PATAK
Putting the file on the table, doctor said "There is nothing wrong with her body. We have already done some common tests. Can I know why you thought your daughter is sick? Any special reason?"
"Nothing." Eddile replied keeping her head low.
"I am a doctor, not an astrologer who can identify the problem just by looking at you two. Please let me know the whole story before, so that I could figure out the problem." He turned towards Eldoris. After seeing her nervous, he spoke softly. "Eldie, the aunty outside has lots of chocolates with her. Do you want it?"
"Yes..." Eldoris jumped out of the chair with excitement.
"Then go...she is just outside. After having the chocolate, wait there for your mother. Okay?"
Eldoris knew there was something wrong between them. So she looked at her mother.
Without getting any response from mother, she confirmed her suspicion. But she knew, her mother doesn't want her to know about it. So understandingly, she left the room.
All the while, the doctor observed the behaviour of Eldoris. In his face, one could see a lot of emotions getting overwhelmed.
When Eldoris left through the door, he turned towards Eddile who was still keeping her head low.
"Sister-in-law?"
"Don't call me that. I don't dare to take that position." Eddile retaliated. Her eyes were full of tears which she tried not to let out.
"Sis-in-law, I know it has been really difficult for you to take care of your daughter on your own. Please come back home." He pleaded.
"I am not coming back home."
"Why?"
"Why...? That's the same thing I wanted to ask you. Why?... So that your mother can kill my daughter? No way!" She choked the words out.
"It's not like that...." Before he could complete, Eddile cut in.
"Let's talk about my daughter's condition first."
He wanted to reason with her. But he knew how stubborn she is and hence gave up.
"Okay..., I didn't able to identify any major problems till now. But I found an unknown material in her blood. Maybe... First, tell me her symptoms so that I could get more information about the problem." He looked anxiously at Eddile. But Eddile was sitting still without answering as if she is a statue.
Taking a deep breath, he continued. "I will check about it myself. Come next Monday for the check up."
"Mm... Thank you." Without wasting another second, she left through the door.
The doctor was confused and overwhelmed.
What caught his attention was not behaviour of his sister-in-law not the unknown material found in the blood of his niece.
What caught his attention was the eyes of Eldoris. It was cold and mature. How could this silly and cute niece have such a deathly aura!? And then he remembered the mark he saw on her left arm. Precisely a symbol. Where had he seen it? Why is he having a familiar feeling?
His head started to hurt. He was having a head ache from the moment he put his eyes on the symbol. What was wrong with him?
"Ahhh..." He tried to remember where he had seen it. The more he thought about it, the more his head hurt.
Then a sudden realization struck him!
"Oh no...! Don't be kidding me!" His face light up.
Running out off the door he called his colleague. "Doctor Jane, please take care of my patients for today. I am in a hurry. I will treat you to a meal next day."
He rushed to his farmhouse, where he used keep his study material.
The whole house was in a complete mess. He used to be there alone and there was no maid to clear his mess; since he was afraid of someone stealing his work materials. He had a lot of artefacts and reports; some of which are confidential.
Being a doctor was just a show for his family to see. In reality, he is an archaeologist which he chose to hide, since his family didn't approve at that time.
Following his sister-in-law, he too had left his home. But due to lack of money and other problems, his life because life became miserably and hence he went back.
Climbing the stairs he hurried inside the second room on the left.
To his shock, the room was full of books and materials.
He was wonder struck.
Never in his life, did he realized, that he had more than enough material in his farmhouse. He used to think that the materials over there wasn't enough and always wanted to buy and collect more and more. And this moment, he really regrets it.
"Ugh... Where had I put it?" He scratched his hair in confusion. The headache started to get bad and worse.
He tried to keep his head straight and walked towards one of the book stand. He pushed the second and seventh book of the first row and then seventh on the second row and at last second, tenth(last), first and again tenth (last) from the last or third row.
On pushing the last one, he fell down fully exhausted. Trying to keep himself awake, he pressed on his headache. But the headache was getting extreme, and he wasn't able to cope up with it. And at last, he surrendered himself and everything went blackout.
☘️☘️☘️☘️
"Mommy? Do you know that Uncle?" Eldoris asked while getting into the cab.
"No..." She lied and tried to hide her face in fear of getting caught of her lie. "Why did you asked?"
From her mother's reaction, she knew her mother was lying. But she didn't want to expose her mother. She knew that there must be a reason for it, and she will tell her in the future in the right time. So, she planned to go with the flow.
"Simply..." She then gave a carefree smile which brightened the atmosphere in the cab.
Seeing Eldoris smiling, Eddile felt more comfortable and better. Patting Eldoris head, she looked out of the car window.
Her sorrowful eyes were filled with tears. She leaned over the window and pulled her daughter closer. She felt a sense of belonging and protection.
'My daughter is enough for me to live.' she affirmed herself.
Eldoris understood what her mother was thinking as if she can read her mind. She leaned over her mother and hugged back assuringly.
☘️☘️☘️☘️
While on the other side;
The doctor who had fainted, regained his consciousness. Instantly, he sat up and looked around suspiciously.
Few moments ago, his head was badly aching. But now, all the pain was gone as if it was just an illusion. He felt confused. What is going on with him?
He stood up and moved the book stand aside which revealed an opening to the secret room.
This room contained many smuggled artefacts and reports. Most of the materials were directly from black market and contained personal diaries of people which were meant to be destroyed by the authorities.
He walked towards the end of the room where his study table was set. Then he went through all the dustbins near it.
He took out a book from one of the dustbins. And looking at the book, he remembered another book which he bought with this one.
He went to the right side corner and took out book. He compared both the books. The first one (which he took out from the dustbin) was too old and was full of dust. No one knew what language it was, and he spent months to decode it. But all his efforts went waste.
He looked throughout the book for the image.
Where is the picture? He had seen it...
Then he vaguely remembered... That day he had spilled lemon juice...
He brought a lemon juice and a cloth. He cleaned the books and then used a lemon juice to clean the page... In case anything hidden....
First book didn't show any change.
Then he took the second book which he took from the shelf. He used the lemon on the first page. To his shock, few words showed up:
'Two is better than one.'
"What!? Two is better than one!? What does it mean?" He scratched his head violently.
BANG...
He slammed his hand on the table. The whole juice spilled out on the first book and... there it is...
His eyes went wide and his mouth went agape. He stood there completely stunned by what he just saw!