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Disclaimer : This story is completely fictional and has nothing to do with The Govt. Hospital Kodaikanal!
Chapter 34
Back To Life!
Part B
Indira walked around the hospital room, in her blood stained sari. She was furious at the reckless driver and furious at Khushi for being careless while walking through the road. She felt like punching the driver right on his face and watch him bleed. The doctor's did a quick job of surgery and now Khushi was been shifted to the one of the finest rooms.
She had a cast around her shoulder and a small bruise on her forehead. She was sleeping in the effect of the medicines while two police men approached them. Indira and Somaraj shifted on their legs nervously. However, they were not at any fault, it was the case of a hit and run, but when the real investigation will start they will soon be behind the bars.
Somaraj gestured his daughter to walk outside the room, while one of the police men stopped them at the door.
"Where do you think you are going?"
He asked narrowing his eyes at Somaraj.
"We were just trying to help her. She was hit by a truck and bleeding. So, thought of taking her to the hospital. We dont even know her, properly.."
Somaraj bit out, his eyes flashing at his daughter, who seemed surprised at his words.
"But, you two are the witnesses. The doctor said so..."
They reasoned and Somaraj sucked in a sharp breath.
"This is why people back out from situations like this. We do not have anything to do with the girl. We were just trying to help. If you try to understand, we do not want any police enquiry on us. We just want to get out of here.."
He said with a shaky voice and the polie men sighed.
"Okay, we do not want to trouble you. Just wanted your names and address. Thats all.."
One of the police men said and Somaraj shared the details before they walked out of the hospital.
After reaching their tea shop, Indira forced him for an explanation to his behavior and the reason he left Khushi all alone at the hospital.. Somaraj sighed and slapped his daughter's head.
"Do you have any idea, what would have happened if we stayed there little longer? She is barely 16 or 17 years old. And she's been working here from past few days. It comes under child labour and we would be send to jail for the same reason.."
He blurt out looking at his daughter's surprised face.
"Ohh...It did not click me at first. But, now I understand. You are a genius Appa.."
***
Khushi woke up to the sounds of someone shouting. She opened her eyes with difficulty and looked around the unfamiliar surrounding she was been. She shifted on her bed and tried to get up but gave up when her right shoulder pained. She looked at the cast with horror filled eyes. A nurse came and pushed her back onto the bed.
"What are you doing? You just cant sit up on your own.."
She reasoned and checked her temperature. Khushi looked at her face hesitantly. She could not find Indira akka nor Somaraj. Her heart beats quickened as people started staring at her as if she had invaded their private place.
"Where am I? And where is Indira akka?"
She asked her eyes blurring with tears. She could not believe that she was once again left alone by fate. Why it was always her? The nurse's face grew serious and she sighed taking the small tray of medicines from the small table.
"Kodai Govt. Hospital. And please I dont know who is this Indira is nor I am interested. I am busy, I got to go now..take rest.."
She said and walked away from there. Khushi stared at her retreating form and brushed back her tears. Her eyes caught the man right next to her bed. There was a person or other with every patient except her. A woman in his early thirties looked at her from the corner bed and Khushi tore her gaze from her face.
She closed her eyes in an attempt to block every other memories which made her sad and vulnerable.
Hours passed and there was no sign of Indira or Somaraj that made Khushi realize the truth. They had left her on her own and now she will have to find her way for living.. The same woman who had shot her a curious look before approached her in deliberate steps.
She hesitated before pulling the chair next to Khushi's bed. Khushi tried her best to avoid her but the woman did the unexpected by grabbing her hands. Khushi's eyes narrowed at the woman and she flashed a smile in return.
"Will you be okay, if I gave you some food?"
She asked squeezing her hands lightly and Khushi battled the tears threatened to escape her eyes at the woman's question.
"My name is Tamarai. I live in Devipuram. I noticed that there is no one with you here and you have not had eat anything yet..."
She said, her eyes reflecting the sadness she felt. Khushi did not know how to answer or ask for food. She was hungry and felt dizzy with all the medicines she was been having lately.
"Just a minute. I will be right back"
She said and left Khushi's side. Khushi watched the woman walking towards her bed and then grabbed a small kettle. She rushed out of the ward and disappeared from Khushi's view.
Few mintues later, the woman came back. She hesitantly put the kettle and a small packet on the table next to Khushi's bed. She helped Khushi into a sitting position and adjusted her pillow to straighten her.
"I have brought some coffee and bread..would you like..to.."
She hesitated and Khushi outstretched her left hand towards her. She placed the bread slice in Khushi's left hand and Khushi ate it in silence. Her eyes kept lingering on the woman's face as she poured some coffee into a disposable glass. She extended the same to Khushi's lips and Khushi drank it from the same. Her eyes were blurring with tears as she looked at the stranger who was feeding her.
'Thank you"
Khushi said between her tears as her throat constricted with unsaid emotions. The woman sat next to her on the bed and ran her hand over Khushi's head as if blessing her.
"What is your name?"
"Its Khushi.."
Khushi said between hiccups.
"How did you got here? And where is your parents?"
That question made Khushi break down. She did not know as why she rested her head against a strange woman's chest and cried her heart out. Tamarai patted her back and consoled her.
"I am sorry. I should not have asked that...please forgive me.."
Tamarai said, her eyes moistening as she wrapped her arms around the girl.
Palani samy, Tamarai's husband was coming back from doctor's cabin after getting the discharge papers signed. His eyes caught the empty bed and then he searched for his wife's form amongst the patients.
He walked towards Tamarai and then his eyes landed on Khushi's form lying on the bed. She looked pale and sad, while his wife kept caressing her hair.
"Tamarai? What are you doing? Who is this girl?"
He asked pulling her off from the bed and she flashed a watery smile at her husband.
"I dont know who she is. She is alone and all by herself, so thought of helping her...Is the discharge paper's ready yet?"
She asked wiping her teary face and Palani samy patted her cheeks.
"Yes, we are ready to go..you okay?"
He asked grabbing her hands in his and she nodded with a smile. They walked towards the door, but Tamarai's eyes kept going back to Khushi's sleeping form. She felt a pang in her chest upon leaving her alone at the hospital bed. She badly wanted to stay with the girl and help her through it. The motherly affection overwhelmed and she pried her hands away from her husband's hold.
"Will you let me come here tomorrow.? I just want to check on Khushi..if she is alright?"
She said stopping on her tracks and her eyes glued to Khushi's form.
"We will think about it, okay? Now, we have to leave, remember, our girls are all alone in the house.."
He said grabbing her hands and Tamarai walked with him, with a heavy heart.
***
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