Hidden Hues Of Henna

Lamhein saare (II)

Part-2

Raghav heard a sudden sound and sat up with a jerk only to realise he had fallen asleep whilst sitting by his mother's hospital bed.

"Sorry,Mr. Rao." The doctor's voice made him looke at the man. Smiling sheepishly the doctor continued,"I am sorry. Actually I take a round at this time and then leave for the morning. I am sorry for waking you up."

"It's alright." Raghav instantly got up and stepped away gesturing the doctor forward.

"She looks better now." The doctor spoke as he checked his mother's pulse before turning to the heart rate monitor."Did she wake up in the middle of the night?"

"No,she slept through the night. I watched her the whole time until.."Raghav shook his head chastising himself for having fallen asleep.

The doctor turned to him and smiled reassuringly before jotting down something on his notepad.

"Don't worry Mr. Rao. Your mother will be good in no time. And you don't have to watch over her. We have responsible staff whom you can trust to take care of her."

Raghav simply nodded and thanked the man who patted his shoulder and went away after talking to the nurses outside.

Looking around the exclusive hospital suite once,his eyes went to his mother who was sleeping peacefully and he exhaled a deep breath. The heart rate monitor was steadily beeping and to Raghav it was sweetest sound at the moment.

Exiting the room,he nodded at Farhaad sitting outside,who joined him immediately,and told the nurse incharge to take over till he came back and left for the hospital cafeteria to get himself a strong coffee.None of the two men exchanged any words as they traveled on the lift in silence. Raghav could feel his secretary staring at him in concern but he did not have the spirit to assure him or even say a lone word.

Unfortunately for him,the minute he entered the hospital lobby,a loud cry of his name was heard before his sister came into his vision.

"Raghav,Raghav! Where have you been? They are not letting me go see Amma! Raghav is she okay? Please tell me. Raghav don't ignore me, please. Take me to Amma, Raghav!" Keerthy was sobbing, shouting and pleading all at once.

Seeing people begining to look at them,he caught hold of her hand and dragged her to the farthest possible area and into an empty corridor.

Jerking her hand away,he asked her menacingly,"What the fuck are you doing here?"

"Raghav,Amma...."Keerthy looked at him with a dumb expression before uttering quietly.

"What Amma,huh? What are you doing here?" Raghav yelled causing her to shrink back.

Feeling Farhaad come to stand by him,Raghav restrained himself a little and turned away.He felt that if looked at Keerthy a minute longer he would end up hitting her not caring that she wa shis younger sister.

"Take her away Farhaad. Just take her away and drop her wherever she tell you to. Anywhere but here or my house." He told his secretary and turned to go back when Keerthy's words stopped him in place.

"I will not go before seeing Amma!" She shouted with defiance before breaking into sobs.

Raghav turned back and marched to her catching her arm harshly and shaking her,"What will you see? You want to see how you almost killed her? Hmm? Or you want to know if she is still alive after you've murdered her soul? Tell me!"

Farhaad was trying his best to separate the two siblings but Raghav was angrier than a wild bull and Keerthy too weak to break out of his hold.

"I did not do it on purpose..." She cried."You left me no option."