Beep!! Beep!!! Beep!!
" He's waking up.. "
"Check his vitals "
"Sir, vitals are steadily rising up. "
" Good , prepare the injection "
When Aahil's soul returned to his body, he felt absolutely drained....
Like something has totally suck out his complete energy leaving him dry .
His mind was conscious but he simply didn't have the any energy to even open his eyes. That was understandably though, he was after all battling between life and dead.
Right now he was, exhausted....
From what his senses told him, Aahil understood that he was in a hospital and the doctors were trying their best to keep him alive .
" We salute you Aahil ... We salute you..
Hats off to you fighting spirit.... You truly are a miracle maker , never in my career did I see such an intense battle like yours.You truly live up to your name....Once again you defeated medical science with your will power ... Let alone ...given your condition. You have won your battle now it's time to recapture. Rest well... You're safe. "
The head doctor said as he gave his salute followed by the rest of the medical staff .
For the past seventy two hours, at Dehradun's City Hospital Aahil Oberoi battled for life with death in the intensive Care Unit.
Same hospital..... Same ward.... Same patient...Same situation.
Only difference was the people and the passage of time.
Twenty years ago Aahil came with a severe head injury.... As per medical science he was not supposed to survive, never mind living like a normal person . Back then, that was his first battle with death.... emerging not only victorious but also stronger than ever.
Today he came back with a psychological breakdown collapsing his entire body functions for more than thirty six hours , then reviving himself as if nothing ever happened.
If not for the current head doctor of the hospital being his former medical guide .... anyone would have declared him dead.
After stabilising Aahil , the doctors left the ICU ward to inform the people waiting outside for Aahil's news , that the battle is over and the results are far from expectation.
" Vikram "
Seeing the head doctor coming out for the ICU ward and looking for him, he made a beeline for him followed by Yuma.
" Dr. Shah .... How is Aahil??? Is there any improvement in his condition???"
Vikram couldn't help but worry... He blamed himself for not been able to bring him earlier than he did and desperately prayed for his best friend's safety...
" Haha.... He is just the same.... Nothing's changed.... especially his fighting spirit. Once again he has defied the heavens. I'm glad I drew the ultimatum or else we would have lost this jewel. " Dr. Shah said remembering his past encounter with Aahil.
" Anyways would you come with me , I need someone to fill up a few formalities so that we can proceed with the treatment." He added.
" Doctor , can we be allowed to visit him now??? "
Yuma's question earned him a suspicious look from Dr. Shah. Dr. Shah was as such not a difficult person , but when it came to the care of his patients he was an absolute unyielding. That was a degree above when it came to Aahil, he was just not ready to take any chances with him.
" Dr. Shah, it's okay. Yuma is one of Aahil's most trusted and favorite person. You can count on him. "
Vikram tried to sooth things over, sensing Dr. Shah's doubt on Yuma.
" Very well. If you say so Vikram but only for ten minutes and not a second more. Sister, please let him in. "
With that Dr. Shah and Vikram headed for Dr. Shah's office leaving Yuma to attend Aahil .
Yuma entered Aahil's ICU ward that was sperated from the rest of the ICU ward with a divider, allowing only the medical staff and not anyone else to see who is behind the curtains. Yuma didn't leave even for once since Aahil was admitted to the emergency . Yuma had only heard that his master a once defied all theories of medical science when he was told stories of the night his mother died. But he understood the meaning and weight of the situation today.
" Coming back after knocking the doors of death " was still an understatement.
Yuma felt a new wave of admiration and affection wash over him . He tried to imagine how a ten year old boy who lived under such care and protection , obvious of the world outside was robbed of everything leaving him like a blank canvas to struggle just for survival.
' No matter who decides to leave your side I will always be there for you sir. That I promise. '
Meanwhile back in the school....
Kady, Father Fernandez and Brother Ashwin stayed in the chapel praying for the safety of Aahil.
Father decided it that it would do no good to stay and crowd at the hospital as none could make any difference. Thus they left the hospital and stayed at the school's chapel to pray.
' A heartfelt prayer can achieve , what the greatest science can never imagine.'
Ring!! Ring!! Ring!!!
Vikram's call mercilessly intruded the chapel's silence . Seeing the caller ID on her phone Kady quickly picked up the call.
" How is Aahil??? " she asked hastily.
" Relax Kady... Aahil is out of danger and currently stable. He just needs to rest for now. Dr. Shah will observe him for the next twenty four hours , if he remains stable then will discharge him day after tomorrow. Hopefully.... he won't breakdown again. "
" Thank God.... Thank God..... " Kady said as tears of happiness rolled through her cheeks.
A relief washed over her, an enormous weight had been lifted over her heart.
" I'll let Father and Brother know and you don't have to worry about us. Just stay there and let us know if you need anything.
.....
Two days later....
Aahil was discharged of the hospital just as planned by Dr. Shah. With no further complications Aahil returned to the guest quarters of the school.
.....
The next morning at the dining area of the the guest quarters everyone joined in for breakfast. Everyone except Dr. Ruchika and Dr. Shah.
Aahil sat at the table lost in his own thoughts totally disinterested of his surroundings and didn't care to make a conversation. He was aware of why people had gathered around him but chose to keep his silence. Before he could answer their queries, he must collect his thoughts.
On the other hand, people on the breakfast table to were forced to keep their silence, fearing that their questions may trigger another collapse in Aahil. Thus having no choice they had to keep their questions to themselves.
Every lip on the table just had one question though ' What happened that night ?? '.
Half an hour into the breakfast Dr. Ruchika accompanied by Dr. Shah entered the dining area . Upon entering the dinning area, she could roughly guess that no one dared to taunt the sleeping demon and that she was the scarificial scapegoat.
" Good Morning everyone ." Dr. Ruchika said with a bright smile while her heart was pitch black.
Everyone returned Dr. Ruchika's greetings which was a complete contrast to hers. She cursed them in her heart to no end.
Well she has to do what she has to do.
"Good Morning Aahil... How are you feeling today??? "
Dr. Ruchika greeted Aahil and asked his well being to start a conversation .
Dr. Ruchika's greeting pulled Aahil out of his thought world.
"Good " He replied curtly.
He knew it's time , he has to let the cat out of the bag.
"That's good to hear. Now... have you collected your thoughts. " She asked carefully observing his every reaction.
" You don't have to beat around the bush doctor.... I am aware that all of you want to know what happened that night, but before I start with the events of the evening I would like to ask Father a few questions, if you'll don't mind ."
Aahil didn't bother to give face to anyone at the moment and hit the nail straight on the head.
" We don't mind at all Aahil... What about you Father??? "
Dr. Ruchika agreed instantly.
Just by Aahil's tone everyone understood his temperament at the moment and didn't dare to flip any of his wrong switches.
" Of course Aahil... What do you want to know?? "
Father Fernandez had guessed Aahil's question but still wanted to hear from him.
" Very well then shall we start? "
Aahil waited for everyone's consent before he started to uncover his past.
Everyone nodded as their consent. With that note Aahil took off the curtains of his past.
" Father... on the night my mother died, she sent the safe along with a letter to you in the afternoon. Am I wrong?? "
Damn!!
The question hit two people at once.
One was Father Fernandez, as the incident was related to him and the other was Yuma , as his curiosity was at its peak regarding the incident.
" When death comes it gives you a warning. Your mother felt that warning and asked for my help . I'm truly sorry for I could not fulfill her only request ."
Father said feeling deeply guilty as he handed him the letter that his mother had written addressing him.
" Unfortunately, I was not present with in the school premises when it arrived and I was informed of the package the next morning. After reading the letter I went to Nath Villa immediately, but... everything was already over. I found your motherby following the blood trail."
Father Fernandez added.
" Don't blame yourself Father. My mom didn't sent the letter for you to come over immediately but for my future assistance, which you gave more then we could every ask for.
I sincerely thank you for everything and I apologize for all the trouble I have caused you.
Without your help I would never have been ablryto achieve what I have today... Thank you very much for accepting me as your discipline I'll forever be in your debt. "
Aahil didn't even spare a glance at the letter that Father Fernandez handed him but said his piece of mind. He truly was indepted to Father. It was his patience , upbringing and motivation that lead him through his darkest hours.
After that he spoke about his past. From his father's death to Mission Code Red, from DNA configuration to his mother's scarifice.
The whole dinning area was pin drop silence .
The further they heard , the colder their blood ran.
They couldn't believe that what they were hearing as a story was actually the life Aahil lived.
But his mother's death had proved that it was indeed so.
Brother Ashwin who was sitting besides placed his hand on Aahil's shoulder in a comforting manner.
After Aahil ended his tale the whole dinning area was grim with thick silence.
While everyone was busy hearing Aahil's past nobody noticed that ever since Aahil mentioned the name Meghnath Bose, Kady's face changed drastically, as if a forbidden part of an unknown story was revealed.