At the hospital
A posse of cops was lined up along the long corridor. It was the Casualty Ward of a government hospital. There were people rushing here and there anxiously gathering information of their injured folk. Vinod and Manohar quickly climbed the short flight of steps and entered the corridor. Manohar's heart was heavy with anxiety and he could barely think straight. Somehow Vinod had managed to make Sulochana to stay at home. It had been very difficult to convince her, but she had relented in the end ….. after Vinod promised to keep her updated on every little thing.
A line of cops obstructed the way into the rooms where the doctors on duty were.
"Who are you and why are here?" asked one policeman.
"My sister, Archana Karanjkar has met with an accident and we were informed by the hospital authorities. We want to se her."
"Do you have any identity proof?"
"What?"
"Do you have any photo identity to show you are her next of kith and kin?"
"What a stupid ……" Vinod started angrily.
An Inspector came forward with his hat under his arm.
"Sorry, these are formalities which have been made to protect the patient who may not be in a position to take decisions. Even your driving licence will do."
Vinod took it out of his wallet and showed it to him. The man returned it to him.
"Follow me."
Manohar thought the corridors were never ending, he was so nervous. His beautiful daughter…… he prayed she was safe.
The Inspector informed them as they walked, "three cars were involved in the collision. The driver of the car that hit the road divider died leaving behind a mess. He was alone and a little inebriated. The other two cars were unfortunately involved. This is a witness account. Your sister was in one of the other two cars. Her fellow traveller has a few minor injuries.
"What about Archu?"
"I think the doctors will explain to you better than I. She has been seriously injured."
Tears flooded Manohar's eyes on hearing this. Three white coated men who were obviously doctors were conferring among themselves at the end. They stopped and turned.
"Doctors, these are relatives of the lady in the ICU."
Manohar almost moaned aloud.
"Oh you have managed to get in touch……" said one doctor.
"Tell me how my daughter is? May I see her?"
"Your daughter is comatose ……….."
Manohar was full of pain. Why Archana? Why his beautiful girl? Vinod gasped with shock.
"Comatose?"
"We are afraid so."
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VishwaasRao drove at breakneck speed to reach the hospital. What a terrible thing to have happened. Damodar and Savita were with him. Both were silent which showed how worried they were about Sachin. They reached the hospital and went to the information desk to ask for news about him. Savita had her heart in her mouth. She prayed her son was alright. Damodar asked the receptionist about the recent accident. People were helpful instantly giving information. They recognised the actor and were curious. They were directed to the fifth floor. Sachin had been shifted to another room and was no longer in the casualty ward.
Room no: 504…….. Savita opened the door but no one was there. An orderly on the floor informed them that the patient had been taken for some extra scans and X-rays. The lift doors opened and a stretcher rolled out. The ward boys brought the patient towards the Deshmukh family. It was Sachin. Savita sucked in her breath. Dear God! What had happened to her boy? He was taken in the room and the door closed shut. After several minutes, a nurse emerged.
"Are you family?"
"Yes," said Damodar. "That's my son."
"Well, he's lucky. There seem to be no outward injuries but the doctors have run tests to ensure he is alright."
Savita needed to sit …… she was so relieved.
A doctor came along.
"This is a police case and you will have to speak to them first before we can speak to you."
"Okay," said Vishwaasrao. "I shall go down and finish the formalities. You stay here."
Downstairs he got the whole story of what had happened.
Vishwasrao shook hands with the Inspector on duty and took his leave.
"Er …. Excuse me, who is Shravani?"
"She was with my nephew."
"Okay…. She's probably the only one who has got just a few scratches."
"Where is she?"
"She was discharged and her father took her home."
Vishwasrao clenched his teeth. Didn't Girish have the decency to at least wait for them to arrive instead of leaving Sachin alone?
"And the driver of the third car?"
"He's dead. While he is the cause of all this tragedy, he is blissfully at peace in the mortuary while that young girl is fighting for her life." He shook his head and clicked his tongue. Someone called him and he walked away.
Vishwaasrao turned to go up once more when his eyes fell upon the two men desperately talking to a few doctors. He wondered who they were. He went to Room no: 504.
Sachin was awake but in tremendous shock. His face was pale and his eyes were lustreless.
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Manav woke up after a short nap. It was 5 p.m. He knew it was nearing dawn in Mumbai. He'd wait for three more hours and then speak to his dad.
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
