You and I, plus 2 years of marriage!

ALMOST IN Love…

{7}

It had been a week since Jacob had last seen Dhwani. She had not called him either. Although he had made the decision to marry her, he was uncertain about the possibility. It was not because he was having second thoughts about his resolution, but because he was sceptical about her reaction. He was certain that she would not agree and he really had to plan his proposal to her. She was indeed the most intelligent and smart woman he had met in his life. Therefore he had to think deeply before making his next move. For now, he had purposely not called her just make her feel his absence. Inversely, it was him who was painfully missing her. He was desperate to have a glimpse of her. Unable to stay at home, he had come to the beach and was strolling lazily. Impulsively he picked up his phone with an urgent desire to speak to her. The screen was screaming out the odd time.

10.23 PM

Jacob put the phone back into his pocket dejected. He took a few steps further on the lonely beach when he suddenly looked up. Millions of stars twinkled around the lovely moon. He stopped in his track and gazed at it for a few moments.

To hell with the time!

He pulled out his phone and quickly called her. After a few seconds she answered his call. He spoke even before she could say anything.

‘Dhwani, how are you? I know now is not the right time to be calling you but its ju—’

‘Jacob…’ she said in a trembling voice. Her voice really shook him.

‘Dhwani! What happened? Are you alright?’

‘I am going to K. M. Hospital now.’

‘At this time? Why? Are you unwell?’

‘Ahan… he met with an accident,’ she said choking on her words. He was shocked.

‘I am coming with you. I will be at your place in 10 minutes,’ he said decisively. She really could not believe what he was saying.

‘What? I me—’

‘I am coming,’ he said brusquely and cut the call. The next minute he was running towards his bike.

***

‘Now tell me, what happened?’ said Jacob accelerating the Volkswagen Polo. She was already near the car when he reached her home. Even though she insisted that she would drive, he was adamant about not letting her do it. She did not argue over it and gave him the keys. The roads were empty and he did not think twice before increasing the speed to the maximum limit.

‘Today evening Anu left for an excursion from his school. They were to spend two days in Madikeri. On the way, their bus met with an accident and they have been admitted in K. M. Hospital,’ she said swallowing hard. Jacob glanced at her for a second.

‘Don’t worry, he will be fine.’ He really could not think of anything else to tell, despite the fact that he was also equally worried about Ahan.

‘I hope so,’ she said looking out of the window.

Within the next half an hour they reached the hospital. There were anxious parents and relatives crowding at the reception. He instructed her to stay at a distance and pushed through the crowd. After a few minutes he caught the attention of the worn out receptionist.

‘I am looking for a boy named Ahan,’ he said impatiently.

‘Just a moment sir… Ahan Dhwani?’ she asked peering at the computer screen.

‘Yes. Where is he?’

Jacob’s heart was racing. He waited breathlessly for her reply.

‘He is admitted in ward number 104. Kindly go to the first floor. Name please,’ she asked the man standing next to Jacob. He quickly made way through the crowd and reached Dhwani.

‘What did she say? How is he?’ she asked terrified. Fear was writ large on her face.

‘He is in ward number 104 on the first floor. Let’s go,’ he said flatly and led her to the stairs. Anxiety brimmed her heart. When they reached near the said room, he stopped her.

‘You stay here. I will go in first.’

‘What nonsense? I can’t wait any longer. Just let me go,’ she protested. Jacob did not yield and held her by her arms.

‘Listen to me, Dhwani. You stay here. Trust me,’ he said intensely. She could no longer hold onto her stance.

‘Alright,’ she said meekly. He went inside and closed the door behind him. She waited for him breathlessly and cracked her knuckles. After a gruesome six minutes he came out.

‘What happened? Is he fine? Did you speak to him?’ she asked impatiently. He gently took her face in his hands and wiped her tears. The warmth of his palm was comforting.

‘Ahan is fine. He has sustained some injuries but he is completely out of danger. We can discharge him and take him home once he regains his consciousness,’ he said assuring her. She let out a long drawn breath and closed her eyes.

‘Thank God.’

***

Ahan had sustained a fracture on his right hand, sprained his right ankle and a cut on his forehead. He had been unconscious for two hours due to the impact of the accident. After he regained his consciousness, they completed the formalities and got him discharged from the hospital. It was 3.40 AM when they reached home. Without letting Ahan strain himself, Jacob cradled him in his arms and carried him to his bed. Dhwani helped her son change into fresh clothes and patted him to sleep. Due to the medicines, he soon fell asleep. When she walked out of his room, she saw Jacob standing near the dining table and drinking water. For a few moments she stood there gazing at him.

What would have I done without him today? I was so terrified when I received a call about the accident. Suddenly I felt all alone and afraid, but he called me. Even before I said anything, he landed up at my doorstep. It would have been so difficult to manage everything alone at the hospital… It was so thoughtful of him to carry Anu. I could never have done that… Without Jake, I would have broken down. Why are you doing so much for me?

Suddenly he turned around and looked at her as if answering her question. He gave her a tired smile.

‘Has he slept?’

‘Yeah. He was already very drowsy because of the medicines.’

‘You are right. By the way, you should get some sleep too.’

‘I am not sleepy now. I doubt that I can go back to sleep today,’ she said shaking her head. He gave her the bottle of water.

‘Drink some water.’

Quietly she drank little and placed it back on the table.

‘Thank you, Jake. I really have no words to describe how grateful I am that you came. But I never expected that you would immediately insist on joining me when you called,’ she said softly. Jacob ruffled his hair and let out a sigh.

‘How could I have not come, Dhwani? I really did not want to leave you alone in such a crisis. The fear in your voice threw me out of balance. That moment I wanted to be with you,’ he said sincerely and involuntarily took a step towards her.

‘I can’t even imagine, what I would have done without you today. I have always handled situations alone and problems are not new to me. I have faced many in so many years of solitude, but today was completely different. The fear of losing Anu, paralysed me. When I didn’t know how to face the situation, I received your call. Otherwise I would have been scared and lost…’

‘Dhwani, stop thinking that you are alone. No matter, how strong you project yourself to the outside world, this fear of loneliness is eating into your mind and heart. I am not going to let that happen anymore. I am here for you, always.’

Dhwani swallowed hard hearing his words. She knew that he meant every single word that he had said.

‘Why are you doing so much for me, Jacob? I really don’t deserve it,’ she said meekly.

Instantly he wrapped his arms around her. She was stunned for a moment, but eventually yielded to his warm embrace and hugged him back. He tightened his hold around her and all her fears disappeared into the dark.

‘You deserve more than this. Much more…’ he whispered into her ear. After a few moments she slowly freed herself and stepped away from him unable to meet his eyes.

‘Take care of Ahan. If you need anything, anytime just give me a call. I will come back tomorrow,’ he said casually.

‘Okay.’

‘Bye, Dhwani.’

‘Bye, Jake,’ she said briefly locking eyes with him. Jacob walked out and gently shut the door behind him. She had a maddening urge to not let him go. Once again she was left alone in that eerie living room.

I should not even dream about having him in my life forever. It is not going to happen. I don’t deserve him…

                           To be continued...