The vivid russet henna pattern on Vidushi's palms was stained with tears as she shielded her face with her hands, trying to keep the vulnerable moment private. Parth tried in vain to comfort her, appealing her not to worry. But the truth was that everyone in the family was stressed since it was difficult to predict the immediate future. Vidushi was rather close to her father, there was no denying that.

"Please take her home, Parth!" Renuka was at the end of her tether. Her calm voice did not betray the emotional turmoil within her but she was afraid that the sight of her weeping daughter would weaken her resolve. She needed to stay strong like she always was.

"No Mom, I'd rather stay here with you!" Vidushi responded. Even in her distressed state her desire to be at her mother's side during the crisis was evidence enough of her loyalty toward her family.

"No Vidu, Mom is right. Head home and get some rest. In fact, Mom, you should do the same!" Anxiety was writ large on Randhir's expression. The transition of events in the previous few hours had been so rapid that his original plan of disclosing his relationship with Sanyukta had been postponed indefinitely. Just as Vidushi and Parth's wedding rituals were nearing completion Harsh Shekhawat collapsed while clutching his heart. It was ironic that the doting father who was overseeing his daughter's formal departure from his home had himself been frantically rushed out of it. An ambulance was summoned promptly and he was shifted to the cardiac unit of the best hospital in town. To Renuka and Randhir's immense relief nearly all the invitees had left the venue after the wedding reception, only close relatives had waited for the bride's bidai ceremony. It had taken some skillful persuasion from Nobin and Shaila to convince most of them to return to their respective homes.

Harsh's condition was being closely monitored in the intensive cardiac care unit.  Business associates, relations and friends were being updated timely about Harsh's progress. And Sanyukta was personally looking after the kin who had stayed back at the haveli because they were due to depart at a later date. She appeared composed and acted fully professional while she oversaw the hotel operations but inside she was going to pieces. Could it have been the combined strain of Vidushi's wedding and Randhir's upcoming disclosure about her presence in his life that had taken its toll on Harsh's health? She inadvertently felt responsible. She wanted to be next to Randhir, to be there with him as he faced the first major personal challenge in his life but she knew this was not possible. She was expected to be on the job while the family rallied around Harsh who lay quietly  in his telemetry bed as relatives were not permitted inside the ICCU.

"Mom, please go home with Vidushi and try to get some rest. I'll stay over with Dad tonight." Randhir could see the unspoken strain his mother was under. 

"You know I've been away from your father long enough. Now I owe him my time. All of you should go home, you can come back tomorrow morning. Dad and I will be fine, really!" Renuka's voice betrayed a slight tremor.

"Parth, take Vidushi home. You guys can visit in the morning. I'll stay here with Mom!" Randhir quipped.

"Vidushi. Parth, you should stick to your schedule. Dad won't like it if you cancel your honeymoon trip!" Renuka was only trying to normalise the situation because she wanted to deal with the sudden change in her personal life. She had not dealt with too many domestic crises, instead having devoted herself to managing the business all her adult life.

"Mom, please! I am not leaving here until Dad is back on his feet. I've already asked the agency to cancel our bookings!" Vidushi retorted. She could not believe her mother was asking her to proceed on her honeymoon at such a time.

"Beta, at least go home and get some shuteye. Both of you must be tired after all those rituals. Randhir and I will manage here. Come back in the morning so we can go home to freshen up!" Renuka was being practical, there was nothing to do at the hospital for the newly-weds.

"Ok, as long as you promise to call me if there is any contingency!" Vidushi bid her brother and mother goodbye with great reluctance and left the hospital with Parth.

Within minutes Renuka's phone buzzed. It was Nobin calling to inform that Vidushi and Parth had returned from the hospital. He enquired about Harsh's status.

"He is stable now, under observation. Based on his condition the doctor will advise whether a coronary artery bypass surgery is needed." Renuka sighed. She wished her father was next to her but she could not express herself. She did not want to come across as weak and dependent.

"Renuka, don't tell Randhir yet, but I am coming over to be with you tonight. We must send that boy home. He needs rest, tomorrow shall be particularly demanding." Nobin knew his daughter very well. Though she could deal with the situation she always looked forward to his support and advice as she valued his judgement above her own. Nobin was also concerned about Sanyukta, he thought it best for Randhir and her to spend some quality moments together. Fate had cheated them of the opportunity to go public about their marital status. It was hardly appropriate for them to open up to Renuka at a time when Harsh's health was so delicate. 

"Dadu, you don't have to do this! Let me stay, you go on home!" Randhir could not imagine walking away from his mother. After all he felt responsible for her wellbeing.

"My dear boy, there is a larger purpose for me being here. It is necessary for your mother and I to discuss some confidential business matters. As much as I know my daughter she could do with shifting her focus temporarily to money matters." Nobin would not take no for an answer, he sent a tired looking Randhir home for some well-deserved rest.

"Do you remember, Baba, how you had expressed doubts about how long my marriage to Harsh would last?  You had even made gloomier predictions, like either him or I would ask the other for a divorce on grounds of mutual incompatibility!" Renuka smiled slightly. Her marriage to Harsh had weathered storms and had emerged stronger. 

"Hey, stop reminding me of how big a tyrant I was when you were younger! Like most protective fathers even I resented the upstart of a guy who swept my daughter off her feet. And as usual Madhabi was too intimidated to protest!" Nobin could not help going down memory lane.

"I had not expected Ma to stand by me, her consent came as a surprise. How she doted on Harsh!" Renuka's eyes turned misty. She remembered how her father had redeemed himself by caring for a very ill Madhabi and had literally breathed life back into her. It was not just his guilt, a deep-seated bond had evolved between her parents and it had been the magic cure her mother had needed most. Renuka wished her willpower was as strong as that of her father's, she would find the best doctor to attend to her husband. She owed that to him and to herself. She did not want to imagine life without him. Surprisingly she made a full confession of her thoughts to her father.

"I didn't know my daughter was this sentimental! Anyway, on a serious note, I think we should ask Randhir to join the board! We have waited long enough. Let him take on a more active role now that Harsh needs complete rest." Nobin came straight to the point. The sooner Randhir assumed a formal role in the business the better.

"We need to ask him if he is ready for a more active role. I don't want him feeling pushed toward it simply because Harsh has taken ill suddenly." Renuka was not sure how Randhir would react to the proposal. Her instinct told her that her father was right. Nobin had a keen business sense. Sooner or later Randhir would have to jump on the bandwagon. His father's illness was a strong enough reason to rope him in.