Part 14 – Her Heart Therapist

Karan had assured Madhu he would handle the matter. Later, on his way back to the hospital, he was pondering the same. It was not in his nature to make idle promises to anyone, and he meant to fulfil this one, too. After rendering his duties at the hospital, he was back home, lying on his bed at night. Meanwhile, his phone beeped.

Samiksha: Why, hello there.
Karan: Hey, what’s up?
Samiksha: Nothing. Only two more exams to go. And then outings, flirting, shopping.
Karan: Hmm. Concentrate on your exams right now. After they are completed, we will plan out your wishes, okay, baby?
Samiksha: Yes, my Lord.
Karan: You have bestowed me with a new honour today. Accordingly, my wish should be your command.
Samiksha: You have my word.

Karan was aware

of the phase Samiksha was going through as her graduation exams were going on. He decided to keep other matters under cover until the culmination of her exams.

Karan: Want to refresh for some time?
Samiksha: Yes, yes, please.
Karan: Namely, I will say the lyrics of a song in English. Likewise, you have to identify the Hindi song.
Samiksha: Sounds fun, indeed. Go ahead.
Karan: While walking the paths, I always remember my songs and never say goodbye.
Samiksha : Chalte chalte, mere ye geet yaad rakhna, kabhie alvida na kehna.
Karan: I mean it.
Samiksha blushed.

Karan: Here is the next one. You are my life, my happiness, my love, my wish, and my affection.
Samiksha : Tu meri zindagi hai, tu meri har khushi hai, tu hi pyar tu hi chahat, tu hi aashiqui hai.
Karan: Certainly, I know that.
His whisper made Samiksha shiver in the warm night. Accordingly, the lovers declare their feelings for each other in the disguise of sweet lyrics.

Samiksha: Um. Now me. I cannot live without you; my existence is meaningless without you.
Karan: Hum tere bin ab reh nahi sakte, tere bina kya wajood mera. I love you.

The last three words melted Samiksha.

Samiksha: I said the last three words were not in the lyrics.
Samiksha teased him.
Karan: Do you?
Samiksha: Karan.
Karan: Tell me.
Samiksha: Love you too.
After a silence of a minute, they continued.
Karan: Now, my turn. When a situation turns wrong and difficulties come, you are at my side, my beloved.
Samiksha: Hmm. Let me think.

Samiksha thought for a while, struggling with the translation.
Karan: Fast, madam. You have to sleep now as you have to write your paper tomorrow.
Samiksha: Please wait. Let me think.
Karan: Sami, two minutes more.
Samiksha: I got it. Jab koi baat bigad jaaye, jab koi mushkil pad jaaye, tum dena saath mera o humnawab.

Karan: That is super cool. You got the meaning, ha. But do you mean the words, too?
Samiksha: Hmm. So I get it now. You wanted some promises from me, which is why this game is not done, Doc.
Karan: Why not? We are future life partners. Is it wrong if I ask for a commitment or two?
Samiksha : No my darling. Don’t become serious now. I agree with each word, with my heart, and I mean what I am saying.
Karan: Sure?
Samiksha: Now you are intimidating me.

Karan: Not at all, baby. You trust me, right?
Samiksha: With my heart and soul.
Karan: That is it. Now, brush up on tomorrow’s subject once and sleep like a good girl.
Samiksha: Copied that. Good night. Sleep well.
Karan: Good night. Love you.
A relaxed Samiksha revised her subject and went to sleep. However, Karan pondered how Samiksha would react to the reality she was about to face at some point. Leaving the matter to God and reciting a silent prayer, Karan dozed off in bed.

Madhu was seated

and Mahesh swayed restlessly in the living room.
“Madhu, I have waited years to tell Samiksha about our relationship. You forbade me to do so out of fear of her reaction. I agree that she reacted strongly when you mentioned my remarriage to her in the past. But don’t you think she is grown up now? Certainly, she can understand situations more maturely.”
“I agree with what you are saying, Mahesh. But what if she reacts in a way that is opposite to what we expect? Have you thought about that?”

“Maybe. But I want to take this chance. And drop the stupid idea of abortion from your head forever. You are not going to do anything of this sort. I want this child, Madhu. You alone cannot decide our future.”
Meanwhile, Madhu strolled to him and rested her head on his shoulder.
“I don’t want Samiksha to feel we have betrayed her.”
“Why will I feel that? Who has betrayed whom?”

Samiksha’s words pierced

their ears in the silence. Madhu backed off from Mahesh and stared at Samiksha. However, Mahesh maintained his calm and looked Samiksha straight in the eye.
“What is going on, Dad? What has happened?”
“Sit down.”
Immediately holding her, Mahesh made her sit on the sofa.
“There is something you should know, Samiksha.”
“Mahesh, please don’t. Finally, in the end, I will lose. Everything.”
Madhu’s tears had blurred her vision, and she could barely speak.

“Madhu, let me speak. And please don’t get excited. Certainly, it’s not good for our baby.”
“Baby? Which baby are you talking about, Dad? Mum, what is all this?”
“I will tell you. First, promise that you will listen with an open mind, Samiksha. Second, it’s a matter of four lives. So please don’t react impulsively.”
“Dad, you are scaring the hell out of me now. What is it? Please tell me fast.”
“Samiksha, Madhu, and I love each other. We wished to tell you this sooner but were unsure how you would respond. We also tried to . . .”
“Since how long?”
Subsequently, Samiksha interrupted Mahesh with a question laden with cold bitterness. But it was enough to send shivers down Madhu’s spine.

“Since twelve years.”

Samiksha paused for a second, trying to process the information she had just received from her dad. For her, it was not just a revelation but a shocking disclosure.
“I got it. So you both have been betraying me for twelve years. On the other hand, I didn’t get the slightest clue about this thing. How stupid I am. And whose baby you were talking about, Dad?”
“Ours. Mine and Madhu’s.”

“Sami …” Madhu’s words were stopped by Samiksha’s scream.
“Don’t take my name. I don’t want to talk to you. I understand why you opted to stay here, under the guise of being my caretaker. You have no character. You are nothing but.”
“Samiksha, stop it. You will not speak to Madhu like that. Now or ever again.”
Clapping her hands in dismay while wiping the falling tears, Samiksha blurted out,
“I am sure you are happy to hear all this. You have turned my dad against me, cheated my mom and me.”
“Not a word more, Samiksha. I mean it.”

“Of course not, Dad. And you will be glad you won’t hear anything from me from now on because I am leaving this house.”
Somehow, Madhu got up, balancing herself from the aftermath of this situation.
“Mahesh, please. Stop all this.”
“Nevertheless, you can do whatever you wish with my dad after I leave. Moreover, this is what you wanted, right?”
“Samiksha.” Mahesh’s scream punched Samiksha in the heart, and she started moving away from there.

Madhu caught her wrist

and stopped her.
“Certainly the guest has to leave, not the owner. I was a guest in your home for so many days. Becoming your guardian was my choice, which I don’t regret. You gave me the priceless memories of your innocent blabbering as a child, the sweet persuasions for preparing your favourite dishes, caring for me when I was unwell and making me a mother when I was not one.”

Despite Mahesh’s attempts to interrupt, Madhu gestured for him to refrain and continued.
“You need to stay at your home to look after your dad. He needs you. Certainly, I can understand your angst. Even though I had no intention of even thinking of hurting my sister’s memories, I am sorry I failed.”
“Madhu, all this is not needed.”
“Mahesh, I will harm myself if you say anything more. Please let me set this right. My chi..”
Madhu swallowed the word ‘child. ‘
“Samiksha, take care of yourself, and please don’t overeat. Remember that you are a sportsperson. Exercise regularly. Go to bed on time. And. . .” Finally, Madhu was at a loss for words.
“Take care of her, Mahesh, and yourself.”
“Where are you going, Madhu?”

“Don’t worry about me. I will take care of myself, and I will certainly have to. I promise you that.”
“Madhu.”
“Indeed, you have my word, Mahesh. If you try to stop me or follow me, I will harm myself. Take care of Samiksha.”
Finally, without turning back, Madhu left the place, her home.
Samiksha’s back was turned, and she did not bother to see Madhu leaving the threshold of her home, which was now merely a house.

Karan’s phone rang when he was about to leave the hospital after performing his duties.
“Madhu. How is everything?”
“Karan, I am feeling uneasy and . . .”
“Where are you? Is no one around?”
“No. I am alone. Can you please come here?”

Madhu instructed Karan about her whereabouts and sat on a public bench nearby. Soon, Karan arrived and saw a shattered Madhu seated alone on the bench.

https://blogbyhema.com/2021/04/22/they-were-passionately-in-love/