Tu muskuraye har jagah

36

[Annika - A, Shivaay - S, Gauri - G]

As soon as Chanda left, Annika broke down completely. She cried her heart out

A(in her mind): why does it always happen to me? Why am I so unlucky? The guy I have feelings for didn't want to be with me. The guy I trusted, who said he liked me, deceived me. I lost before I loved. I know I have Neil and Chanda and they'll do anything for me but I still feel so alone, I don't have anyone who could help me cope with this pain. Why did you leave me here, Mumma? Why didn't you take me with you? They say when you're dying your entire life flashes before your eyes but that didn't happen with me. I didn't see anything

Someone: Because it wasn't your time my sweet child. You still have a long life to live

Annika looked up, in front of her stood her mother, dressed in her favorite green salwar suit. Annika ran up to her and hugged her tight. They settled on her bed with Annika's head in her mother's lap

Radhika: Annika, my brave, beautiful girl, you are stronger than you think. You will get through this. You will find many people in your life who will hurt you and deceive you but you will also find people who will love you and look after you. Just have patience, happiness is right around the corner. I know my baby girl will have a happy life

A: But I miss you so much

Radhika: And we will be together again after you have your kids and they have their kids. Then you will come and we will be together forever. Till then look after this precious heart of yours, for me

An hour later, Annika woke up. She had fallen asleep on the floor and dreamt all of that. She took her medicines and went to bed, thinking about what her mother said in that dream.

********

Early next morning, the doorbell rang and woke Annika. Still, in her pajamas, she opened the door to find two smiling faces

A: What are you guys doing here so early?

G: We have to begin your therapy sweetie. Come on

Gauri made Annika exercise her shoulder for an hour and later helped her get dressed. When they came out of her room, they were welcomed by the fragrance of the delicious breakfast Shivaay had prepared for them

G: ooh fresh juice, lovely

S: So doc, how soon can you fix her up?

G: Very soon, 10 days should be sufficient for her to recover all movement.

S: Eat Annika

Throughout breakfast, Annika didn't say a word. Gauri and Shivaay got engrossed in conversation.

G: Okay, I have to get to my next patient. I'll see you tomorrow Annika. Avoid using your left hand okay

The two of them left but they agreed that Annika was upset. Two days passed like this, each morning Gauri and Shivaay would come over in the morning for her session, Shivaay made breakfast for them and she would hardly talk to Shivaay. He sent her reminders to take her medicines but she never responded to them either.