Hi all, I'm really sorry for the delay in updating the
next part. I was actually lost on how to continue, so please forgive me if it doesn't make sense.
Part 14
"Virat, I'm done with my scans. Now it time for the needles. Are you
coming?" Manvi's voice stirred Virat off his thoughts. "So
fast?" Virat quizzed her in amazement."Chep, kaha kogaye tum? It was
almost an hour since I left for my scans Buddhu. Are you coming or not?" she
scowled at him. "Agar mera beena tum yeh saab karsakthe, toh jao?" he
smirked her while she shot him you-will-pay-for-this look. "Ok meri jaan,
shanth ho jao. I was just kidding. I was just lost in our old memories here,
that I didn't realize time flew so fast until you nudged me off my
thoughts" he replied her as he held her hand and walked in for the blood
test. Manvi inhale and exhale so heavily
to overcome her fear the moment she saw the needles. "Bandariya, why are
you performing rhythmic breathing? You are not here for delivery only for blood
test, so stop practicing Bhabhi's prenatal class lessons here" he told
her. Manvi was startled with his comments; she felt blood gushing to her cheeks
in anger and embarrassment. Dr Shashank
and the nurses were having a tough time controlling their laughter. Virat
volunteered his arms for Manvi to plunge her nails while they draw blood from
her. Manvi took a deep breath, gave Virat a jeering look and finally announced
"Dr Shashank, I'm ready. You can take my blood." while trying to look
brave. "Manvi, we have taken enough blood that is required. Do you want us
take more from you?" Dr Shashank chuckled while Virat burst out laughing.
"Kya? Kaab? When did all this happen?"
she gasped in astonishment. "Oh, we took it when you were immersed in your
anger, as per Virat's signal" Dr Shashank explained. Manvi was speechless;
she endured her dreadful fear without even realizing it. Then came the most
painful session for both Virat & Manvi, it was time for biopsy to extract
her bone marrow sample. It hurts Virat every time to see her in pain during the
procedure and how Manvi suppress all the pain within her as she knows her
slightest cry or moan would break him into pieces.
"Manvi, we are done with all the tests, the report should be ready by
tomorrow evening. You should rest for at least an hour before going home. By the
way your old room is available; our patient was just discharged yesterday. Do
you want to rest there? " Dr Shashank asked her. "That will be great
Dr." Virat answered on her behalf. Virat slowly helped her to the room as
she was in pain. The moment they entered the room, old memories swamped them.
The room interior was still maintained minus the photographs and her personal
belongings. Manvi rested on his lap while he stroked her gently like a baby.
"You feeling better Manvi" he finally broke the silence. "Yeah,
I'm much better now" she answered.
"Virat, it feels so different to be back in this room? It seems
like everything happened yesterday but it is almost a year now na" she
continued. "Haan Manvi, these four walls holds too many memories for us,
the place we found our love, our meaning of life. Those beautiful moments that
will be cherished for lifetime. Now you try to get some rest, I will be
here" he assured her. Virat drifted back to his flashback while Manvi
rested in his lap.
******* Flashback************
Jeevika, Viren,Vanshika along with Beeji and Dabbu went to temple early in
morning to pray for Manvi and arrived
early at the hospital since it was Manvi's chemotherapy. None of them were
surprised to see Virat there except for Beeji and Dabbu but neither of them
questioned him. She was glad that she
had her whole family with her as her pillar of strength except for Madan
chachu, Pinky Chachi and Badi Beeji who left heavy heartedly to Rishikesh after
her birthday celebration. The whole family prayed for her while she endured the
most dreadful treatment. Although Manvi was on mild chemo but the effect of
chemo was evident. She was weak but pretended to be strong for the sake of
everyone. Everyone was in solemn mood but it was only Dabbu who was trying to
cheer his partner in crime, his favorite Di while her Jiju and Virat were in
serious discussion. Even in the midst of his discussion, Virat never missed to
glance at her in midst of his discussion to ensure she was alright.
Manvi was glad that Dabbu stayed back in Chandigarh as it was his college
break. She missed her Dabbu, her punching bag. No matter how much she bullied
him, tortured him but she adored him equally. Despite his identity crisis
whether he was their third sister or their Bhai, he was the one of the best
sibling anyone can have. Till today, she failed to understand whether Dabbu is
indeed a Dabba or is he pretending to be one. At times, he can be so clueless,
so naive, so easily manipulated and lured with food but at times, he is so
mature, so understanding, caring and protective over his sister. He was their self-appointed
bodyguard. Most of the time, it seems like he voluntarily allow her to
manipulate him just to see the smile in her face. She clearly recall the
moments where he was watching her back while she and her Di sneaked to meet Dr Manan, how he handled the
situation when she tried to stay away from the
wedding and how he was never lenient when it came to her health and
medication. Dabbu's non- stop bakwas made Manvi forget her pain, "I guess
it runs in the blood. Both Dabba and Dabbi can just go on and on like beena
break ki gaadi as how Virat regards both of them." Manvi thought to
herself and smiled.
Dabbu was reluctant to leave but Beeji insisted that Manvi needed to rest.
Jeevika wanted to stay with Manvi but Manvi managed to persuade her otherwise.
She knew Jeevika will be devastated to see her in pain, so she managed to
convince her Di that she was perfectly alright. Jeevika left with a heavy heart
but her worries vanished when Virat assured her "Bhabhi, Main hoon na. Why fear
when Virat is here. I will accompany Manvi today. Beeji and Dabbu will feel
awkward without your presence at home. I will keep you updated Bhabi" he told
her as he accompanied her to their car. Jeevika was relieved with Virat's
assurance and left for home. She knew Manvi was in good hands. Virat rocked
Manvi to sleep in his arms, neither one uttered a single word. The silence filled
the night; for once they both enjoyed their silence which conveyed their
feelings that words didn't. He stayed with her till wee hours to ensure she is
really asleep before bidding her goodnight and leaving home every night. He was
the last leave and the first to arrive every day, Manvi starts her day with his
smile and ends her day in his arms.
Manvi was scheduled for 8 cycles of chemo and each cycle of chemo lasted
for a week of treatment and two weeks of recovery. Slowly the side effects
kicked in as she went through her treatment. She was vomiting and feeling nausea
all the time that she could hardly eat. She was beginning to lose weight but
still stood strong with her will to overcome it. No matter how weak she was,
she insists on her daily visit to the garden. She pleaded so badly that Virat
was unable to resist. Initially he helped her to the garden and eventually she
had to be aided by wheelchair. It shattered him so badly to see his Bandariya
in such a state but she never failed to smile every day and that made him smile
as well. The positivity that she emitted with her smile made everyone else smile;
she was their pillar of strength instead. Viren was worried for Jeevika but her
determination was remarkable. He was surprised that she was so strong and her
faith on neither Manvi nor God has faded.
"Virat..." she called out softly while he was cradling her to
sleep."Hmmm bolo Bandariya" he replied softly. "Kuch nahi, just felt like
hearing your voice" she lied. Virat sensed the hesitance in her voice, he
made her sit and tilt her delicate face to meet his eyes; "Kya hua
Manvi" he asked her while trying to read her expression. Manvi was unable
to control herself any longer; she hugged him tightly and cried her heart out.
Virat was confused but he wrapped his arms around her and stroking her hair
while he let her wept her heart out; vent out all her emotions that she bottled
in herself. "Mujhe darr laghta hai Virat" she finally spoke while
still sobbing. I'm really scared Virat. I have tried to pretend to be strong
but deep inside me, I'm very scared. When I look at myself in the mirror, I
hardly recognize the girl that I see in the mirror. Just look at me Virat, gone
was Manvi Chaudary; it is only..." "Shhh, aur kuch mat bolo Manvi" he shushed her.
"You are still the same old Bandariya that I knew. Your eyes still has the same jadoo, the same glint
when I saw you for the first time through the partition in
Riskhikesh, your smile still melts my heart and soothes my soul, your
touch still makes my heart skip its rhythm,
your voice, your laughter is still the most divine music to my ears. You are
still the most beautiful person to me Bandariya, and you will still be the most
beautiful person to me even when you became Dadi to my grandchildren. Tum
hamesha mere khubsoorat Bandariya
lagengi" he told her. "Even when I have wrinkles on my face, lose my
teeth like the witch in snow white story" she asked again with a sly
smile. "You were never an angel Bandariya, Bade Beeji told me the very
first day that you were a daayan. Wonder what spell you cast on me, I will still
love you even if you look like any witch from Shlok's fantasy collection"
he assured her. "Ouch, that hurts! He pretended to be hurt as she
playfully hit him. "What was that for?" he asked her. "For
calling me a Daayan!" she replied back. "Hare wah, you asked whether
I will still love you if you look like a witch, and this is what I get for
giving you an honest answer. Kya zamana hai mere Bhagwan" he mocked her
back. "Virat, jokes aside, I have this weird feeling, and not sure whether
is it fear or something else. Whenever I see other patients during the chemo
session, it freaks me out. Sometimes I feel like giving up, I don't even know
whether there is any more strength left in me to continue but I still carry on
for Di and you. I see small kids going through so much of pain at this tender
age, I really wonder how can they bear
so much of pain when adults like me are struggling to bear it" she told him. Virat wonders how she still manage
to put other's pain and suffering before hers even in this state. Her selfless
nature indeed makes her one of her kind. "Virat, why does God make us go
through this? Why must anyone ever suffer this pain? Kya kasoor hai
hamara?" she asked him.
Her question struck him like lightning, left him in dumbfound as tears
stroll from his eyes. Manvi felt drops
of tears on her, she tried to look at him but he hugged her so closely in his
arms, so that she won't be able to see him in tears. She hugged him back to
absorb his agony."Manvi, I don't have answers for all your questions. I'm
not sure whether anyone else will have the answer for it but I will promise to
ask Him when I meet him one fine day. You will have to bear with me till then
coz I'm not leaving you nor I'm letting
you leave me anytime soon; at least for another 100 years. Samjha mere jaan!" he told her as he
cupped her face in his hand. "Manvi, I know the pain that you are going
through is unbearable but I will assure you that it will not be forever. I will
do whatever it takes to end this and promise you the happiness that you deserve.
I just need you to trust me, be my Jhansi Ki Rani and never ever give up the
battle. Main tujhe kuch nahi hone donga" he assured her. "Virat, I
trust you with my life" she told him. "Ab tum soh joa, raat kafi
hogaye Manvi" he told her."Virat, will stay back with me tonight? I don't
why but I feel very lonely and scared Virat. I can't tell this to Di, you know
how pareshaan she will get, uskhi waja Jiju
be pareshaan hoga" she explained to him in her pleading tone.
"Mein rahonga tumara saat, don't worry Manvi. Mein hoon na, ab tum soh
joa" he placed a kiss on her forehead and assured her. Although Virat was
happy that she confided her fear to him but he was equally worried for her. He
hardly slept the whole night thinking about Manvi and her sudden fear.
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