Chapter 14
Over the next few weeks Sugni's life took a turn for the better. She was finally beginning to come out of her shell, and take notice of the world around her. She was on a journey of really finding herself as a person, up until now she did not know much about herself, because she never got a chance really to learn.
She did discovered she enjoyed cartoons, she loved chocolate cake , but did not like chocolate ice cream so much, she enjoyed chess, the current score of their games were now 15/20 in his favor, but she loved the game. She loved sitting in the back garden. She loved her job, being in stores and getting a close look at those intricate designs on some of the goods fascinated her, with its simplicity yet unique craftsmanship. One day out of share boredom and waiting for the time to pass, she decided to copy one of the designs on a scrap piece of paper, it relaxed her and she was surprised and happy with the result. It had now become a pass time for her, and she was making a small collection.
Working with Amrita , Sugni decided to take a chance and interact with more people and she discovered that, the girls at the office were not as bad as she thought. In fact one girl Champa was very warm and friendly. Thankfully they did not ask her much personal questions. On Vickram's advice Sugni simply told them that after her mother passed on she wanted a change and so came here and luckily found a this job with Vickram who was an old friend. His logic being she did come here after her mother passed, and he was her friend and he was older. That one had her cracking up.
She still avoided anything male though as with the exception of Vickram, any kind of attention from them made her extremely uncomfortable. She was still prone to panic attacks but Amrita thought her how to control it , for the most part she was successful. One day her fears of having one in the office came through , when the delivery guy for the good requested her signature and she thought he was standing to close to her. She flew out of the office and down the hall running like she was crazy , causing people to start at her in shock, luckily for her Vickram was in another employees office and noticed her. Realizing what was happening he led her to his office , and calmed her down. Sugni did not want to return to work but he insisted she did. The story around the office was that she was looking for him to deliver an urgent message.
Her relationship with Vickram also changed for the better, after she decided he was right and she should not let what others thought about her living there matter. That initial feeling of safety and trust she felt when she first met him, grew to encompass a lot of respect and admiration. He treated her with that respect; somehow he knew just what to say when she was down. Behind all her actions , she knew that his approval meant the world to her.
Her friendship with Amrita also grew as they continued with their shopping trips and movies, Sugni discovered she enjoyed her time with Amrita and her crazy antics.
"What's his hurry?" Amrita asked as Sugni grabbed her bag and headed for the door. Vickram was waiting, popping the horn twice in three minutes. very much unlike him.
"I don't know " Sugni said
'Where is the fire Vicky Babu?" Amrita said as they approached the van. "Won't you come in for some tea?"
"Raincheck?" he said waiving her good bye. Pulling off before Sugni could fasten her seat belt.
As the speed o meter climbed 60 in a 30 zone Sugni began to get a little worried.
"What's the rush?" She asked. Normally he would chat a few minutes with Amrita, ask how she was doing , if she wanted to talk, and try to cheer her up if she was upset after the session.
"huh? Nothing I just want to get home. God I'm tired!" He said.
Pretty soon they were home, Vickram disappeared into his room leaving her along. She began to wonder if he was missing his wife again. At dinner time when he was a no show , she went to check on him again. This time she found him asleep on the bed with the covers off and the light on. So he really was just tired! , she shook her head. walking over to the bed she thought to cover him and take off the light. As she pulled the covers over him her hand brushed his, and she was shocked that it was hot. Checking his forehead she saw that he was indeed running a fever.
Going back to her room , she went to the medicine cabinet in her bathroom, and found some medication for cold and flu, going back to his room she shook him slightly.
"Vickram? Vickram?" she said softly
"Hmm?" He mumbled.
"Here take this you'll feel better?"
"Huh ..wha? " He opened his eyes slightly looking at her in confusion.
"It'll help with the fever" She said. "Please?"
Slowly he sat up, taking the glass and the pills he swallowed them, lying back down. "Thanks" He mumbled.
Tucking the sheet over him, she turned off the light and went to her room.
Sleep eluded her, as she worried over him being sick. She debated whether she should call Amrita , who would know what to do , but then chastised herself since it was probably just a passing flu that he would get over once he rested a bit. In the short time it took for the medicine to start showing the effects Sugni thought she would go mad, but was relieved when she checked in him half hour after and the fever seemed to have subsided.
At midnight she again went to chek on him, , and this time he was unmoving when she called him. His skin was burning.
"On My God Vickram???..."
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The incessant ringing of the phone awoke Amrita as she looked at the bedside clock. 12:05 AM. A phone call this hour never brought good news. . Looking at the caller ID she was alarmed to see Vickram's number. She wondered what happened . Sugni was doing extremely well. Did she suddenly have a setback. OH God.
"Hello?" She answered , blinking sleep away from her eyes.
"Amrita...Help...please he..he's not moving..." Sugni was crying babbling something about Vickram being unconscious.
"SUgni ?, Sugni ? calm down... what do you mean ?what happend?" She listened as Sugni explained about Vickram , having a fever the medicine and her checking on him to find him worse. Apparently he was breathing but not respnding.
"Ok ...Ok I am coming over, I'll be there in ten minutes Ok ..Calm down..."
Making a quick call to the hospital to arrange for an ambulance to meet her at Vickram's house Amrita rushed out the door.
A short while after she was driving behind an the ambulance ...with Vickram and Sugi in front.
"OH God Please , Please let him be alright" Sugni Prayed, she was worried sick about what was happening, they took him into the back almost an hour now and still no one told her how he was ...Amrita left her to a few minutes ago and was yet to return.
"Hey!" Amrita touched her shoulder .
"How is he? Is he going to be OK?" What's wrong with him?" She asked ...
"Shhh,calm down! Sit please" Amrita said taking her hand and leading her to the plastic chairs.
"Here" She said handing her a napkin. Sugni took it and wiped her eyes.
"Apprently , Vicky babu , contracted dengue fever"
"What?" Sugni was alarmed , was that fatal?
"Relax he will be fine, they are giving him meds to help with the fever, he is being monitored, he strong and healthy so he will recover soon. " She reassured her.
"Thank God! Can I see him...please?" She asked.
"Sure" Amrita said, "Come with me"
Sugni looked at him on the bed, with a running IV, he looked pale, his breathing was easier, On instinct she touched his forehead. I was still warm.
"He still has fever." She said worriedly.
"Don't worry , they are monitoring him, it will go down soon." Amrita reassured her. Vickram looked so helpless lying here, Sugni thought as she looked at him. Running her hand through his hair.
"Look , I know you must be tired, why don't I give you a ride home huh, I;ll pick you up in the morning and you can come see him" Amrita said standing beside her a few minutes later.
"C-can I stay pl-please" She begged, she did not want to leave him. It did not seem right leaving him alone like this. She looked at Amrita pleadingly
"I won't be any trouble I promise...Please."
"Sugni...they won't allow you..only close family can stay..I'm sorry" Amrita said. Looking at her.
"He is like my family..." She said, realizing it was the truth. After her mother, Vickram was really the only one who was like her family. She could'nt just leave him here.
The door opened and a doctor walked it.
"Dr. Singh" The new doctor greeted Amrita.
"Please.." She pleaded to Amrita as the doctor examined Vickram" Please"
Amrita looked at her for a few minutes as if trying to figure out something
"Dr. Malan, can I have a word with you?" Amrita asked when the doctor finished the exam.
They went out side , leaving Sugni with Vickram, Amrita returned a few minutes after. "OK , I talked to his doctor and she agreed to let you stay, I'll be back in the morning right?"
Sugni smiled... happy with the news. "Thank you!"
After Amrita left She pulled a chair up and sat at the side of Vickrams bed holding his hand. "Please get better soon, you have to.!" She had no idea how long she kept staring at him , until eventully in the wee hours of the morning she fell into a light sleep with her head resting on his bedside. A nurse came in and placed a a blanket over her causing her to stir.
"Wow, this is so sweet, his fianc won't leave his side." She heard the nurse whispered to the other.
Sugni smiled as she fell back asleep. Still holding his hand.
