HEARTBEAT(A SHIVIKA OS)
I ran through the trees in that dark
forest….this was the longest running I
would have done in my entire life of 27
years…..I was sweating profusely as if I
have diabetics then I smiled to myself
thinking that yes I have because she is
too sweet for me…..but this smile
vanished when I heard a girl scream at
the top of her voice….
My heartbeat increased….I could feel
my hands and legs shaking….
It can't be her voice said something
inside my head . I know it's my heart
which beats for her had told this….the
voice faded.
After running for an hour I stopped
infront of a huge tree….that tree was
very huge and I haven't seen anything
like that in my life maybe I would have
seen it in movies…but all the branches
comming out of tree were so dead like
me…maybe they had lost their love…
Then I sat under the tree to get some
rest….
Eventhough I don't want to take rest
my limbs are not ready to take a step
further. So without any choice I rested
my back on the tree…due to the
tiredness I fell asleep instantly….
“I Won't leave you….Mr. shivaay singh
oberoi….” said a girl standing in the
middle of road.
I am Shivaay singh oberoi….even
destruction fears me…you are nothing
before me.
“you will come running for me one day
and that day you can't get hold of me”
said the girl with utmost anger.
I ignored her and steered my car….not
knowing that I will meet her again.
I opened my eyes only to realise that I
was still in the jungle and I have been
dreaming.
Annika you said correctly…see I am
running and searching for you but you
are out of my reach.
It's night and I know I can't go searching
her . I know I have to wait till morning.
The cold breeze once a pleasure is now
a torture without her. Annika where are
you? Was the only question my mind is
filled with. Even the heartbeat of my
own stupid not to fit for nothing heart
is saying the same…
I collected sticks around and made fire.
I thanked god that atleast I had lighter.
For the first time I realised there is
some greater force above
us…otherwise how would a non-
smoker like me will have a lighter. It
was my stupid brothers. They also don't
smoke but that day they had the
lighter. Omru my life….today also they
are helping me unknowingly….. I smiled
without knowing that I have now
written their names on the sand.
OMKARA RUDRA.
Suddenly like a pregnant woman my
mood swung and this time again her
face came infront of me.
“bagad billa you are so bad…I said I
want water but you are not ready to get
it”.
I won't get water…already I got that for
you three times but all that time you
ended up either pouring the water on
me or spitting. This time you go and get
water if you feel like wanting it.
“billuji……ji….ji….please….please….”
See I have told you that I can’t…
“Shivaay you are so arrogant…atleast
you must think na that I am pregnant
and it's nearly time for delivery and I
should be in complete rest as instructed
by doctor and that….”
Okay stop I will bring water…and as
always she smirked at me.
As I walked outside past om’s room I
saw om having a lighter in his hand. I
was shocked my world stopped. When
did this happen when he started to
smoke. Rudra was also there in his
room…
What the wuck! !!
I went inside and started scolding
them…but to my surprise those two
idiots were laughing…
Are you both mad…. I caught you both
red-handed but you two..are…
“Shivaay stop. Breathe in and out” said
omkara…with utmost cool and what
not this irritated me more than
anything and I started to shout like a
hysteria patient.
Rudra was dumbstruck seeing me
shouting like this but om…I don't know
what mood he was he pushed me and
rudra out and shut the door. Now I too
stood like rudra dumbstruck.
The entire family came due to my
hysteric shout. Dadi was the first to
question me…before I could tell what
happened Rudra said something which
was a shock to me.
“Dadi Shivaay bhaiya is gone mad…om
took lighter from one of our guards to
melt something I don't know what that
is but I think he needed to complete is
sculpture. But Shivaay bhaiya thought
he was smoking and shouted like
anything” finished rudra in one go
leaving me not able to face anyone.
“Shivaay…you have done wrong I don't
know what om must be feeling now”
said my wife with a concern…
She was right what will om think of me.
Oh my god when did I turn into such a
rude arrogant…
“STOP” Said a voice and I know whose
voice is that.
Om I am sorry I didn't mean…how can
I….
“Shivaay it's okay..” said om with
calmness….that pricked my guilt even
more. I left the place saying good night
to all…
That night fully I didn't sleep. One
reason is my guilt and the other reason
is the snoring queen she had picked up
the new habit during her 7 th month of
pregnancy.
Early morning 4.00 clock I was disturbed
from my sleep as I could feel terrible
pressure in my hand. Not being able to
open my eyes fully I saw my hands….
“Shivaay I am in pain do something”
said my better half with utmost
difficulty.
I was shocked I didn't know what to
do…me being a stupid went to her and
asked what to do…
“ Take me to hospital….I can't bare the
pain…if you are gonna keep showing
your face so close to me then I will
slap…billuji…aaahhhhhh” shouted my
suddenly turned vampire wife.
I lifted her and walked out of the
mansion. The two guards standing
outside got panicked and I asked them
to inform the other family members
when they wake up.
“billuji….ahhhh” shrieked my shouting
beauty.
I put my hands into my pocket to get
the car key but I found the lighter then I
remember it was rudra who slipped it
into my pocket yesterday night…
I just put the lighter back into my
pocket and ran inside to take the car
key…
But that's the mistake I did…my life’s
biggest mistake. I should have sent one
of the guards…..
A fresh ray of sunlight fell on my face….
I realised that it's morning and I have to
go in search of my jaan.
She is not well….I must go to her as
soon as possible.
Without even knowing I walked deep
into the forest. The trees grew denser
and denser and the forest was dark. I
then realised that I am at the middle of
the forest.
For the first time in my life I was
frightened . What would have
happened to her…..where will I search
her….my heart slipped a beat. I again
resumed walking without knowing
where to find her. I know by this time
om and rudra would have made the
entire city upside down searching for us
but they wouldn't have a tiny bit of idea
that we are in this forest.
Suddenly I felt something….something
very strong I didn't know how to
explain but I felt she is near me. My
eyes searched for her my legs
automatically went in a random
direction in search of her.
I shouldn't have went inside the
mansion to get the car keys . I didn't
know at that time that when I will come
out I will find my guards unconscious
and someone took her in their car. To
my surprise the number plate had no
number how could that be possible.
Who was that?
She is in pain I have to go to her. She is
somewhere near me I knew it may be
she would have felt me too.
“ANNIKAAAAAAAA “ I shouted at the
top of my voice .
ANNIKAAAAAAA……tears escaped from
my eyes. I felt weak…so weak. I could
feel near my chest .
No Shivaay this is not the time to fall
weak…your annika is in trouble you
have to save her…I said to myself as a
mantra….
“SHIVAAY”
It's her….it's her…she is here….I could
hear her…
ANNIKAAAAAAA
But this time I couldn't hear her….may
be I felt her calling me….she is in need
of me.
My everything trembled….for the first
time I thought how stupid I am…
At that time why I didn't inform omru
or police . How stupid I was to follow
the car all by myself and ended up
stranded inside a car.
I felt emptiness in my stomach…I didn't
know whether it is due to panic or
hunger because I haven't had anything
from yesterday morning….
What will annika do…she is carrying
baby how she will feel….
I felt ashamed of myself….even before
my child is born I made the child
starve…my annika is also starving.
My head hit a branch….I came out of
my thoughts…now I could see the clear
sky…may be I reached the other side of
the forest.
“I can't see you crying Shivaay….I am
okay don't cry. If a drop of tear fall on
me I will die…” said anika laying in the
hospital bed with a bandage on her
head.
That incident happened soon after we
consumed our marriage. She slipped
from the stairs my world became dark
when I saw blood oozing out from her
head…
Annika now I am shedding tears but you
are not comming and holding it or
asking me not to cry….
Just then I felt a cloth covered my
face….the smell on that cloth….it's my
annika’s.
I took the cloth…My annika’s
shawl…it's her she is somewhere near
me….
As I turned I saw a hand behind a tree…
I slowly walked towards the tree…
My heart pumping hard…annika should
be okay….
IT'S HER…the face I have been longing
to see the most…it's her.
Beleive me or not I felt like jumping
because she is there infront of my
eyes…
A tear escaped from my eyes and fell on
her forehead…
She with difficulty opened her eyes….
The next thing I did was to kneel infront
of her and cupped her face….
Annika I am here everything is gonna be
fine…
“Shivaay “
The voice…her voice….my life…all of a
sudden I was feeling so fresh.
“ Shivaay it's him” said her hugging me
tightly as possible…
“it's daksh….I escaped from him when
he was sleeping yesterday night I left
my bracelet in the direction opposite to
which I walked to confuse him…he was
trying to take me to other side of forest
and kill me….I am scared Shivaay…”
now tears pouring unstoppably…
How dare he can do like that…I will kill
him. But then I realised first I have to
take annika from here because she is so
weak and scared too…
Annika listen to me…I am here no one
can harm you now you are
safe…okay…safe…
“Aahhhhh”
Annika what happened….she was
writhing in pain and I know this time it's
serious…
“sh…shivaaay….aahhhhh….aahhhhh….
do something…aahhhh” shouted
annika…
I didn't know what to do….I said her
that I will take her to hospital…and
stood to lift her…
But she shouted “ Shivaay…..I think
there….aaahhhhh…is no time for it…”
What she mean by there is no time…
I couldn't see her in this state…she
almost lied down fully…and was
holding her stomach crying and taking
deep breathes every now and then…
Is this what every mother go
through….I couldn't imagine the
pain…but they have lived through it…
But another terrible scream from
annika remained me that now annika is
more important…
“Shivaay….kill me…aahhhhh…I
can't…bare this pain” screamed annika.
I lifted her and walked as fast as I can…I
should reach the forest end soon….I
know this forest is very small and is
only used for getting wood…
May be some people will come to
collect wood…..I walked forward with
annika in my hand.
Annika nothing will happen to you and
our baby just bare this for few minutes
everything will be okay…
“Shivaay….contradictions are frequent”
What…what…I was confused…how
contradictions come into play here…
I politely asked her still walking fast….
Annika are you telling that I am
speaking opposite to what's happening
here….
“ when did I told like
that…aahhhh….stupid billuji walk fast”
Now only you said contradictions are
frequent said me with a blank look…
“you have become
mad….aahhhh…you…aahhh…you only
brought a book on pregnancy and in
that book only it was
there…aahhh…”said annika biting her
teeth.
I was shocked…actually I stopped
walking for a second….what the wuck…
Annika it's contractions…what in the
world did you study in that book…
“ Shivaay walk….I can't please leave
this I will deal with you later” said my
lady love.
But her screaming became more on
each step of mine….
I placed her down gently…now she is
sweating profusely.
This made me more nervous and my
hands started shaking…..
God I beg you for the first time in my
life please save my annika and child.
I heard voices…yes I heard and it’s my
om….
OMKARA I shouted at the top of my
voice…..
Rustling sound of leaves were
echoing…there it's them….
They ran and hugged me very tightly
that made me breathless…
I started kissing Omru on the forehead
but again a horrible scream from broke
the moment….
“you three if you three are gonna do
your idiotic…aahhh…obro moment
here then keep in mind I will slay you
all” shouted my beauty queen.
I enquired omru how are we going to
get out of forest…they showed their
hands and then only I realised forest
officers and police were there. I
thanked god that atleast they have
brains and called the police .
“we are going by the chopper Shivaay”
said om.
Finally we are going to get out…my
annika is going to be alright.
I didn't know how we reached hospital
but now I was walking like pendulum in
front of the Labour ward.
Her scream was becoming louder and
louder. Rudra got really scared and was
holding om very tightly. I know om was
about to speak with me to calm me
down but rudra is not gonna give up so
soon.
Oh my god it's that cry…that cry I could
hear it…I could hear it.
The world's best cry. Yes that's our
baby. How beautiful a child's birth is
and ya if there are is a big wonder in
this world then this is it.
I am a father now. Tears found it way
down my cheeks….
Again that bone crushing hug from my
omru….oh god this is heaven.
Just then the doctor came…..
We three brothers stood like a five year
old infront of her…
“ congrats Mr. Shivaay singh oberoi you
are a father of baby girl” said doctor
and walked away.
I wanted to jump but I couldn't….my
legs are not moving. I wanted to sing
but I couldn't because my throat
became dry.
But I did one thing….I cried yes that's
the only thing I could do now.
Those are happy tears finding its way to
my baby…
Om came near me….
“Shivaay go inside…don't you want to
see them” asked om with a bright smile
on his face.
Who can know what I am thinking more
than him.
Rudra was dancing happily…he always
do what I wanted to.
I took a deep breathe and opened the
door.
There was my jaan anika lying half
conscious.
The pain she had gone through is
horrible but the result is a wonder.
I saw the cradle and there she was my
princess struggling to adjust to the
light….
My big bunny fingers touched her small
very tiny soft fingers….she was looking
rose which made me think for a second
to name her rose.
My princess held my finger tightly not
letting me take it….omg she is like
rudra because he too did the same.
Annika was starring me with tears in
eyes….
“Shivaay did you see her….she doesn't
have kanji eyes” said annika with a
tired smile.
My mom is gonna create a huge scene
out of this…but you know what she is
stubborn like me…not giving up so
easily….
“another tadibaaz god please give me
strength to tackle both…Shivaay lift
her” said annika to my shock.
I was freaking…what are you
speaking…no I cant…
“Shivaay this is our dream…today our
dream has come true…lift her don't be
afraid…”
How am I gonna do this….I am
afraid…but I thought to myself that this
moment is my dream and today it has
become real . Come on shivaay you can
do this I told to myself…and bent down
to lift her and I did it…she was now
cuddling in my arms with that white
cloth covering her…I kissed her pink
cheeks…she gave a twitch which was
the cutest thing I have ever seen…
I thought to myself that It's correct a
father of a daughter knows that kiss is
not only for lovers . Now my princess
got hold of my button and pulled me
this time I heard it…another wonder….
her HEARTBEAT .
I couldn't beleive it then I realised how
silly I am to not believe a living thing
having heartbeat.
With that fast HEARTBEATS I realised
how on earth the best heart is of
mothers.
My respect for them doubled I placed
the baby on annika’s hand and she
whispered
“WE ARE GONNA RAISE YOU UP WITH
ALL LOVE AND OFCOURSE DISCIPLINE
YOU ARE OUR HEARTBEAT….YOU
MADE OUR LIFE COMPLETE”
I smiled and said YES YOU ARE….