CHAPTER 1
SLOWLY, Aghalya opened her eyes. All she saw was white. Rolling her eye-balls up, down, left and right only then did it register in her mind that she was in a hospital. Her mother, Praba was crying in a corner and is being comforted by her brother.
Aghalya tried to sit up but felt a pang of pain coming from her ribs. She tried to move her feet but they were numb and feelingless. "My feet. I cannot move my feet. What happened to me?" She cried.
"Call the doctor," ordered Aghalya's Chandru Mama. He came to her side and pulled her into his arms. He was her second father and had raised her and taken care of her mother after her father died while in service six years ago. Her father was a policeman. He died while holding the rank of Sargeant. Aghalya's brother, Siddharth followed their father's footsteps by becoming a police officer.
"Calm down, my dear. You had a terrible accident. You will be alright soon. I promise," said Chandru. He never married but was engaged for a brief period of time. He called off his wedding when his bride suggested sending his sister and sister's children away as she did not want to share a home with them. He refused.
"Mama, something is wrong with me. Arun! Where is Arun?" I cried.
"Arun is alright. He only suffered some minor bruises and cuts. He was discharged after his treatment was over. He was shaken up but managed to pull out of it. You took most of the impact as the trailer rammed into your side of the car. Calm down. Let the doctor look at you," said Chandru.
Aghalya was sedated and she drifted off into a deep sleep. When she woke up again, her uncle's gloomy face told her something was wrong. Very wrong. She braced herself to hear the news. "What is it, mama?" She asked.
"Aghalya, while you were sleeping, the doctors did a scan on your body. Your legs fractured and the injuries may be permanent. I am so sorry, sweetheart. But I promise you that I will bring you to the end of the world to find a cure. You will walk again," Chandru promised.
Aghalya's body shook as she cried. She could not accept the news. The blow was too much for her to handle. In a split second, her life changed. Her boyfriend did not want commitment, and now, she was disabled. She felt like dying.
"Aghalya..."
She screamed.
The doctor and nurses sedated her and kept her under observation. They also suggested rehabilitation and physical therapy.
A week later, Aghalya left the hospital in a wheelchair. Her legs were wrapped in bandages.
When she reached home, her family members greeted her with a warm welcome, but she could tell that they pitied her. There were bags under her mother's eyes, either from lack of sleep or crying, or a combination of both. The others all seemed to not know what to say to her.
"Stop staring at me like I am an alien. I am crippled, not retarded. I do not need pity," she yelled, before breaking down.
Her mother and brother rushed forward and pulled her into an embrace. She cried on their shoulders.
"It is okay, baby. You are going to be fine. We are here for you," said her mother.
"Sid, take your sister up to her room" ordered Chandru.
Siddharth obliged and lifted Aghalya into his arms like a baby. She was not as light as a feather, but he managed to carry her. He was lean and had a well-toned body, thanks to his police training and work out sessions at the gym.
Meera, Siddharth's wife, followed them upstairs, bringing the wheelchair with her.
Aghalya's room was next to her brother's room on the second floor. Siddharth sat Aghalya on her bed and slowly lifted her legs. He then covered them with the blanket.
"Call me if you need anything, okay? Do not think about anything. Just rest," he said, caressing his baby sister's hair lovingly.
"Annai, did you see Arun? Does he know I am home?" asked Aghalya. She had not seen her boyfriend after the car crash. He did not visit her in the hospital. Only his parents showed up and assured her that all is well.
Siddhartha and Meera exchanged looks. Siddhartha sighed. "Rest. I will come to bring you downstairs for dinner later," he said and left with Meera.
Aghalya sensed his reluctance to talk about Arun but did not press on. She closed her eyes and tried to sleep, hoping tomorrow will be a better day.