One Week-Part V

Scene 5

Ruth Kar Hamase Kahi Jab Chale Jaaoge Tum

Yeh Na Socha Tha Kabhi, Itana Yaad Aaoge Tum

Ruthake Hamase Kahi Jab Chale Jaaoge Tum

Ruthake Hamase Kahi

She was thinking about KD as he would leave for Turkey for some work and she would join him. Whereas he was in Bangalore and would be coming to Mumbai by personal chopper. Just then her phone rang, and KD shined bright on her phone screen, she smiled shyly. She pressed the green button. “Hello” her sweet voice reached the other end. “Titali! What are you doing? Surfing Net?”  Came the unusual query. “No. Why? You reached?” she got confused. “Good. Listen Titali. I have to tell you something but promise me you won't panic” he replied. Though that triggered Panchi's panic button in an instant. ”What happened? Are you alright? Why would I panic? KD answer me” she questioned in a single breath. “I am okay. I am talking to you right now, so I am alright. Isn't it?”  He calmed her. “Then?” her heart was still racing fast.” There has been a little accident. But I promise I am fine. Not even a scratch” he assured. ”Accident?” her mind exploded. Tears started pricking the back of her eyes. “Calm down. I am okay” he said. “Where are you? I am coming” she decided, wiping her eyes with the back of her palm. “I am at the helipad. But I am fine. You don't have to come” he assured yet again.

“Helipad? Why are you not at some doctor's? You are lying right? Tell me the truth. Hell how do you know you are okay if haven't shown a doctor yet. Why did stay at helipad? You should have come back home. Anyways, I am coming there” Panchi had by now gathered her purse, sandals and was rushing towards the lift signaling Maria to lock the apartment.  “Driver, hand me the keys. I am leaving for Panav Aviations helipad. Fast “he heard her voice coming out of his phone.

“Okay. Ummm ... See you soon then I guess “he smiled into the phone. “Do you want me to bring a doctor along?” she asked worried.  “No. The medical team is here” he replied. “Medical team? Were there other people too in the accident? Is it a big accident? KD don't hide anything from me. Tell me the truth” she asked, while KD could make out from the background sounds that she was well on the road as they spoke. “Titali. I am not hiding anything. I'll tell you everything” he marveled at his young wife's bang on analysis. “Yes, there were other people too. Pilot had a heart stroke while landing and helicopter went out of control. But he still managed to land as safely as he could before passing out. No casualties. Two people are injured though. Pilot has been taken to the hospital. And media is having a field day with this news” he told the facts as verbal assurances were apparently not calming her. If Panchi was panicking till now, the information that it was not a car accident but a helicopter crash sent her into a heavy silence, with tears streaming down her eyes. It had dawned on her that how lucky KD has been to not get hurt if he was telling the truth, how lucky she is that he was alright talking to her right now and how strong her husband is being in the face of this mishap. Aviation was his core business. She could not possibly become a liability at this time; she has to be strong for him. She thanked all the Gods she could think of at that moment and started drive faster. KD asked her to drive safely to helipad and call him at security check post. He also instructed her to drink some water while she comes there. He felt like he finally has someone to take care of him, when Panchi displayed a combination of vulnerability and strength in such situation. He had secretly loved it that she did not believe him even once that he was okay and was rushing here to see that for herself.  He disconnected the phone and made his way toward the family members of injured employees that had arrived.

Ranveer Shergill was in Bangalore for some concert and his flight delayed due to pilot strike of that company so he was offered a help by Mr. Andrews, his acquaintance in London and was here with someone for business who turned out to be Mr. Keshav Desai. He was sitting by the exit in the helicopter, and while emergency landing he had hit his temple to the side and the cut was bleeding. His family was informed as soon as he was escorted to the helipad office along with the pilot's and other lawyer's who had broken an arm as he was not wearing the safety belt properly. KD had made sure to have these families informed before he dialed the number of his wife. The delay had had him worried that if Panchi had seen anything on Palmtop or Tablet, as the news of the aviation mogul’s personal chopper crash was huge for media, who were hounding the helipad gates right now for K Desai’s statement.

 Mr. Desai who was at his charming best with the family owing to the fact that Ranvir has got injured in his personal chopper crash and the fact that he was actually interested in this person who had robbed him of his sleep for so many nights before his wedding. And his shrewd eyes did not miss Ranvir's ostentatious and pretentious sugary behavior towards himself. Social climber was written all over his expressions. He was concerned about his look, but he was more interested in talking with Mr. Desai, now that the opportunity has presented itself.

While Ranvir was saying something on the lines of how everybody praises Mr. Desai, they all saw a blur of red whoosh past them and collide onto Mr. Desai's chest. While the Ranvir looked shocked and confused, not even sunshine could match the brightness that lit up in Mr. Desai's eyes once he realized who it was. His arms wound up the female figure in their embrace as he started reassuring her that he was perfectly fine. After a while both of them realized many curious set of eyes on them and the figure slowly turned to face the people standing in front of her husband.

All this happened in the span of 10 minutes, and KD decided that this was more than enough time to devote to a stranger by him and his wife. He excused himself but Panchi stayed in Ranvir's company but not before pointing out rudely that he did not congratulate him and Panchi. “”You came here just for Mr. Desai and that too by just phone. Why, Panchi.” Ranvir asked. ”Haan, KD mujhe kabhi bhi phone karke bula sakta aur jahan chale bula sakta hai, hak banta hai unka, pati hai who mere.” She said turning and leaving. She was wearing a red cocktail dress and with that she had clean roll on pony with that as she started leaving her PA gave her a grey coloured leather trench coat which she tied on her petite waist and left for international airport as she was going to Istanbul with her love for business then a week holidays in Turkey………..Leaving distraught Ranvir behind….. It was a hectic day for KD and heavily emotional one for Panchi. Most of KD's time went into media statements and the situation was finally under control. Panchi refused to leave him alone..One week-5 meetings and that changed her for good. She was now free from past burdens.