A Four-legged Friendship [COMPLETED]

Chapter 19

"Call your parents right now, and I'll run inside and get Tanvi", Sid instructs me. "We'll have to move, quick. We don't know whether the snake was poisonous or not."

"Don't run, Sid, just call Tanvi", I tell him. I am very close to losing my cool, but I take a deep breath and try to calm down. I have to act responsible, and think. I should not freak out.

"You call Tanvi, and tell her to get my purse from my room, and ask her to lock the door to my house and get the keys", I tell Sid, who is already dialing Tanvi's number. "I'll go and call a cab in the meanwhile, and I'll call my grandpop first. He'll know what to do."

Sid merely nods. "Tanvi- listen..."

I kiss Elsa's forehead, and murmur, "I'll be right back, honey."

I rush towards the street, simultaneously taking out my cell phone from the back pocket of my jeans and dialing my grandfather's number.

He answers on the first call. "Hey Alia, this is a bit surpri-"

I cut to the chase. "Grandpop, my dog, Elsa, she has been bitten by a snake. I haven't taken her to any vet because there's this guy who is a friend of my dad's who comes to our place to give Elsa her shots. I don't have his number. Please tell me what to do." I surprise myself by being calm and composed. That's not usually how I am.

Grandpop doesn't speak for a minute. I realise he's trying to process all the information I just blabbered out. He then speaks sharply, "You bring her straight to my hospital."

"But grandpop-"

"I have a friend who is a veterinary doctor. I'll call him immediately and ask him to come. I think the antivenoms for snake treatment might be the same for humans and animals, I'll just have to make sure though."

"Thanks a ton, Grandpop."

"Anything for you and Esla, kid."

I end the call and flag down a cab at the end of the street.

"Uncle, take me to Krishna Hospital, please", I say hurriedly.

"I'll charge 50 bucks."

The son of a bitch. The usual rate is 30 bucks. But I don't care.

"Fine", I answer and direct him to my place first so that I can pick up Elsa, Sid and Tanvi. They are already waiting for me, and Sid has Elsa secured in his arms.

"Get in", I instruct, scooting over to make space. "Got the keys and my purse, Tanvi?"

"Yeah, got them", replies Tanvi. She sounds tense.

The cab driver suddenly argues, "Madam, I'm sorry but no dogs allowed."

"Uncle please, we need to go to the hospital, urgently", pleades Tanvi.

"Our dog's been bitten by a snake", adds Sid. "Please."

The cab driver shakes his head and puts his foot down. "No, take that thing out."

I find it immensely surprising how little people's hearts are when it comes to animals, and also when it doesn't concern them. That cab driver won't give a shit if my dog dies in my arms as long as she doesn't leave cooties inside his precious cab.

"Listen", I growl, looking him straight in the eye. "You will take us straight to the hospital with my dog, no arguments. Otherwise I'll have your licence revoked. You know ACP Mishra, right? He's my uncle. I'll call him right now, I swear to God. And for the record, I'm paying you only 30 bucks, you cheap little man."

He gulps and slowly nods and starts the cab.

"Hurry up", I bark at him. He looks intimidated by me, and I'm pleased with myself.