"There you ar.. what happened?" Rishav came running to Ankita.
"I don't know, she's just retching nonstop. There were a few girls beside her, I asked them, but they couldn't tell me anything either. Poor Anu, she might have been suffering for quite a while. Argh! I just had to go to the office then! If only I didn't, I would have noticed sooner that she was taking so long in the toilet. And all this wouldn't have even happened!" Rai said regretfully.
"Don't beat yourself up over this. I was not present there too. It's just unfortunate. Getting Anu treatment is what matters now. Let me carry her on my back, we'll reach faster." Rishav said.
He doubled over and Rai helped Ankita settle over his back.
"Don't worry Anu we'll reach in no time," she said caressing Ankita's head.
On their way, they met Koushik and the others. They were relieved when they saw the trio together. But the relief was gone as quickly as it came when they saw Ankita's condition. Koushik hurriedly came up to them, followed by Rishi and Bikram.
"What happened to her?" Koushik frowned.
Rai and Rishav both shook their heads, saying they did not have any idea on what led to that state of Ankita.
Koushik sighed and said to them "Give her to me, I'll take her to the Sick Room."
"It's okay we'll manage," Rai said.
"She needs medical attention as soon as possible." Koushik cast a worried glance at Ankita.
"Let me carry her. Rai, you know the situation better, even if just a little bit, so it's better you run to the Sick Room ahead of us and inform Mrs Saha about it so she can prepare everything without wasting time. Rishav, you know Ankita more than any of us here. Mrs Saha might need her medical history before she begins the treatment and I doubt anyone else is aware of that as much as you. If you bring Ankita there, the treatment will be delayed as you can't run while carrying her like that. I doubt she can take any exertion. Rishi and Bikram can inform the class teacher and bring her bag in the meantime." Koushik said pensively.
He had a point. Rai looked at Rishav. Although she became friends with them pretty quickly, Rishav was still Ankita's first best friend. So she let him decide. After hesitating for some time Rishav conceded. He could feel Koushik's earnestness and genuineness. And he also believed Ankita's judgement in making friends. So he decided to trust Koushik. Besides, among the three boys, Ankita was most familiar and comfortable with Koushik.
He exhaled deeply and said "But we also need to inform the subject teacher about our absence else she might think we are bunking classes. We obviously won't leave Ankita there alone. So we won't be able to tell the teachers..."
Bikram interrupted, "It's okay, you guys go ahead. I'll stay in class and inform all the subject teachers. Don't worry. Taking care of Ankita should be our topmost priority."
Rai and Rishav looked at him and smiled in gratitude.
Bikram nodded.
Rishi stepped forward and said "I'm taking her belongings there. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. And feel free to ask for help if you need any. Don't hesitate. We'll be glad to help you. Now go, Ankita's condition is worsening."
Rishav and Rai nodded at him and beat a hasty retreat towards the Sick Room.
Koushik also started walking with Ankita in his arms. Rishi and Bikram left too. Only a pair of eyes brimming with immense envy looked at Koushik's back from behind a pillar. To be more specific it was Ankita whom they was staring at but Koushik's back almost blocked the entire view. The bearer of those orbs clenched their fists tightly and pushed up their glasses before leaving the scene.
Sick Room.
The place was pretty big. There were seven double beds with green bed covers and blankets. Intravenous stands were placed next to them. A huge transparent cabinet was on the right side of the door, filled with various medicines, balms, sprays and so on. A small refrigerator was next to it.
When Koushik entered, he saw the in-charge, Mrs Saha, speaking to Rai. She noticed him and beckoned him to come closer, then pointed her chin at the bed. Koushik nodded at her and made Ankita sit on it. He then requested her in sign language to take a look at Ankita.
Mrs Saha signed back "Wait patiently. I'll take a look at her. You guys bring her things in the meantime."
Rai signed "Our friend has alre.."
Rishi arrived, as if right on cue. He had run all the way here and was breathing heavily.
He signed "Miss may I come in?"
Mrs Saha nodded and pointed at a table. Rishi put everything there. She then proceeded to check up on Ankita.
Rishi, Koushik, Rishav and Rai waited anxiously as Mrs Saha examined Ankita. After checking her, Mrs Saha asked about her health conditions over the past week. Rishav narrated whatever he knew of. After reading his gestures, she went to the cabinet and took out a pill. She gave it to Ankita along with her water bottle and gestured for her to take it.
Ankita was breathing heavily. All that coughing and gagging had exhausted her. When Mrs Saha held out the medicine, she just looked at it in a daze with half closed eyes. Her temple was matted with hair drenched in sweat. Her uniform was soaked from sweating too.
Mrs Saha placed the pill in her hand and brought it near her mouth. As if realising what to do, Ankita took the water bottle and gulped it down.
After feeding her the medicine, Mrs Saha beckoned the anxious students to her table. She sat on her chair and looked at them with a grave expression. All of them exchanged glances and stared back at her, waiting for her to tell them her observation.
Mrs Saha signed "Something is not right."