Vodka on the rocks

Part - 3

This is the continuation from Episode 12. After Raghav had the food Pallavi had made for him in the Pooswami Old Age Home. 

Raghav could faintly hear the chaos in the surrounding, but it sounded very hazy. There was also a distinct ringing sound in his ears which had out sounded most of the buzzing noise. He frowned and then winced immediately, feeling his head almost split open in pain. Something cool rested itself on his burning forehead then and moaned gruffly in momentary respite. 

Then he slowly got aware of his body resting on something soft and his legs on something hard. His muscles were screaming in protest whenever he tried to move them which felt like he was dragging a bag of wet cement. His eyes fluttered next and he could faintly see outlines and a strange yellow light. 

Finally he could hear proper comprehensible sounds and his eyes tried desperately to reorient themselves. 

".....shame on yourself! What kind of a human being are you? Taking advantage of another person like this, drugging them.. chee!"

The voice seemed to be coming directly above him and sounded very familiar for some reason and suddenly his vision came back in clear focus and he realised that he was lying on the ground, cradled in someone's arms. 

A woman's arms.

The woman's arms. 

He blinked perplexed and saw her face turned straight at someone in front, speaking with the speed of a bullet train, a naked fury so stark on her pretty features that it was shocking as well as extremely pleasing. 

Who knew that, that Saree ka Dukaan can look so beautiful when so enraged..

Wait, why was he on the ground and why had she wrapped him up in her arms? Before he could make a noise he saw Savitri kneeling beside them too, her face twisted in disgust in the same direction, he could see Maria standing at a distance, looking like she could strangle someone and then saw Janakamma, Chetan appa, Murugan Anna, Rukmini Akka and a few other people from the Pooswami oldage home gathered in the corner glaring at the same place were everyone else was busy looking. 

What the hell.. where was he.. and was that Farhad..? And Harish too..? Also looking murderous for the lack of other words. 

And they were all looking at... a woman?

Wait, Raghav's eyes widened as he recognized the woman who was standing in the middle of the room, looking worse for wear, yet furious all the same. 

It was that cheater lady.. Anjana or Anjali or someone..

"What in God's green earth is happening? And why am I lying on your lap?"

The Saree Ka Dukaan looked down at him, her gorgeous grey eyes wide in startlement. 

"Mr. Ramaswami! Thank God! Are you feeling okay now? Dizzy still?"

"Sir, are you well?"

"Anna, are you.."

"Shut up! Everyone!"

All the voices stopped with his half yell and he found himself struggling to get up which he could only manage with that infuriating woman's help. Which was frankly speaking embarrassing. But why was he feeling so disoriented and achy all over. Savitri and Farhad helped that girl to seat him on the chair. 

"Now, tell me what the hell happened here and what is that b...urrr.. witch doing here?"

He said pinching the bridge of his nose tightly, gulping down a pained groan. Suddenly a glass of blessed water appeared in front of his eyes and he took it, swallowing down the contents in record speed only for a small hand to pat his back soothingly as an uncontrollable nausea instantly attacked him.