Rooh (Book 2 - Singhania Brothers)

Epilogue

A deafening silence haunted Singhanias as they sat in the hospital hallway with their heart thumping loudly against their chest. Not one person had even blinked their eyes in last twelve hours. Twelve hours. Twelve never ending hours and they still hadn't heard anything from doctors. Never had they felt more helpless than they did in those twelve hours.

"Doctor," Ayaansh was the first one to notice the doctor coming out of operation theatre.

The family rushed to him and bombarded with questions.

"The surgery was successful, " Doctor said. "But he hasn't gained consciousness yet. We can't say anything until he opens his eyes. Next few hours will be critical if he doesn't wake up soon."

The family was shattered. Shivangi stumbled and almost gell down.

"Shivi," Ashi rushed to him and so did the otehrs. Ashi held her and made her sit. She didn't even react to Ashi's touch.

"Bhabhi," Ayaansh said worriedly. "Shivi Bhabhi ne paani bhi nhi piya hai. I think that's why she is feeling dizzy."

Ashi looked at her in concern and then at Arnav. None of them had eaten anything. It was going to take a toll on their health if they stayed like that more. Arnav was in no state to offer comfort, but he wrapped his one arm around Ayaansh and Aryan who leaned into him.

"Tere Bhaiyu thik hai, bachcha" He gently said to Aryan who had gone quiet. Aryan looked at him with tear filled eyes. Arnav wiped them away. "Aise rote nhi, Aru. We need to take care of Ani. Agar hum hi bimaar ho jayenge toh kaise chalega? Go with Ayu to canteen and have something, okay?"

"Mann nhi hai, Bhaiya," It was Ayaansh who spoke up. All he wanted was his Bhaiyu to open his eyes and tease him as he always did.

"Kisi ka mann nhi hai, bachcha. But we need to take care of our health to be there of Aniket when he opens his eyes, hai na?"

Ayaansh blinked away his tears and nodded. Arnav coaxed them to go and eat something. He sighed when Ayaansh was finally able to convince Aryan. He trusted Ayaansh to take care of Aryan. He was grateful that the boy was holding strong. It made Arnav proud to see the courage Ayaansh had developed. But he hardly had any time to ponder over that right then.

"Arnav," Ashi nudged Arnav and gave a pointed look to Shivangi who was sitting in daze.

Arnav took the plate of food from Ashi's hands and sat down next to Shivangi. "Shivi," He spoke gently. "Aniket is fine. He will be alright."

When she still didn't reach, Arnav kept the plate down and pulled her in his embrace. He could feel her stiffness first and then slowly sobs wrecked her body as she broke down. Arnav let her take it out for a few minutes before he pulled back and made her look at him.

"Ani loves you very much, Shivi. He loves all of us very much. He will fight for us. Kuch nhi hoga use. Woh ekdam sahi salamat humare saath Ghar wapas lautega dekhna. He is absolutely fine."

Tears clouded Shivi's eyes. "Woh thik hoga na, Bhaiya?" She whispered.

Arnav's heart pinched. "Woh bikul thik hai. He is alright, bachcha. Our Ani will be absolutely fine." He assured her as much as he did himself. He took a morsel and brought it to Shivangi's mouth. She was about to refuse, but Arnav changed his stance into glaring her. She looked down and ate quietly.

"You need to take care of yourself to take care of him, Shivi. Woh aankhein kholega toh tujhe hi dhoondega na?"

Shivi looked up at him. "Woh aankhein kholega toh sabse pehle aapko dhoondega, Bhaiya. Ani ke liye uska sab kuch aap hi ho.."

"Shivi..."

"Mai jaanti hoon aap upset ho, Bhaiya. Mujhse bhi bohot upset ho aap, I know." She held his hands as he looked away. "I'm sorry, Bhaiya. Even Ani is very sorry. Usne itna sab nhi socha tha, Bhaiya. Woh sirf aapki Khushi ke bare me soch rha tha..."