Sense & Sensibilities

Promise

There was a coin in her palm, and Riya kept staring at it. It was familiar – once upon a time she had given it to the ACP. It was unexpected that he kept it with him and apparently, carried it with him in his shirts breast pocket.

Sun is starting to come up, and there was no news. It's been hours, and yet nothing. That can't be good she guessed. Already there were rush for extra blood and his heart almost giving up, and so much running of doctors and nurses, urgent whispering among themselves and with Rathore sir. He knows what's going on, but Riya is too frozen to ask.

"Navaratri going to start." Shree said suddenly. "You remember, last time you had joined around the same time."

She said nothing.

Patil had asked her thrice if she wants to go home. Apart from a cold house waiting for her, Riya had another reason not to leave. She had missed so much- his disappearance, where he could be, about the criminal, about Sir, about everything these days that she's terrified to miss this. What if she blinks and something happens? What if she leaves, goes into a taxi or maybe wants to relax at home and something changes? After everything, she can't let that happen. She needs to stay here, needs to be more active.

Her focus pulled through. Her mind and body helped her enough to keep her awake when doctors told them ACP Rawte will live, albeit with a long hospitalization. He will have physical and mental scars, a long frustrating session of physiotherapy ahead. But nothing too damaging. Rathor sirs blood had helped, they had told.

Riya stuck around for a few more hours, hesitating to visit his room- she didn't want to intrude in his vulnerable state, yet wanted to see him before she has to leave.

Thankfully, when she had walked in, his eyes fluttered open.

She sighed in relief. This was truly over.

He stared at her in such a strange way that it made her forget all manners – she forgot she was supposed to ask how was he feeling, will be care for congratulations on killing his enemy?

"The last time I was in hospital, I thought I saw you. But you weren't there when I woke up, and I was told you were not here." He gravelly, soft voice spoke.

She swallowed hard.

"When I wake up again. . . "

"I will be there."

"Promise?" his eyes were closing fast. He probably didn't even hear her. But it's okay, Riya had promised him anyways.

"I will be here."