BALI 100 KM (Book 1) ✔

Chapter 13

Bandu and Nand were now at Goriyon hospital, having come to visit his neighbor Partho's, newborn baby. They met Partho at the lobby and proceeded to the maternity ward on the second floor. Too excited, Nand accompanies Partho into the room, but Bandu decides to wait outside, in the corridor, not wanting to discomfort all the mothers in the ward with his presence. Partho soon returned with a small bundle wrapped in cloth, in both arms and looking at it ever so tenderly. He showed the sleeping child to Bandu, who looked at it with wonder.

"She is so small, Partho, and so cute. Her hand, they are so tiny." Bandu said, touching the baby's hand that had crept out of the wraps. He felt happy, and a love for the child filled his heart. Placing his hand on the baby's tiny head blessed her. Partho then took the baby back into the ward to her mother.

Bandu made himself comfortable on the bench placed in the corridor. The little angel's face occupied his thoughts. He failed to notice a person walk out of a door situated at the far end of the passage. The man paused after sighting Bandu, then, walked in his direction, finally halting at a feet, distance from him.

"You should smile often. It makes you look more human and alive," he pronounced.

The sudden company interrupted Bandu's thoughts, and his eyes traveled up to the source of the voice with the smile still intact on his face, only this time his smile broadened after seeing the person.

"Hello Mr. Rajput, how are you?" Bandu was up on his feet to greet him.

"How do you happen to be here sir, hope everything is fine?" his voice laced with concern.

"Yes, I am fine, Bandu, thank you. My sister is admitted here to the hospital. I came to see her," the reply eased his concern to an extent. It was the first time he learned that the stranger who saved his life six months back had a family, and before he could elaborately enquire of the nature of his sister's illness, they were interrupted by Partho, who approached them with a box of sweets.

"This is Partho, my neighbor, who became a proud father of a baby girl today." Bandu introduced Partho to Mr. Rajput. Congratulating him Mr. Rajput picked up a sweet and then bids them goodbye.

"Who was that Bandu? I have never met him before." Partho asked.

"A regular customer at my tea shop," Bandu replied.

"Bandu, since Ammudevi has come to accompany Maithili, let us go home. I need to buy some things for the baby and also get some sleep. I will come again later." Ammudevi was their elderly neighbor, who agreed to sit by Mithili's side at the hospital.

The trio left the hospital by noon, and on the way, Partho made his purchases, as per the list given by the experienced Ammudevi. It is evening by the time they reach home. Unable to open his business today, Bandu decided to go to his shop the next day.

Meeting Mr. Rajput brought back bitter memories of events that happened a few months back which got him involved in a police case that was still not solved. He wondered what happened to Mr. Rajput's sister, as he could not inquire about it, but prayed that all be well.

He was still indebted to Mr. Rajput, and as promised, he wanted to repay the money, but Mr. Rajput had stopped visiting the shop abruptly. He was now skeptical about another encounter with him. But of course, fate had other plans to bring them together because one must repay debts.