As they arrived at the hospital, the driver quickly sprang into action, helping Ishita lift her injured brother out of the car. Hospital staff rushed to their aid, urgency etched on their faces as they prepared to transport him inside.
Amidst the chaos, Ishita paused, a sudden realization dawning on her. She turned to thank the man who had stopped to help, but to her dismay, he was nowhere to be seen. The rain continued to pour, leaving the area empty and forlorn.
Her shoulders sagged slightly as she murmured to herself, her voice filled with a mix of gratitude and regret. "Oh God, I didn't even get a chance to thank him... thank you for sending him to help us."
Her words were lost in the cacophony of rain and the bustling hospital, but her heart swelled with unspoken gratitude for the stranger who had come to their aid in their darkest hour.
After the medical team wheeled her brother into the OPD room, Ishita found herself pacing nervously outside the door. A whirlwind of anxiety and hope filled her thoughts as she awaited any news.
What felt like an eternity later, a doctor emerged from the room. His eyes scanned the waiting area before landing on Ishita. "Who is the patient's relative?" he asked, his voice steady yet concerned.
"I am his elder sister," she replied, her voice trembling slightly. As the doctor registered her appearance, recognition flickered in his eyes. "Wait a minute... You're Ishita, right? The intern in the neurology section?"
Ishita's eyes widened in surprise. "Yes, that's me," she confirmed, her heart racing. The doctor's recognition offered a fleeting sense of relief amidst the turmoil, a brief connection to her world of medicine amid the chaos surrounding her brother's condition.
The doctor nodded reassuringly. "We'll do everything we can for him. I'll keep you updated on his condition."
Ishita nodded gratefully, trying to steady her breathing as she continued to wait, her mind laser-focused on her brother's well-being.
But the doctor's face grew solemn as he approached her, concern etched deeply in his expression.
"Your brother has a head injury, and it's bleeding," he stated, his voice urgent. "We need to perform surgery immediately."
Ishita's heart sank. "Then start the surgery," she said firmly, trying to mask her fear with determination.
The doctor hesitated briefly, then spoke again, "You know the costs involved. The surgery will be very expensive—six lakhs in total: four for the surgery and two for the hospital stay."
Ishita's face paled slightly at the mention of the cost, but she steeled herself. "How much time do I have to deposit the money?" she asked, trying to maintain her composure despite her worry.
"We need the deposit before we can start," the doctor replied. "But if you can manage the payment, we'll begin the surgery right away."
Ishita nodded, determination etched on her features. "I will deposit the money. Just start the surgery now."
The doctor nodded appreciatively, sensing the urgency in her voice. As he turned to prepare for the surgery, Ishita quickly made arrangements to secure the funds, her focus solely on ensuring her brother received the care he desperately needed.
As the doctor disappeared into the OPD, Ishita sank into a chair, her mind racing with thoughts of how to gather such a large sum of money. The weight of the situation pressed heavily on her shoulders, but her resolve remained unyielding.
She absentmindedly draped the coat given to her by the stranger over the back of the chair. Although it offered some warmth, her clothes were still soaked from the rain. A shiver ran through her body, causing her lips to tremble slightly. Yet, despite her discomfort, she radiated an ethereal beauty.
Her lips, a delicate rose-pink, quivered in the cold, resembling soft petals. She wore an elegant anarkali suit with a matching dupatta, both clinging to her form due to the wet fabric. The dampness accentuated her figure, outlining her graceful curves, but even in this vulnerable state, she carried herself with quiet dignity and strength.
As she sat there, lost in her thoughts, her appearance spoke of both fragility and resilience—a striking contrast that only added to her angelic presence. Her mind was in turmoil, but her determination was unwavering; she would find a way to save her brother, no matter the cost.