In the early morning Nandini returned to her home from hospital all alone, tired and devastated yet strong enough to handle her family. Swaroop was with her till the parking, actually he drove car for her as she was terrible in the hospital, last night he went to hospital with Rishabh and stayed there with her family. He was great help to them he handled Rishabh, medicines nd other stuff but he couldn't be with Nandini. She pretended to be strong whole time for her mother but from inside she was most terrified and guilty.
And just half hour before doctor suggested them or forced them to shift Devary from this hospital to another hospital which will provide more necessities and doctors are specialists. His concern for Devary was valid but Nandini wasn't convinced or satisfied with that because she found it risky to shift Devary from one hospital to another just 1hr after surgery, though it will take another hour till arrangements r done but still she didn't felt it could be 100%safe. There was uneasiness nagging her.
She took bath within five minutes nd got ready in two minutes so that she can go back to hospital then to bank. She needs to pay hospital bills so she is going to use money they had saved for her training and they will be enough for now at least. Suddenly she heard sound of bell ringing.
"Good morning Nandu" her maid greeted her, she visits home early in the morning so that she could help Aadita because she is working woman and can't do all households by herself.
"Where are everyone?" She asked after entering inside the house.
"They are not here" Nandini said in low tone, she was trying hard to hold her tears back.
"Ohh ...... Actually I want to ask for advance payment ..... I had talk with a ma'am last night she said she will give me today ...... I need to pay for my small child's school fees or else they will not allow him to give exams" without looking at Nandini's teary eyes she asked for early payment by keeping her gaze lower, she was helpless too. Nandini looked at her and saw her fidgeting with her Saree pallu, she knew she is embarrassed in front of her if it would have been her mother she would be little comfortable with her.
"Umm take it" taking out 10k from her purse she gave them to maid.
"Thank you Nandu" she thanked genuinely by holding money in her hands.
"It's okay ..... I am going out" without waiting for her reply she went out of the house, she couldn't tell her about hospital and stuff. She didn't have courage to do that. After her encounter with maid she realised how things are going to be in future, the sudden sense of responsibility scared her and shook her existence. All her life she was dependant on her father or mother but all of sudden reality hit her that all of them are her responsibility now. She couldn't even get time to cry over her misery and reality of life which welcomed her.
Wasn't she supposed to take loan from bank and join type rating training next month ?. Wasn't she supposed to make her parents proud by seeing her flying in the air? Wasn't her father supposed to sit in plane where she will be a pilot? Wasn't he supposed to be mentally and physically fit for that? He wasn't supposed to be laying lifeless on hospital bed with her mother praying for him to get well soon nd brother crying seeing all the machinery in the ICU. They didn't asked for this.
"Nandu" when she came out of her thoughts she found Diya wiping her tears and then she realised she was crying. Diya got to know about this by Swaroop just few minutes ago and she directly came to Nandini. She was sad that she didn't knew about it but it's not correct time to be sad for that, she needs to be with Nandini.
"I don't know what is happening Diya ?..... But I am very scared ..... He can't leave us, we r not ready for it ...... We would never be ....... He is not supposed to scare us everytime ..... This all is happening because of me nd my dream" she cried and cried out loudly in Diya's embrace, she let her cry because Nandini needs to vent out everything in her. Till then Swaroop also came back from his home and saw them crying, he too joined them.
"U two r my friends na ..... Please erase this pain nd fear ...... Please ..... It's paining me nd scaring me ...... I don't want to fly , I don't want to do anything which will harm my dad ..... Please ask God to heal my father , ask him to make my mom stop crying and ask him to give hopes to Rishabh ..... Please erase this phase ...... Please I can't bear it" she cried and cried until all her worries are disclosed in front of her friends. Nandini and Diya were crying on his chest, he nd Diya was rubbing Nandini's back try to soothe her. Seeing her going all vulnerable it braught one or two tears in his eyes too, his friend was supposed to be strong this is not first time she is going through it, but that's what made her more vulnerable that second time her father is having heart attack and what if he is not lucky enough to survive this time.
"Di nd bhai please come soon ...... Doctors r waiting for u, so that they can shift papa to other hospital" little fear in Rishabh's voice over phone subdued Nandini's tears nd made her realised her responsibilities, she can't cry, she needs to be strong.
"We r coming in 10" she disconnected the call and took car key from Swaroop. She took the driver seat nd other two sitted on back seat. She literally drove them to hospital in 10mins, she can't delay when her father is concerned, she loves him way too much.
"Doctor do you think we r doing right thing by shifting him ? ...... It's risky for him though the chances are not much but still there is a chance of losing him" senior nurse said this to doctor while packing needed stuff for emergency in ambulance, if any arises.
"It's ethically and even emotionally wrong .... We r doing against our laws nd even we r playing with the sensitive feelings of family ...... And that's why we need to make sure the chances of his living should be 100%" doctor was helpless too.
"Can't we do anything?" She asked with a hope.
"Even if we do something then it's going to be waste ..... And situation will be worse not only for hospital but also for patient ..... Sometimes we are just the players of God" he said that thinking about how few hours back someone powerful threatened him to do this or else hospital will be shut within next 24 hours, he tried pleading nd all other ways but ended up accepting the fact that he is powerless doctor nd he can't risk future of his staff nd other patients for one patient.
"And how ironic it is that these people consider us as God" she said hysterically and it did pinched his heart. He didn't said anything after that and done other possible things he could do to make sure Devary's safety.
Nandini paid the hospital bills which was near to 3 lakhs, this is the best nd affordable hospital for middle class people that's what she thought but doctor suggested to move Devary to best hospital of city for his further treatment, which made her question on her budget but she remembered they have enough money.
"Euu u drink in the morning too ..... Nothing surprising though" Karan said while climbing down from stairs, he saw Manik drinking alcohol in the morning itself nd gave disgusted look.
"And u shouldn't eat like pig everytime ..... Do you know how heavy you are ?" Manik scrunched his nose while remembering the fact that he actually had to lift him in his arms to brought him home as he was unconscious due to some sedatives.
"Come on brother I have better physique don't be jealous" Manik chuckled nd choked on his drink but smirk didn't left his face.
"Actually u do look like 30 ...... Even that day Mr kapoor was asking me how many children my P.A. have" finishing his drink, Manik shrugged his shoulders and Karan left for kitchen without saying anything because Manik just insulted him, he is just 22.
"Don't need to cook ...... There is khichdi made by cook ..... Just warm it nd eat" Manik said loud enough for Karan to hear it nd he smiled little bit.
"Your welcome ...... U can stop smiling, I hate it" he said those words while going to his bedroom, he didn't need to see his brother's face to guess his obvious happiness after his little act of tenderness.
"Doctor he is having problem in breathing ..... Please admit him immediately ..... It's emergency" the doctor from previous hospital came with Devary in the ambulance. During the journey Devary was unconscious but from last five minutes he seemed to have problem in breathing.
"Take him to emergency room ..... Fast" new doctor asked to his staff nd both the doctors went inside, to treat the patient. Doctor from that hospital was feeling guilty for this situation nd new doctor was too angry for their stupidity of shifting immediately after surgery. But he couldn't repeat same mistake of playing with patient's health that's why without any other argument he operated Devary.
Murthy family nd Nandini's friends followed ambulance, seeing the urgency of staff nd doctor, it was clear that situation is worsening. Aadita was crying and praying while Rishabh was with her. Swaroop went to bring prescribed medicines nd injections, Diya filled the form for patient on the behalf of Aadita and Nandini went to pay advance for the treatment. She had enough money for now though hospital is too expensive, but she realised they don't have money for further expenses. Fuck money she don't even have time or courage to see future, she just want to get out of this phase with all her family members safe and healthy.
Fear was enveloping their hearts minute by minute and it got increased more when no one came out of OT from last one hour.
"Till when I have to drive u everywhere?" Abhimanyu asked while yawning because he didn't get time to sleep whole night because of his boss, even Manik didn't sleep for a single second and it's not new so it didn't bothered him either.
"Till the time she joins her job" Manik relaxed on backseat of his Audi.
"What if she won't join ever?" He asked and it did braught doubt for a second in Manik's mind.
"Aren't you sure about ur work nd if not then u r going to be a driver for rest of ur life with less salary" Manik smirked and Abhimanyu sighed helplessly. No one can win over Manik and no one can even fight with him, he never leaves any space for other person to win, no one can win against him without losing anything. But he will always win, he loves to live on victims losses.
Manik admitted Karan in the nearby hospital, doctor inserted drip into his veins with the help of needle nd allowed Iv fluid to pass through his body. By asking the cause of continuous vomiting of Karan, doctor answered that may be some stuff was used in his drink which his body rejected nd he ended up throwing out everything. Manik nodded because it's usual thing to have spiked drinks in rich parties.
He started roaming around the hospital because he possibly can't wait for three hours sitting beside Karan on his hospital bed. So he chose to go out for some time, he heard some prayers from the distance, he came closer and picture got cleared, he saw a girl standing alone in the dark corner, praying for someone dear to her.
"Aayiappa (South Indian Deity), I am ur favourite child na then please don't snatch my father ...... U know na I can't live without him ...... He is my superhero nd u have to heal him for me, mom nd Rishu ..... Please cure him this time too" she wasn't crying loudly but she was pleading helplessly in her soft, low voice.
"Nandini" she hugged Swaroop, he had came there finding her, while Rishabh went to his mother. Nandini was praying there alone because she can't cry in front of her mother, she needs to be strong.
"Let's go Rishabh is here too ..... I couldn't leave him alone in house, he was crying nd begging" she didn't even get a minute to express her sorrow, she immediately broke the hug and nodded. They left from there, Manik saw the scene in front of his eyes and smirked.
"Ohh God ..... I can't even have sex without ur interference" Abhimanyu growled over fifth call of Manik which he answered reluctantly.
"Get rid of that condom nd put some clothes on ur not so sexy body ...... I am sending you location, I want you here in 20" saying this Manik disconnected the call without waiting for his reply.
"Baby ..... Now switch off ur ph ..... Nd continue what u were doing" his girlfriend said cupping his nape, she was getting sexually frustrated because of sudden disturbance. She was totally unaware of the situation going outside.
"I am sorry ..... It was Manik's call ..... It's urgent" he got out of her, leaving her frustrated. He got up from bed and searched for his clothes.
"I came here to spend time with u ,after lying to my parents nd here u r leaving me for ur fucking boss ..... Like seriously" she growled at him, she is a middle class girl and it's not easy to get disappeared in the night in front of ur family.
"U don't know him" he sighed after wearing his pants.
"Come here or else I will fuck ur Manik" she said frustratingly though she didn't mean a word of it, he chuckled too but it did scared him a little bit. He would have taken it as joke but the name is Manik nd nothing is impossible for Manik.
"If he won't find me there in next 20mins na then he will fuck me .... I am sure u don't want that" he wore his shirt.
"Fuck u both" she was angry nd it was genuine but his hands r tired.
"Trust me u don't want to fuck Manik" he knew she said those words just like that, but he can't help it. He kissed her forehead and left her.
"Doctor listen to me ...... Refer Devary Murthy to another hospital" Abhimanyu said this to doctor and he frowned.
"What ? ..... R u mad ? ...... We just did his bypass surgery nd our staff is potential enough to treat him" doctor replied.
"Trust me u don't need to argue with me ..... Just do as I say or else u have to face the consequences ...... Nd please don't waste ur efforts finding how powerful I am because it will waste ur time ..... Do this or else I will make sure to close this hospital of urs within 24hrs" his threat was powerful still doctor didn't lose his guards that easily but when Abhimanyu showed his contacts and some other points without including Manik in it , doctor had to believe him.
"But it's risky for patient ..... It can put his life in danger ..... Already he is in half danger" doctor tried to put some sense, even Abhimanyu understood it but Manik was adamant to do this for his selfish purpose nd Abhimanyu has no choice.
"And it's upto you to make him survive, anyhow .... He shouldn't die or else u won't live in peace ..... Do any damn thing to save him but do shift him to best hospital of city..... I can give whatever amount u will ask" he said exact words of Manik in front of doctor.
Manik wouldn't have cared for Devary's life but once again few minutes back he saw Rishabh giving hopes to his mother and Manik didn't wanted to snatch them away from little boy and also he wanted to make Nandini penny less nd not fatherless. If she would lost her father then there are negligible chances that she will chose his job over her mourning or training.
"I am not jerk like u to do anything just for money ...... I am already feeling disgusted with myself by breaking ethics nd morals" he spitted disgust from his mouth and Abhimanyu nodded.
"That's good" saying so Abhimanyu left but not before confirming his work is done. He too felt disgusted of his self for playing with someone's life, but he knew eventually Manik will get what he wants and his other ways can end patient's life too, here at least there is chance of his survival.
After that Abhimanyu left from hospital in between he received his girlfriend's call where she told him about her departure from his place, she was too angry to share anything with him but he did found some other feelings mixed in her voice in those two minutes over the call. Manik nd Karan went to his place when karan got discharged from hospital, Manik drove them to his mansion.
Nandini was struggling to sleep while Diya was sleeping on her bed, indeed she was tired because of all happenings throughout the day. She stayed with Nandini in her house for a night while Rishab nd Aadita stayed there in hospital.
Devary is out of danger, at least chances of his survival are there. They are not hopeless but damage is more, he will need time to heal. Then also he would be fine within month or two but that's not the point, real struggle will start after that because he can't take stress more than necessary so family should keep him happy without any tension, and doctor suggested him to take retirement from job. He is heart patient and physically not fit for doing any job in this age.
Nandini is also very much tired but thoughts are not letting her sleep. She knew they can survive without his job, there won't be lack of food with her mother's salary but then what about all other expenses. Her father used to earn more than one lakh per month so their needs can't be achieved with her mother's salary. They will get insurance from his company but that won't be sufficient to pay home loan. Again what about his regular check ups nd medicines, she can't compromise with her father's health, he has always given best possible to his family nd now it's her turn to be best daughter.
Conclusion to all the thoughts was money and for that she needs to earn money. She is in desperate need of job. She was thinking what kind of job she could find for her then she remembered the P.A of Manik.
She took that letter and opened it with a hope to find something good for her,
Our boss Mr. Manik Malhotra is in need of a good Driver. He personally have recommended ur name saying he has seen u driving, u r average driver with good control over the speed and vehicle. U r eligible for this position.
U don't need to worry about ur salary as it will be more than enough for ur job, 1lakh per month. There are chances of increment or decrement in ur salary, it depends on ur way of driving nd behaving. U won't be having specific time for ur job, u just need to take Manik Malhotra whenever nd wherever he asks for, that's the only condition.
Looking forward for your positive response,
He did crushed her hopes of seeking some goodness in him. She felt insulted, yes it's true that u shouldn't hesitate for doing any work because Work is work. But lover inside her felt little bit bad knowing that he wanted to make her driver, the realisation that may be he is doing it purposely for that day's revenge made her hopeless for her love. It's not like that she is in love with him or waiting for him, she did loved him or may be she still does but she is not expecting anything from her love nd even she will move on with someone in future if needed, her love is just like a fangirl.
She restricted all other thoughts nd just concentrated on two words Driver nd 1lakh.
"So Billionaire's Driver it is" she made her descion.
............End...........||
If you found any mistake let me know.
............Aish ...............