The quiet room was filled with the soft rhythm of breathing as both Ayu and Rekha slept peacefully. However, the tranquility was broken by a gentle knock at the door. The sound repeated two or three times, rousing Rekha from her slumber. She called out softly, her voice slightly groggy, "Ayu, check who's at the door."
Ayu, who was sprawled out on the divan beside Rekha's bed, mumbled in half-sleep, "Yes, Mom, I'll check." Slowly dragging himself up, he shuffled toward the door, rubbing his eyes as he unlocked it. As the door swung open, Ayu's grogginess vanished instantly. Standing before him were Nurse Anita and Dr. Supriya, the doctor who had attended to Rekha the previous day.
Catching himself, Ayu quickly ran a hand through his hair, offering them an embarrassed smile. "Oh, please come in, Ma'am," he said, stepping aside.
The doctor and nurse walked in, heading straight to Rekha's bedside. Rekha, now fully awake, had heard Ayu mention their visitors. She adjusted herself on the bed, offering a small smile as Dr. Supriya began speaking. "How are you feeling now, Rekha Ji? Any pain or dizziness?" Supriya asked, her tone calm but attentive.
Rekha shook her head lightly. "Just a bit weak, but nothing else. I'm fine otherwise."
Ayu stood nearby, with his phone in hand, quietly listening to the conversation. Supriya glanced at the nurse and instructed, "Let's give her another bottle of glucose. The weakness is due to the blood loss. Once her body starts recovering, she'll feel much better."
Turning to Ayu, Supriya gave him a warm smile. "Take good care of your mom, okay?" she teased gently.
Rekha chuckled at the doctor's words, while Ayu, caught off guard, scratched the back of his head and replied sheepishly, "Yes, Ma'am. I'll make sure of it."
By this time, the nurse had changed Rekha's glucose bottle. Supriya exchanged a few more pleasantries with them before excusing herself. "If you need anything, just let the nurse know," she said before leaving with a kind smile.
As the door closed behind them, Ayu turned to Rekha and said, "Mom, it's 15 minutes to 1. Ram will probably be here soon. Until then, I'll return the charger to Shivank and grab some tea from outside. If you need anything, just call me or ring the bell, okay?"
Rekha couldn't help but laugh. The way Ayu was explaining everything in such detail made her feel like a little child. Stifling her laughter, she nodded playfully, "Alright, I'll behave," she teased, her tone filled with affection.
Ayu shook his head with a grin, chuckling at her antics. He picked up the charger and left the room, heading towards Room 16 to return it to Shivank.
---
Standing outside Room 16, Ayu knocked on the door. It opened moments later, and Shivank greeted him with a cheerful smile. "Oh, Ayu! Come in," Shivank said, stepping aside.
Ayu shook his head. "No, I'm in a bit of a hurry," he replied, handing over the charger. "Here's your charger, and thanks for lending it to me."
Shivank took it with a nod. "No problem at all. Let me know if you need it again."
"Thanks, Shivank," Ayu said with a grateful smile before heading straight for the elevator.
Within minutes, Ayu was on the ground floor. He exited the hospital and walked toward the small tea stall outside, ordering a pack of tea to bring back upstairs. As he waited, his mind wandered momentarily to the events of the previous night —a whirlwind of emotions and unanswered questions. But he shook off the thoughts, focusing instead on getting the tea.
Ayu stood at the tea stall, his eyes wandering aimlessly as he observed the road bustling with activity. The aroma of freshly brewed tea mixed with the faint stench of exhaust fumes from passing vehicles filled the air. He reached into his pocket, pulling out a pack of cigarettes. Taking one out, he lit it, the tip glowing orange as he inhaled deeply. The bitter taste of tobacco accompanied by the slight burn in his throat seemed to momentarily soothe his restless thoughts.
As he smoked, Ayu's gaze moved back to the street, watching the endless motion of life—the chatter of people, the honking of vehicles, and the occasional bark of stray dogs. Within moments, his cigarette burned out, leaving behind a small stub that he flicked into the nearby dustbin.
The tea stall owner, a middle-aged man with a kind yet busy demeanor, handed him a plastic bag containing a thermos of tea and a few disposable cups. Ayu nodded his thanks, handing over the payment before turning back toward the hospital. The automatic doors slid open as he entered, and a wave of sterile air greeted him—the distinct scent of disinfectants and sanitizers clinging to the cool, air-conditioned environment.
The reception area was alive with activity. Patients and their families crowded the desk, their voices blending into a chaotic hum. Nurses moved briskly through the corridors, their rubber-soled shoes squeaking softly against the polished tiles. Occasionally, the faint sound of someone coughing or a baby's cry echoed through the space, adding to the symphony of a hospital's daily life.
Ayu walked through this controlled chaos, keeping a firm grip on the tea bag as he approached the elevator. A nurse rushing past accidentally brushed against his shoulder, muttering a quick apology before disappearing into another corridor. Ayu stepped into the elevator, pressing the button for the second floor. The metallic walls reflected his slightly tired face as the lift hummed upward, each floor marked by a soft chime.
The elevator doors slid open on the second floor, revealing a quieter environment compared to the bustling ground level. Here, the occasional beeping of monitors and hushed conversations of staff added a layer of solemnity. Ayu moved down the corridor, his footsteps muffled by the clean, gleaming tiles, until he reached Room 17.
Standing at the door for a moment, Ayu steadied his breath. The faint hum of the hospital echoed around him—beeping machines, nurses' hurried footsteps, and the distant murmur of visitors at the reception. The sterile scent of disinfectants mingled with the subtle aroma of chai he held. He took a deep breath and gently pushed the door open.
Inside, the dim lighting cast a soft glow over Rekha, who rested quietly on the hospital bed. Seeing her brought Ayu a sense of relief, though the weight of the night's events still pressed on him. Adjusting his grip on the tea bag, he stepped forward.
With a soft smile, Ayu walked to Rekha's bedside, pulling a chair close to sit beside her. He placed the disposable cups on the chair and began pouring tea into one. Rekha watched him silently for a moment, her eyes tender yet weary.
Breaking the silence, she said, "Ayu, because of me, you've had to go through so much trouble, haven't you?"
Ayu froze mid-pour at her words, the cup trembling slightly in his hands. A sad smile crossed his face as he finished pouring the tea and handed it to her. "Mom," he began, his voice steady but carrying a tinge of emotion, "why are you saying this? Why would I be troubled? It's my duty to take care of you. But I didn't think I'd have to fulfill this duty in a hospital." He paused, his gaze dropping for a moment. "If I could do all this at home, it would bring me happiness instead of worry. So, please don't think like this."
Rekha's eyes welled up with tears. She quickly turned her face to wipe them, not wanting Ayu to notice. Taking the cup of tea he offered, she replied, her voice soft and full of love, "My dear son, I know. But I'm your mother. Just by looking at your face, I can tell how worried you are. You can't hide that from me."
Placing the cup on the small table by the bed, Rekha gently reached out and ran her fingers through Ayu's hair. "Do you think I wouldn't understand? Ever since I regained consciousness, I've been watching you. You've only been laughing to keep Ram happy, but your eyes tell me it wasn't genuine."
Ayu's eyes brimmed with tears. Unable to hold back, he leaned forward and wrapped his arms around his mother. His voice cracked as he whispered, "Mom, you have no idea how scared I was when I got the news of your accident last night. I didn't know what to do, or how to handle it. Mom..."
His words trailed off as he clung to her, the pain and fear of the night pouring out in his trembling voice. Rekha, holding him close, whispered soothingly, "Beta, everything is fine now. I'm here, with you." In that moment, amidst the faint hum of the hospital and the warmth of their embrace.
Ayu clung tightly to Rekha, tears streaming down his face. He let out all the pent-up emotions he had been carrying since the previous night—the fear, the worry, and the helplessness—through his sobs.
Rekha, understanding her son's turmoil, gently ran her hand over his head. She let him cry, allowing him to release everything bottled up inside. After a while, she softly patted his head and said, "Enough now, Ayu. I'm fine. You don't need to worry anymore. Now get up, or my tea will turn cold."
Ayu, wiping his tears, tried to smile as he replied in a teasing tone, "Wow, Mom! Your son is crying his heart out, and instead of calming him down, you're more concerned about your tea getting cold. Great priorities!"
Rekha chuckled at his remark, playfully gesturing to slap him. "You always have something to say, don't you?" she said, picking up her tea and taking a sip.
Ayu grabbed his disposable cup from the small table next to her bed and sat beside her. As they sipped their tea, Ayu suddenly remembered something and spoke up, "Mom, last night, Shalini madam called you several times. Your phone had 7-8 missed calls. Also, why were you going to the haveli so late at night?"
Rekha paused, her expression thoughtful, before replying, "I wasn't going to the haveli, Ayu. I was coming back from there."
Ayu looked confused. "But, Mom, whenever it gets late, someone from the haveli usually arranges a car to drop you home. Why were you walking back last night?"
Rekha sighed, carefully choosing her words. "Thakur Sahab's granddaughter, Pihu, returned from London last night. Everyone, including Shalini madam, was busy preparing to go to the airport to receive her. Since it was getting late and you were about to come home, I told Neeta, the other maid, that I'd walk back. That's probably why Shalini madam was calling—to inform me or check on me."
Ayu listened attentively, and as Rekha finished, the troubling thoughts in his mind began to fade. Letting out a sigh of relief, he said, "Oh, I see. I've been overthinking this since last night, wondering why you were heading to the haveli at that hour."
Rekha nodded, but her thoughts wandered. Deep down, she reflected, How can I tell you, Ayu, what really happened at the haveli last night? Her eyes brimmed with tears, but she quickly composed herself.
Handing Ayu her empty cup, she said, "Enough of this now. Stop worrying and throw these cups away. And wash your face while you're at it. Look at your eyes—they're so red from crying."
Ayu smiled, took the cups, and said, "Alright, Mom. I'll be back in a minute." He tossed the cups into the dustbin near the door and headed to the washroom to wash his face.
As Ayu disappeared into the washroom, Rekha lay back on the bed, placing a hand on her forehead. Her mind was clouded with worry as she stared at the ceiling, burdened by thoughts of what had transpired at the haveli the night before.
_______
At Ram's house, the room was quiet except for the occasional rustle of the fan. Ram lay sprawled on his bed, lost in deep sleep, when suddenly, the blaring sound of his alarm clock and phone alarm shattered the silence.
Half-asleep, Ram reached out lazily, trying to silence the alarm without looking. His hand flailed in the air, missing the clock repeatedly. Annoyed, he groaned and decided to ignore it, sinking back into his pillow. But as the alarms continued to ring incessantly, their shrill noise grew unbearable.
Frustrated, Ram sat up, rubbing his eyes. He turned off the alarm clock with a quick tap and grabbed his phone, silencing that too. Blinking against the brightness of the phone screen, he checked the time—and his heart sank.
It was 1:50 PM. Only ten minutes remained until 2 PM, the time Ayu had asked him to return to the hospital. "Oh no, I'm going to be late!" he exclaimed, jumping out of bed in a rush.
He stumbled to the washroom, splashing water on his face to wake himself up fully. Within minutes, he was dressed, his phone charger and laptop stuffed hastily into his laptop bag. Grabbing his house keys, Ram bolted out of the house and locked the door behind him. But before heading out, he remembered the clothes Ayu had asked him to bring, so he ran back inside to pick them up. With his formal clothes in hand, Ram made his way to the taxi stand.
At the stand, a few taxis were lined up along the roadside. Some drivers were lounging against their cars, sipping tea, while others chatted quietly among themselves. Ram carefully put the clothes he held in his laptop bag as he scanned the area, his eyes darting between the vehicles, hoping to find an available one.
It didn't take long. A driver standing near his car noticed Ram's urgency and waved at him. Ram quickly approached and said, "Golden Health Hospital."
The driver nodded, opened the door, and got into the driver's seat. Ram settled into the backseat, closing the door hurriedly. The car's engine roared to life, and the taxi rolled out onto the street, heading toward the hospital.
Leaning back in his seat, Ram let out a breath, relieved to be on his way. The city outside the window passed by in a blur of dimly lit streets and scattered traffic, but his thoughts were focused on reaching the hospital on time, as he had promised Ayu to be there before 2 pm.
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To be continued.....