"And one more thing, don't tell her that I have told you this?"
"Don't worry. I won't. By the way, when is your flight tomorrow?"
"1:30 at noon."
"Wow. So, all the best. Have a safe journey."
"Ok, bye."
After being aware of Dadi's condition Rahul rushed to the hospital that night.
"Ananya?"
Ananya was in deep thought sitting outside the cabin. She was snapped out at his voice.
"Yeah… wait… what are you doing here?"
"That's not important. How is she now?"
"She is fine now." She replied tilting her face in the other direction.
"You didn't tell the reason for your coming."
"I just can't sit behind after learning her condition. So, it's better if I stay here."
"Have I told you that I need your help?"
"No, you never told me anything. But I will be here. I don't need to be asked for help from you about this matter. Say whatever you want to say to me but please don't tell me to go. Because I still think of you as my best friend and she is my Dadi too. You can hate me but I can't leave you and Dadi alone here."
"Ok. Leave it. Do you think Dadi will be happy seeing you?"
"No, she is not supposed to be. But it's my last chance to ask for forgiveness from her."
"Really! I am quite fed up with you. I can't argue more. Do whatever you want."
With that, Ananya turned her face to the other side.
Thank you. At least you talked to me. That's enough for me. Rahul said in her mind.
It's morning. They spend the morning at the hall provided for the patients' families.
Rahul opened his eyes slowly. He felt a mere pressure on his left shoulder. As he tried to move, he noticed Ananya sleeping on his shoulder.
He stopped seeing her sleeping peacefully. For a moment he stopped and saw her carefully. Her tired face, closed eyes, dry lips, a sign of tension on her forehead, long eyelashes, and loose hair roaming freely on her face. And the innocence evident on her face can melt anyone's heart.
He tried to be as stiff as he can. But she started moving. Her eyelids slowly gave way for light to enter in her eyes and they made with a pair of eyes looking at her. As soon as she realized the owner of those eyes she jerked up.
There was an awkward silence between them.
"Ah!" Ananya's neck was paining due to her sleeping position.
"Ananya, are you ok?"
"I'm fine. It's just my back is paining. I need to go to Dadi."
She stood up and made her way.
"Good morning, Dadi. She has awakened already."
"How can it be good when my morning starts with lying in this jail?"
"But it's your punishment. And no one can escape punishment."
"You? What are you doing here?" Suddenly she started screaming seeing something behind.
Ananya realized Rahul has entered the cabin and that's why Dadi is reacting."
"Dadi. Please don't shout. It will be bad for your health. Please calm down."
She turned back and indicated him to go.
"Dadi please calm down. Ok, I'm… I'm going if you don't want to see me."
He rushed out of the cabin. He realized today how much he is hated by her beloved Dadi who once used to feed him in her hand. His eyes became blurry.
"What is she doing here Anu?"
"He was worried for you Dadi. And that's why…?"
"Take me home. I am suffocating here."
"Very Soon. Once the doctor is done checking up on you I will take you."
After the check-up, she went to the reception for paying the bill.
"But ma'am the bill has been already paid."
"What? But how can it be possible? I'm sure there is a mistake. Please check carefully. Ma'am, there is no mistake. Your payment is done."
But! When and who? Rahul?
"But who did it?"
"Umm… Yeah. Mr. Arjun Singhania paid the payment yesterday."
Arjun sir! She immediately dialed his number. But he didn't pick up.
Rahul took out his phone and saw 10 missed calls from Arjun. He called him back.
"Hello, Arjun?"
"Rahul, why are you not picking up the phone, disgusting! How is she now? And Ananya? Is she fine?"
"I'm sorry I didn't notice your call. But don't worry. Dadi is fine and she is also ok. The doctor has permitted to take her home."
"And has she asked anything how you got to know or anything?"
"No not till now. She might have forgotten."
He saw Ananya coming with a worried face.
"Arjun, I'm calling you later. Bye."
"Bye."
"Ananya, I have called for a car to take both of you. I know she won't agree to go in my car. So, I booked another."
"Thanks."
"You welcome."
"Accha listen how you got to know that Dadi has been hospitalized?"
Rahul's heart started beating at a fast rate hearing this question.
"Oh actually..."
"Anu," Dadi called out her name from inside.
"Yes, Dadi coming." She hurried towards her.
Thank God I got saved. Rahul whispered in his mind.
Ananya took her Dadi outside the cabin slowly. As she came out of the hospital she noticed Rahul once again.
"You are still here… don't you understand a simple word. Go from here." She started shouting again and was about to lose her balance but Rahul took hold of her other hand.
"Don't touch me."
"If you don't want I won't but please don't punish yourself like this."
He begged her and left her hand.
Ananya took her forward. As the turn came at the end of the corridor she looked back and saw a sad Rahul standing behind. They exchanged an eye lock before leaving.
In the car
"Why was he there?"
"Dadi please not again. I have no idea how he got to know about you but he was there because he was worried for you?"
"Worried? Everything is fake. I don't believe him."
"Dadi, why do you hate him so much? Because he denied to marry me. He rejected me. It's me who should hate him."
"Anu!"
"As far as I can remember both of you shared a very good bond. You used to love him so much. You remember when Rahul used to run away to our house to avoid eating and how easily you used to feed him by telling stories or running behind him while we played games. Then why this indifference now? Because he rejected your granddaughter in front of everyone? What's new in this Dadi? It's happening since my childhood? Then why now when I'm habituated with this why can't you accept this simple truth? Answer me, Dadi, answer me?"
She burst out at the top of her voice. She felt the sweat on her face and her heart was jumping like a child. She realized the driver is looking shockingly at her from the rearview mirror and Dadi, her eyes have already taken the shape of two zeros.
She turned her eyes outside the window to get rid of this suffocating environment. She took a deep breath.
"I'm sorry. But I don't think his concern for you is fake."
"Maybe you have forgotten Anu that day also only you and your mother mattered to me and today also. There is nothing new."
"Madam, we have arrived."