Just as they turned away from the desk, a voice echoed in Ayu's mind:
---
"Task has been completed."
"Task reward is being issued."
"Funding source is being arranged."
The voice continued: "Host Ayu, you utilized your spare time to study programming and cybersecurity. You have made significant progress in both fields. You also assisted in fixing bugs on Mr. Rakesh's restaurant website. For this achievement, you are being rewarded ₹5 lakh. Please report to Room 177 of the Four Seasons Hotel tomorrow afternoon to claim your compensation."
"Room scenario: Five individuals will be present, gathered for dinner and a business discussion."
"Note: Programming and cybersecurity knowledge will be directly uploaded to the host's brain."
Ayu stopped abruptly near the reception, startled. The same voice echoed again, but this time with a new announcement:
"The programming and cybersecurity knowledge uploading process to the host's brain has been initiated."
"...Error...Error..."
"Knowledge uploading process is terminated due to the host's critical fatigue levels. The host's brain activity indicates extreme mental exhaustion. Upload process suspended until the host's cognitive functions return to optimal levels."
Ayu stood frozen, his thoughts consumed by the strange voice. This was something he had never encountered before—not in his previous life or even in this one. The concept of a "system" directly interacting with his brain was entirely foreign, something he couldn't comprehend.
While Ayu remained lost in the announcement's revelation, Ram, who was walking cheerfully toward the hospital entrance, was in a completely different mood. He was overjoyed that the hospital bill had been settled, thinking, "Finally, no more problems. The bill is settled, and now Aunty's treatment can continue smoothly."
Lost in his thoughts, Ram failed to notice Ayu lagging behind. When he reached the entrance, he turned to speak, only to realize Ayu wasn't walking beside him.Confused, Ram glanced back and saw Ayu still standing near the reception, lost in thought.
Frowning slightly, Ram walked back to Ayu and shook him lightly. "Ayu! Ayu!" he called, gradually raising his voice.
"Hey, idiot! What are you standing here for?"
Ayu snapped out of his daze, startled. "Huh? What's going on?"
"What's wrong, man, what are you standing here thinking about?" Ram asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and irritation.
Ayu hesitated but quickly composed himself. "Nothing, bro. Just… everything from tonight started replaying in my head—how that stranger's call came, how I found out about Mom's accident, how we managed to scrape together the money, and how we almost got involved in that mess at the parking lot. It's overwhelming, bro, it's all hitting me now. I feel like this night will remain as the most hectic night of my entire life, bro."
Ram clapped a hand on Ayu's shoulder, smirking. "Yeah, yeah. Enough of that. Stop overthinking! Let's go outside near the guard's office, have a cigarette, and relax a bit. We'll come back, and by then, I think Aunty might wake up."
Ayu nodded, still feeling the weight of the night. "Alright, let's go. I need to clear my head and unwind a bit too."
Together, they stepped outside, lit a cigarette near the guard's office, and spent a few moments in silence. When they returned to the ward, Ayu's mother was still peacefully asleep.
The two sat on the chairs beside her bed, the weight of the night finally catching up with them. Ram turned to Ayu, looking at him as Ayu kept yawning for some time.
Ram spoke in a gentle tone. "Bro, you haven't slept all night. Take some rest now. I'll stay here. If Aunty wakes up, I'll let you know. Don't worry."
Ayu, realizing his exhaustion, gave a small nod. "Alright, but wake me up if anything happens."
Ram smiled reassuringly. "Of course, I'll wake you. Now, sleep." Ayu returned the smile, took his mother's hand in his, and rested his head on the bed beside her. Within moments, his eyes closed, and he drifted into a deep, much-needed sleep.
As Ayu drifted into a deep sleep, a faint voice echoed in his mind, growing clearer with each passing moment:
"Host is in a state of rest. The body and mind are relaxing. Gradually, the physical and mental fatigue of the host is diminishing. The cognitive functions, previously impacted by exhaustion, are now returning to optimal levels. Initiating the process to upload programming and cybersecurity knowledge to the host's brain..."
" INITIATING UPLOADING PROCESS."
(0%... 10%... 60%... 99%... 100%)
"Programming and cybersecurity knowledge has been successfully uploaded to the host's brain."
As the process began, a bright white light entered Ayu's forehead, right at the center of his eyebrows. A sharp pain pulsed in his head, causing his face to contort with discomfort. His brows furrowed deeply, but despite the pain, Ayu stayed asleep, ignoring the strange sensation.
Meanwhile, Ram, seated just across from Ayu, was engrossed in his phone, entirely oblivious to the unusual phenomenon occurring right in front of him.
---
A short while later, Rekha began to regain consciousness.
Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing a lingering weariness on her face, though she looked better than before. As she scanned the room, her gaze fell on Ram, who was busy with his phone, and then on Ayu. She noticed Ayu sleeping deeply, his head resting on her hand, holding it tightly as if finding solace in her presence.
"Ram," Rekha called softly, her voice so faint that it didn't reach Ram's ears. He remained focused on his phone, unaware of her awakening.
Rekha watched him for a moment, then tried to sit up. She extended her hand to steady herself, but pain shot through her arm, making her wince. Realizing she couldn't get up on her own, she called out again, louder this time.
"Ram, why is Ayu sleeping like this?"
Ram, still absorbed in his phone, responded instinctively, without even looking up:
"Aunty, Ayu didn't sleep all night, so..."
His words trailed off as he suddenly froze, realizing what he'd just said. Slowly, he glanced up from his phone and saw Rekha awake, lying on the bed and looking at him.
"Aunty, you're awake!" Ram exclaimed, startled. He jumped up from his chair, his expression a mix of embarrassment and relief.
Rekha, with a steady but weak gaze, said in a low voice, "Ram, my boy, I've been calling you for a while now, but you've been glued to that phone of yours. Come, help me sit up."
Ram scratched the back of his head sheepishly, a shy smile spreading across his face. "Sorry, Aunty. I was just trying to finish some freelance work..." His voice trailed off again as he quickly stepped forward and helped her sit up on the bed.
As Rekha settled herself, she gave Ram a gentle but amused scolding, her maternal tone filled with warmth. "Next time, don't let your phone distract you so much. Now, tell me—what's going on with Ayu?"
Ram sighed in relief that she wasn't too upset and smiled softly. "Aunty, Ayu's just exhausted. He hasn't slept all night because of everything that happened. He needs this rest."
Rekha glanced at Ayu, who looked peaceful despite his earlier discomfort. She gently placed her free hand over his, her eyes reflecting a mother love and concern for her son.
Ram watched them silently, feeling a happy for his Aunty's recovery. "Don't worry, Aunty," he said softly. "Everything's okay, I'll go and get the nurse."
Rekha nodded, her strength returning little by little. As she leaned back slightly, her gaze lingered on Ayu, silently praying for her son's well-being.
Ram rushed to the nurse's station, his voice filled with urgency. "Ma'am, my aunt has regained consciousness!"
The nurse, who was sorting through some files, looked up and asked, "Oh, the patient from Bed No. 2, Rekha, right?"
"Yes, ma'am. She's my aunt, and she's awake now," Ram replied, relief evident in his tone.
"Alright," the nurse nodded. "You go ahead. I'll warm up her meal; her son dropped it off a little while ago."
Ram thanked her and quickly headed back to Rekha's bedside. As he reached, he settled into the chair beside her and asked gently, "Aunty, how are you feeling now?"
Rekha, who had been gazing at Ayu sleeping nearby, shifted her attention to Ram. "I'm feeling better, Ram. Just a bit of weakness and some pain in my body. You went to get the nurse, right? Where is she?"
"She's coming, aunty," Ram reassured her. "She's just heating your food."
Rekha nodded, her expression softening. "Alright."
To ease her mind, Ram began chatting casually, making light conversation to lift her spirits.
Moments later, the nurse arrived with the warmed meal. Seeing Ram and Rekha smiling and talking, she handed the food packet to Ram and remarked with a grin, "Looks like ma'am had a good rest."
Both Ram and Rekha chuckled. Rekha, addressing the nurse, said, "Yes, I did rest, but there's still some weakness and pain."
The nurse gently checked Rekha's vitals and responded, "That's normal. You lost quite a bit of blood, and the pain is likely from the impact during the accident. But don't worry, you'll recover soon."
Hearing this, Ram couldn't help but ask, "Ma'am, are you sure there aren't any internal injuries or fractures? Aunty mentioned her left hand hurts more than the rest of her body."
The nurse shook her head reassuringly. "No internal injuries or fractures, I can assure you. The doctor has already checked. The pain might be from the strain of the fall during the accident."
Ram breathed a sigh of relief, and just as the nurse finished her examination, Ayu, who had been sound asleep, stirred. The voices around him had finally roused him. His gaze wandered, and when he saw his mother awake and smiling, tears welled up in his eyes.
Before anyone could say anything, Ayu sprang up and threw his arms around Rekha in a tight hug. His words tumbled out in a rush: "Mom, you're awake! How are you feeling? Are you in pain? Why are you sitting up? You need to rest—lie down!"
Both Ram and the nurse couldn't help but smile at Ayu's concern. Rekha, though slightly wincing from the sudden hug, smiled softly and stroked Ayu's hair. "Calm down, Ayu. Calm down. I'm fine now. The nurse was just telling me that everything is alright."
The nurse chimed in with a lighthearted laugh, "Don't worry, sir. Your mother is doing well now."
Ayu stepped back, visibly relieved but still worried. He looked at the nurse and said, "Thank you." Then, turning to his mother with a warm smile, he added, "Mom, eat your food. I'll quickly freshen up and come back."
Rekha nodded, smiling, and Ayu left for the corridor to find the washroom.
_________________
As Ayu splashed water on his face, a sudden, sharp pain struck his head. He gripped the sink for support as his mind became flooded with an overwhelming rush of programming and cybersecurity knowledge. Images, codes, and complex settings danced before his eyes, spinning faster than he could comprehend.
The pain was intense but short-lived. As it subsided, Ayu let out a deep breath, his hands trembling slightly. He splashed more water on his face, trying to steady himself. Thoughts of the newfound knowledge swirled in his head, and as he began to focus on them, a sense of wonder and excitement replaced his shock.
Ayu's lips curled into a small smile as realization dawned. His mind, now brimming with advanced understanding, was a treasure trove of skills he never had before.
Determination burned in Ayu's eyes, but more than that, a deep sense of relief washed over him. His thoughts raced as he silently thanked the universe, "This isn't just a figment of my imagination or some coping mechanism to save me from breaking down. It's real—this system is real."
Wiping his face with his sleeve, Ayu glanced at the mirror. His reflection, for the first time in a long while, carried a spark of hope. A genuine smile stretched across his face. Without wasting a moment, he stepped out of the washroom, his pace quickening as he headed to the ward. Inside, his mother Rekha was resting, while Ram sat nearby, casually chatting with her. The nurse had stepped out.
Ayu approached with concern. "Mom, have you eaten anything yet? And where's the nurse? I needed to ask about the tests—when will they be done?"
Before Rekha could respond, Ram chimed in, leaning back slightly. "Relax, man. I already asked. They'll take her for the tests around 7 or 7:30. Nothing major, just routine stuff—sugar, BP, and the usual. Oh, and they might add another bottle of blood if the levels are still low."
Ayu checked the time on his phone. It was 6:50. His eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wait, I've been asleep that long? It was barely 5:45 when I dozed off!"
Ram smirked. "And? It's not like you missed much. I was here holding the fort."
Ayu shrugged, his voice softening. "I just don't want Mom to wait too long. Anyway, if everything goes well, I want to get her discharged today and take her home."
Ram nodded thoughtfully. "Makes sense. But let's see what the doctor says first."
The two continued chatting, occasionally exchanging jokes to lighten the mood. Rekha, lying back on the bed, listened to their banter with a faint smile, chiming in now and then. Despite her exhaustion, their lightheartedness seemed to lift her spirits.
Sometime later, two nurses entered the room with an attendant. Ayu and Ram stood up immediately. One of the nurses spoke, "We're here to take her for the tests."
Ayu watched as the other nurse carefully removed the IV from Rekha's hand, her movements practiced and gentle. The attendant then helped Rekha into a wheelchair, ensuring she was comfortable. Before leaving, the nurse turned to Ayu. "Once the tests are done, you can meet the doctor."
"Got it. Thanks," Ayu replied, his tone polite yet focused.
As they wheeled Rekha out, Ayu and Ram followed closely behind, stopping just outside the test center. The minutes stretched on, the wait punctuated only by the occasional footsteps of hospital staff. Ayu shifted on his feet, glancing at the door every few moments.
Finally, a nurse emerged with a file in hand and disappeared into the doctor's cabin. Moments later, she returned and gestured toward Ayu and Ram. "The doctor will see you now."
Inside the cabin, a female doctor was reviewing Rekha's reports, her brow furrowed in concentration. Ayu and Ram greeted her with a polite "Hello" before sitting down. The doctor looked up, her tone professional but warm. "You're Rekha ji's family?"
Ayu nodded. "Yes, I'm her son, Ayu, and this is my friend, Ram. Is everything okay?"
The doctor smiled reassuringly. "Her reports are mostly normal. There's just a minor fracture in her right hand, but a crack bandage will take care of that."
A wave of relief swept over Ayu, and even Ram let out an audible sigh. Ram leaned forward. "So, can she be discharged today?"
"You can discharge her," the doctor replied, her tone turning slightly cautious, "but I'd advise keeping her here for a few more days under observation. It's nothing serious, but given her blood loss, she might experience dizziness or weakness. Staying here would allow us to monitor her closely until she regains full strength."
Ayu frowned slightly. "Ma'am, is there any complication we should know about?"
The doctor shook her head. "Not at all. It's just a precaution. If she stays, we'll shift her to a general room, and in two to three days, we'll conduct another set of tests. If those are normal, you can take her home. Don't worry about extra charges—it's our hospital's policy not to charge additional fees for observation if it's recommended by the doctor. But the decision is yours."
Ayu glanced at Ram, who gave him a slight nod. Turning back to the doctor, Ayu said, "Alright, ma'am. We'll keep her here for a few more days. Thank you for your guidance."
The doctor handed a prescription to a nearby nurse and smiled. "Good decision. Please follow the nurse—she'll assist you with the medicines."
Ayu and Ram thanked her before stepping out, a sense of relief settling over them as they accompanied the nurse to get prescribed medicines for Rekha.
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To be continued....