Chapter 49: chapter 49

MADHAV“How is she doing?” Nisha asks placing the bag with the things I asked her to bring.“Not great,” my voice is grim as I rub my eyes. It is been twenty-four hours since Sruthi was admitted. She is still in the ICU. The doctors have been in and out of the room multiple times. They have removed the bullets from her body but she has lost a of her blood due to the stab wounds. I am still not allowed to go inside the ICU. No one except the doctors is allowed. After returning from the police station, I have been staying outside the ICU ward in hopes of her recovery but every time the chief doctor exits the room, his face is more grim than the last time. I don't want things to be spelt out for me to understand that Sruthi is on the verge of dying. I still can't accept what happened. I resent myself for leaving her. No matter, how harsh she was with me, I shouldn't have left her alone in the capital. I shouldn't have trusted someone else other than me to keep her safe.“Did Vikram contact you?” I ask Nisha dreading her answer. A cowardly part of me wishes that Vikram hadn't contacted her. Things would turn very ugly if Vikram learned the state his sister is in. He would have my head for sure. “Not yet,” Nisha says. The worry in her voice makes me look up at her. She has a frown on her face and I am reminded of Sruthi's frown. God! She always looked cute when she frowned.  I am reminded of the time when we were in the store room opening gifts. I still remember when she touched the little scar above my eyebrow and asked who gave it to me. No one has ever asked me about it. I wanted to tell her the whole story of it at that moment but I was very cautious with her. I gave a one-line answer, so that, she wouldn't be scared of me. But, now, I wish, I had told her the full story. I wish I had shown her parts of me that I usually keep hidden behind a tight and rigid mask. I wish I had told her at least once that I love her and how much she means the world to me.But, now, I am not sure if I will get that chance. “Madhav,” someone shakes my shoulder and I look up to find Nisha staring at me with concern in her eyes. My cheeks are wet and I quickly wipe away the tears. Nisha's gaze is soft and gentle but her tone is fierce as she says, “Don't lose your hope. I have full belief in Sruthi. She wouldn't leave us all this soon. She is an Ariyian and she will sure as hell fight this and recover soon.”If only I could believe her words.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“How many days are you going to keep pacing this corridor?” Gabriella asks. “Why don't you go to your house and take some rest? I will stay here and watch over her.”I shake my head at her, “Thanks for the offer, doctor. But, I am not going to leave my wife alone. I already made that mistake once and I am taking no more risks.”“Your fears are irrational, Madhav. No one would harm Sruthi in here.”“I know. But, that doesn't stop me from worrying. I am fine pacing this corridor, waiting for her to open her eyes.”Gabriella looks surprised at that, “Sruthi is lucky to get you as her life partner.”Nope! She isn't lucky. I am the one who is lucky to have her as my wife.“Can I see her?” I ask in a hopeful voice. “I am sorry, Madhav but no visitors are allowed inside.”“When will I be allowed to see her? It is going to be nearly two days since she was admitted and you aren't allowing me inside,” my voice raises in anger and Gaberiella flinches.“You will be allowed inside only if the chief doctor permits you. I am just a temporary doctor here and I can't do anything.” I nod in understanding. It is no use getting angry at her or anyone in the hospital. I need to be patient and have some hope. But, hoping was always difficult for me. I am the kind of guy who always sees that a glass is half empty.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥“Who did this to my mother?” a young man's voice pulls me out of my miserable thoughts. I look up to find Jaya Ma's son staring at me with red angry eyes and a grim face.“He is in the police custody,” I answer carefully. As I look at the boy who is in his late teens or early twenties, another wave of guilt washes over me. I am the one who asked Jaya Ma to stay with Sruthi. I wanted her to have someone to accompany her when I was away. “I am sorry for what happened to your mother,” I say.He laughs but there is no humour in it, “What are you sorry for? You weren't the one who shot her.”“No, I wasn't but I asked her to stay with my wife. This wouldn't have happened if she hadn't stayed in my house.”“True,” he agrees, “but we can't always predict the future. Whatever should have happened has happened. There is nothing we can do now except to pray for their speedy recovery.”“Aren't you enraged at the person who did this to your mother?"“Believe me, I am furious and I want to inflict the same pain on him that he gave my mother. But, if I do that then what is the difference between me and him? I will leave his fate to Karma. I believe that he will atone for his sins.”I stare at the boy in shock. His words remind me strongly of Sruthi. This is what Sruthi would have told me if she had been conscious enough. She wouldn't want more blood on my hands. “How is your wife?” He asks after a minute of silence in a soft tone.“Not good. There is very little chance for her to survive this,” I answer automatically that the doctors gave me. “Can you stand up for a minute?” he asks.“Huh?” I raise my eyebrow but stand up from my place. The boy closes the gap between us in three large strides and throws his hand around me in a hug. I am taken aback by his balant gesture but neither do I push him away. “I will ask my sisters to pray for your wife's recovery. Don't blame yourself for what happened. My family doesn't hold you responsible for what happened to our mother. We are glad that she survived the attack and will live. I believe that your wife will also survive this and live a happy life with you.”I never know what is comfort. Not until the moment the boy threw his hands around me in a hug. I should be the one comforting him but it is the other way around. Is this how it feels like to have a sibling? They support you when your life hits an all-time low.I am not sure what makes me but I return the hug and my voice is filled with gratitude as I thank him.❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥