BALI 100 KM (Book 1) ✔

Chapter 56

Bandu always felt at peace looking at his mother. It gave him strength.

"Mother!" he whispered

"Yes, Maan, how are you feeling?

"Better,"

"You have been sleeping for a long time. The nurse told me it's the medicines that make you sleep, and it is good for you so that you recover quickly,"

"How are you, mother?"

"I am fine, now that I have talked to you,"

"Where are Sukhi and Nand? Are they here too?"

"Yes, they are here and waiting to meet you. As soon as I leave here, both will be allowed inside." She lovingly patted his face and bid him goodbye.

After a few minutes, Sukhi came in with Partho.

"How are you, brother? Does it hurt much?" she asked.

"Not much, only when I move it, I feel the pain,"

"It will surely take some time for the pain to subside, sister Sukhi," Partho put in.

"Bandu, I was surprised when the police showed up at your door two days back to inform the family about your injury. You hid a great deal from me, my friend. You could have trusted me," Partho poured out his sentiments.

"I am sorry, Partho, I did not want you to get involved in this dangerous business as I thought of Maithili and the baby,"

"It's alright, Bandu. No hard feelings, bhaiya. All's well that ends well,"

"Children are not allowed in here, so Nand is in a bad mood. He wanted so much to meet you," Sukhi said.

"They will soon shift me to the general ward. Then he can meet me,"

The visitors took their leave when they saw Bandu yawning and realized he was too tired to talk much.

They shifted Bandu to the general ward after two days. The room had eight beds and curtains in between for privacy. It was nothing like the crowded hospital in Goriyon since it was much more spacious and well maintained, but it still had the distinct hospital odor that Bandu detested.

His right hand now rested on a sling, and he was able to move about on his own. The first person to visit him there was Nand, accompanied by his mother and Partho. Sukhi's health did not permit her to travel far. Bandu was disappointed that Comm. Seth did not return to visit again. He wanted to know more about Balwant before forwarding any news to his sister and mother. 

Talking about visitors, Bandu had an unexpected visitor one day. It was Miss Sakhi. He could not avoid meeting her and run away from her questions. These thoughts unknowingly put an unpleasant frown on his face.

"I know that you are not happy to see me here, but we have to sort out the matter between us one day, and I thought we could work out something mutually,"

Bandu eyed her suspiciously and was on alert.

"There is nothing between us to talk about," Bandu commented flatly.

"Oh, really...then why did you run away when I asked you about the studs the other day in the hospital?"

"Those studs were not mine. A friend of mine gave it to me for safekeeping. I just wore it that day," He lied blandly to her face.

"In that case, you should have told me the truth. Why run away?" Miss Sakhi had him cornered, and he squirmed in his seat, "You know something, Bandu. You cannot lie at all so, don't try it with me. I recognized who you were when I saw you for the first time. But I wanted to make sure, so I requested Comm. Seth to set up a meeting with you again. My last 1% doubt cleared when I saw you wear the studs. So now, what do you have to say?"

"I am just a local tea vendor that's my only identity. Why adamant on pursuing the matter?" He stood his ground.

"I have to pursue the matter as I have to finish this research, Bandu," she countered back. When he refused to reply, she continued, "The research is about your ancient extinct tribe and you...are...the...only...living...member...of that tribe that I know of, who can help me complete this research. You must be proud of your lineage. You are a treasure," she said excitedly but did not receive the same enthusiasm from Bandu.

"Why should I be proud of it?" he demanded, "No, Miss Sakhi, I am not a treasure but a disaster, don't touch the subject," His brows knitted.

"Why do you say that?"

"Don't you remember what that goon said about your father?" he reminded her and saw her pale.

"It's for your own good that you forget about the research..., leave it. And also, without the missing documents, your research will not be complete," Bandu entreated her.

"Leave it? How can I? It was my father's hard work, his dream to publish this research as his tribute to his dear friend..., your father. And..., I have you to complete the research even if I don't get back the documents," she pleaded, as her eyes welled up with tears of love and pride at the thought of her father.

At the mention of his father, Bandu looked up at her, surprised. He wanted to know more but could not as he feared her emotional breakdown.

"After hearing of his death, it was my renewed resolution to complete this research," she added as tears flowed down her cheeks.

"Ok...then I am ready to talk, but you have to give me some time until then you are not to mention my existence. Please assure me of that at least," Bandu said, agreeing to Sakhi's demands.

Checking her tears, Miss Sakhi looked at Bandu, "Thank you, Bandu. I will arrange a meeting once you are out of the hospital and have recovered fully. I promise not to disclose your identity to anyone,"

She sat there for a few moments looking down at her hands, not knowing what to say further, and Bandu looked everywhere but at her. The scene was getting a little awkward for both of them.

"I better leave. You need to rest. Thank you once again for saving my life," she smiled at Bandu, who at once blushed with embarrassment and let out his breath once she left. (What a woman and what a fool I was to be tamed by her tears. I should not have agreed to talk, and now she will dig deep at every past memory. I hope she doesn't know yet about my family.)