Another Half Of Me - Chapter 43

She was standing in the balcony as he came and circled his arms around her. His lips grazed the blades of her shoulder and she felt age old sensations rising in her. He turned her towards and she looked his eyes. Clutching his face, she watched him as his eyes travelled over her face trying to register every detail. Suddenly, he shattered into million particles and vanished in air.

She looked at her hands and found nothing but emptiness. Turning around, she saw him going away towards the horizon. As he turned, she offered her hand and he held it for some time and slowly let it go. She felt his touch all the way to her soul but as he let go, the tell-tale bleakness surrounded her.

Stretching her arm, she tried to reach him but failed. He was gone. He will never come back. She will never see him again.

Tears fell from Roshni’s closed eyes as her body racked with sobs. She woke up screaming Siddha’s name with her hand outstretched to touch him.

Tania ran into her room and saw Roshni sitting on her bed panting hard. She took Roshni in her arms and tried consoling but couldn’t. She slumped back at the bed and kept on sobbing. Tania let her cry knowing too well that these tears might just wash away the pain of 5 years.

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Prashant laid Siddha on the bed and adjusted the drip. Sitting down next to him, he caressed his forehead thinking about what had happened. Looking at Siddha’s chest, he remembered his last words and tears fell from his eyes. Wiping them off, he stepped out of the room.

Everybody rushed towards and looked at him expecting good news but he had none.

“He has lost lots of blood. I can’t say anything before 24 hours. As of now his condition is critical.”

Everyone except Rudy slumped against the wall. He went towards the room and looked through the glass. Watching his chest rise and fall with the rhythm of breathing, he touched the glass as if willing Siddha to get up.

You have waited 5 years to see her once. Now that she is alive, you cannot die. Don’t repeat what happened 5 years ago. Please, Bhaiji, wake up.

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Roshni sat on the bed watching the television intently. Nobody was showing anything related to Siddha. Even though she had wanted to ask Tania about him but she couldn’t: not after what had happened. But, she wanted to know how he was. Switching off the TV, she rested her head against the pillow and closed her eyes.

Where are you? How are you? Why aren’t they telling me anything? Has something happened to you?

No, it can’t be, Roshni’s heart answered. Scared, she opened her eyes.

Sid was standing and talking with Tania at the doorway. Although the door was closed but she could still hear their hushed tones. Sensing something, Roshni gingerly stepped down from the bed. It has been 5 years since she has walked. Will she be able to walk again?

Putting her feet down on the floor, she clutched the bed rails and stood up. Relief washed over her as she found strength in her legs.

Clutching things on the way, she took small baby steps and reached the door. Placing her ears on the door, she strained hard to hear.

“Don’t tell Bhabhi anything right now. It’s too early.” She heard Sid say.

What were they hiding from her?

“I am not going to say anything to her. But what if she hears it from somewhere else, then what?” I can’t imagine how she is going to react,” Tania replied.

Oh, please, say it, Roshni mentally implored.

“She cannot. I am sure about that. Thank god, Bhai is out of danger now. Can’t imagine what would have happened otherwise,” Sid said moving away.

Roshni closed her eyes with relief. Siddha was fine and that was the only that mattered to her. She walked back to the bed and rested her head on the pillow. Silent tears fell from her eyes as she remembered her accusations on the day of the blast and then her attack on him. Clutching the sheet to her bosom, she buried her face and cried.

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Although Siddha was fine now but still his chest had not healed properly even after 15 days of hospital stay. Right now, everybody was trying to reason with him that he needed rest but in vain.

Finally, Siddha raised his hand and stopped them.

“There are more important things to do rather than resting.”

Looking at Rudy, he said in a commanding tone, “Find out how Roshni came to Tania’s hospital.”

“She came through a medical transfer from a hospital called St. Angelo’s in Dharamshala. Some doctor by the name of Dr. Sunil requested Dr. Suresh for this. Karan Bhaiya is there right now. So, we should know everything by tomorrow.”

Siddha looked at Rudy and smiled. He had always been there with him whenever he had needed him.

Gesturing everyone to leave, he rested his head on the pillow.

“I need you to stay,” he said looking at Rudy.

It was time to act. 

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