[Past Scenes – Normal font
Present Scenes – Bold + Italicized]
Link for Episode 25 – https://www.tellyupdates.com/walking-together-through-the-memory-lane-episode-25-samaina-ff/
[October 14, 2017 – 12 am]
Naina is surprised to hear what Sonakshi said. Sonakshi words, ‘I would have died with my mother as an infant if dad didn’t save me.’ This increased Naina’s curiosity of knowing the past. She further questioned her, “Didi, what are you saying? What is your past?”
Sonakshi looks at her with a pale smile – “There is no honor in killing, yet the society believes in honor-killing. How hypocritical we are!”
25 years ago – 1994, December 31 – Karnataka
Anand was a doctor and his hospital is located in a forest area and it was actually his 5th day since in the place/hospital. He used to stay in the hospital with solitude as in the village, none visited him in these 4 days. Sometimes, snakes would creep in the window glasses or wild animals create noise. But due to financial trouble, he reluctantly stayed there for a little sum of money. Then, at late night, he would leave with chilling fear of being caught by some animal to his house which is also located near the forest area border.
One day at almost late night, two men knocked his house door. Anand, who was partially slept, got disturbed and opened the door. It was raining heavily.
While he was rubbing his eyes, one of the man said, “Doctor sahab, tum jald lena medikal kit aur any baaten, ham kaheen ja rahe hain, jaldee. (Doctor sir, take your medical kit and other things, we are going somewhere. Fast!)”
Anand looks at them shocked and irritated, “Kahaan pe ? (Where) Its not the time for working.”
The men looked at him sternly. Anand reluctantly got inside and brought his things out and he sat in the bullock cart which is theirs. Anand wore a sweater out of chill.
One of the men ties his eyes with a black cloth.
Anand – “tum kya kar rahe ho! (What are you doing?)”
One of the two guys – “Savaal mat poochho! ham aapako koee nukasaan nahin pahunchaenge. (Don’t ask question, we won’t harm you)”
Anand didn’t ask him any further questions seeing the rugged look and threatening attitude. The bullock cart must have travelled so far.
Anand – “kya maamala (What case?)”
One of them answered – “Prasav peeda (labour pain).”
Anand is shocked as he didn’t do any gynecology course which was very rarely chosen by males. Before he could speak, the jeep stopped and the guys took him inside. They removed the blindfold of Anand and the guys leave.
It is a storehouse. Anand looks at the room where a young girl of 16s is screaming in pain due to her labour and a old women (deaf and dumb) is standing near her. Anand was shocked and he moves to the other room where the two guys who brought him and man of fiftees who looked like her father is standing nervously.
Anand – “Dekhiye (look), I am not trained in delivering a baby. Also, I am a male doctor. You must have called someone else.”
Her father – “That’s not an option. You must do what needs to be done and we will pay you handsomely. See, the girl must be saved and the baby may be delivered alive or dead.”
Anand pleaded them to get him rid him out of situation. But they insisted him do the same. Scared Anand has no choice. He had observed and assisted in few deliveries under the guidance of his medical college professors, but nothing more. Nervously, he starts recalling his theoretical knowledge and his limited past experience.
Anand signalled the old lady to help him set up a makeshift table with the sacks of paddy sacks which is in the room. Then he take the rubber sheet from his bag and spread over it neatly and the young lady lie over it with the help of old women and Anand.
Anand sterilized his instruments using boiled water which was brought by the old lady. By then, contraction was passed. The girl sweat profusely and Anand sweat even more. The girl pleads, “Don’t save me. I don’t want to survive in this night.”
Anand is starled and she continues, “I am Asha, daughter of big zamindar here. I studied at town and fell in love with one of my classmates. At first, I don’t know I am pregnant. When I found the same, I told the baby’s father who ran away immediately. As the tummy grows bigger, my parents found everything. They killed the baby’s father mercilessly after finding him. And to hide my pregnancy, they brought me to this godown.”
She stopped as strong contraction suddenly hit her.
After few minutes, she said, “Once the baby is born, my family would kill her and beat me black and blue. Please don’t save me or my baby. Please! Just leave me and let me die!”
Anand don’t know how to respond but he says gently, “I am a doctor and I wouldn’t let a patient die when I know I can do something to save him/her. You mustn’t discourage me from doing my duty.”
The girl fell silent. The labour was hard, long and scary and finally, the baby was born successfully with the old lady’s assistance. Asha was exhausted and closed her eyes. Hesitantly, she asked whether it is a boy or girl.
“It is a girl,” replied Anand
Asha sobbed – “Oh my God! She is a girl. Her life will be just like mine. She doesn’t even have a father.”
Anand didn’t heed to her and busy with the baby as the baby didn’t cry.
Asha realized that, “Why didn’t the baby cry… I will be happy if she doesn’t survive. At least she is spared from the cursed life.”
Anand held the baby upside down and gently slapped her and instantly the baby’s strong cries filled the room. The men outside heard the baby cry, they opened the door and instructed Anand, “Doctor, get ready to leave. We will drop you back.” then, the door was closed.
Anand cleaned up his patient, gathered instruments and packed his bag. The old lady began cleaning the room.
Anand looked at Asha, “Take the baby and run away from this place if you can find it in your heart to do so. Go to Chennai and look for Chennai nursing school. Find a clerk called Shekhar and tell him AA has sent you. He will help you get admission in a nursing course. then, you’ll become a nurse and can lead a independent life. You can satisfy your needs on your own. Raise your daughter with pride and don’t dare leave her behind or else she will be suffering like you. That’s my advice.”
Saying this, he comes out and her father handed him eight thousand rupees. He further says, “This is your fees. Don’t dare reveal this anyone. Otherwise, your head will no longer no attached to your rest of the body.”
Anand nods and says, “Sorry, I forgot my scissors in the room. I need it tomorrow for clinic.”
He gets inside and Asha was lying pale and gives the eight thousand rupees to her and says, “This is what I have! Use it and do what I say.”
Asha asked his name. Anand says, “I am Anand Agarwal. People usually call me AA. Be brave, good luck and good bye.”
Saying this, he leaves the room.”
—FB ends—
Sonakshi – “I was born at 12 am of January 1, 1995 and the new year becomes hopeful to my mother because of him. I am respecting him as he is my father-like figure but he is my father by heart. My mom ran away from the storehouse and gone Chennai and joined the classes. It was tiring for her pursue the course and me but she did it because for me. My ‘so called’ biological father ran away after fulfilling his s*xual desires and he got killed for what he did.”
Naina – “Yeah, few days before, I met his friend who said he is his classmate during MBBS. I don’t know what he meant as I knew he is a bank secretary. But, now I came to knew he was earlier a doctor and turned to a bank official.”
Sonakshi – “Yeah, Naina. When I completed my studies and scored first rank in my boards, I determined to meet him and with the help of Shekhar uncle, I got his address and met him with a lots of hope. He used to visit my mom when I was child but then he didn’t come. But I want to debit my gratitude as a daughter who will give him happiness and respect from my deeds.”
Naina cries bitter – “A feel of respect has been grown towards you, Sonakshi. Even in such poor condition, you didn’t give up the struggle for existence and survived even in those bad condition. My respect for Chachu has reached a new height. You know, when you come to our home for the first time, I disliked you as I am jealous of you and behaved rude several times. I didn’t know what you have undergone these much days. Sorry Sonakshi…”
Sonakshi hugged Naina and she too gets emotional.
Sonakshi (crackling voice) – “Don’t cry like a child, Naina. Even I am crying because of you…”
Naina – “Don’t worry, Sonakshi. When there is a sad phase in our life, there must be a joyful phase too. That is the universal truth of life. You are with Chachu now and your mother. Soon, you may get your sweetheart too… Then, things become simple, Sonakshi…”
Sonakshi – “There is no place for any sweethearts who will leave me in hard times. I don’t want to be a victim for what my mother suffered agony.”
Naina – “All the boys are not like that, Sonakshi. Love gives peace to your soul and only it fills the vaccum in your heart.”
Sonakshi caressed Naina’s face and says, “We have been talking since long. Now, its time for sleep.”
Sonakshi leaves.
Naina: Preeti, there exists many different experiences when people fall in love. Arjun Bhaiyaa and Shefali had caste differences and they underwent problems, relatives interfered in Swati’s life by about to sell her to a goon, Sonakshi’s mother had a dark story, Sameer and I underwent many problems due to jealousy… Whatever the problems arise, if there is passion and understanding with sensibility, love can be achievable easily.
Preeti: The thing is, friendship is an integral part in our story. Only, when the couple talk to eachother like friends do, they could figure out the misunderstandings. Pandit and I do the same but Experience is the best teacher.
Next day,
It is the treatment day for Pandit’s mother Kavita. She is way too nervous for the treatment and even her hands shivers.
Pandit come near her and hold her hands with his warmth and says, “Mom, it is just a simple treatment, please don’t get nervous.”
Kavita – “Is it necessary, Pandit?”
Pandit – “Yeah, mom. This treatment will improve your health and sooner you can get rid of this diabetes. Everything will become good.”
Sameer and Munna enters the room and Sameer has his guitar with him. Sameer plays his guitar and a pleasant song is played from the phone of Munna. Pandit asked Kavita to listen it. The way Sameer played the guitar and the charm of the song lightens Kavita’s mind and she smiles getting mesmerized. Pandit feels good seeing his mother is not stressful. All of them including Poonam and Devandh relaxed themselves hearing the song. Its indeed a stressbuster.
Pandit gets a call from Preeti. Pandit attends the call.
Preeti – “Hello Pandit. How is aunty feeling now?”
Pandit – “She is feeling quite more better than before. Sameer’s guitar make her peace for some more time. But I fear, what if she faints if doctors conclude that her condition is critical. I pray she get fine in this treatment itself.”
Preeti – “I am praying for the same. Can I speak to aunty?”
Pandit is reluctant how to introduce Preeti all of sudden. But Preeti convinced him to introduce as his friend. Pandit handover the phone to his mom. Preeti introduced herself to his mom…
Preeti – “We ae hoping that you will become better and stronger after your recovery.”
Kavita – “Is recovery possible? Even the doctors in my area refused to treat me as the condition is worse. I think, I am counting my days…”
Preeti – “Ok aunty, leave that… I am going to ask you something. You must answer it properly. Its like some game.”
Kavita – “Okay.”
Preeti – “Envision a situation. You are going to temple, praying for Pandit’s wellbeing. You are slipped by the first step and fall down. Will you return back home as you injured your body?”
Kavita – “No, I will pray for sure whatever happens.”
Preeti – “Just because, one doctor said that your condition is worse, will the hopes for recovery get tarnished? Will you retire from being a mother of Pandit just because you’re counting your days? Or, will Pandit abandon you? No, right… Then, why didn’t you co-operate with Pandit when he does his best for the curing your disease? Aunty, this disease is not a dreadful one. It is a curable disease. Definitely, you’ll get cured.”
Kavita – “But….”
Preeti – “Aunty, where there is a will, there is a way. Even in our sad phases of our life, we must try to search a happy thing and must cherish it. You don’t worry about the treatment. It is just a simple procedure. Don’t get nervous. Everything will be fine.”
Kavita (crackling voice)- “Okay, dear…. I’ll not get nervous and anxious. You’re really sensible and mature even in this age. What is your name?”
Preeti – “Preeti….”
Preeti and Kavita’s lips curved wider and they look pretty with such small smile.
To be continued…
Author’s note:
Hello everyone, Hope you’re doing well. Its been two months since I updated this story. I hope you guys remember me. I am extremely sorry for being late. Even in future, the updates are going to be slow due to my exam schedules. I hope, I can get support like I used to get for this FF. Well, What are you thinking about Sonakshi’s story and her take on love? Please do mention about what you’re feeling about this FF (feedback) which I really need to prepare the upcoming parts of the story. Please comment your views.