this to them, of course,” Paritosh assured her, “We don’t meet much socially, anyway.”

“Of course. I trust you. I have to. For some reason you have been a witness to my awkwardness a bit too often,” Rupali tried to laugh it off.

To be continued

Destined (Part 4)

Posted 7 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

She came to the hospital in the evening the next day. She was on night duty.

“Good you joined me yesterday, Dr. Banerjee,” Paritosh told her when she went to his office to inquire about the child from the orphanage, “Otherwise his jaundice would have gone undiagnosed for another week. It wasn’t his group’s turn yesterday.”

“I am glad it helped, Sir. I will check up on him once.”

“Sure. And…” His mobile rang interrupting the conversation. He became tense as he heard the person on the other side of the phone. “Yes… Just now?? Oh… I will be there… I have Dr. Banerjee with me… right Rupali Banerjee… Please call Dr. Rao to see who else is on duty and who can be called from home… Sure…”

“Dr. Banerjee… To the emergency… Right away…”

“What happened, Sir?” she asked as she scurried to keep pace with him.

“There has been a an accident involving kids… A school bus was hit by a tractor…”

“School bus? At this hour?”

“They were coming back from some school trip.”

“Oh my God!” Rupali could not help exclaim as they reached emergency and saw the hospital staff carry one injured kid after another to the ward. They bodies were bloody. Most had passed out from pain and shock. Others were wailing in pain.

“Quick Dr. Banerjee. We don’t have time. Start from that bed. Ask nurses to attend to minor injuries. Focus on stopping blood loss for major ones.”

“Yes Sir,” she collected herself together and went on to do as he had advised.

The doctors on the emergency duty were already working. Doctors from other departments also came in soon to help, some who lived nearby came from their homes. Still there were too many patients and it took them about four hours to attend to everyone. Five of the kids were in critical condition and had been shifted to ICU.

Finally Rupali got a short break and walked to the common room. Paritosh was standing there watching TV tuned to a news channel. They were covering the school bus accident. The truck-driver had been drunk while driving. The situation had become even more scandalous, because the truck was found to be carrying large quantities of illegal firearms hidden beneath packets of clothes.

“Are you fine?” Paritosh asked when he noticed her.

“Define fine,” she replied with a sad smile, “As a doctor I can’t afford to get nauseated by blood, pain and injury. But as a person this news does nauseate me. As if those firearms wouldn’t have killed enough people, the truck driver also had to kill these kids.” She sat down on one of the chairs there.

Paritosh also sat down and said, “I have to apologize to you.”

“Excuse me?”

“Do you remember your first assignment? For an operation…”

“I do, of course. What about it?”

“I had probably offended you by asking if you were ready for that. Under some irrational influence, I had thought that you might not be… strong enough. I have seen you working since then. And especially today. Obviously I was completely wrong.”

She didn’t react for a while and Paritosh started worrying if he should have let bygones be bygones. Why did he feel this sudden need to apologize anyway? It wasn’t like he had been thinking about it? But when he saw her working that evening. With so many injured and bloody kids, what Rohan had said about her and what he had let affect himself for a while too, came back to him. He felt like he needed to make up for that. He needed to apologize. But after doing that he felt like an idiot. She had probably never noticed. Why did he have to tell her?

Then she gave what looked like a helpless smile, “Not your fault.”

“Excuse me?”

“You were under irrational influence.”

“I shouldn’t have been. But thanks for the generosity.”

“Aren’t you planning to leave? You have been here all day, right?” Rupali changed the topic. Although with his image of a workaholic in the hospital, she didn’t expect he would leave amidst that tragedy.

His reply was not unexpected, “Not under these circumstances. Non-ICU patients will need to be shifted to pediatric ward in the morning. I will be in my office though. If there are any updates, or any relapses, you can tell me. And inform others on duty as well.”

“Sure Sir.”

“Your duty is over. You have no business being here,” Rohan was insistent on sending Rupali home after her night duty.

“So many kids are in still in such bad shape Rohan. I can’t just leave and go. Many doctors are staying beyond duty hours.”

“I can’t see you falling sick.”

“Rohan please. I am fine.”

“I know better.”

“For God’s sake Rohan. Let me decide for myself. I am not a child. Dr. Khanna is here since yesterday morning. Dr….”

“Has he asked you to stay?” Rohan asked sharply.

“No. Nobody has asked me to…”

“Let me talk to him.”

“Are you even listening to me?”

But Rohan had turned away from her and she realized that he was going to Paritosh’ office.

“Wait Rohan,” she panicked and ran after him, “I am going home. Okay?”

Unfortunately for her Paritosh was coming their way and Rohan ran into him.

“Dr. Khanna. I had told you on the very first day that Rupali is not a very tough person.”

“Excuse me?” Paritosh could find no rhyme or reason to Rohan’s sudden verbal attack.

“Why is she being held back at the hospital after her duty is over?”

“That’s enough Rohan,” Rupali hissed and grabbed his hands. “I’m sorry Dr. Khanna. He has lost his mind,” she quickly apologized and then dragged Rohan away from there with a strength that surprised him.

“What are you doing Rupa?” Rohan was annoyed.

Rupali thought for a moment whether to give him a fitting reply. But she resorted to one of her tricks.

“You have already had a brush with Dr. Khanna once earlier. Because of me. I don’t want that to happen again. He is a senior doctor.”

“We don’t have to be afraid of Dr. Khanna. If he is a senior doctor reporting to the board, then Baba is a member of the board.”

“I know, I know Rohan. But think of professionalism. And if I need your help, I will tell you. You know that, right?”

“Yes. Of course.”

“Then go. I will leave when I want to.”

“Sure?”

“Yes Rohan. Now go to your department. You are getting late.”

“Fine. But be at home in the evening.”

“I will be.”

She turned back to go to the ward to find Paritosh within hearing distance. Her face flushed. Did he see the little drama that had played out here? She stood rooted at her place awkwardly as he came towards her.

“Dr. Banerjee. You can go back home, if you want to. Others are on duty…”

“But I don’t want to… I am really, really sorry about Rohan. I hadn’t told him anything…”

“It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize for other people. If you want to stay, then you will stay.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Keep up the good work.”

To be continued

Destined (Part 3)

Posted 9 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“Wait… wait Seema… Don’t run outside. There are cars on the road…” Rupali ran after a little girl, but the girl ran into someone else who was coming in through the gate.

“Steady Seema,” the man held her and then picked her up lovingly.

Rupali was surprised to see that it was Paritosh. “Dr. Banerjee!” he was surprised too.

“Doctor Uncle is here,” Seema shouted in excitement.

Paritosh smiled at her and put her down, “Run to your friends and tell them this is the checkup day for Pokemon group. They should all gather in the hall.”

“Okay!” the girl replied and ran away towards her friends, all of whom stayed in the orphanage.

“He… Hello Sir,” Rupali was flustered.

“Nice to see you here,” if he was awkward to meet her outside the hospital, he managed to hide it pretty well.

“Same here,” Rupali said, but wondered if she felt that way. Although she had appreciated Paritosh saving her from Rohan’s untoward demands in the hospital, she didn’t think she could share her personal life with her boss. But she had come there that day on some purpose. So, she decided to go ahead with it. “The administrator told me that a senior doctor volunteers here and he would be here today. I had no clue that would be you. It was probably silly of me to not to ask the name…”

“That’s okay. Did you want to meet me?”

“I just… wanted to volunteer as well… To help you… I thought it was better if I coordinated instead of doing it separately.”

“Sure. That’s a great idea.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

“Do you want to start right away?”

“Yes. Of course. That’s why I came today.”

“Great. Let’s go then. We can do two groups today. Too many kids – so I have divided them into four groups. One group gets the check up every week.” Paritosh was used to managing the department. He effortlessly took her under his wings there too.

“Pokemon group?” she smiled in amusement.

Paritosh smiled too and they felt the tension and awkwardness dissolving, “Well – with kids, you have to be like kids. You will take up Ben-10 group.”

“Okay,” her smile had grown to become a chuckle. Just then her mobile rang. “Excuse me Dr. Khanna. I have to take this. I will join you in a minute?”

“Sure,” Paritosh looked at her curiously for a second before leaving. The softness of the smile had disappeared from her face.

He couldn’t avoid hearing parts of her conversation even as he tried to move away quickly. “I told you Rohan… I am at the hospital. It will take some time…”

“Have you been feeling tired lately?” Rupali asked a kid during the checkup.

The boy nodded in reply.

“Kamla Auntie says he has not been eating well.” added the girl waiting behind him in the line referring to one of the employers of the orphanage.

“Dr. Khanna,” she addressed Paritosh who was attending to another group, “I think we need to do urine test for him.”

“What happened?”

“I suspect jaundice.”

“Oh! Come here, Sumit,” Paritosh asked the boy to come to him and checked his eyes.

“We need to isolate him from other kids,” Rupali said after Paritosh nodded at her in confirmation.

“I don’t think they have any empty rooms left. Too many kids… Too little funding… Same old story…” Paritosh appeared to be drifting off to some other world.

“Sir?”

Her voice brought him out of his thoughts. “If it is jaundice,” he started talking in a matter-of-fact tone again, “this is at a very contagious stage. Something needs to be done. Let’s take him to the hospital.”

“But…”

“I will pay for the treatment.”

“Okay…” Rupali was much more impressed than she let on.

“How have you come?” Paritosh asked Rupali when they made to leave with Sumit after finishing checkups.

“I took a taxi.”

“I have my car. Let me drop you back.”

“It’s not needed, Sir.”

“Where do you stay?”

“You also have to take Sumit to the hospital.”

“Fine. If it isn’t on my way to the hospital, I won’t insist. But at least tell me where do you live.”

Rupali sighed helplessly, “It is on your way to the hospital.”

“Then what’s the problem? Come with me.”

“You remember the name of all the kids there?” she asked as they were driving back. She had noticed it during the check up. He addressed each and every kid there by name.

“I have been going there for years now. Now I have seen most of them coming there, growing up…”

“Hmm.”

“How about you? For how long have you been coming here?”

“Just for last month or so. I was in Delhi for last five years.”

“AIIMS, right? For your MBBS.”

“Yes Sir.”

“Good.”

“Can you please drop me here?” she said suddenly in front of the mall.

“Here?”

“Yes. My house is at walking distance from here. And I just remembered I had some things to buy. So, I will get them from the mall.”

“Should I wait?”

“No. No Sir. Seriously. I stay right behind the mall. And Sumit…”

“Okay then. Take care.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

She waited until he had driven off and then walked listlessly towards her house without so much as glancing towards the mall she was supposed to go to. Her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She had volunteered to work with Paritosh in the orphanage. He was her boss. There was no way she could have gone back on that commitment. And she didn’t want to… But this was going to get tricky with Rohan.

“Why were you with Dr. Khanna?” It was as if her worries were immediately personified. She ran into Rohan. And he had apparently seen her getting out of the car.

“He was coming to this side. He gave me a lift,” she didn’t really have to lie, because she didn’t make a reference to where she was coming from. As far as Rohan was concerned, she was coming from the hospital. She had become quite adept at manipulating Rohan to keep his anger and wrath away. But it was easier earlier. At first he was in London for his studies. He had come back a couple of years ago, but then she was in Delhi for her studies. She only needed to handle his possessiveness and obsession occasionally. But now… She was getting tired because she had to do it day in, day out. They were staying under the same roof. And she also had to hide it from Rohan’s parents. They were really proud of their son and they loved him so much. She wasn’t sure how they would react if she ever complained about him to them. If they believed her, they would be devastated. Rupali could not do that to them. If they didn’t believe her… well… what would she gain except losing their trust…. She was between a rock and a hard place.

“You should have gone with the driver,” Rohan was still irritated and his agitated complaint brought her out of her thoughts.

“Kakima might have needed him.”

“Why don’t you just learn to drive?”

“I am… scared of driving,” she lied. She knew how to drive; she had learned it with the help of one of her friends. But hiding things from Rohan was one of the things that gave her satisfaction. Of being in control. She knew her reply would work on him. It always did! The idea of her being weak, scared, in need of help, being dependent on him always worked. He liked it.

“I know,” that smile again! “Let’s go, and have a cup of coffee somewhere. I had been getting bored, waiting for you.”

She would have preferred to go home, but she gave in. What all could she run away from? She cringed as he put his arms around her protectively, but did not move away.

To be continued

Destined (Part 2)

Posted 7 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“Come in,” Paritosh heard a knock on his door about an hour later. He had to prepare a presentation on the department’s performance in last quarter for the impending board meeting. But he was not able to concentrate at all. He could not let go of the feeling that he might have made a mistake by intervening between Rupali and Rohan. It did look like Rohan was forcing himself, but would his intervention make things better or worse for Rupali? They had a life outside the hospital too!

Rupali walked into his cabin, “Dr. Khanna. I needed your signature on these discharge papers. I’m sorry to disturb you for this, but Dr. Gupta has stepped out for an hour, and the parents are getting edgy. Only you have the authority to sign these.”

“No problem. I will sign it. You have ensured that he is ready to be discharged, right?”

“Yes Sir. Dr. Gupta also gave his confirmation over phone.”

“Dr. Banerjee,” Paritosh stopped her when she made to leave after getting the papers signed.

“Yes Sir?”

“I acted on my best understanding earlier. But I am not sure if I should have… I just…”

“Thanks for bringing it up,” Rupali looked relieved rather than awkward, “I wanted to thank you. For speaking up and not looking the other way.”

“Really?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Okay then. Take care.”

Rupali nodded and made to leave, when she was stopped again.

“Dr. Banerjee.”

“Yes Sir?”

“I have to ask. Did Dr. Moitra lie about your relationship? If so…”

“No,” she sighed, “He didn’t. I guess… But what you had said still stands, right? I have my rights?”

“Of course,” he assured hastily, “If there is ever any problem in this hospital or from any of the employees here, you must come to me.”

“Thank you, Sir.”

It was extremely odd. Why would she be engaged to a person when she needed and was fine with another person intervening between them? And what was hurry to get engaged? How old would she be? Was she under some pressure? What kind?

Rupali was relieved that Rohan was not waiting for her in the parking lot after her duty was over. Even when he finished earlier, he always insisted on taking her home with him and waited for her. It should have been romantic, but it wasn’t…

“Rupa. Darling, what’s up with Rohan? Have the two of you fought?” Rupali’s relief was short-lived as she ran into Damyanti Moitra, Rohan’s mother as soon as she entered home.

“Why Kakima? What happened?” Rupali’s behavior with Damyanti was nothing like the the dry, distant one she had with Rohan. And her conflicting emotions were clear in her body language. When Damyanti worried about something, Rupali worried about it too. But when it came to Rohan…

“He refused to eat after coming from the hospital and has locked himself in the room. Only you can handle him, when he is in that mood. Will you please see that he eats something, dear? Why don’t you take your plate also to his room?”

“Sure Kakima.” Damyanti always dismissed Rupali’s discomfort while speaking about Rohan as her shyness. Despite growing up in her liberal household, she found this girl to be incredibly shy. When she had come to live with them as an eleven year old, Damyanti used to worry a lot about whether or not she was comfortable. But over time, she was satisfied that she was.

And Rupali was indeed comfortable with Damyanti and her husband Sabyasachi Moitra. They had provided her not just with a roof over her head, but also with immense love and care. There was no repaying their kindness. She could do anything to keep them happy. And their happiness lied in their only son – Rohan!

“Kakima said you haven’t eaten anything,” Rupali brought a plate for Rohan in his room.

“Do you have a crush on Dr. Khanna?”

“Excuse me?”

“Why were you tongue-tied before him? Couldn’t you have spoken up, while he insulted us?”

Rupali took a deep breath. What was she thinking? That he would let it go? Of course not. And he wouldn’t leave her out of it either. Insulted us? Whatever that meant. As far as Rupali was concerned, she had been saved; not insulted. She didn’t want her workplace tainted with the memories of… But she did not want to anger Rohan further. Not at home, at least. Not when Kakima and Kaku would be around.

“It was not right Rohan. We work there…” she attempted a logical discussion.

“Don’t give me excuses,” he glared at her.

“I’m sorry,” she said in a small voice.

“Why didn’t you speak up?”

“I… I got nervous,” that was an explanation he’d like. He liked to think of her as a damsel in distress, who needed rescuing.

He smiled. Rupali could not help noticing that it appeared affectionate. It still freaked her out…

“Of course. I should have known.” He got up from his bed and came to her. “But you really have to stop worrying when I am around, okay?”

She nodded.

“And right now, there is nothing to be nervous about,” he closed in on her.

“Rohan… Kakima is around…” she tried to protest.

“She is in her room, I know that,” he replied and kissed her. She endured the kiss fighting her urge to step back. She wondered if she’d ever feel the same way about a kiss as the heroines of novels did. It had always felt repulsive to her, something she had to endure. That was her destiny.

To be continued

Destined (Part 1)

Posted 5 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Rupali-Paritosh

“Dr. Moitra? What are you doing here this early in the morning?” Dr. Paritosh Khanna was surprised to see Rohan Moitra, a resident doctor in Orthopedics, in the Pediatrics department conference room. He was there to address the new batch of interns coming to Pediatrics department of Shohan Nath Majumdar Multi Specialty Hospital, Kolkata.

“Good Morning Dr. Khanna. Actually my fiancee is joining as an intern in your department. So, came by… For moral support…” Rohan grinned.

“I see!” Paritosh said trying to appear neutral. He wondered if Rohan’s act was sweet or patronizing.

“She is sitting there,” he pointed to the corner seat in the row where all the new interns were sitting and waiting for their orientation to begin, “Rupali. Banerjee, for now. She is the nervous kind… I am not even sure it was the right profession for her. But she always insisted. Please go easy on her.” As the head of Pediatrics, Paritosh would be the boss of all the interns.

“Well Dr. Moitra. This profession has its demands. I do not intend to put anything more than that on anybody. It is not in my hands to make it less for anybody,” Paritosh said dryly.

“Ah! Well… Of course.”

Paritosh smiled and then excused himself, “Anyway! I should get going. They are waiting for me. I think your duty shift would also be starting now.”

“Yeah. Sure,” Rohan got the hint that he was not welcome during the orientation just because his fiancée was there. He walked away, but shot a glance at Rupali before leaving. Paritosh noticed that Rupali had also turned to look at Rohan at around the same time. She was slightly far, but Paritosh felt sure that he saw her stiffen.

As someone so insistent of maintaining professional relationships with people at work, Paritosh was annoyed at himself. Just because Rohan had pointed Rupali out to him, he found himself noticing her repeatedly during his address to the interns. It made no sense.

Or probably it did. There was something captivating in those large eyes sitting on a lean, small, innocent face of wheatish complexion. Not quite the typical Bengali face. But there were hints – for sure.

What the hell! He shirked off his train of thoughts and looked at the clock. OPD time. Patients – hassled and sad when they came, happy and healthy after treatment, their faith in life and living restored… That’s what kept him alive and occupied. That’s what he was comfortable with. That’s what he needed to go back to. To deal with his distracted mind.

Paritosh was getting ready to go to a surgery. He was not a surgeon. But he had admitted the patient, and there were many complications expected in the surgery. So, the pediatric surgeon has requested his presence. Interns of pediatrics department were sitting outside to watch the surgery through the glass. It was a part of their training process. One of them will be inside assisting the surgeon. Paritosh wondered who that would be. It was a complicated surgery, and would be quite challenging for a fresher. Just then he saw her walking in.

Rupali was already wearing her robe and had come to wash her hands before the surgery started. “Good Morning, Sir,” she greeted him courteously.

“Good Morning, Dr. Banerjee,” he replied. If it had been any other intern, he wouldn’t have know his or her name. He hadn’t been individually acquainted with them yet. Rupali appeared surprised at first, but probably recalled immediately that she had seen Rohan with him the day before, during the orientation. She sighed audibly and looked, as far as Paritosh could see, sad.

“So, you are assisting in the surgery?”

“Yes Sir.”

“It is a complicated one. And when patients are so young, their condition often disturbs us a lot… This is your first day. Are you sure you want to do this?”

“Some intern has to be here, right? Why not me?”

“Sure. I was… just being… cautious.”

“I’ll be fine.”

“I’m sure you will be. Shall we go inside?”

“Yes Sir.”

“Rohan. Please let me go,” Paritosh recognized Rupali’s voice, as he passed by the fire exit. The door to staircase was shut as usual, but the sound passed through.

“Stop it already, Rupa. You can’t keep running away from me.”

Paritosh hesitated. Should he stop? Should he not? Was it the usual dance of lovers? Fire exit was a favourite place for the young couples in the hospital to have their own time during breaks. Or was it sexual harassment right under his nose? Something about Rohan’s tone made it not feel like a lover’s insistence at all. Rupali’s reply came as Paritosh was still deliberating on what to do.

“This isn’t the time or place to discuss…”

“Who is interested in discussing…”

“Rohan!” Rupali shouted.

Rohan must have closed in on her. Because the sound that came next was definitely Rupali pushing him away and he getting hit by the railing of the staircase.

Paritosh pushed the door open. “What’s going on here?”

Rohan and Rupali were both startled and horrified at first. Then Rupali’s expression turned to that of relief, while Rohan’s turned belligerent.

“This is personal Dr. Khanna.”

“I’m afraid it sounded more like an offense.”

“She is my fiancée,” Rohan retorted.

“Even if she were your legally wedded wife Dr. Moitra, she had the right to say no. Especially at a public place like this. And this is her workplace, no less. This is not acceptable…”

“Dr. Khanna. You are reading too much into the situation…”

“What I have seen here is called sexual harassment, Dr. Moitra. So, as Dr. Banerjee’s boss and as the chief administrator of this department, I have to intervene and ask you to leave immediately. And this must not happen again, else I will be forced to report it.”

Rohan gritted his teeth, but could not say anything.

“Please leave,” Paritosh was adamant.

Rohan shot an angry glance at Rupali and then left.

Paritosh felt awkward when left alone with Rupali, but he maintained his formal disposition, “Please go back to your ward Dr. Banerjee. Lunch time is over.” He turned back immediately and came back to the corridor. He sighed in relief on seeing the corridor empty. If someone saw him coming out of the fire exit, with Rupali following right behind him, it would have been awkward. Really awkward.

His cabin and the wards were in opposite direction. They went in their separate ways without saying another word.

To be continued

Unwilling Fighter (Epilogue)

Posted 8 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Karishma-Siddharth

“Parlez-Vous Anglais?” Siddharth asked someone on their way to Jungfrau in Switzerland and drove on after hearing ‘non’ from him.

“You speak French?” Karishma asked looking impressed.

“I just asked him in a very bad accent if he spoke English,” he replied making her grin. “That shopkeeper is definitely American. He should be able to help me. I am slightly confused about the route. Just wait here.”

He got the directions and marked the place on his GPS device and then they drove on.

“This is my favourite place in Europe,” he said when they reached at the intended place, “Probably in the whole world.”

“Why?”

“When you are here, you are literally on the top of Europe,” he smiled.

“Being on top, being a winner is important to you, isn’t it?”

“And it’s not so to you?”

“I don’t care much, I guess… Being happy is more important.”

“You think I should change?”

“No. Not at all. This is what makes you happy; so why should you change?” she said, then added jokingly, “But yes – this is just the top of Europe, not the top of the world.”

“Yeah. For that we have to go to Nepal. But somehow being on top of Nepal doesn’t sound particularly exciting. Europe is a different beast,” he grinned in reply.

“Can I ask you something?” she suddenly turned serious.

“Go on.”

“I never understood something about you… Why me? I mean you are someone who likes to win and win the best. How did I ever become important to you? Why did you want to crush me? Then win me over? Then want or…”

“Love you?” he completed her sentence.

She nodded in reply.

“So you want to know my story?”

“Yes.”

“Do you remember when we had met for the first time?”

“All too well!”

“It wasn’t an accident that I had asked to meet the writing team. I had wanted to meet you.”

“What? Why?” Karishma visibly jumped in surprise.

“I had been watching the episodes of the serial… I hated it. I am sorry, but I did. And yet, every third week there was something likable about it. After poking around a bit, I figured that it was always the week when you wrote the screenplay.”

“And so you came to meet me and give me an offer for acting? Makes no sense.”

“No. I just came to meet you. And…”

“And?”

“And fell for something. Probably your defiance.”

“I was irritated, all right. You had sent the entire office in frenzy by coming when Diksha Ma’am was not there and by insisting on meeting the writers when Ritesh Sir was not there.”

“Yeah. Most people I know would just have been nervous and scared. It was different with you. And if you have seen the movie, you would know why I wanted to cast you.”

“And you assumed that I would want to act.”

Siddharth laughed, “What can I say? Obviously it sounds stupid now. But almost everyone I know in the industry comes here with acting ambitions. I could never have imagined… Anyway. You were different again.”

“And you got angry with me?”

“That’s what I thought. That you were giving attitude to me and I had to show you your place.”

“What do you mean by ‘thats what you thought’? Isn’t that the truth?”

“No.”

“Why?”

“Because if that were the case, when I saw you breaking down and crying, on our…” he stopped and sighed before continuing, “wedding night, I should have felt victorious, elated. But I only felt miserable.”

Karishma looked at him curiously. He gave a faint smile and continued, “That’s when I realized that… I wasn’t angry with you. I had fallen for you. Fallen so hard that… I didn’t know how to handle it. Now you shouldn’t be surprised that I probably did awkward things after that.”

“Nothing in the world can every surprise me again. This is… just… beyond… imagination,” she seemed to be struggling to find the right words to describe how she felt about it.

“Is it?”

“This is such a filmy story. I can’t believe I am a character in it.”

Siddharth laughed out loud, “So, should we make a movie on it? We can act together.”

“No way. You will have to find another actress. I will burst out laughing doing those scenes.”

“You are finding it funny?”

“Not funny… But this doesn’t sound real either.”

“You have more power over me than you realize.”

“Is it?”

“Yes.”

“Can I try to use it then?”

“Don’t misuse it.”

“I am not insisting. Just an advice…”

“Yeah?”

“Get Diksha Ma’am back. Letting go of a bit of business won’t hurt you. Make it a separate company or whatever. But it would be worth regaining the relations.”

“Hmm…”

“Ideally relationships should not be affected by business. But we don’t live in an ideal world.”

“You are not insisting, right?”

“No way.”

He smiled, “Fine. I will think about it. But the truth is… That I don’t need anyone else now. I have you.”

“Let’s just say I am trying to reduce my work,” she said jokingly.

“Getting a sister back is not going to reduce your work unfortunately,” he replied naughtily and bent down to kiss her.

– The End –

Unwilling Fighter (Part 14 – Last Part)

Posted 12 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Karishma-Siddharth

Karishma noticed that the suite in their London hotel did not have an attached twin bedroom like last time. She causally mentioned that to Siddharth. He was startled at first, then looked amused, “You have no idea what those rooms are for, do you?”

She shrugged, “What for?”

“You won’t like it, but being a writer you should know. One of your bad characters could use them some day.”

“Just tell me.”

“That bedroom had an independent entrance and from the outside, it didn’t look like it was the part of the suite. Had you noticed that?”

“Right! Oh!”

“Oh?”

“I got it.”

“Karishma,” he spoke seriously now, “It was just the default Ramesh used to book. I didn’t use it…”

“I know.”

“You know? Or you believe me?”

“Ramesh told me about… about the escort you had turned away in Delhi and after that…”

“Ramesh knows you better than I do,” he said somberly.

“He has been a good friend. That’s it.”

“I know. And I must be thankful to him for that. You must be tired. Why don’t you take a hot water bath?” he suggested.

“Good idea. But…”

“But?”

“I don’t know how to operate the bathtub.” she said with some embarrassment.

“What?” Siddharth burst out laughing, “What did you do last time then? And at home?”

“I take shower.”

“Right! Let me show you how to operate bathtub. It’s no rocket science. Come.”

“Karishma,” Siddharth knocked at the bathroom door, when Karishma did not come out even after forty-five minutes. There was no reply. He panicked and tried the bathroom door. Fortunately it was not locked from inside. He was scared at first to see her lying in the bathtub. Then he realized that she had fallen asleep there. Jetlag and long journey had gotten to her. He had a hard time controlling his laughter. He made to wake her up. But then seeing her sleeping so soundly decided otherwise. Leaving her in the bathtub was not a good idea though. He went back to the room and adjusted the temperature of the AC so that it was warmer. That way she would not feel the temperature difference when he brough her out of the warm water in the tub. He used several full-length towels to line one side of their bed. Then he picked her up from the tub. She did not even flinch and locked her arms around his neck. Holding her naked, wet form so close to himself made his blood rush. But he controlled his urges and laid her down on the towels. He used another set of towels to dry her gently, the shifted her to the other side of the bed. He took all the towels off the bed and covered her with the comforter. She snuggled comfortably and continued to sleep.

Karishma found Siddhartha sitting beside her on the bed when she woke up. He was reading something, probably the dialogues of his scenes to be shot the day after. He noticed her before she said anything.

“You are awake. Feeling better?”

She was confused. She didn’t remember falling asleep on the bed. She tried to sit up, when she realized that she did not have any clothes on. Feeling extremely conscious, she pulled the comforter closer. “How did I…”

“You had fallen asleep in the bathtub. Thank God, you didn’t know how to use it last time. Who would have rescued you otherwise?” he laughed.

“You… brought me here?” she looked scandalized.

“Yes… What happened?” he noticed her reddening cheeks as she realized that he had seen her naked and…

She just shook her head unable to say anything.

“You look like… Oh!” It suddenly occurred to him that she was extremely conscious of her body, “You have never been with… Are you a virgin?”

Karishma looked even more embarrassed, “What kind of question is that?”

“Arr…” He got worried that she might have felt bad, but then he got into teasing mode, “But I am right. Am I not?”

“So? Is it some kind of a crime?” she acted defiant to hide her embarrassment about everything.

“Absolutely not. It is an achievement.”

“Stop making fun of me…” she looked like she was on the verge of crying.

“Hey,” he said softly and cupped her face, “Don’t be crazy. I am not making fun of you. Just hoping to have some fun together. And I am sorry. I really am sorry if I came across as crass. I am sorry. Please don’t cry.”

She looked pacified as she nodded. But the embarrassment and nervousness had not gone. He figured that he had not started on the right note and decided to drop the topic for the time being.

“Get ready and then we will order some dinner. It’s almost time. Okay?”

She nodded. He got off the bed and went to the living room of the suite to give her the privacy to get dressed.

Their dinner was over and the trolley had been taken away by the hotel staff. Siddharth was sitting on the bed, when Karishma came out of the bathroom after changing into her night-dress. She stopped at the bathroom door, looking unsure about what to do.

“Come here,” Siddharth called out to her and made her sit next to him.

“Are you nervous?” he asked.

She nodded.

“I had told you long back that I wanted you, hadn’t I?”

She gulped and did not say anything.

“And today I want you more than I had ever wanted you earlier,” he said making her gulp even harder.

“The way you had unabashedly question me about why I hadn’t touched you when I wanted you so much and everything else you had asked then – I could not imagine that this fiery girl is really so naive. And I don’t say it in a bad way. You just surprise me. Pleasantly. But now that I know this about you, I also understand that this a very vulnerable moment of your life. And you are feeling more nervous than you had expected. I took some liberties today without realizing that you might not be comfortable. I am sorry about that. And I need to know something before going ahead. Do you trust me? And are you ready to take this step?”

And there was a time when Karishma had expected this man to rape her any time. Today even as her husband, even after they had confessed themselves to be in love, he was asking her! She was so overwhelmed that she choked on her words. She realized that trying to say anything was futile. She looked up at him with moist eyes, smiled and nodded. Then she hugged him tight and let her tears wet his t-shirt.

“We need to take this off,” he pointed towards the wet spot on his t-shirt and teased her. He took off it off and went away to keep on the back of a chair. Karishma did not dare look at him. While coming back he switched off the lights. She stood up, when he came back near her. He held her at shoulder and whispered, “There is no need to be nervous. Just enjoy it along with me.” He caressed her face, followed by her neck. His hands found the knot of her gown. He untied it and slid it off her shoulder. She was wearing a negligee under her gown. He gasped audibly. He had felt the rush earlier when he had carried her from the bathtub. But still seeing her in her negligee, realizing that she had worn it on purpose and the sight she presented in the darkened room standing before him, twitching nervously drove him close to madness. Innocence and inexperience could be bewitching.

“Gosh! Karishma. I will eat you up,” he hissed and pushed her gently on the bed. ‘Go slow,’ he told himself and started kissing her all over as she lied beside him on the bed. Karishma realized that even in his almost intoxicated state, he was watching her reactions carefully and adjusting his own actions according to that. And it worked. She lost sense of time and space as he literally played with her body building up both their desires to the extreme. She didn’t even realize when he undressed himself and her completely. She became aware of the reality only when he whispered in her ears, “You are mine. Forever.” And he entered her. Despite her arousal, she was taken by surprise and it hurt. A cry slipped from her lips before she could stifle it. He withdrew immediately. “Are you okay?” he asked looking concerned.

She was embarrassed, “I am fine. Sorry…”

“It’s okay,” he assured her gently, “It happens. Just relax.” He kissed her and after a short foreplay gently penetrated her again. She was prepared this time and, after initial discomfort and awkwardness, enjoyed it. It had been a long time for him and it did not take him long to collapse on top of her.

After catching his breath, Siddharth reached out and switched on the bed lamp. He continued to lie on top of her. She squinted at sudden brightness and slowly opened her eyes as they adjusted to the light. Siddharth noticed tear stains on her cheeks. “Why are you crying?” he asked as he wiped those stains.

She smiled, “I thought you were an expert.”

“Are you challenging me?” he raised his eyebrows.

“No. I am not an idiot,” she smiled.

He bent down and kissed her forehead, “No. You are not.”

He settled himself beside her on the bed, pulled the comforter over them and propped himself up on his hand so that he could look at her directly. “Are you still mad at me?” he asked.

“For?” she was surprised.

“For what happened earlier.”

“For rescuing me from drowning in the bathtub?” she asked playfully.

He relaxed and smiled, “I guess you are not.”

“Where were you hiding all this sensitivity, Siddharth?” she asked seriously.

He stared at her for a few moments and then said, “I had apologized once in desperation, when there was a possibility that I may never be able to apologize to you at all. You were generous. You accepted it. But I must apologize properly Karishma. For everything I did to you. And especially about… your father… Because what I deprived you of, there is no way of getting it back. That time you could have spent with him… That opportunity is gone. I know I can’t undo it. But I just want you to know that I realize what I have done and will repent it my entire life.”

“That’s enough, Siddharth,” Karishma sat up. She cupped his face and replied, “It is not possible for me to say that I do not regret when I think of that time. That might never be possible. But today… even my father would have wanted me to move on. I have forgiven you for what happened. Is that not enough for you?”

“It is…. It is more than enough. It is much more than what I had ever hoped,” he replied and they hugged to seal their fate together.

– The End –

Unwilling Fighter (Part 13)

Posted 12 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Karishma-Siddharth

“You are going to UK?” Karishma was panting as she entered Siddharth’s gym in his office. He had just come out of the shower after working out.

“Karishma? What are you doing here?” Siddharth walked towards her looking concerned, “You are not supposed to run around like this yet.”

“Damn it. I took a car. Not a taxi. Why are you going?” she was agitated.

“What do you mean why? To complete the shoot.”

“But I thought you wanted…” she held herself back from the completing the sentence with ‘me to come along’. Instead she said, “I was hoping you would answer me before leaving.”

“Answer?”

“What I had asked on the day I was discharged.”

He didn’t reply immediately and looked at her silently. She felt uncomfortable and fidgeted. “I’m sorry,” she said, “It was probably inappropriate…”

“You were right Karishma,” he interrupted.

Disappointment clouded her face. He couldn’t love her. All the care was about regret and not love. She tried to smile bravely, “Right. I should have known…” That’s why he had not invited her to come to UK.

“You were right,” he repeated, “Everyone wants to spend life with someone who loves them, who can accept them. Despite being a monster, self-centered ego-maniac, I am no different. And thanks to you, I have come to realize that forcing people to be with you is not the same thing as them accepting you out of love. And unlike the middle-class boys who are happy with the middle-class girls whom they can love, even if they don’t love them back, I won’t be satisfied if my partner doesn’t love me back. So, you have to ask yourself Karishma. Will you be able to do more than just feel secure if I said I loved you? Will you be able to go beyond forgiveness and love me? If not…”

“If not?”

“I had promised you on the hospital bed that I’d let you go if you want. But I will go back on that promise. I won’t force myself on you, but I won’t let you go either.”

“You are wicked,” Karishma walked closer to him as she said this with a faint smile on her face.

“What is your answer?” He also took a step towards her. They kept walking towards each other as they talked.

“I had asked the question first. I should get the answer first.”

“That’s not happening.”

“That’s unfair.”

“I am like that. Arrogant, demanding, mean, unfair…”

“Lies. You are like an insecure, little boy.”

“Yes. I am insecure. You have to reply first. Can you love me?”

“I already do, you idiot. I have surprised myself, but I already love you.”

He cupped her face leaned towards her. He stopped when their lips were almost touching and whispered, “I love you.” Then he kissed her furiously leaving her breathless by the time they separated. He led her towards his table and handed her an envelope.

“What is this?”

“Your tickets for UK. Your VISA is still valid.”

“You… you had already booked it?”

“I was planning to ask you at home today. But you panicked…”

Karishma blushed. Then she spoke defiantly to hide her embarrassment, “For someone born and brought up in the film industry, you are too filmy in real life too.”

“What can be done? I fell for a middle-class girl, who knew nothing about film industry and was given to filmy antics. She didn’t realize how ridiculous they were in real life.”

“What filmy antics?”

“Her dialogs, when I asked her to accept me. And then she wrote such filmy stories, I just had to get her into the industry. By my side!”

She blushed again and hid her face in his chest.

“I have to finish a dubbing. Won’t take more than an hour. Can you wait?” he asked.

“I will go home…”

“No. No – I want to take you out today.”

“Where could you possibly go without being mobbed?”

“There are places, which charge not for the food, but privacy. Can you ask Ramesh to book a table for us in my favourite restaurant. He will know.”

“I am hardly dressed to go to such an exclusive place.”

Siddharth laughed, “Standing in a production house’s office, you are worried about a dress. Natasha will find something for you. Dress and whatever you need to be ready. Let me call her.” He picked up his phone, but suddenly changed his mind. “Or let it be. You go home and get ready. I will pick you up from there.”

“What happened?”

“Nothing… Just…”

“Siddharth!”

“Go home Karishma.”

“You have done this before, haven’t you?”

“What?”

“With other women?”

He sighed and smiled sadly, “Have you been spying on me?”

“What rubbish!”

“I am joking. But how did you know?”

“Once you shed your false shell, you are not that difficult to read Siddharth. And I am a writer. I can’t create characters, if I can’t read people.”

“Right!”

“But why does it bother you so much?”

“I just realized that they were… just a company for the evening… just women… they needed to look like my companion… my brand… And that’s what Natasha can create. My brand. You are… Well… You are you… My wife, of course, but not my brand. You need to look like yourself. Not like every other woman Natasha dresses up.”

Karishma almost got tears in her eyes, “You have changed beyond recognition. Or… rather the person behind that shell is nothing like anything one can guess from outside.”

He kissed her forehead. “Go home,” he said with a smile and went out to work on dubbing. Karishma recalled the time when he had forced her to wear a dress Natasha brought and she could not help wondering how things had changed.

“Sir, would you like to order something specific? Or should we bring the chef’s menu?” the waitress asked Siddharth at the restaurant.

“Chef’s menu is fine. But no alcohol please,” he replied. The waitress seemed surprised at the request, but she did not say anything.

“You can have your drink,” Karishma told him.

“I drink only when socially required to do so,” he replied.

“Waitress was surprised. So, you used to have it with others you brought here.”

“They weren’t you.”

Karishma smiled. That meant he could be himself, when he was with her. That was a good thing.

“Ramesh had told me that you are not much of a drinker.”

“Yes. I prefer being in control of my mind and body. Alcohol wrecks havoc on both.”

“You sound almost Gandhian, when you say that.”

Siddharth laughed. And he laughed so openly as Karishma had never seen him do.

“Was I that funny?” she asked.

“I found it funny! I have to acquiesce. Gandhi was a wise men. About alcohol at least. But wait. I assumed you do not drink. Do you?”

“No! Last time someone spiked my drink, my life had turned upside down!” she spoke in good humour, but Siddharth became serious.

“I had not spiked your drink that day…”

“I know… And I didn’t talk of it to make you feel bad… I was just joking…”

“I still don’t know who had spiked your drink. The bodyguard never confessed to doing that…”

“Let it go Siddharth. I don’t want to know. I don’t want to fight anyone, to punish people, or to take revenge. It’s just such a waste…”

Siddharth smiled and nodded.

He escorted her to her room after returning from the dinner.

“Sleep well, Karishma,” he said and made to go.

She was surprised and a little disappointed. He wasn’t asking her to come to his room. She could not stop herself and called him, “Siddharth!”

“Yeah?”

“I could…” she suddenly fell silent as she realized what the meaning of her proposal would be and felt shy.

“You could?” Siddharth understood what she wanted to say, but played innocent.

“Nothing… I just… I mean… I could shift to… your room…” she finally said it.

Siddharth gave his trademark smirk, went forward and pecked her on the lips. He spoke in a heavy, sensuous voice that gave Karishma goosebumps, “You are still weak Karishma. And for want of a more sophisticated word, I have to say it. I am rather horny! So, no. It’s not a good idea to have you within my reach.”

Karishma gulped hard. His proximity and his words expressing raw desire made her nervous. She stepped back to get some space, but he closed the gap and spoke again, “But three weeks is all you have. You would be better by then. And we will go to UK.”

“For the shoot,” she mumbled.

“Yeah. Sure. Of course. For the shoot,” he replied. His sweet, torturous, suggestive sarcasm was not lost on Karishma. She didn’t say anything. Finally he stepped back and left. She released her breath and realized that she had been holding it for a while.

She slept with a smile on her face that night, repeatedly recalling his words before sleeping and in her dreams.

To be continued

Unwilling Fighter (Part 12)

Posted 7 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Karishma-Siddharth

“Stop overworking yourself,” it was Siddharth at the door of her hospital room.

“When did you come back?”

“You had already started your walking exercise when I came and you have overshot the time advised by the doctor.”

“I want to get well quickly.”

“What’s the hurry?”

“We have to go to UK and finish the shoot.”

“UK isn’t going away!”

“You don’t understand.”

“I do. There are things… we could do once you are fit… in UK… or elsewhere…” he smirked.

“Shut up. I told you, you don’t understand. It is just one of the movies for you. But for me it is my first movie as a writer. I am eager to see it completed.”

“Right!” Siddharth smiled, “And I promise you that the post-production work will go at lightning speed. But you should not fight with your body. There is only so much strength it has…”

“You can not complain about me fighting anything, or anyone. You are the one who made me a fighter. I was a simple girl with simple dreams.”

Siddharth was amused as well as a little saddened, “You delude yourself. You were a fighter. Else you wouldn’t have enchanted me in our very first meeting like you did.”

“How come you came back?” Karishma changed the topic. The past was not a comfortable subject, “I thought you had work.”

“I postponed the meetings with distributors.”

“You didn’t need to. I am fine here…”

“I did need to…”

He is overcompensating, Karishma thought with some worry, but didn’t dwell on it.

“You have already seen it?” Siddharth was disappointed when he saw Karishma with the newspaper.

“What happened?”

“I… Nothing… Give me the newspaper,” he asked. She had probably not seen it yet.

“Superstar Forsakes Work to be by Ailing Wife. Refuses Meeting with Disney Executives,” Karishma repeated the headline to him. He looked embarrassed.

“You shouldn’t be reading so much. It is stressful,” he tried to take the newspaper away from her.

“No doctor told me so. I am bored of the hospital bed. Reading is my only recreation. So, are you going to find out who are all the reliable sources?”

“Huh?”

“‘Reliable sources from the hospital have informed the reporter that the superstar was even present in the operation theatre after the accident. This is something not allowed under normal circumstances, but he threw all his weight around.’ And this… ‘His refusal to make time for a short meeting with executives from the legendary Hollywood production house has generated mixed response amongst his employees. Many feel that…'”

“Stop.”

“Are you mad?” Karishma asked sincerely.

“Me? Why would I… I mean… aren’t you mad?”

“Me? I had expected worse for being the super star’s wife. This is rather kind to me. I thought it affected your rough and tough image though…”

“Blah! Articles keep coming and going. I can’t afford to keep reacting every time a story-hungry reporter comes up with some crap.”

“There isn’t much crap here though. You have been neglecting your work. You are a busy man, Siddharth. You can’t continue doing that. And I am not on my deathbed…”

“Shut up.”

“Okay. Sorry about the death thing. But refusing a meeting with Disney?”

“The real world of the film industry is not as filmy as these reporters would like to make it appear. It’s not like I sent them a dramatic note saying I don’t care about you as my wife is ill. I will fly to the US and meet these people after you are fine. I spoke to them on phone.”

“Fine. But still…”

“If you don’t want me around, you should just tell me directly.”

“Whatever I want, I am telling your directly.”

“So, you don’t mind me being around you.”

“Who doesn’t like being cared for.”

“I assume that means you don’t mind. They are going to start your physiotherapy from today. Are you comfortable with that?”

“The doctor says I am ready.”

“I asked if you are comfortable or not. If not, I will ask them…”

“Mr. Superstar,” Karishma laughed, “I can deal with you trying to be God. But trying to be a doctor can be injurious to your wife’s health.”

Siddharth smiled at her joke.

“How are you doing?” Ramesh asked Karishma over phone.

“Pretty well. I will be discharged today evening.”

“Yeah. About that… Karishma. Boss must attend this meeting with censor board…”

“So?”

“Disney executives are more understanding, distributors and directors will tolerate his whims. But censor board is another beast… They will order some random cuts, if he is not there to convince or pressurize them. Then he himself will be mad later.”

“Why are you telling all this to me? He knows, doesn’t he?”

“Yes. Still he is refusing to come because he wants to be there for your discharge. Can you please ask him to come for the screening before censor board.”

“Oh! I see…”

“Will you?”

“Yeah. Sure. I mean, I will try for sure…”

“Thanks Karishma.”

“Hey. Do you also have to be in the meeting?”

“Not if he goes.”

“Okay.”

“You have an army of staff. Just ask one of them to be with me,” Karishma argued with Siddharth.

“If I have to send a deputy, it will be for my work. Not for my personal commitments. And the reporters will hound you outside the hospital and at home.”

“And then you will be mad at everyone if the censor orders something you don’t like.”

“Well…”

“Listen. Will Ramesh be free? He can be with me. You do trust him, don’t you? And he will know how to handle media too.”

Siddharth sighed, “Fine! You are hell-bent upon sending me.”

“Yes. I am.”

“Won’t you come in, Ramesh?” Karishma asked when Ramesh dropped her home after her discharge.

“I have to go home Karishma. I have promised my two-year old to take him out today.”

“So sweet! I won’t detain you then. Bye. And thanks a lot.”

“Thanks to you. Else a tsunami would have hit the office tomorrow.”

Karishma just smiled in response and then went in. She was surprised to see Siddharth in her room.

“You are back?”

“Yeah. You were already discharged when my meeting got over. So, I thought I will meet you here.”

“That was a good idea. You didn’t need to come to the hospital. Weren’t you sick of the hospital? I was!” she sat down on the bed. She still had to be careful about her movements and some weakness was still there.

“I actually felt sick of this house when I came here. This place is used to your presence. Karishma…” he stopped and she looked at him questioningly. He continued, “I want you to… stay in my room. That’s your right place. If you can…”

“Siddharth!”

He held her hand and made her stand up to face him. “I am sorry. For everything I did. I was acting on some mad rage for which… I have no justification. If you would give me a chance, I promise you I will spend my life making it up to you.”

“Stop please!”

“You don’t believe me?”

“It’s not that. But…”

“But?”

“I don’t know if this is how you see things. But people want to spend their lives with someone who loves them, who can accept them. It may sound funny, but for a middle-class girl like me, being loved by him is more important than being able to love your partner. You married me out of anger, out of a need to crush me, defeat me. I appreciate it that things have changed. You have been very caring and you regret all that happened wrong. But regret is not good enough. Regret does not mean love. Under normal circumstances, you would never have thought of a girl like me. I may have taken a high moral stand against you given your behaviour. But socially and otherwise… You are on far higher grounds. Girls like me do not get husbands like you. You have to ask yourself. What you want right now – is it anything more than regret? If not – it is not a good idea. And if you just want to move on, I won’t come in your way. I won’t ask for an alimony, if we divorce. And I won’t create a media circus. I promise!”

Siddharth let her hands go and took a step back from her. He looked stunned and hurt at first, but thoughtful later.

“You need to take rest,” he said completely changing the topic, “The physiotherapist will come in the evening. I have asked the housekeeper to arrange for any equipments you might need.”

Then he went out of the room. Karishma looked after him thoughtfully. Was he angry? Or was he just considering what she had said? She realized that it was difficult for her to remain calm about this uncertainty. She wanted him to decide quickly. And decide what?

To be continued

Unwilling Fighter (Part 11)

Posted 12 CommentsPosted in English, Inspired, Karishma-Siddharth

“Ramesh! Long time…”

“Long time indeed.”

“Your boss keeps you busy I guess. I thought I would use this opportunity to meet you,” Karishma joked.

“Boss is actually surprising everyone in the office these days.”

“How so?”

“He is… being nice to people. It is giving rise to gossips.”

“Gossips? For being nice?” Karishma laughed slightly.

“Yeah. That his wife has done some witchcraft to change him.”

“Witchcraft to change someone to be nicer. That would be the job of some real witch.”

Ramesh smiled, “Something is definitely different. And you look happier too.”

“I am not fighting things, Ramesh. So long as I get to do what I like…”

“Sure. Karishma, I don’t want to intervene. But there is something I have wanted to tell you for quite some time.”

“Yeah?”

“It’s a little awkward. But please don’t get offended…”

“Don’t create suspense Ramesh. Let that job be with the writers. Come out with it.”

“You know when he had followed you to Delhi and you had refused to talk to him…”

“Yeah?”

“He was angry and well… as a not-so-nice part of my job I had arranged to call his favourite escort. He got angry and turned her away. And he asked me not to call anyone on my own… And since then I haven’t!”

It was indeed awkward. “I… don’t know… how to react to that,” Karishma said with a nervous smile.

“You don’t have to. I just had some information I thought you should know. Am not going to talk about it again. I should leave now. Can’t rely too much on boss’ nicety. Need to get back to work.”

“Thanks Ramesh. For everything.”

“Anytime.”

It was a hit and run case. Karishma was returning from Pune after attending a literary event. A truck hit the car from behind. The highway had no traffic at that point of time and no one saw the truck or its number. Thankfully a bike rider passed from there soon after and got help for them.

Since Siddharth reached the hospital, he hadn’t left her side. He had forced the doctors to allow him even in the operation theater. The bone fractures would take some time to heal, but they would be all right. They feared the head injury most though. “We have to wait for her to get conscious to assess the impact, if any,” they had said. He had just nodded.

He had fallen asleep by her bedside holding her hands. She was still asleep when he woke up. He bent and kissed her hands lightly. Then he buried his head in them, “Don’t leave me. I am sorry. I am sorry for everything and I will spend my life making it up to you. Give me one chance. Just one chance Karishma. If you want I will even let you go. But not like this… Come back, please….”

“Siddharth,” he heard her weak voice and looked up.

“Oh my God! You are awake… No. No – don’t try to move. I must call the doctor. Is there any pain? Of course, there is… I mean in your head… Wait… Let me…”

“Calm down,” her voice was weak, but her thoughts coherent.

“Yes… Right… I should be the one telling you to do that… Let me call the doctor.” He used his mobile phone instead of going out.

“Were you…” she started to speak after he disconnected the call.

“Don’t talk. You can’t lose your energy…”

“With all this glucose dripping into my blood…”

“Shut up. Will you?”

“Were you apologizing to me, when I woke up? Or was I dreaming?”

“I was apologizing and I will apologize a thousand times more, but please shut up for the time being.”

“Looks like I found the hard route I was supposed to take,” she smiled faintly.

“Oh God! No. Stop talking like that. I never wanted you to… Shut up. Just shut up, okay?”

“Is the driver fine?”

“I don’t know.”

“Then find out.”

“I am not going anywhere. Let the doctor come. He will tell you. Here he is… Doctor. She doesn’t stop talking. Ask her to…”

“That’s a good sign Mr. Sen, if she is talking coherently. Ma’am. Can you tell me your name?”

“Karishma.”

Doctor asked a few more questions to test her memory, general coherence and vision.

“There is nothing to worry about, Mr. Sen. She is all right. The physical injuries will take time to heal and there will be some weakness too. But she will recover in three to four weeks.”

“Thank you, doctor.”

“Doctor. How is the driver?” she asked.

“He is fine. His injuries were not severe. Truck had hit from behind. So… He had lost consciousness only for a while. In fact, he was the one who asked the motorcyclist for help.”

“Thanks.”

“What are you going to do to the driver?” she asked after the doctor left.

“Why are we talking about the driver?”

“His wife just had a baby. Don’t fire him. It wasn’t his fault.”

“I won’t. Anything else you want?”

“Yes.”

“What?”

“After I recover, I want to go to UK.”

“I thought that was something I wanted.”

“So? If you want something, it becomes unthinkable for others? They can want it as well?”

“I will compromise a bit. You can want it. No one else can.”

Both of them smiled. Then he spoke again, “Thank you.”

“For what?”

“For not losing the will to live. They say that willpower is important in recovery in such… circumstances. I was scared the entire time if you had the will to live after all I had done to you…”

“You are a complicated man, Siddharth. But you challenge me.”

“I like… I love challenging you.”

To be continued