250😱😱😱
250🙈🙈🙈

***************************

'Please, please, God! No!'
Rohit chanted over and over, as he tried to pry Sonakshi awake.
'Aankhen kholo, Sona! Ek baar..dekho..tumhara Rohit!'
Rohit was practically shouting.

'Rohit! Beta, aise mat karo..'
Anil tried to get him to calm down, while he maneuvered the car through the afternoon traffic, to reach the hospital.

'Papa! Dekhen na! She's not waking up! Kaise hogaya yeh sab?'
Rohit caressed Sonakshi's cheek, where a large bruise was starting to show.

His mind kept going back to the scene that had unfolded before him just a little while ago.
He had been so excited to have finally reached home, to surprise Sonakshi, instead having received a surprise himself.

No! A shock, more like it!

He had seen Sonakshi coming down the stairs, a smile coming to her face, on seeing him.
Just as that had lit up everything within him, everything had darkened, as soon as he had seen her swoon and miss a step.
Every instinct had made him dash towards her, but he hadn't been quick enough, and she had rolled over at least 10 steps before he caught her at the end.

Rohit shuddered, as he remembered her wan face, and her unconscious state, in his arms. There were a couple of cuts on her forehead, but they didn't look too serious.
Despite all attempts to rouse her, as Suman, Anil and even the nanny rushed to them with water, they had been unable to wake her up.

Arihaan had hidden behind Suman, scared as to what had happened to his Mama.
Suman had tried to assure him, but he had started to cry, seeing Sonakshi's state.
'Mama! Mama!'
He had cried, when she didn't reply to him.
The only one who was unaffected was Mishaye, who thankfully stayed asleep through the whole chaos.

Rohit had lifted Sonakshi, and urged Anil to take them to the hospital. After that, it had been just a rush to leave the house, as Anil called Pulkit, who had become tensed with the news about his sister.
It had seemed easier, and less time consuming to leave by the car, than to call for an ambulance, which Pulkit had suggested.

But now, as the traffic hindered their way, Rohit wished that they had called for one, only if to get Sonakshi to the hospital on time.

'Sona! Kya hua hai? Meri awaaz to sun lo..Sona! Tum aisa nahin kar sakti mere saath..har baar. I won't let you! Kitne imtihaan lo gi mere! Please! Aisa mat karo apne Rohit ke saath!'
Rohit was on the verge of tears, still trying to shake her awake.

Anil's phone rang, and he quickly connected his Bluetooth headset.
'Han, Suman! Nahin! Sona ko hosh nahin aaya abhi tak. Or hum abhi tak traffic mein phansay hain..but closer to the hospital. Kya? Aray, unhe bhi pareshaan kar diya? Pehle hosh to ajaata..no, no..it's okay. Han, ofcourse bataunga..bye!'
Anil disconnected the call, and glanced in the mirror at Rohit, who was already looking at him curious.
'Suman ne Veena Bhabi ko bata diya, to woh bhi bohot pareshaan hogayin hain..'

'Oh, no! Mom ko? Aajkal waise hi meri wajah se...'
Rohit stopped, not wanting to disclose how Veena had been calling him day and night to come back home.
'Kher..dekh lenge..pehle Sona ko hosh ajaye..'

In the next ten minutes, Anil made shortcuts and finally stopped at the hospital's Emergency gate.
Pulkit had been pacing the floor, and came running with a couple of ward boys and a stretcher, as Rohit rushed out with Sonakshi in his arms.

Her stretcher raced through the corridors, with Rohit and Pulkit in tow.
Pulkit had already informed Dr. Asha and Dr. Malhotra, the neurophysician who had treated Rohit at the time of his accident, just in case.

Tulsi, Sonakshi's right hand nurse was on duty, and she quickly hurried to turn on the monitors and attach cables, as Sonakshi was shifted onto a hospital bed, in a private room.
Another staff cannulated her, as Pulkit barked out orders, and Rohit stood to the side.

God, please! Let her be okay! Please!

Rohit stood with his joined hands, praying for her, as the staff and doctors hovered around Sonakshi.
Tulsi quickly applied a dressing over her cuts, which were on more than just her face; her elbow and legs also having been injured as she fell.
Pulkit hurriedly ordered for blood tests and x-rays, to check for any broken bones, due to the fall.

'Jiju! Aap bahar chale jayen..yahan..'

'NO!'
Rohit shouted, as Pulkit came and put a hand on his shoulder. Rohit lowered his voice.
'No! Please! Mujhe yahin rehna hai Sona ke paas..tum bas please usse hosh mein le aao..'
Rohit held Pulkit's hands in his, pleading with him.

'Jiju! Ussi koshish mein lagay hue..'

'Try harder, dammit!'
Rohit closed his eyes, in an attempt to calm down, as Pulkit gave him a look.
'I'm sorry, Pulkit..I..'

'It's okay! I understand! Or Di, she's very strong! Kuch nahin hoga unhe!'

Pulkit moved away, as the staff called him, to check on Sonakshi's vitals, and consciousness levels.
'Just as I thought! Blood pressure, sugar dono hi low hain. Staff, hurry, put a drip of Ringer's Lactate. And monitor her blood pressure and heart rate. She must still be bleeding post delivery, so we have to keep an eye..'
Pulkit kept giving instructions, as Rohit watched him.
Soon, lab technicians came in to take her samples, and then someone from the radiology department came and took x-rays.

Dr. Asha also entered, and Rohit went to tell her what had happened.
Dr. Asha nodded, not looking too surprised.
'I was afraid ke aisa kuch na ho..jab uss ne mujhe bataya tha..'

'Kya bataya tha? Kab bataya tha? Why don't I know..'

'That I don't know, Rohit, but she called me just two days ago, and told me her symptoms of lack of appetite, interest..'

Rohit nodded, surprised that Sonakshi hadn't mentioned anything to him, despite him inquiring like a thousand times.
'She was more concerned of her not being able to take care of her children, and I warned her of sliding into postpartum depression..'

'Depression? Oh, God! Why didn't I think of that? I never related her getting cranky and irritated or refusal to eat as that..'
Pulkit slapped his forehead, upset with himself.

'It's alright, Dr. Pulkit! Sometimes, it's difficult to understand when it's happening with a loved one, or family member. Uss waqt lagta hai ke hum apni professional learnings ko bhool jaate hain, or personal capacity mein cheezon ko feel karne lagte hain..so don't fret over that. I gave her some medication..'

Dr. Asha and Pulkit continued with their medical jargon, while Rohit was a bit stunned.

Depression! Postpartum depression? Yaani that after delivery! I read about that! How could I forget? Mujhe kyun nahin dikhayi diya ke woh kisi takleef se guzar rahi thi..or hum sab uss pe naraaz hotay rahe..her mood swings, her refusal to eat..sleeplessness..oh, God! I'm so sorry, Sona! Ek baar phir I've failed you. I should have been there, with you..for you..instead I just left you to deal with it, all on your own. I'm sorry..

Sonakshi's x-rays came clear, showing no fractures despite her trauma. Her lab reports showed anaemia, and depletion of electrolytes and salts in her body, bordering on dehydration, probably being the cause she lost her balance and took a tumble.

A while later, after Dr. Asha assured Rohit, that Sonakshi should come to soon, she left. Staff also filtered out, leaving Rohit alone with her.
Anil had come in to see her, and Pulkit had gone outside with him, when he left.
Veena had called Rohit, and wanted to come and see Sonakshi, but Rohit had stopped her for now, saying she needed the rest.

Now, he sat on a stool by her bedside, just looking at her pale face, waiting for her to wake up.
There were dark circles under her eyes, and she looked exhausted.

'Kya haal bana liya hai Sona tum ne apna! Mujhse bhi share nahin kiya! You were going through so much..or mein..I just left you alone! I'm so sorry!'
Rohit lifted her hand, the one without a cannula, held it in his, and kissed it.

It was getting dusk outside, the afternoon having rushed away with the stress and tension, but Rohit didn't even notice, his eyes only on his Sona.

'Please uth jao! Arihaan and Mishaye need you..I need you! Itne din baad to hum saath mein aaye hain, ab aise to mat karo apne Rohit ke saath..please..'
Rohit kept up his monologue, talking to her as if she was listening.

The staff came in at half hour intervals to check on her, but Rohit didn't leave her.
He sat by her bedside, waiting.
'Sona..sun rahi ho na..pata hai kal shoot pe kya hua..'
Rohit went on, telling her some anecdotes.
Even Tulsi got emotional, watching him sitting there, with unshed tears in his eyes. She brought him coffee, which he drank, only to stay alert, refusing to eat anything.

Suman called, asking about Sonakshi.
'Rohit..Sona?'

'No, Ma! Nothing yet! Aap ko pata hai, hum uss se naraaz hotay rahe or yahan woh depression se larrti rahi..akele..mein bhi nahin tha..'
His tears rolled out of his eyes.

'Rohit! Tum to phir bhi door thay, mein to yahan ho ke bhi nahin jaan paayi..kaisi maa hun mein..'

Rohit heard Mishaye cry in the back, and his heart lurched.
'Ma! Mishaye! Woh kaise..matlab usse bhook lagi hogi to..kya karenge? Sona to yahan behosh hai..mein..bottle..milk..'
Rohit began to panic, but Suman cut in.

'Relax, Rohit! Ek do din se Sona had been saving bottles of her milk for her. Aaj subah bhi she had arranged some. Hopefully manage hojayega..tum bas Sona ko dekho. Mein ajaati wahan  magar..'

'No, Ma! It's alright! Mein hun yahan..aap bas please bachon ko sambhaal lena..I'd be so grateful..'

'Shut up! Pagal! Jaise mere kuch nahin lagte na..'
They conversed for a few more minutes, before Suman had to go to attend to Mishaye.

Rohit got up to stretch his legs. He walked to the window, to look at the darkening sky, just then realising that how much time had elapsed since he had brought Sonakshi here.
Feeling a bit weary, he went to the washroom, to splash water on his face.
He came back out, and stopped in shock.
For Sonakshi was awake, and trying to sit up, while looking at the cannula attached to her hand.

'Sona!'

Sonakshi turned her head, to see Rohit rushing towards her.
'Rohit..'
She whispered, as he reached her.

'Kya kar rahi ho tum..mein..'
He stopped, as Sonakshi put her arms around his waist and buried her face in his abdomen.
'Sona...'
Rohit tried to move back, in order to look at her face, but she gripped tighter.

'Rohit! Please mat jao. Mujhe chorr ke mat jao..'
Her voice came out muffled, as she leaned into him.

'Mein yahin hun, Sona! Tumhare paas! Kahin nahin ja raha..bas mujhe Pulkit ko bulane do..ek baar check kar le tumhe..'

'Mujhe Pulkit ki nahin, tumhari zaroorat hai..tum kahin mat jao..please..'

'Acha, theek hai! Nahin ja raha..tum mujhe khud ko dekhne to do..please..'
Sonakshi finally shifted back to look up at him, her face tear stricken.
'No! No! Please, ro to mat! You know I can't see you crying! Pata bhi hai kitni der baad hosh aaya hai tumhe..mein kab se yahan..'
Rohit wiped her tears with his hands, and put her hair behind her ears, away from her face.

'Rohit! I'm sorry..'

'Hunh? Sorry? Kyun?'
Rohit looked puzzled.

'Maine tumhe kitna pareshaan kiya na. Tumhe or Ma ko bhi..I..'

'Aray! Sorry to mein hun! Ke mein yahan nahin tha tumhare paas, or tum aise, akele..meri samajh mein nahin araha kaise..'

'Rohit, mujhe laga mein tumhe..Arihaan ko, sab ko neglect kar rahi hun. That scared the hell out of me!'
Sonakshi sounded bitter at herself, her eyes full of pain.

'No, no! Sona! Aisa kuch bhi nahin hai. Arihaan..woh to bacha hai, usse kahan itni samajh hai..'

'Or tum? Tumse bhi kaha ke jao, chale jao..or tum sach mein chale gaye..'
Sonakshi shuddered slightly, as if the thought was distressing in itself.

'Woh to kaam ki wajah se..'
Rohit began to explain.

'I know that! Ofcourse, I know. But in my state, it felt like being abandoned! And I just took out my anger on Ma, you, and even Arihaan..for that, I'm really sorry!'

'Sona, it's alright..'

'Jaise hi mujhe khud ko realise hua, I wanted to run away from it, Rohit! Mein..mein nahin phasna chahti thi iss mein..tumhare bina, Ma..Arihaan..kisi ko bhi takleef nahin dena chahti thi, I swear..'
Her voice broke, and Rohit stroked her cheek. She flinched a bit.

'I'm sorry..woh tumhe chott lagi hai..'
Sonakshi felt the dressing on her forehead, and nodded.
'Sona! Believe me, humain nahin pata chala ke tum kis takleef se guzar rahi ho..warna hum..'

'I'll make things better! I promise! Bas, tum mera saath do ge na?'
Sonakshi questioned him with her eyes.

'You don't even have to say! Ofcourse, I'm here! Mein tumhe akela nahin chorunga, ek pal ke liye bhi nahin..ek lamhe ke liye bhi nahin..'

'Sorry! That's not possible!'
She looked serious, and frowned.

'What? Ofcourse, it's possible! Mein tum se door..'
Rohit frowned to assure her.

'Matlab, tumhe door to jaana parega, Rohit!'
Rohit shook his head, but she continued talking.
'Kaam ke liye to jaana parega na, or han..bathroom, nahana..'
Rohit's eyes widened, as he realised that she had been playing him along.
A smile came to his lips, and she gestured with her eyes.

Rohit hugged her to him.
'Sona, I love you! Mein nahin reh sakta rumhare bina. Tum ho to Rohit Sippy hai, warna jeenay ka koi matlab nahin..'

'Shayar sahab, samajh gayi..'
She smiled at him, lighting him up inside.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and a staff nurse came in.
'Oh, ma'am! You are awake!'

'Staff, could you page Dr. Pulkit, please?'
Rohit asked, and the staff nurse, after checking Sonakshi's vitals, hurried out, leaving them alone once more.

Rohit turned his face back to Sonakshi, and found her looking at him in awe.
'Kya hua?'

'Tum..you didn't break down today..kept your senses about you..'

Rohit gave a snort at that.
'Ask your Papa..or even the staff here, about how I handled it..'

'I will, but get me out of here fast. I need to get to Mishaye..'
Sonakshi made to move off the bed, but Rohit stopped her.

'Hold it! Where in the world  do you think you are going?'
He raised an eyebrow at her.

'Ghar! Or kahan? Rohit, Mishaye..'

'Sona! You fell down the stairs, lost consciousness for what seemed like hours, and you want to go home? I don't think so madam..'
Rohit pushed her back, and tried to get her to lie down.

'But, Rohit! I'm fine now! And I need to get back to Mishaye..'

'No ways am I letting you..'

'But I..'

There was another knock, and Pulkit entered with his team. He hurried over to Sonakshi.
'Di! Thank God! Aap ne to hum sab ko daraa hi diya tha..'

'Pulki! Dekho na! Mujhe ghar jaana hai, or Rohit mujhe jaane nahin..'
Sonakshi complained.

'Bohot acha kar rahe hain! You can't go home in this state!'

'But..mein ab theek hun..'

'Yes! You are dehydrated, exhausted, having had blood loss..and I will let you go back home! Sure! You aren't going anywhere today!'

'What even? Mishaye needs me..'

'To Mishaye ko yahan le aayenge, magar aap ko ghar aaj nahin le jayenge! And that's final! Samjhi?'
Pulkit's voice was authoritative, and Sonakshi closed her mouth.

Rohit nodded, agreeing with him, and Sonakshi gave him a glare, before looking back at Pulkit.
'Okay, fine! Jao, phir meri beti ko le kar aao..'
Sonakshi hmphed, as she settled back on the pillow.

Rohit gave a small smile, as Pulkit put a call through to Anil, to make the arrangements.

Thank God, Sona is fine! Or normal ki taraf bhi..smiling..joking..I swear, ab mein tumhe wapas kisi takleef se nahin larrne dunga akele..I'll always be there for you..always..

***************************

'Rohit! Put me down! Mein chal sakti hun!'
Sonakshi protested, as Rohit lifted her in his arms, as she came out of the bathroom.

'Ofcourse, chal sakti ho! I just like to pick you up and carry you around.'
He teased as he deposited her on the bed.

'Yeah, right!'
Sonakshi gave him a look, as Rohit unwrapped the towel around her head.

'Seedhay chal nahin pa rahi ho, or aisi betuki baaten..tsch, tsch..what am I to do with you, Mrs. Sippy?'
Rohit began to towel her hair dry.

'Ab aisa bhi nahin hai..thora sa hai..I'll be fine..'
Sonakshi indicated the limp in her gait.

'Waise, Sona! Mere show mein aise hota na, ke heroine siriyon se gir gayi, to pakka uss ki yaadaasht chali gayi hoti..magar tum to..'

Sonakshi turned around and gave him a look.
'Matlab? Mein acting kar rahi thi, ya mere saath wohi hona chahiye tha?'

'Sona!'
Rohit frowned, and turned her face.

'Tum hi ne to bola..'
Sonakshi shrugged her shoulders.

'I was just saying aise hi..didn't mean ke aisa hota tumhare saath..'
Rohit looked upset now.

Sonakshi turned to look at him completely.
'Aray! Baat khud shuru ki, or mujhe hi bol rahe ho. Besides, agar meri memory chali bhi jaati, to mein tumhe to kabhi nahin bhoolti!'

'Shut up, ya!'
Rohit weaved his hand in her hair, and tugged at it, bringing his face close to hers.
'Mein tumhe khud ko kabhi bhoolne bhi nahin dunga! Tumhari rug rug mein basa hua hun mein. Tumhare jism pe sirf or sirf meri chaap hai, kisi or ki nahin, na kabhi hogi..'
His voice had gone all husky, his tone and words, sending shivers down her spine.

'Rohit..'
Sonakshi's eyes flared with desire, matching his.
'Mujhe or koi chahiye bhi nahin..kisi ki khwahish nahin hai, tumhare baad..'
Rohit lowered his head, his lips brushing hers.
Sonakshi pressed hers closer, and she heard him moan, as her tongue flickered over his lower lip.

'Sona!'
He whispered against her lips, before taking hers with his, in a passionate kiss.
His hands entangled in her wet hair, and Sonakshi closed her eyes, as he deepened the kiss.

KNOCK! KNOCK!

A sharp knock had them break apart, and Rohit groaned.
'Damn it! Yeh hamare bachon mein koi sensor laga hua hain, ke unke Mama Baba romance karen, or woh achanak se ajayen beech mein..'

'Rohit!'
Sonakshi chuckled, and hit him on his shoulder.
'Jao dekho! Mishaye hogi..'

Groaning, Rohit walked to the door to open it.
It was the nanny with Mishaye.
'Ma'am, woh yeh bohot ro rahi thi to..'

'Han, lao, isse de do mujhe. Or Arihaan, uss ne lunch kiya?'

'Ji, usse khila diya hai..khel raha hai..'

'Theek hai, tum jao..'
Sonakshi took Mishaye in her arms as the nanny left.

'Rohit..jao tum bhi lunch kar lo..mein isse..'

'Na ah! Mein yahin le ke aata hun, saath mein karenge..tum jab tak meri precious ko lunch kara do..'
Rohit stroked Mishaye's cheek, as she cried.

'But..'

'No buts! You know what I said uss din hospital mein..mein tumhe ek pal nahin chorrunga..'

'Woh to dikh raha hai..do din se shoot pe nahin gaye..'

'But, that's because maine extra shots de diye thay..relax..'

'Okay, Mr. Hotshot Sippy..jao..I'm hungry now..'

'I'll be back..'
Rohit's eyes lit up on hearing that, happy that her appetite was getting back to normal.

Sonakshi looked after him, as he hurried off.

I have to be the luckiest wife in this world..I love you, Rohit Sippy! I love you!

***************************

'Sona..kahan ho? Bachay to neechay..'

Rohit entered her room, and stopped.
The room was empty, and clean.
No toys, not cot..nothing.
Rohit moved inside, wondering what was going on.
He had just arrived from his shoot, and after meeting his children, had come rushing up to meet Sonakshi, happy that he would get her alone.

The past two days had been a little busy with him having to stay late at work. But he had made sure to call Sonakshi and talk to her at intervals. Sonakshi had sounded pleased, and that in turn had pleased him, because it meant that she was getting back to her old self.

'Sona?'

'Han, Rohit aayi!'
He heard her call from the bathroom, the door of which was open, and he breathed in relief.

She's here..and she's alright..

Sonakshi came out, and he was surprised to see her. For she was dressed in Eastern wear, a peach coloured shalwar kameez, her hair tied in a low ponytail, and her toiletries in her hand.

'Hi! Tum agaye? I was waiting for you..'
She glanced at him, as he stood there staring at her.
She deposited her things in a tote bag open on the bed, and zipped it.
'Kya hua? Aise kya dekh rahe ho?'
Sonakshi had lost some of the limp, but it was still slightly there, as she moved to where he now noticed were bags, and suitcases near the door.

'Sona! Yeh sab kya hai? Or kahan ja rahi ho tum?'
Rohit looked utterly confused, as Sonakshi walked up to him, smiling.

'Mein nahin, hum ja rahe hain!'

'Kahaan?'

'Wapas apne ghar...'

To be continued...