Happy YUDKBH Day to all of us 🩷🩷

It's been 7 years, yet it feels like just yesterday when Sameer and Naina walked into our lives like a breath of fresh air, and changed it forever. Who would have thought that they will rule our hearts like this, for years to come. 

It was the sound of a persistent ring that made Sameer snap back to the surroundings. Overwhelmed by the situation and unable to keep his emotions in check, he had broken down completely when Naina comforted him, providing the solace of her arms. The sound of ring jolted him, forcing him to gather some semblance of composure as he reluctantly pulled away from her embrace, wiping his eyes with the back of his hand.

Naina felt awkward once the small distance was created between them. She couldn't fathom what had prompted her to take such a bold step to console him. The sight of him in tears, for the same guilt that had been gnawing at the back of her mind, had stirred an understanding in her. It wasn't the arrogant, haughty Sameer, but someone whose heart ached at the thought of losing a loved one, someone who was vulnerable to the feelings he had for his family, because he valued them. Holding him had felt natural in the moment. Yet now, she was questioning her own action. 

In spite of her confusion, she couldn't stop herself from asking, 'Tum theek ho?'

His eyes shot up to her, searching her face for any sign that she was mocking him, but found none. He swallowed, dipping his head a little before letting out the same question in a gentle voice, 'Aur tum?'

Giving a small nod, Naina pulled out the phone from her pocket. The moment she checked the screen, her brows furrowed. 

With an uncertain look, she turned the screen for Sameer to see, 'Kya bolun?'

Sameer gasped as he stared at his sister's name on Naina's phone. Anaya was not good at handling herself when she was faced with difficult situations. And at present, she was alone in Mumbai.

'Naina, please usey abhi mat batana. Anu akele khud ko nahi sambhal payegi.' He checked the time on his watch before adding, 'Aadhe ghante mein uski flight hai. Jab woh yahan aa jayegi tab bata denge.'

Naina did not ask any question as she took the call.

'Thank God aapne toh pick kiya.' Anaya's voice was loud enough for Sameer to hear clearly in the silence of deserted corridor and room. 

'Sorry Anu, main...' Naina's gaze flickered to Sameer before putting the call on speaker, '...main kuch kaam...'

'No no please.' Anaya interjected, her voice filled with the same tease as always, 'Aapke personal time ki details nahi chahiye bhabhi dear. Bas itna batana tha ki meri flight aadha ghanta delay ho gayi hai. Aap log wait mat karna.'

Naina tried to keep her voice light, 'Tum dhyan se aana Anu. Yahan ki fikr mat karo.'

Anaya's voice turned sulky, 'Waise toh wahan bhi kisi ko meri fikr nahi hai. Lunch ke baad se kisi ne call tak nahi kiya. Aur jab main mummy ko call karne lagi toh unka phone off hai. Bhai ka bhi. Sab log pata nahi kis duniya mein rehte hain. Group pe mere text pe kisi ne respond tak nahi kiya.' 

Naina pursed her lips, thinking of an appropriate reply but before she could find one, Anaya was back to her chirpy self, 'No worries bhabhi. Kal sabki class lungi, bas aapki nahi. I know you have been busy. Chalo see you tomorrow. Aap please mummy ko bhi keh dena main dinner nahi karne wali isliye jaagte rehne ka koi meaning nahi hai. Unhe time par sona chahiye. She needs to take care of her health. Bye.'

After the call, Naina looked at Sameer, feeling uneasy with the weight of holding back such critical information. He recognised the fraught concern in her eyes. 

'Woh abhi choti hai Naina.' He offered the reason, 'Hyper ho jayegi. Usey samajh nahi ayega kya karna hai. Waise bhi abhi airport pe hai. Wapas aa hi rahi hai. Agar abhi usey mummy ki condition ke baare mein pata chal gaya toh uske liye agle do teen ghante nikalna mushkil ho jayega.'

With a nod, Naina put the phone back in her pocket. Just then, the nurse again peeked into the room and asked Sameer to get something for Naina to eat. Naina insisted that she didn't want but the nurse was firm, saying that they would have to administer an IV if Naina did not agree.

Sameer concurred with her, 'She's right Naina. Main lekar aata hun. Doctor se bhi mil lunga.' He then looked at the nurse, 'Kya tab tak meri wife is room mein rest kar sakti hai? Ya fir aap humein ek room dila dijiye.'

'Sorry sir, inko patient bana kar register nahi kiya gaya isliye room allot nahi ho sakta. Lekin yeh nursing station ka rest room hain. Ma'm yahan ruk sakti hain. Main night duty wali nurse ko inform kar dungi.' Nurse politely told them.

Once Naina was alone in the room, she leaned back against the propped up pillow, her eyes unfocused as her thoughts drifted to the morning that now seemed like a distant memory. How excited she was. But now, it felt like the memory of a different lifetime. Just in the blink of an eye, everything had changed... and how drastically. She drew in a shuddering breath, trying to push away all negative thoughts from her mind.

Again, she was distracted by the ring on her phone. Seeing the name, she sat up with a jerk, and looked around worriedly. She could not take the video call at this time. After the ringing stopped, she pressed the green button.

'Hi jaaneman.' Natasha's voice crooned in her ear, 'Humse nazren chura rahe ho, aisa kya kaand kar diya jo chupa rahe ho?'

'Nutty.' Naina rolled her eyes, 'Can you be normal for once?'

'Main toh normal hi hun sweetie tu bata tujhe kya hua? Mera video call kyon nahi liya?' Natasha continued in her usual excitement. 

Naina smiled faintly, 'Abhi main kahin aur hun isliye. Ek din bina dekhe bhi baat kar sakte hain.'

'Kyon meri jaan? Mera chehra ab pasand nahi kya tujhe? Ya fir koi aur reason hai?' Natasha's tone was still light but carried a hint of curiosity.

'Reason weason kuch nahi. Bas bahar hun isliye achha nahi lagta. Chal main baad mein baat karungi. I'll call you tomorrow.' Naina replied, trying to sound normal, but her voice was restrained. 

Natasha had always been quick to pick up on her friend's moods. She immediately sensed the change. The laughter in her voice dimmed, 'Naina, you okay? Sameer ne fir se kuch kiya hai kya?'

Knowing Natasha, Naina was aware that she would fuss over her hence she did not want to tell anything at the moment, replying in a casual voice, 'Nahi yaar. It's nothing. Just tired. Hectic schedule tha na. Thak gayi. I want to rest.'

The carefree tone vanished from Natasha's voice, replaced by concern, 'What's wrong Naina? Sach bata kya hua hai. I know kuch problem hai. Do second pehle tuney kaha bahar hun aur ab keh rahi hai rest karna hai. Tujhe pata hai na tujhse jhooth nahi bola jaata. So don't try. Bol jaldi. nahi toh main abhi Sameer ko call karke usse puchti hun.'

Naina swallowed, not wanting to burden her but finding it hard to keep the heaviness from her words, 'Nutty, mummy... mummy hospital mein hain. She's... badly hurt.'

'What?' Natasha's voice was filled with shock and panic, 'Kya hua unhe? Accident hua kya? Is she fine? Aur kisi ko bhi lagi hai?' 

Naina told her about the incident, giving her a complete picture of the situation.

Natasha's heart sank, 'Ab aunty theek hain na? She'll be fine, right?' She knew what Naina must be going through at this moment. 

Naina bit her lip, struggling to keep her emotions in check, 'Doctor ne kaha hai kal subah tak monitor karenge. Tabhi kuch keh sakte hain.' 

Natasha's voice wavered, still unable to process the news, 'Naina, I need to see you. Video on kar.'

Naina silently pressed on the video button. Natasha's usual expression was replaced by deep concern. Her eyes roved over Naina's face before she asked, 'Tu kaisi hai? Are you okay?'

'Main toh theek hun Nutty. Mujhe kuch nahi hua. Bas yeh ek chota sa cut hai.' Naina pointed at her forehead, a lump of guilt again forming in her throat, 'Mummy ne mujhe kuch hone hi nahi diya.'

There was a brief pause before Natasha's voice softened, 'Aunty ko blood dekar tuney bhi toh unhe bacha liya baby. I'm sure she'll be fine. Unhe kuch nahi hoga. Dekh lena.'

Naina took a deep breath, her voice shaky but hopeful, 'Haan Nutty, unhe kuch nahi hona chahiye. She'll get better. Kal subah hum unse mil payenge.'

A little relieved at the optimistic look on her friend's face, Natasha subtly voiced another concern, 'Remember Diwali se pehle jab hum NGO mein donation dene gaye the toh wahan blood donation ka camp laga tha? Wahan tujhe blood donate nahi karne diya tha kyonki tere hemoglobin levels kam they. Doctor ne kaha tha it can effect your health badly.'

Naina recalled that moment vividly, but it did not matter, 'Main bilkul theek hun Nutty.  Ab tak Hemoglobin level increase ho gaya hoga.'

Natasha's eyes widened, her tone serious, 'Hoga ka kya matlab? Kya hospital mein test nahi hua? Bina uske koi hospital blood nahi leta.'

Naina quietly answered, 'Hua tha. Lekin maine nurse ko request kiya ki main apna khyal rakh lungi par please meri mummy ko kuch nahi hona chahiye. Mushkil hui par maine usey convince kar liya.'

Natasha stared at her in disbelief. But it was no use reprimanding her. Instead, she softened even more, 'Naina, meri jaan, main bhi nahi chahti ki aunty ko kuch ho. Main bhi unhe healthy dekhna chahti hun. Par tu jaanti hai na tune bohot bada risk liya hai.'

Naina fought back the sting of tears that appeared at the corner of her eyes, 'Toh aur kya karti main? Chupchap mummy ko aisi condition mein dekhti rehti? Yeh jaante hue bhi ki unki haalat ki zimmedar main hun? Nutty, meri zindagi itni keemti nahi hai ki iske liye ek aur maa ko jaan deni pade. No, I could not let that happen again. Agar mummy ko kuch ho jaata toh main... main bhi zinda nahi reh paati Nutty. Is baar main bhi khud ko khatm kar leti.'

And she cut the call, without listening to what Natasha had to say.

Standing behind the door, Sameer was stunned. What he had just heard was not making complete sense yet what he could gather was not only heart rending but horrifying too. Did she really mean it? Would she have ended her life if...

He shuddered, stalling his thoughts to take that direction. He had reached the room with sandwiches and coffee, only to find Naina telling someone about the accident. When he heard Natasha's voice a moment later, he realised she was on a video call, like always. He was about to leave, to give privacy to them when Natasha's concerned voice fell in his ears, talking about the risk Naina had taken by donating blood. If that information had shocked him, what Naina said after that left him completely flabbergasted. What did she mean when she said same thing could not happen again? Why was she holding herself responsible for the accident? How could she even think of ending her own life? 

His mind swirled with several questions and fears, but he could not ask Naina for the answers yet. Maybe someday, when she would trust him again. He drew in a long breath, preparing himself to go to her, without showing any hint of what he had overheard. 

Naina was standing near the window, her eyes fixed on the well lit hospital premises. The soft glow of the lights from outside did little to soothe the lines on her forehead. Looking at her slumped shoulders, he could feel the weight of tension evident in her posture. He took a step closer, wanting to say something comforting, but the words got stuck in his throat. 

Sensing his presence, Naina looked over her shoulder. She quickly turned around when she saw him, 'Doctor se miley?  Kuch kaha unhone? Mummy ko hosh aaya kya?'

Sameer felt a tightening in his chest at the raw fear in her eyes. He had never seen her this shaken, and it pained him. 

His voice turned soft, 'Doctor abhi round pe hain. Unke assistant ne bataya situation mein koi change nahi hai. But he said it is a good sign. Agar mummy ki condition stable rehti hai toh unhe koi khatra nahi hai.'

Her lips pressed together, as if she was trying to suppress the turmoil from spilling over. 

He pointed at the packet of food, 'Please tum khana kha lo. Main coffee bhi laaya tha par woh thandi ho gayi. Tum khao main dusri lekar aata hun.' 

'It's okay.' Naina responded before he could even turn to go, 'Mujhe nahi chahiye. Yeh kaafi hai.' 

She unwrapped one sandwich and placed it on the paper plate. Then she held it to Sameer, 'Tum bhi kha lo.'

'Nahi Naina tum khao.' He urged, gently pushing back her hand, 'Tumhare liye zaruri hai. Mujhe waise bhi bhookh nahi hai.'

'Mujhe bhi nahi hai.' She uttered drily, 'Kaise kha sakti hun, jab mummy wahan iss haal mein hain. Aur hum unke liye kuch nahi kar sakte.' 

Sameer reached out to take the plate from her and put it on the side table. Then he sat down on the bed, facing her. 

His voice was gentle when he addressed her fears, 'Naina, mujhe Harish ne bataya wahan kya hua tha. Deewar ke tootne se uchal kar ek bada pathhar mummy ke sar pe jaa laga. Ismein kisi ki galti nahi hai. Yeh ek haadsa tha, an accident.' 

Naina squeezed her eyes shut, the scene playing behind her eyelids, 'Lekin unhone mujhe bachane ke liye...'

Sameer put his hand on her fisted one, cutting her outburst, 'Tumhe bachane ke baad woh khud wahin thodi ruki thi. Mummy bhi toh wahan se hat gayi thi. Haina? Jo pathhar unhe laga woh kisi ko bhi lag sakta tha. Tumhe bhi. Lekin agar mummy tumhe wahan se nahi kheenchti toh poori chatt tum par gir jaati. Unhone tumhe bachaya zarur, par unhe chot iss wajah se  nahi aayi. Tumhari wajah se kuch nahi hua. Understand? Don't blame yourself. Balki tumne toh mummy ke liye itna bada risk liya hai jo aisi condition mein...'

Naina's look of surprise made him halt abruptly, the realisation hitting him a little too late. 

'Tumhe nurse ne bataya hoga.' Naina looked away with a frown, 'Usey manaa karna bhool gayi main.' She then turned her gaze back to him, 'Aisa kuch nahi hai. Bas thoda sa kam tha required limit se. Mera HB hamesha kam hi rehta hai, isliye mujhe aadat hai. There's no problem.'

Sameer noticed the dark shadows under her eyes, the pallor on her face, the lines on her brow and the slight tremor in her voice. She was trying to downplay her state, hiding the frailty behind a stern facade. She had put herself at risk, only to save his mom. He always thought such people only existed in stories, but here she was, in front of him, like an angel who had appeared at the time of their utmost need. Today, he not only loved her but his heart filled up with reverence at her selfless gesture.

He picked up the plate of sandwich and placed it in front of her, 'Main tumhari baat maan leta hun. Par iske liye tumhe bhi meri baat manni padegi. Eat this.'

Naina picked the other wrapped packet and opened it partially, taking a bite from it as she pushed back the plate towards Sameer, 'Share kar lete hain. You also need to eat.'

It was a struggle for Naina to swallow the food, her throat tight with emotions. Sameer's words echoed in her mind, leaving her thoughts in a state of mess. Her own brother had not hesitated once before accusing her for their mother's death. Rather, he had put the entire blame on her, holding her responsible for the way their lives turned out. That she was just a three year old child at the time of the unfortunate incident did not deter him from spewing hatred on her. Even her father, who did not say it in as much words but his behaviour towards his own daughter was forever filled with disdain. His coldness, his distance, spoke volumes, as if he too believed she was the one responsible. The two people, who were her own blood, her only family, had put the weight of unspoken accusation on her shoulders all her life, though she was not even aware of it till her brother told her a few months back. 

And yet, here was Sameer, absolving her completely of any blame for Ambika's accident, with such sincerity and compassion. 

The contrast was too stark for her to absorb. How an unknown person be this sensitive and empathetic towards her when she herself was seeing it as her fault? 

A sudden bout of cough wracked her, making her gasp for breath. 

'Main paani lekar aata hun.' Sameer panicked, getting up urgently.

'Paani hai mere paas.' Speaking in a hoarse voice, Naina waved at her bag. She always carried a bottle of water. 

Sameer quickly grabbed the bag and set it in front of her. Naina pulled out the bottle, uncapped it hastily to take two long gulps, breathing a little easy as the water soothes the scratchy feeling in her throat. 

'Sorry, mujhe paani laana yaad hi nahi raha.' Sameer gave her an apologetic look, 'Can I also have some? Mujhe bhi sandwich thoda dry lag raha hai.'

Without a thought, Naina handed him the bottle. 

It was a few hours later that Anaya rushed into the room, her face contorted in panic.

'Aapne bataya kyon nahi bhai?' Her eyes filled with frantic tears, 'Kaisi hain mummy? Kahan hain? I want to see her.'

Sameer held her shoulders, 'Anu, mummy yahan nahi hain. Woh observation room mein hai.'

Anaya's voice trembled, 'Kyon? Is she... in danger?'

'Hope not.' Sameer gave her a tight smile, 'Kal subah doctor humein good news hi denge.'

Tears spilled out of Anaya's eyes, 'Mujhe mummy ko dekhna hai bhai. Please.'

'Hush Anu.' Sameer took her in his arms, gently stroking the back of her head, 'Unse milna abhi possible nahi hai. Par hum sab kal subah unse mil sakte hain. Tab tu dekh bhi lena aur baatein bhi kar lena. Ab chup ho jaa. Aise rote nahi hain. Mummy will be fine.'

'Promise?' Her muffled voice rose from his chest.

'I promise.' Sameer dropped a comforting kiss on her head, 'Mummy ko kuch nahi hoga.'

Apparently shaken by the news, Anaya sobbed in his arms as she gave him an account of her confusion when Harish brought her here instead of taking her home. The driver had told her about the incident only after reaching the hospital.

Suddenly, she pulled back, searching around. Her eyes went wide as she took in Naina's bandaged forehead.

'Bhabhi.' She gasped, a fresh stream of tears rolling down her cheeks, 'Aapko bhi itni chot aayi hai.'

'Anu mujhe kuch nahi hua.' Naina wiped her tears with the back of her hand, 'Bas ek choti si chot hai.'

'Bhabhi.' Anaya hugged her, crying on her shoulder, 'I'm so sorry ki main aapko phone pe tang kar rahi thi jabki aap yahan itne pain mein thi.'

Naina soothed her, 'Tumhe thodi pata tha. Bas karo. Aise nahi rote. Sab theek ho jayega.'

Though Anaya insisted on staying in the hospital, Sameer and Naina convinced her to go home and come back later in the morning. Sameer had borrowed a charger from one of the doctor's assistant. Meanwhile, Naina had managed to get in touch with Girish and updated him on the situation. They had been on site all day, which was outside the city hence could not be reached earlier. Booking a late night flight, they were also to reach early morning. 

They all hoped for the same... to see Ambika smiling back at them in the morning. 

Next update on Sunday