PART - 56
"Are you alright?", Akansha asked
"Yeah! I'm alright, thanks and sorry for yesterday", he said, his tone apologetic.
"For?", she asked, raising her brows, helping him fill his plate.
"For my tone, Akansha. I shouldn't have...", he started but she cut him off
"That's completely fine, Shaurya", she said, she didn't mind it.
She talks rudely to him all the time, he never complains, can't she understand him if he changes his tone for once?
That too it wasn't rude, he was just irritated, she thought.
"You woke up late today? All Okay?", she asked him, he knew she is concerned for him all the time but when she showed it, it warmed his heart.
"Yah! Wasn't feeling sleepy, so took a pill", he didn't lie completely, she nodded.The previous night, it took some time for his pain to subside and after that he walked back to his room and by then his wife was already asleep, so he couldn't ask for an apology.
They both started eating in silence but it's comfortable.
"Is Siya awake?", Shaurya asked
"Yes", Akansha answered curtly and he frowned.
"Where is she? You usually bring her down with you after getting her ready", Shaurya expressed his doubt.
"If you want to ask about your daughter, then better don't open your mouth", Akansha said and he understood Siya has done something mischievous.
"Akansha... She is just 4, she doesn't know...", Shaurya started defending his little one
"You didn't even ask what she did... Oh god! Don't tell me you knew it all this time", Akansha said, narrowing her eyes at him while he looked elsewhere.
"It's okay, it's fine, I have got a few new pairs, I'll use them", Shaurya said
His daughter with the little scissors in her play set, cut his socks, not even leaving a single good pair to wear.
Luckily he had some new pairs in the other room which he is using.
He carefully disposed the cut pieces so that Akansha wouldn't find out.
He told his daughter that it's not good and Siya like a good girl she is, said sorry and he forgave her quickly.
Siya requested him not to say anything to Akansha and he quickly agreed.
He anyway, didn't have plans to expose his little mischief master.
"Wait! Pairs? What are you talking about?", Akansha asked and he realized he just threw his daughter in the lion's den.
"What are you talking about? I was talking about the same", Shaurya tried to tangle Akansha in his words but who is he kidding.
"Shaurya! Quit this game", Akansha warned...
"What game? Akansha, what are you saying?", he asked softly, and Akansha huffed.
"I was talking about what Siya did with the paints and water colors you got for her last week, god this girl has got so mischievous", Akansha said.
He understood she found out about Siya spoiling the wall in their room, which he quickly covered with a curtain and moved a huge showpiece there so that Akansha wouldn't move it and find out about the colors.
Well, that was old news, after that his daughter spoiled his shirts, cut his socks and lost a few of his cufflinks.
She thought them to be some playthings and so collected all of them and decorated her barbies with them, and in the process she lost a few.
He mentally sighed, he tries everything to hide the crime but even then Akansha finds out one or the other way.
He cursed himself for not covering the wall properly.
"Yeah! What I meant was I have got a few paints in the garage, I will use them to paint the wall. Maybe Siya and I could do it together, that way she will learn her lesson, what's say?", Shaurya said but noticing Akansha's expression, he knew he messed up.
"What the hell are you talking? What wall? Did Siya do something to the wall?", Akansha asked and Shaurya's face paled. His little cub is not gonna forgive him. 'Idiot! First think how to escape the lioness'
"Ah! No... Not Siya... I.. I was working with the colors and...", Shaurya began but Akansha cut off.
"What work do you have with the colors? Were you signing your documents with sketch pens or paint brushes instead of pen? Is that what you wanted to say?", Akansha asked him, folding her arms to her chest and that's it, he understood his game came to an end.
"No... I...", Shaurya tried to defend
"Cut the crap and tell me, what is the story with this new pairs and the wall?
", Akansha asked him sternly and he knew there's no escape now.
He is getting late but his wife wouldn't let go without knowing the whole truth.
He was left with no option. He cursed his over exciting mouth when it came to defending his daughter.
Why the hell did he open his mouth in the first place?
"While coloring, Siya got a little paint on the wall, very little", Shaurya stressed on the word little and Akansha narrowed her eyes.
"Oh! Now I get it. That's why the curtains and the sudden shift of the show piece.
I was wondering why would someone put curtains on a wall, unless he is an idiot, and now I can see that idiot is now eating 'Upma' shamelessly", Akansha taunted, making Shaurya choke on his 'upma' he is having.
She forwarded the water glass to him which he quickly took.
"The paint is worn off, I was thinking of getting a fresh coat of paints soon, so it's okay", Shaurya said, Akansha gave him a 'Seriously' look.
"Beti ke pyar mein andhe ho chuke ho(you have become blind in your daughter's love), your lies have no end now.
From which angle does this house seem to be worn off to you?
Every inch of the wall looks like it's freshly painted, that's how well-maintained your place is, of course except the place where your daughter put her destructive hand on", Akansha scolded him.
"She is just 4 years old. It's okay", he said softly. He was surprised that he is still left with some courage after that 'Don't you dare' look on her face.
"Five... She turned five a few weeks ago, if you remember. You should be ashamed of yourself, instead of reprimanding her, you are protecting her? How long have you been hiding this from me?", she asked and no, he can't answer that. She wouldn't leave him...
"I'm getting late, can we talk at night?", he asked getting up
"You are going nowhere until you answer my questions", Akansha told sternly and he sat back. No, he can't betray his daughter but how is he gonna escape his wife?
"Please...", he requested and her eyes held amusement seeing him so weak.
He is reacting as if he is backstabbing his daughter in the worst way possible.
His troublesome face made it so funny and she burst out laughing.
"Akansha, not funny...", he said with a small smile, he loved her laugh, he wouldn't mind if she laughs at him the whole life, huh whipped! He knew.
"Yes, exactly, not funny, so stop giving those looks as if I am asking the toughest questions in the world of history and answer me. So what's the story behind this new pairs? What did she spoil this time? Again your shirts? Your ties or socks or shoes?", Akansha asked him.
"Um... Why is Siya not here till now? Is she not going to school today? Did you punish her?", Shaurya asked, diverting the topic.
"Yes, I did. I am making her write what things are bad and shouldn't be done at all. I asked her to list out some good things and some mischievous things. Will go and check after finishing this talk with you", Akansha said
"Don't you think it's too harsh? She will learn with time", he gently put his point.
"This is harsh? I didn't even raise my tone at her Shaurya", she told him.
"Sorry?", she asked, narrowing her eyes, as she didn't hear him but knew he was muttering something about her.
"I was asking what did she do the deserve that punishment", he asked, Akansha shook her head at how he was asking as if he and his daughter are the most innocent beings in the world.
"She put colors on the approval papers you signed of Phase 2.
She has become so mischievous and it's all because of you.
", Akansha said, blaming him at the end.
Yeah! That was her most common dialogue.
'All because of you'. The other day Siya spilled milk on the floor accidentally and Akansha said 'he was the reason behind that'.
His head couldn't register how he who was working in his study was the reason behind his daughter spilling milk in the kitchen.
He wasn't aware of it even, but did he complain?
No, absolutely not, he waited for 5 long years and countless sleepless nights to experience this bliss.
"Oh! Send me the phase 2 final document, I'll get the print outs and sign them and file it for you", he offered
"You will do all the work again but wouldn't reprimand your daughter right? Unbelievable", Akansha huffed
"Mumma... I'm done", Siya descended the stairs with her head down. Shaurya pitied his daughter.
"Okay! I'll check, till then sit beside Dadda and have your breakfast", Akansha said, hearing 'Dadda', Siya looked up and on seeing Shaurya, Siya rushed to him.
He took her in his arms, and she hid her face in his neck and silently sobbed.
His heart aches everytime his daughter cried. Though it's not for a major reason.
Akansha shook her head at the drama, she didn't scold Siya at all, but still she wanted her father to sympathize with her.
"Dadda... Mumma... Mumma punished me... Siya is sad... Daddaa", Siya sobbed
"It's okay bacha, first stop crying", Shaurya calmed his child.
"You are getting late, aren't you? Go, I'll handle her", Akansha said but Siya tightened her grip on his collar and back, crumbling his shirt, sobbing hard.
"No... No... Dadda, don't go... Dadda", Siya sobbed
"Okay, I'm not going anywhere bacha... I'll be here... Stop crying", Shaurya calmed her.
"Why don't you go and get ready for school, I'll feed her by then. I'll drop you at school and leave for work from there", Shaurya suggested to Akansha
"No, I'll go with Jasmeet. You are already late. Leave Siya at home today day. Sudha aunty will take care of her", Akansha said and walked away to get ready.
Shaurya slowly fed Siya after she stopped sobbing.
"By punishment, did mumma scold you?", Shaurya asked his daughter softly.
It's important he taught her what her mother did was not punishment but teaching.
Otherwise Siya would villanize Akansha in her head which is not right.
Earlier it was only Akansha and Siya and so Siya has no one to compare Akansha with.
So obviously for Siya, Akansha was good even if she scolded her, but now she had Shaurya as well and since he would never scold his daughter, Akansha was becoming the bad parent.
Though Siya loved her mother more than anyone, these little things impact the little head a lot and he didn't want any negative emotions for Akansha in his little one's head.
His wife is the best mother and best parent for Siya.
He is not even close and he wants Siya to know and acknowledge this fact.
"No Dadda, she said I write good things and bad things", Siya said
"How is this a punishment? This is an activity mumma gave you and see you completed it", Shaurya said
"But mumma was angry, I spoiled her papers and then she gave me this", Siya said, explaining him that's why this is a punishment.
"See, you spoiled mumma's papers, now mumma has to prepare them all again and get signatures from her boss who will scold her for getting the work not done on time.
Mumma has to deal with so many things yet she didn't scold you or punish you.
All she did was give you an activity. But what did you do?
Did you say sorry to mumma?", Shaurya asked and Siya looked down feeling bad about what she did.
"Yes", Siya answered about the sorry part
"Did you mean it?", Shaurya asked again and Siya shook her head.
"Very bad bacha. You shouldn't spoil anyone's hard work like that. Mumma does so much for you, for us and it's wrong if you don't value her contributions and hardwork", Shaurya slowly said and Siya hugged him.
"Dadda, Siya is sorry. I won't be a bad girl from now on. I will color only in the coloring book. Dadda! Please don't tell mumma about the colors I put on your shirts", Siya said hiding her face in his neck and he chuckled.
Akansha who came there, widened her mouth hearing her daughter.
She came much before but was adoring the father-daughter.
They are too cute to ignore. Shaurya who noticed her presence gestured her to calm down and not say anything now.
He knew Akansha would be angrier because when Siya spoiled all his white shirts in an attempt to make them more beautiful with colors, this was post watching a YouTube video of kids, Akansha explained Siya calmly and Siya told her mother that she would never repeat it, she even said that her mother could punish her if she spoils her Dadda's shirts again.
That's the reason he hid it from Akansha but he did reprimand Siya for not honouring what she promised her mother.
"Only on one condition", he said and she looked at him with her innocent eyes.
"If you promise not to do something like this again and this time I want you to stand by your promise", Shaurya said
"I won't do, Dadda. I am sorry. Siya won't be a bad girl from now on", Siya said feeling sorry for breaking the word she gave her mother.
"My little unicorn is not a bad girl, just a little naughty. Okay now, no more crying. Be a good girl, and when mumma is here, what should you do?", Shaurya asked
"Say sorry", Siya completed.
"Correct", Shaurya said
Akansha walked towards the father-daughter and Siya slowly approached her mother and said 'Sorry' and also promised she won't do mischief again, Akansha nodded forgiving her.
Siya bid bye to Shaurya and Akansha and went to her play room with Mrs. Sudha following her.
Akansha informed Mrs. Sudha she would be home till afternoon and take Siya with her before going to the Secretariat, by then requested her to feed Siya lunch to which the elder lady nodded and left.
"So, who is training you?", Akansha asked, approaching him. He raised his brows not getting her question.
"You are becoming a pro dad", Akansha said and he chuckled.
"These days, I'm in the company of a best mother, so naturally some qualities of her would be rubbed on me. That's the reason", he said and she shook her head at his habit of crediting her for everything.
Both of them started walking out. He offered he would drop her as her school is on his way and she agreed.
On their way, Akansha started reading the paper Siya wrote and burst out into fits of laughter.
"What? Why are you laughing?", He asked with a smile seeing her carefree laughter in his presence after a long time.
"Look at this, your daughter and her talent", she said showing the paper to him.
"She put eating chocolates in good things as well as bad things. She changed the numbers accordingly. Eating 10-20 Chocolates is good but eating 100 is bad it seems", Akansha said and Shaurya chuckled at his creative little one.
"And see this, playing without getting hurt is good but hurting self is bad, you must have inspired her for this", Akansha didn't ask but stated. Of course, he is the one who keeps instructing Siya about being careful and not get hurt.
"Wait! What is this? Spoiling dadda's shirts is wrong.
Painting walls is wrong
Cutting Dadda's socks is wrong?
", Akansha looked at Shaurya and he mentally slapped his head for his daughter's innocence.
She was warning him not to tell anything to her mother but she herself has written it here?
"And look at the next one, playing with Dadda's cuplinks (cufflinks) and losing them is wrong", Akansha said
"You might have given a target, so she wrote all she could think of", Shaurya said
"Yes, I did give her a target of 10 but your five year old wouldn't have written it until she has done it", Akansha said glaring at Shaurya who looked like a deer caught in headlights.
"She wouldn't do it again", he said, that's the only statement he could come up with, in his daughter's defense.
"I have realized two things after reading this paper. 1. Your daughter needs to improve her spellings and English.
2. I need to make you get stricter with her, only then will she stop all this naughtiness", Akansha said, circling all the wrong spellings Siya has written.
She lectured him till their fleet of cars came to halt in front of her workplace. She got down the car with her bag and tiffin, and walked away responding to Shaurya's bye with a Hm. He understood she is upset with him for going too easy on Siya.
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Over the next few days, Shaurya got busy and couldn't visit the doctor, his headache became frequent these days and he knew he needs to get it diagnosed immediately but his schedule got tighter with each passing day making it impossible for him to take out some time.
"Dr. Chauhan, Yes, I do understand. I will definitely see you today. I'm leaving from home now, I'll visit you at your place and then leave for the Secretariat", Shaurya spoke into the phone and hung up. His doctor sounded pretty upset with his frequent cancellations of appointments.
"Dadda... Will you please drop me at the school today?
Pwease?", Siya requested, Akansha is directly going to Secretariat today, so she asked Jasmeet to drop Siya at school but she wanted her Dadda to drop her.
Usually he wouldn't say 'No' to his daughter but he knew now he had to.
It's important he visited Dr. Chauhan before his condition worsens and he knew his wife and daughter would be the immediate sufferers if he fell sick.
"My dear unicorn, Dadda has some really important work; otherwise, he wouldn't have said no to you. You know that, right?", Shaurya said, and even Akansha stood surprised at Shaurya refusing his daughter. Is he finally learning to say 'No' to his daughter not able to bear her nagging? Seems so.
"Okay Dadda... Will you come to pick me up then?", Siya asked hopefully and he couldn't deny those eyes, so he nodded. He hoped he would be done with all the tests Dr. Chauhan wants to do by then.
Siya hugged him, gave him a kiss on his cheek and then to Akansha before walking away holding Jasmeet's hand.
"I'll go with you today", Akansha said. She thought he must be going to the Secretariat as well.
"I'm going somewhere else...", he trailed, he hated himself to deny first his daughter, then his wife. She rarely announces with right that she is going with him, and he had to deny her.
"Okay... I'll wait for Jasmeet then", Akansha said with a soft smile, to ease his worry.
"Sir... Party leaders from the West and East parts of the state are here. Youth leaders are also with them. Should we allow them in?", Suraj asked
"Now?", Shaurya asked, looking at his watch.
"Yes, sir, they are asking for 5 minutes", Suraj said
"Okay, let them in", Shaurya said
Shaurya sat with Mr. Sharma and Shweta in the Hall, discussing some important things when some men walked in.
Most of them are middle-aged but a few of them are young people, hardly thirty.
He recognized them as youth leaders of the West Wing.
One of his party MLAs recommended these young men for the positions.
They were praised for their quick response during the riots that took place 5 years ago, and for how they saved lives.
On seeing their zeal, he gave them the positions.
He wanted more youth to come into politics as they carry so much energy, bring new ideas and points of view to the table, stay in relevance, and most importantly, they won't shy away from dumping the age-old practices if they aren't relevant anymore.
The area MLA too came with them, and he was all praises for the youth wing, and Shaurya understood they were here to ask for a party ticket for the young men.
Shaurya genuinely thought about it. He thought of looking clearly into their profiles before deciding.
He wants the youth percentage contesting from his party to increase compared to the last elections.
But he sighed, thinking about what has been running in his head for some time now.
If he decides to proceed with his decision, his party would lose, and what about these young, hardworking MLAs? Will they continue to work for the welfare of people or will they learn dirty politics?
"Vinay, Vardhan, both of you meet me at the party office this coming Sunday. I would like to have a detailed chat with you regarding...", Shaurya began, and they were listening to him with attentiveness, but suddenly their eyes widened, and they were filled with dread.
"Shaurya, let me know when Jasmeet is here...", Akansha says, walking there, looking into her file.
Seeing her, the two youth leaders, Vinay and Vardhan, stood up with a jerk. Akansha looked up, and her feet froze seeing them...
"This is Mrs. Akansha Shekhawat, CM sir's wife", the MLA told them both. Their eyes widened in shock.
Shaurya frowned. Why the hell were they reacting like this, seeing Akansha. He walked to his wife, who stilled. He could see her eyes holding fear and pain. He took her palm in his, rubbing it slowly, bringing her out of her thoughts.
"What happened? Are you okay?", he asked her softly. He could still see that storm of emotions in her eyes. Before she could answer anything, she felt someone touching her feet, she jerked behind, about to fall, but Shaurya held her.
Vinay and Vardhan fell on her feet.
"What the hell?", Shaurya got angry at them.
"Maaf krdijiye Madam...(Please forgive us ma'am.
..) So sorry, sorry... We didn't know you were our CM sir's wife.
No matter what we did that night was wrong.
.. We shouldn't have left a pregnant lady on the road like that.
..", Vinay begged for forgiveness. They didn't think the lady they left on the streets to suffer, not to forget she was heavily pregnant, was their CM's wife for whom they were creating that ruckus.
They were some reckless young graduates hailing from political families that supported Shaurya's party at that time.
They were ingrained with aggressiveness, and it was the same they showed that night. Shaurya understood these were the people who suffered his wife and unborn child that night, who were inhumane to hurt a heavily pregnant woman, and what did he do? Gave them positions as a reward for hurting them?
Well, they did work towards saving lives, but when? When Shaurya held a meeting and strictly ordered his party MLAs to contain violence, pressured them to take action with immediate effect, or else strict actions would be taken against them.
Even now, they fell on her feet not because of regret, maybe it was there, but the fear was greater; they wouldn't be spared if their families lost the party ticket because of them.
"You didn't just leave an injured pregnant lady on the road to die, you brought her to that condition.
Don't you remember what you did? Huh? The wooden log you threw at the shutter hit it and fell on me.
I was hurt, struggling but you didn't show mercy, not even at my unborn child?
I begged you to be spared, I begged you people to take me to the hospital but you left me on the streets to die.
There's no forgiveness for animals like you", she said, stepping back, jerking Shaurya's hold on her palm.
"Akansha...", he tried to hold her palm again but she stepped back even more.
"No... You are a politician first, a father or husband later. Keep honoring these men with party tickets and positions while they kill your wife and child", Akansha said before walking inside wiping her tears.
Shaurya stood still, her words weren't something new that he already didn't know. Yes, that's what he did. He didn't know, he was unaware but that makes him more at fault. He failed to take care of his wife and child.
"Sir...", Vinay began, trying to ask sorry from Shaurya, but he was in no mood to play politics.
His blood boiled thinking that these were the perpetrators that suffered his wife; he thought finding them would be difficult but God sent them in front of him, and he wouldn't let them get away with the sin.
"Get up and get out", Shaurya said coldly and walked to his study.
He informed Mr. Sharma that he won't be available for the first half and shut down his phone.
Mr. Sharma pushed all engagements in the first half to later, he also called Dr. Chauhan and informed about the same who was upset. He called Shaurya to tell him how important the check up was but his phone was off.
The symptoms Shaurya explained sounded alarming and he wants to check him at the earliest but Shaurya was too busy to visit.
He cursed Shaurya's workaholic nature. He treated many politicians, state leaders, bureaucrats but never seen a man like Shaurya.
Though he feels proud for the kind of service he does, as a patient he is very bad, not cooperating, and irritating and he was fed up of Shaurya's negligent nature.
--------------
Akansha took deep breaths to calm herself.
Yes, she was taken off guard seeing those men there, her pain and trauma kicked in.
She got angry with Shaurya, anyone in her place would.
He sheltered those men and helped them climb career ladder while she suffered because of them but he didn't know.
He wasn't aware and she couldn't think of it then, but now that she did, she realized Shaurya needed her now.
He is already beating himself with this.
He wasn't sharing his pain with her but she could see him suffering.
She noticed some changes in his behavior as well in the recent times and they weren't good, she even suggested him to go and see a doctor but he shrugged off all her concerns.
She picked up her mobile to call him, she thought he went to work but before she could dial his number, Suraj knocked on her door. The knocks became loud and urgent, she quickly opened the door.
"Ma'am, Shaurya sir collapsed in his study. We are taking him to a hospital. The ambulance is on it's way. I suspect it's heart attack", Suraj said, for a second Akansha got numb. No this wasn't the time to get weak, Shaurya needed her, she needs to be strong.
"Let's not wait for ambulance", Akansha said rushing to Shaurya.
Seeing him, she didn't think it's a heart attack but she couldn't ignore the symptoms. It looked like it but her gut feeling said it wasn't heart stroke.
Suraj called Dr. Chauhan and informed him.
"Shaurya... Stay fine... For Siya and me... Please...", Akansha whispered holding his palm, tears slipping her eyes but she quickly wiped them. No she can't fall weak.
She called Akash and Dev on their way to hospital, informing them.
Dev quickly reached the hospital and got everything arranged as it was nearer to his place.
Dr. Chauhan's hospital offered the needed privacy so Dev wasn't worried.
Well even if it didn't he wouldn't have stayed back leaving his best friend alone.
Akansha and Suraj + team reached the hospital with Shaurya. Dr. Chauhan started checking and started with his tests.
Akansha and Dev sat outside the ward.
"He would be fine right?", Dev asked her.
"He needs to be fine...", Akansha answered.
When they saw nurse walking out, both of them quickly stood up.
"Was it a heart attack?", Akansha asked, catching her breath.
"No ma'am", the nurse said and Akansha sighed. Thank god it wasn't heart stroke but her relief was short-lived.
"A brain stroke ma'am, doctor would give you the clear details", the nurse said and politely excused herself.
"A brain stroke? Oh god! It's all because of stress, I should have tried harder to get him to talk... It's all my fault, my fault it is", Dev cursed, ruffling his hair. His eyes reddened with anguish and worry.
"Dev... Stress can only intensify the chances of a stroke.
But the basic foundation for it has multiple reasons.
Did Shaurya have a medical history of something like this?
", Akansha asked. She tried hard not to let his condition affect her heart.
She had to be practical; only then could she handle things there.
Looking at Dev and how emotional he has become, she can't depend on him.
The hospital was put on high alert, but they tried to keep the news low as it could cause a riot-like situation again, and Shaurya wouldn't want that. She told Suraj to be vigilant of that.
"No... No...", Dev shook his head.
"Does it run in the family, maybe his parents, grandparents, Aakriti? Did she ever suffer from something like this?", Akansha asked.
"I don't know about his parents, but Aakriti has a condition called AFib. I don't know what it means, but...", Dev started, and Akansha held her head with her eyes welling up.
"No... No... No... This can't be it. No.. Please no...", Akansha said, shaking her head. Tears flew from her eyes.
"What? You are scaring me, woman", Dev said, his eyes turning teary.
"A... Atrial Fibrillation, also called AFib.
A type of irregular heartbeat, Arrhythmia.
This condition can lead to a brain stroke if not taken care of properly.
In patients with this condition, the chances of a brain stroke are 5 times higher than normal.
It's more genetic predisposition. If Aakriti has it, chances are it's genetic, but again, I am not sure.
Let's hope it's not what I am thinking", Akansha said, wiping her tears. Dev prayed for the same.
After some time, Dr. Chauhan walked out with his fellow doctors. He called Akansha to the cabin, but she pulled Dev with her too. Dr. Chauhan hesitated to talk in front of Dev, and Dev rolled his eyes.
"Dr. Chauhan, pull off the facade and tell me, how is Shaurya?", Dev said. The old man knew about them being related through Aakriti, though he didn't know they were best friends.
"How is he? Is it a brain stroke?", Akansha asked, and Dr. Rajeev Chauhan nodded.
"Yes, a brain stroke, but mild. Need to keep him under observation for 3-4 days. Mrs. Shekhawat, you have to convince him for it, because he wouldn't stay away from work for that long. That's what brought him to this situation", Rajeev said
"Sorry?", Akansha asked with confusion.
"He was feeling throbbing pain for a few days.
I even gave him medicine the other day and asked him to visit me the next day, but he didn't. His symptoms sounded alarming, so I kept asking him to visit, but he neglected.
Finally, he was going to visit today but didn't, we could have avoided this if he got the tests earlier", Dr. Chauhan said, and Akansha fisted her palms to control the fury she was feeling toward her husband.
So that night, his irritated tone was because of the extreme pain.
Damn that man and his patience. If someone else were suffering from that pain, they would have shouted, screamed, yelled, thrashed anything on the floor, but this man was struggling hard to control his tone so that it wouldn't turn rude to her.
Suddenly her eyes welled up, and tears flew at the way he always treated her with respect and love.
It might have killed him to be harsh on her after her marriage if this is how much tolerance he put even when he is suffering from a soul-wrenching pain.
She has studied that people with hemorrhage brain strokes suffer the worst headaches, and she knew his stroke was of the hemorrhage kind, if he had suffered headaches before.
If it were the other kind, it would have been sudden.
It came with so many warnings, yet Shaurya ignored it.
He is so dead when he wakes up, she determined.
"Mrs. Shekhawat, please convince him, it's important to have him in observation for at least 3 days. People who suffer from mild strokes carry a risk of major stroke in the next 48 hours, we need to monitor them closely", Dr. Rajeev said
"Don't worry, he will stay here for as many days as you advise", Akansha assured him, wiping her tears, trying hard not to cry.
"What do you mean by risk of major stroke? If you know there is a risk of it, why don't you prevent it? Give him medicines, injections, whatever is there", Dev suggested
Dr. Chauhan looked at Dev weirdly. Looking at Akansha's composure and Dev's hyper concern, it felt like he is Shaurya's wife, and Akansha is the best friend.
"We are doing everything possible, Mr. Bisht, but for proper treatment to be done, we need Shaurya to cooperate", Dr. Chauhan said and Dev nodded.
"Tell me one thing, doctor. What is the cause of this stroke?", Akansha asked.
"Like you might have already realized, Dr. Akansha, this is a hemorrhagic stroke.
This happened because of a past injury, which might date back to years.
The weakened vessels from the injury might have suddenly burst. But luckily, it's mild, the bleeding is small and limited, and we have controlled his blood pressure.
Let's see how he responds to the treatment. For now, he is fine", Dr. Chauhan said
"So it's not AFib?", she asked, and he shook his head.
"No, Shaurya's family has a history of it, his grandfather had, his father too does, and there is a high chance for him, but as of now, we haven't seen anything like that, so you don't have to worry about that for now.
As we know, mental distress, anxiety, and depression fueled his current condition.
Please make sure he isn't stressed much, otherwise there's a risk of a second stroke", Dr. Rajeev answered.
"I will make sure he isn't stressed. Thank you, doctor", Akansha sighed.
"Mrs. Shekhawat, I would want his reports from his past accident", Dr. Chauhan asked. Akansha frowned.
"The head injury dated back to the accident he had more than 6 years ago", he added, shocking her.
The same accident where he got stabbed trying to save her... She gulped her tears, trying hard to stay strong.
"We'll get them, Doctor. Thank you", Dev answered instead and left the cabin, taking Akansha with him. He knew she couldn't control anymore and she would be embarrassed if she cried in front of the doctor.
"I'll get those reports from the hospital where he was treated. You take care, I'll be back with the reports, okay? I'll send Rachna here", Dev said softly.
"Dev... Am.. Am I the reason behind this?", Akansha asked, her tone cracking at the end, and Dev's eyes welled up seeing this strong woman breaking down. Her vulnerability hurt him.
"No... Of course not. Don't you dare blame yourself.
Shaurya would get another stroke if he sees you crying and blaming yourself like this, and then you will be the reason for that", Dev joked and Akansha shook her head, wiping her tears.
"I'll ask Rachna to bring lunch for you.
Have it, it's too late", he said, and she nodded.
"Wait! Oh god Siya... Suraj...", Akansha called Suraj, remembering Siya.
Suraj walked toward her.
"Suraj... Siya.
.. Was she brought home by Jasmeet?", Akansha asked, holding her head.
How the hell could she forget her daughter?
it must be 3-4 hours since her school was over.
Luckily, all the staff knew her, so they will take care of her, but still she couldn't help but worry.
"Yes, ma'am, Jasmeet got her home. She was asking for you. Mrs. Sudha is handling her", Suraj informed
"Don't let her know anything. We can't handle her if she gets to know about Shaurya being sick", Akansha said, and Suraj nodded.
"She is upset that Shaurya Sir didn't come to pick her up from school. She is throwing tantrums, Jasmeet called. It's getting tough to handle her; she insists on seeing Sir. You were inside the doctor's cabin, that's why couldn't inform you", Suraj said, and Akansha sighed.
"Dev, take her to your place, and ask Rachna to stay at home. She would forget her dadda for the time being, playing with Ishan and Ivaan", Akansha said, and Dev nodded.
"I'll send food through Ashwini", Dev said
"Don't bother him, I'll eat from the cafe here or ask someone to get from home", Akansha said
"It's not a bother. Relax. I'll be back with the reports, take care", Dev said and left.
Akansha walked to the ICU. The doctor said not to disturb Shaurya, but she could see him.
She went in and sat on the couch there staring at him.
Her heart clenched at the sight of him lying on a hospital bed.
It looked so odd as he had barely gotten sick before.
He took care of his health properly, so she never imagined him to be suffering like this.
This is how he might have looked when he got injured years ago?
Maybe worse, as his condition was critical then.
Tears slipped from her eyes looking at him.
Stress is what triggered his stroke, and why is he stressed?
She knew very well. Is that how much her sufferings are affecting him?
Damn why does he have to love her so much?