Rudrani:
We reached the home and Ashu went to the room. I got a call from mom.
"Hello, mom," I said.
"Your dad's health got deteriorated. I don't understand what to do. The doctors are saying that he should undergo a surgery. Shall I join him in your hospital?" mom asked.
I don't know how Ashu would react.
"No, mom. Let the doctors treat him there itself," I said.
"They asked to pay five lakhs," Mom said.
"I don't have money," I said, remembering Ashu's warning.
"What? Rudrani, I know that your dad neglected you but please understand this is not the right time to show your anger," mom said.
"Mom, I really don't have money with me," I said.
"Ashu will do anything for you. He always cares for everyone. Give the call to Ashu, I will request him," mom said.
"He is in the hospital," I said.
"Rudrani, give me a coffee," Ashu said and mom heard his words.
"Now I understood that you don't want to help your father. It's okay, Rudrani. I will never call you again," Mom said and disconnected the call.
"Ashu, I will give you the coffee," I said keeping the mobile away and not looking at him.
"What happened to you?" Ashu asked me.
"Dad," I said and stopped controlling my tears.
"Which hospital?" Ashu asked and I told him.
Ashu called the hospital and talked to them.
"Yeah, I will do the surgery. Make everything ready," Ashu said.
I ran to him and hugged him
"I am sorry. I thought..."
Ashu kissed me on the forehead.
"Don't cry. Come let's go to the hospital," Ashu said and I nodded.
We went to the hospital and Ashu talked to the doctors.
"Trust me, everything will be fine," Ashu said and I nodded. The surgery went for three hours increasing my tension for every minute. After three hours, Ashu came to me.
"Surgery is successful. Your dad is safe," Ashu said, smiling at me.
"I can't thank you enough," I said.
"You have to pay me my fees. This new Ashu never do anything for free," Ashu said.
"But how can I pay you? Even my salary is taken by you," I said.
Ashu looked at me and moved closer to me.
"I will tell you my fees after reaching our home. You can definitely pay it and only you can pay it," Ashu said.
I smiled realising what he said. I missed this naughty Ashu for a longtime. Ashu went to change his dress and I went to mom.
"Mom, I am sorry for talking that way on phone," I said.
"Why did you change this way, Rudrani? You stopped talking to us, enquiring about the condition of your father and not even cared for your sister's education these days. You stopped being cheerful. I know that your inlaws death is unexpected and a major shock to you. But we didn't expect you to change like this," mom said.
How can I tell her that because of Ashu, I stopped talking to them? Ashu was irritated seeing me talking to my family and asked me to reduce my calls to them. He even stopped me from talking to Sanjay and other friends.
"Because of me," Ashu said and I turned towards him.
"Aunty, Rudrani didn't change. It was me who asked her not to talk to her family and friends, and forced her to stop helping you. She did everything for me including giving up on her happiness and self respect. Until now, everyone thought Rudrani is lucky to have a husband like me, but today I am telling you that I am very fortunate to get Rudrani as my wife. If it's not Rudrani, may be by now my wife would have filed divorce to leave me. Isn't it, sweetheart?" Ashu said pulling me towards him, holding my waist.
"Shut up," I said and mom glared at me as she thinks a wife should never speak that way with her husband. However, Ashu never minds such bullshit.
"Aunty, everything had happened because of me. From now your daughter is all yours. Take her," Ashu said and I looked at him in shock.
What does he mean? Is he leaving me? Is Riya right in saying that he will divorce me?
"Rudrani, You stay here until tomorrow. Aunty also may need you. By tomorrow I will clear everything and will take you to our home," Ashu said, throwing all my doubts aside.
If Ashu reads my mind, he will kill me for my stupid thoughts.
"Your dinner," I said and Ashu smiled.
"I will manage. Don't worry. Thank you for bearing everything until now."
Ashu signalled me to come out and I went with him. Ashu cupped my face.
"Look, you are the most beautiful girl and best wife to me. Don't let the words of anyone effect you. I am sorry for being the reason behind Riya accusing you. I will definitely answer for that and also will clear you about those photos in which I kissed Riya. Whether you trust it or not, the truth is I didn't kiss Riya. But those photographs were sent by Ahmed as I asked him to do."
"I guessed it," I said.
"Keep these with you," Ashu said giving me a few documents.
Those are the documents of the hospital. He has transferred the hospital to my name.
"What's the use of this now?" I asked.
"If I didn't return, it's you who's going to run the hospital. I wish I could see you again. If not, be brave and fight the odds like Rudrani. Never give up," Ashu said.
"No, I don't allow you to go," I said holding his hand.
"I should go. It's not just about you and me, but of lakhs of people who are deprived of the treatment and are dying just because they have no money. Just imagine, Rudrani. What would have happened to your dad if we are not rich? Does our happiness alone matter than the lives of those people?" Ashu said and being a doctor, I can't be selfish.
I left his hand with tears.
"I wish, I really wish you will be back," I said and Ashu hugged me tightly. Ashu kissed me on the forehead and left to his unpredictable journey.
I came to the room and went unconscious.When I opened my eyes, momis so happy.
"Congratulations, Rudrani. You are pregnant," mom said but my eyes focused on the news telecasted on the TV.
"The Home Minister and his children (renowned Cardiologists) were arrested for their involvement in the Health scam. They were also involved in the murder of Dr. Vilok and his wife Dr. Prerna. However, the reasons behind the murder were unknown yet."
The reason I guessed behind Ashu's drama was right. They killed mom and dad. I took my mobile and called to Ashu. His mobile was switched off. I placed my hand on the stomach to feel the symbol of our pure love.
"Ashu,please come back. Don't leave me like this," I said and cried as I can't bear if he didn't return, but I can't leave as I have the responsibility of our child and the hospital handed over to me by my Ashu.