She’s someone who always needs her sister by her side. Ever since childhood, she has been able to do without her mother but not her sister. Truly, they say that a sister is your second mother, and for her, the proverb fits properly. However, today, she has a different thought and he is shocked at her demand.

“Are you sure about it?” He asks her again, confirming his doubts.

“Yes! I am sure. I’ll manage. Tum ho na yahan mere sath.” She glances at him, and her eyes tell a different story.

“Aur tumhe lagta hai, vo maan jayengi? Vo kal se yahin hain, aur aaj bhi bahut mushkil se maine unhe fresh hone ke liye ghar bheja tha. Tumhe lagta hai vo tumhe iss haalat mein yahan akele chhod ke ghar jayengi?” He questions; he’s angered by her demand.

“Didu ko jaana hoga. Vo yahan hain lekin vo ye sab dekh nahi payengi, Vineet. Tum jin injections aur treatment ki baat kar rahe ho, kya guarantee hai ki main thik ho jaungi? Vo aur yahan rahengi toh unhe takleef hogi.” She says it tearily.

“Vo tumse door reh ke zyada takleef mein rahengi, Ruhana. Tum kyun nahi samajhti ho? Unhone permission li hai, aur vo main unhe de chuka hoon. Tumhara ye treatment hone tak vo tumhare sath rahengi.” Vineet says, trying to convince her. 

“Vo meri chhoti si chot mein pareshan ho jaati hain, toh kya vo ye sab dekh payengi? Mujhse zyada strong meri Di hain, Vineet. Unka bharosa aur pyaar hi aaj meri taakat hai lekin main jaanti hoon, vo dukhi bhi hain. Aur…aur abhi Jeeju bhi yahan nahi hain. Main nahi chahti koi aur gadbad ho. Tumhe pata hai na vo mere chakkar mein khud ka dhyan nahi rakhti hain.” Ruhana says worriedly.

Ruhana is talking about her elder sister, Nitya, and she wants her to go home and rest, while Vineet treats her. Yeah, they’re in the hospital where Ruhana is  being treated. Though, Ruhana knows that Nitya won’t leave her alone in the hospital, but she doesn’t want her sister to witness her pain.

“Nitya sab sambhal legi, Ruhana. Tum ye betuki baatein mat karo. Jaisa tum chahti ho, waisa main kuch nahi karne wala hoon. Samjhi tum! Ye zidd chhodo, aur thoda rest karo.” Vineet scolds her.

“Vineet, tum samajhte kyun nahi ho?” She whines at him.

“Tumhari betuki baatein samajhne laayak nahi hai, Ruhana. Abhi tum bekaar ki zidd kar rahi ho. Vo tumhari behen hain, par maa ki tarah dekhbhal karti hain. Tumhe toh aisa sochna bhi nahi chahiye.” He scolds her.

He believes that Nitya has all the right to know what is going on with Ruhana. However, he understands the plight of both the sisters, he knows that even though its Ruhana under treatment, but her sister feels a severe intensity of pain. However, he believes that if Nitya’s happiness lies in being near her sister, then that’s the best. It’s her way to soothe the pain for herself and her sister. Ruhana makes a face when her sister’s voice falls i her ears.

“Tu kyun Vineet ko pareshan kar rahi hain, Ruu? Kya chahiye tujhe?” Nitya enters the room and glances at her sister.

“Kuch nahi chahiye. Jo main chahti hoon, vo ye karenge nahi.” She glares at Vineet.

“Main kar dungi, bata kya hua?” Nitya tries to make Ruhana face herself.

“Madam ko zidd karne ki aadat ho gayi hai,” Vineet comments while checking Ruhana’s vitals.

“Tumhe kya dikkat hai? Tumse kuch nai hoga, meri Di hai mere pas, vo sab karengi jo mujhe chahiye.” She glares at him while hugging Nitya from her waist.

“Arey, Nitya! Aapne apna phone charge kiya? Aur Aniket…” Vineet asks, as an hour ago, she’s been worried as her phone’s battery died and she couldn’t talk to her husband.

“He’s coming. Agar tumhe time hai toh tum ruk jao, Aniket aate hi honge.” Nitya replies with a smile.

“I’ll be back in 30 minutes.” Saying so, Vineet leaves the ward.

Nitya looks at Ruhana, who’s lost in thoughts. She sits on the bed and taps her cheeks, bringing Ruhana out of her trance. She says nothing, but hugs Nitya, locking her arms around her waist. Nitya hugs her, smearing her hair with love. She knows what kind of thoughts are bubbling in her mind, and all she can do is comfort her. She knows that her words won’t heal the pain she’s going through. She kisses her head softly.

“Ruu, sab thik ho jayega. Himmat rakh, apni Di pe toh bharosa hai na tujhe?” Nitya asks her, understanding her turmoil.

"Haan, Didu. Aapke hote hue bhala kuch bura kaise ho sakta hai? Lekin Jeeju aa rahe they toh aapko ghar jana chahiye tha na?” She asks softly.

“Aniket ne hi kaha tha ki wo yahan aayenge tujhse milne. Vaise bhi bas kuch din mein hum phir se ghar jayenge.” Nitya says, trying to convince her sister.

“Ye ghar tab jayegi, jab ye meri saari baatein maanegi. Har baat mein toh tumhari behen muh banati rehti hai.” Vineet says while entering the room and behind him enters Aniket.

“Jeeju! Dekh lo apne dost ko, roz aise hi satate hai mujhe! Sab baatein toh maanti hoon main, roz khichdi hi dete hain khaane mein.” Ruhana begins to complain at first sight.

“Ab main aa gaya hoon na, ab koi kuch nahi kahega tumhe.” Aniket says this while sitting on a stool beside her.

“Han, ab tum hi samjhaao isey, meri toh ek baat isko samajh nahi aati.” Vineet says, shrugging his shoulders.

“Kya samjhana hai?” Nitya asks and at the same time, her phone rings, so she walks out of the ward to talk on the phone.

Aniket glances at Ruhana, asking about her well-being, to which the girl responds cheerfully. He glances at her carefully and holds her hands in his. His silent demeanour speaks a lot, and Ruhana looks at him.

“Kya hua, jeeju?” Ruhana asks.

“Ruu, main jaanta hoon iss waqt tum kya chahti ho, lekin ek baar khud ko apni behen ki jagah rakh ke dekhna, tab tumhe pata chalega ki kya sahi hai aur kya galat? Tum dono ek dusre se bahut pyar karti ho, isliye iss pyar ko taakat banao, kamzori nahi. And I promise, sab pehle jaisa ho jayega.” Aniket says it quite seriously.

Ruhana glances at her brother-in-law, understanding the meaning behind his words. She knows Vineet has told everything to Aniket and so he’s here, trying to convince her. She knows he’s right, but she is unable to control her emotions. While Aniket pats her head softly, trying to cheer her up, Nitya enters the room. She has brought some home-made food for her sister and it brings a smile to Ruhana’s face.

*****

KabirsAngel i hope you like it. ❤️Let me know in comments. 😍Love yaa❤️