ENTWINED BY FAITH PART 27…

18-09-2017 10:34:13 PM: Yashasvi: @PART 27

@ATHARV’S ROOM
Atharv is sitting on the bed with Shivaay’s photo frame in his hand clenching it closer to his chest while his eyes have tears which aren’t stopping any sooner. All his life he has just had his father besides him and even the thought of loosing him has created a havoc in his heart, it’s even difficult to breath in his absence far is the thought of living without him. No matter who so ever comes and goes from his life the place of his father is always reserved no one can replace him in his life. And today just the news is making him loose all his strength he can’t take it at all. It’s then when Sukanya enters his room and places her hand on his lap.
Sukanya: Bhai.
Atharv looks at her with his eyes all teary and hugs her immediately not being able to control himself he cries harder hugging his sister while Sukanya rubs his back to calm him down.
Suk: Relax bhai, billu ji will be fine he will come back. Trust me bhai please.
Atharv in between his sobs: I trust you doll but I don’t trust my fate. I can’t live without him. You know he is my life I can’t bear to loose him doll. I can’t…. Not this time… It was really hard the previous time… Please Doll please get him back I can’t afford to lose him…. Please…. Doll…. Please.

He keeps pleading Sukanya who is all mechanical and expressionless by now and the words of Atharv take her down one of the worst times of her life, the time where she had rediscovered the meaning of word “HELPLESSNESS” the time which gave her the worst nightmare of her life and the time which changed her forever and ever. The time which she doesn’t even wants to visit in her memory. No doubt it turned to be the best time of her life as she came closer to an unknown man who now is her father. But with the good memories returned the bad ones too.

@FLASHBACK
@NEW YORK

The clouds were thundering heavily the entire sky was doomed in darkness and in between that dark night from somewhere flashed a lightning, lightening the streets of New York and darkening it the very next second. The shops were closed and street lights were not the only source of light but even the dimly lit lights of few houses that were decorated for the Christmas eve that is too arrive within few days. The cloud roared again, bursting the water within it.
Among all this was a young boy roaming with his bicycle aimlessly on the roads his face pail like the setting sun, eyes puffed up with continuous crying, body shivering with cold tremors and he trembling with fear. The cold night and cloud burst did nothing good to him rather worsened his condition with every passing second he keeps walking more mechanically and aimlessly as if in search of some precious possession but his small tired legs giving up their strength but still he keeps dragging himself unaware of his destination, unknown to the know roads, he walks and walks and walks nothing else does he do but just walks and walks. With every passing step the distance seems to increase more and his wait increases many folds. Finally he stops, stops to pick up his phone, only to hear the ranting from other side and accept that nothing else only ranting but that barley made any difference to that little soul who was all lost completely lost.

P.O.C.: Speak up bhai speak up damn it.
Boy: Please doll.

The person who called that aimlessly walking boy isn’t anyone accept Sukanya and the boy is Atharv, when they were eleven and few months after their first trip to Columbia.

Suk: Bhai by your walking on roads you won’t find uncle, please go back I beg you please bhai.

Atharv: How can I go back doll? You know right it has been three days no trace of papa, neither he is in office nor anywhere else, he isn’t picking up phone nor is he calling me no reply to my countless messages.( trailing at his words and crying he continues) Doll you know I am so much scared, papa is nowhere. Doll I have no one accept him I can’t live without him. Please ask him to come back please doll please I beg you ask him to come back I promise I won’t ask him to return early from work he can work as long as he wishes too. I won’t stop him please ask him to come back to me please doll.

He cries and cries and cries that’s all he is doing for past two days as Shivaay didn’t return home and there is no trace of him being found.

Suk wiping her tears: Bhai I understand but by walking on the road like this won’t get him back right. You can’t just keep walking like this and that too so late. Bhai please you are searching him from past 6 hours please bhai go back home please. I promise he will come back.
Atharv: How can you promise doll?
Suk: I don’t know but I am sure he will return soon.
Atharv: Doll… I am hell scared.
Suk: I understand bhai.

Before she could say further she hears a thud sound from the other side scaring the hell out of her she cries as loudly as possible calling him out. Nearly after half an hour of shouting and all a lady picks up the call.

Lady: Hello!
Suk: Hello, who are you where is the boy I was talking too.
Lady checking boy’s breath and pulse confirms: Oh he has fallen unconscious.
Suk: What? Excuse me I don’t know you but please can you… Can you please drop him home.
Lady: Okay dear I will do that but please tell me his address.
Suk: Ya I am messaging you that but please don’t disconnect.
Lady: Okay.
Suk messages the address while the lady picks Atharv and placing him in her car drives to the given address.
Lady: We are there now what.
Suk: Check his pocket there would be keys please take him in and if possible call a doctor.
Lady: Okay, don’t worry I have already called the doctor he will be here any moment.
Suk: Thank you so much if you don’t mind can you come please ask his neighbour Miss. Jenny to be with him and then you can leave.
Lady: Okay my dear I will just go and call her.
Suk: Thank you, thank you soooo much.

The lady calls Miss. Jenny who heartily thanks her for passing on the information and gives her a good bye with lots of due gratitude followed by Sukanya too. After a while doctor comes and checks Atharv and diagnosis him with high fever and chances of acute pneumonia and after writing few tests he prescribes medicines.

Jenny on call with Suk: Hi doll.
Suk: Hi Jenny aunty, is bhai alright. How is he now? Did he wake up?
Jenny: No my dear he is still unconscious but where is Shivaay and Robert (their worker).
Suk: Actually Jenny aunty as you have returned today so you don’t know that uncle has been missing for past three days there is no trace of him and four days back Robert uncle had gone on leave that’s why he isn’t there. Bhai had gone in search of uncle but on not finding him he was really dejected and then he fell unconscious after that, that lady brought him here on my instructions. I am hell scared Jenny aunty please be with him.
Jenny: Don’t worry my dear I am with him only.
Suk: Thank you thank you please inform me once he gains conscious.
Jenny: Okay dear I will surely inform you.

Mrs. Jenny is a women in her middle forties she lives with her daughter Maria who is in her early twenties as a neighbour to Shivaay. They have a good friendly relation, when Shivaay was new here Mrs. Jenny and Maria were great help they had often baby sit Atharv when he was away. As Mrs. Jenny had lost her husband at a very young age she often use to stay depressed and her inability to get a permanent job use to add more burden on her shoulders but she use to manage for her daughter and herself, seeing that Shivaay had offered Mrs. Jenny a job with him stating that he to is new to business here and he had skilfully funded Maria’s education till date. With time they have become a family. Few relations definitely do not need to have name and same was the case with them. The next 5 days passed by with Sukanya ranting Atharv at times as he tries to get up and go in search of his father or whenever he use to show tantrums either to have food or medicines Sukanya use to give him a good round of scolding’s. During these 5 days it was even hardly for a second that Suk had left the phone she kept talking to Atharv trying her best to distract him and not make him feel lonely. While Mrs. Jenny use to have a hearty laughter listening to her scolding’s and Atharv use to smile helplessly as all her efforts to keep him intact worked and she indeed made him fall in place even when he barely was but the only thing to worry him was the lingering guilt in her voice as she felt helpless for not being with him but whatever she did is more then anybody even being besides him could do that includes pinging up all the disgusting healthy house made soup recipes to Mrs. Jenny or getting on video call and teaching her how to prepare khichdi and giving a regular reminder for his medicines accompanied by few house remedies to get well soon especially her Mumma’s kada (herbal medicine) which due to it’s disgusting taste was almost puked out by Atharv but then Suk made him drink it with huge emotional drama, to which he sighed undoubtedly he was astonished by his sister’s talent.

One, night when Maria was slept and Atharv was just laying on his bed staring at the roof and remembering Shivaay his trances got broken by a knock at the door. He looked upto Maria who slept on the sofa reading her novel, unwilling to disturb her he gets up and makes his way to door and opening it walks out just to see a man in his early forties holding his father and making his way inside, Atharv escorts the duo to Shivaay’s room where the man lays Shivaay down and after exchanging few formal greetings leaves from there. The pale look and lumpy walk of his father worries him he sits besides Shivaay and touches his cheeks just to ensure his presence, while Shivaay looks at him and passes a tired smile.

Atharv after quite a long gap of silence manages to utter: Where were you papa?
Shivaay pulls Atharv on his lap understanding his concern and worry: I am sorry Atharv. I met with an accident and it was today only I gained conscious I am sorry for leaving you alone.
Atharv who was a bit annoyed his face now completely reflects worry and he hugs Shivaay: You scared me papa, how are you know? And what was the need to return back today only from hospital.
Shivaay cuts him: Hye Hye Hye relax Atharv I am fine and I really wanted to meet you.
Atharv: You would have called me there I would have come running to you why did you come here being so weak.

Voice from the door: Ya just like the previous time. Right champ.

Shivaay looks up and passes a weak and confused smile to Maria: Last time?
Atharv looks back and nods his head frantically in a big no, to which Maria smiles but by now Shivaay had understood that something was fishy so he was not going to let the things go that easily so narrowing his eyes he questions: What?
Maria: Nothing much uncle, just that this son of yours was found lying on a deserted road at nearly 12 of the night, thank God to the passer by who brought him home and called the doctor who diagnosed him with high fever and pneumonia.
Shivaay gets all worried and checks Atharv’s forehead: Are you okay Atharv. What the hell were you doing at the road so late at night.
Atharv with teary eyes innocently says: Searching you papa.

Shivaay feels guilty and takes Atharv in a hug trying to soothe him. He knew how possessive his son is about him and above that how much does he loves him and just by imagining him laying on the road at night gives Goosebumps to him. His pain, bruises and bursting head were the forgotten business and tears made a way through his eyes, while he cocooned Atharv closer to his chest loosing his only son is the worst nightmare. He keeps squeezing Atharv more into him gently kissing his forehead time to time trying to make himself sure about Atharv’s presence and well being while for Atharv he felt much better being with his father.

Atharv releasing from the hug and adjusting himself on Shivaay’s lap moves his hands to rub Shivaay’s tears and speaks weakly.
Atharv: Relax papa now I am completely fine.
Shivaay looks at him: I am sorry.
Atharv: It’s not your mistake but how did you meet with an accident?

Shivaay looks the other side and Atharv gets his answer he hops out of Shivaay’s lap.
Atharv angrily: You were again drunk. How many times do I need to tell you drinking isn’t a solution to your problems, leave it, you won’t understand that ever.

He walks towards the door and turns to Maria: Give him his tablets and food and ask him to rest, I am going to take a nap, I have school to attend day after tomorrow and I have to do alot of preparations already because of him I have skipped my school for long time.

He walks away while Maria looks at Shivaay with a puppy face who sighs his long held breath.
Maria: Uncle, I know you must be stressed, that was the day when Anika aunty went away from you. Right?
Shivaay nods: I threw her away.
Maria: I understand that you are guilty but please drinking will nowhere help you out. Don’t loose Atharv because of your theses acts he already stays really stressed and worried for you. Please try living for him.
Shivaay: That’s what I am doing Maria but I don’t know that day is the darkest day of my life it comes and I feel that once again I have lost my Anika. I can’t get over it.
Maria: I can understand but please try reducing your alcohol habits before they take a toll over your health.
Shivaay nods while Maria leaves after asking him to rest.

At night Shivaay enters Atharv’s room just to see him cuddling under his duvet. He goes to him and sits on the bed caring his hair.
Shivaay: Hye Mr. Junior Oberoi stop pretending I know you are up.
Atharv opens his eyes and looks at him: That no where makes me to talk to you Mr. Senior.
Shivaay chuckles a little.
Atharv: Anyways how are you.
Shivaay: So I must take it as I am granted.
Atharv: No.
Shivaay: Okay I will leave then.
Atharv curtly: Not before answering my question.
Shivaay sadly: I am better.
Atharv: Had your meds.
Shivaay nods innocently.
Atharv: Food.
Shivaay again nods.
Atharv: Fine sleep then.
Shivaay nods and lay besides him.
Atharv irritated: I never said besides me.
Shivaay nods and places his arm above Atharv who smiles and sleeps.

For the next day Atharv ceases to talk to Shivaay and Shivaay keeps pleading but all his pleads fall on deaf ear. Atharv doesn’t even takes a word from Shivaay and with the pleading and all the day ends. Next day Atharv leaves for his school giving strict warning to Shivaay on a paper, Shivaay helplessly sighs.

Tring… Tring…

Shivaay looks at the phone kept on the side table and the screen flashes with the word “DOLL”. Shivaay looks on confused but later realises that the phone is of Atharv. After few more rings Shivaay picks up the call only to hear a roaring tigress from the other side.

Sukanya: What the hell do you think of yourself bhai? Who is going to pick up my call? Look you stop taking advantage of my lenience or I will screw you up.
Shivaay gaining his voice back which had been lost somewhere hearing the angry roars: Hi.
Sukanya: What hi??? (she realises the difference in the voice and checks her phone to confirm whether she has dialled to a wrong no. but on getting ensured she gets back to the call) Who are you? Have you stolen my brother’s phone? Look I am warning you just return this back to him or I will chuck you out of the window.
Shivaay: Hye!!! Hye!!! Hye!!! Calm down young lady. This is Shivaay, Atharv’s father.
Suk: Oh hi uncle.
•
•
Wait… WHAT?????
Shivaay almost losses control on the phone due to her shout.
Suk: When did you come back?
Shivaay: First you stop shouting.
Suk: FINE. Answer me now.
Shivaay: A day before yesterday.
Suk: What? Why didn’t bhai tell me about that and where is he now? Where were you?
Shivaay: Oh god you ask so many questions. Relax. My car met with an accident and because of that I was admitted in hospital and about Atharv not telling you that maybe because he is highly upset from me as I was drinking and driving.
Suk: What you were drunk? Don’t you know drinking is injurious to health. It effects almost every part of the body. You should not drink rather you should consult a doctor and get rid of your addiction. Above that bhai’s anger is justified so I am with him. How dear you hurt my brother? You know how much ill he was and he was out on the streets searching for you at the middle of night. You two had scared the life out of me. I am fed up from two of you, can’t you boys take care of yourself I mean this much irresponsibility. Gosh what will happen of you both…………………..

Sukanya continues with her ranting for another complete half an hour and poor Shivaay who never heard anyone’s ranting accept his dadi not even of his brothers was now listening to Sukanya from previous half an hour making an innocent face as a child is listening lecture from his teacher. Finally Shivaay cuts her.

Shivaay: Take a breath doll.
Suk: Doll??? Don’t you dear call me doll.
Shivaay: Then what shall I call you.
Suk: Better you don’t call me only.

Saying this she cuts the call. Shivaay looks at the phone astonished for the first time somebody has cut his call. Oh God save this poor soul today or he will get heart attack. But soon the phone again rings.

Shivaay: Yes Miss. Don’t call me.
Suk: I called back to ask. How are you now?

Shivaay looks on shocked after half an hour of ranting now she remembers to ask him how is he not to forget after cutting the call too.

Shivaay sighs in disbelief: I am better and would have been a little better if you wouldn’t have scolded me.
Suk: You deserve it Mr. Uncle. Btw did you take your meds and food.
Shivaay: Yes angry bird.
Suk narrowing her eyes: What?
Shivaay chuckles imagining her expressions: Nothing.
Suk: Take care and get well soon. Bye.
Shivaay: Bye.

PRE RECAP:
Doll and SSO.

THANK YOU ? to all the commenters and readers.

Keep smiling
Stay blessed
&
For now signing off
SHIVIKA ?