Part of it was heard, part of it was missed, and then it became a race. She lay unconscious on someone's lap as I hurried past the classroom to reach Devu. I swiftly lifted her and rushed to the car without paying attention to anything else. It was only when I sat on the hospital balcony that I grasped the gravity of what had occurred. It was all so overwhelming.
"What's the matter?" Hari asked.
Many answers swirled in my mind, but I hoped they wouldn't come out.
"Just try to stay calm. She'll be alright," he must have sensed my distress.
We didn't have to wait long. The door opened, and the lady doctor emerged. We both stood up.
"Doctor, this is Devika's husband," Hari interjected without any necessity.
"And?" The doctor's reply left both of us stunned. Before I could utter a word, their attention turned towards me.
"Haven't you given that girl anything to eat?"
I stood there, trying to comprehend the doctor's words.
"Is there something wrong, Doctor?"
"What's wrong... She fainted because she hadn't eaten. Aside from that, there's nothing amiss. Being a husband, you should learn to take good care of your wives. Otherwise, you'll be rushing to marry before the flower even blooms. Don't turn back after the wedding. I won't say more..." The doctor's words were stern.
I couldn't fathom why they were so agitated, but all I could do was lower my head and absorb their counsel.
With a scornful remark, they walked away, leaving only the nurse who had been with the doctor to linger with us.
"That doctor has her moments. Her husband recently left her, so she's a bit on edge. Don't let it bother you. The girl is fine. She's been put on a drip. After that, she can go home," they assured us.
They offered this as a comforting word.
"May I go in to see her?"
"Yes, she seems to be asleep," they replied.
As they passed us, Hari and I entered the room where Devu lay.
"Why did they put her in such a large room for a fainting spell? She could have been placed in a ward..."
I didn't find anything amiss in Hari's comment. She was the sole occupant in that spacious room.
Devu was sound asleep. I walked over to the chair beside her bed. Staring at her, I felt more guilt than sympathy. I reproached myself for even thinking that I could be the cause of her condition.
"Poor girl..."
Hari rested his hand on my shoulder, gazing at Devu's bed, and uttered those words.
At that moment, the door swung open, and the same nurse reentered. They approached Devu, tending to something. Every now and then, they exchanged a smile with me. So did I.
"Ah, are you awake?"
That's when we noticed Devu, her eyes blinking as if she were half-asleep, gazing at me and the nurse.
"There's nothing to fear, just remember to eat on time..."
The nurse reassured Devu.
"Above all, you're nothing but skin and bones. Don't go hungry anymore..."
With that, they exited the room. It was then that I realized Hari was no longer there. He must have gone out with them. Sly fellow... I quipped to myself.
"Nandu..."
Devu's weariness echoed in her voice.
"Are you upset with me?"
I sensed that this was all she needed to hear.
"Mm..."
I responded with a quiet affirmation.
"Because I had to endure that entire lecture from the doctor because of you..."
"Were they harsh? Why?"
"For not eating."
She turned her head quickly, avoiding my gaze.
"I'm sorry..."
She broke the silence a bit earlier.
"Why?"
"Did they scold you for that?"
"Mmm... never mind."
Silence once again. The room was filled only with the whir of the fan. Even though we were side by side, neither of us dared to meet each other's eyes or speak. Every time I glanced at Devu, it felt like she held me responsible for everything.
"Feeling exhausted?"
She answered in the affirmative.
"Don't worry, this will pass. They've instructed me to take you home."
"Have we been here a long time?"
Devu inquired, her attention fixed solely on the turning fan.
"Mmm... a bit."
"Have you informed Mom and Sister-in-law?"
"I haven't yet. I'll need to call them. Why didn't you eat anything?"
The response was silence. However, her eyes spoke volumes. I feigned ignorance of the sadness welling up in those eyes, waiting to spill over.
Suddenly, the door swung open, and Hari entered. My mother and sister-in-law accompanied him.
"I told this girl that day that she should go to the hospital. How is she now?" my sister-in-law inquired, her tone tinged with reproach.
"It's alright, sister..."
"Why did you faint then?" she persisted, gently coaxing Devu back onto the bed, feigning wakefulness upon seeing them.
I wondered who had informed my family about Devu being in the hospital. Then, I spotted Hari leaving the room with a mischievous grin.
I relinquished the chair for my mother to sit in and took a corner of the room.
"Are you feeling better now, dear?" Mother inquired, gently patting Devu's forehead.
"Yes, Mom..."
Without waiting for Devu's response, Mom turned to me.
"What did the doctor say?"
"She advised to go home after the drip."
"If you're feeling weary, let's spend a day here together, dear..."
Mother's suggestion was lovingly declined by Devu. I felt a sense of pride seeing my mother extend the same affection and care to Devu, who found herself in an unwanted situation, as she does to my sister-in-law, the wife of her own son. Yet, witnessing Devu nestled with her eyes closed, embraced by my mother, stirred a pang of envy within me. The lingering distance between my mother and me, though subtle, stirred a hint of concern in my heart.
"This girl has been feeling weak ever since she started hanging out with him," my sister-in-law asserted.
"What have I done to cause that?" I inquired, attempting to defend myself before she could accuse me further.
"I'm just asking if you've had any influence. Is this child just neglecting her meals while you stand idly by?" My mother scrutinized me, giving weight to my sister-in-law's concern.
"Nandu didn't do anything, Mom... I didn't eat because I wasn't hungry," Devu interjected, lending her voice to the conversation. I felt a surge of respect for her, seeing her trying to absolve me even though the fault was entirely mine.
"Well, there you have it... I know you'd say that. Both hold equal responsibility," my sister-in-law conceded, brushing off the matter as though it were a jest.
"Dear, you shouldn't skip meals just because of what someone says. It's not good for your health. People will say all sorts of things," Mother advised, her words carrying a subtle message meant for me.
"If there's anything else, just let me know..."
Devu responded with a small smile upon hearing those reassuring words, in addition to my mother's gentle touch. I could see the genuine affection my mother had for Devu. I watched with a tinge of envy as Devu, eyes closed, basked in my mother's care.
As they strolled down the hospital corridor, my mother's arm around Devu's shoulder, I witnessed the depth of love and concern my mother held for her.
To be continued...