A Withered Rose

A

A rainy night had enveloped the busy streets of Delhi. Amidst the heavy traffic, Adrita dashed along the sidewalk, clutching an injured puppy to her chest. She ducked into a nearby alley, her destination clear: a small clinic nestled within.

Bursting through the clinic doors, she caught the attention of a nurse who had been chatting with the receptionist. The nurse hurried over, took the puppy from Adrita's arms, and gently placed it on a nearby examination bed.

"You should have called me; I would have sent Ravi to pick you up," the nurse said, concern etching her features as she cradled the dog in her arms.

Adrita quickly slipped into a doctor’s coat, her movements swift and practiced. She placed a calming hand over the shivering puppy, her eyes filled with determination. With a soothing smile, she whispered, "Don't worry, little one. I won't let you die—not today."

"My phone got soaked in the rain and the display is gone," she explained, her voice tinged with frustration as she glanced at the nurse.

Adrita worked quickly, her fingers moving deftly as she examined the puppy's injuries. The nurse handed her the necessary supplies, and Adrita began cleaning and bandaging the wounds with care. The puppy whimpered softly, its eyes half-closed in pain and exhaustion.

Outside, the rain continued to pour, creating a rhythmic backdrop to the tense atmosphere inside the clinic. The nurse, sensing Adrita's need for focus, quietly prepared a makeshift operating area, knowing the situation might call for more than just first aid.

"Adrita, do you think he’ll make it?" the nurse asked softly, her eyes filled with concern.

Adrita didn’t look up, her focus unwavering. "I won't let him go without a fight," she replied, her voice resolute.

As she continued her work, the clinic phone rang sharply, breaking the tense silence. The receptionist answered, her voice a hushed murmur. Moments later, she approached Adrita with urgency in her eyes.

"Dr. Adrita, there's a call from the animal shelter," the receptionist said. "They found several abandoned puppies in terrible condition. They need your help."

Adrita's heart tightened at the news. "How many?" she asked, still working on the injured puppy in front of her.

"Six," the receptionist replied. "And they're an hour away."

Adrita paused for a moment, weighing the situation. The nurse could see the conflict in her eyes. "You stay here and stabilize this one. I'll call Dr. Rao for backup," the nurse suggested, taking charge.

Adrita nodded, grateful for the support. "Thank you. Let me know the moment anything changes here."

She quickly gathered her emergency kit, donned a raincoat, and headed back into the storm. The streets were still bustling despite the downpour, and she navigated them with a renewed sense of urgency. The shelter was a small, understaffed place, and she knew they were relying on her expertise.

When she arrived, the scene was chaotic. The shelter staff were trying their best, but it was clear they were overwhelmed. Adrita took a deep breath and plunged into the fray, her determination steeling her against the odds.

One by one, she examined the puppies, her heart breaking at their condition. Despite the exhaustion creeping into her bones, she worked tirelessly, drawing on every ounce of her skill and compassion.

Hours later, as the storm began to wane, Adrita finally allowed herself a moment of rest. The puppies were stabilized, and she had coordinated their ongoing care with the shelter staff.

She looked out at the now-gentle rain, feeling a profound sense of accomplishment and relief. As she prepared to return to her clinic, her thoughts were with the injured puppy she had left behind.

With a resolute sigh, she stepped back into the night, knowing her work was far from over but feeling hopeful for the lives she had touched.

Adrita returned to her clinic, her steps heavy but her heart determined. She was soaked from the rain, but that was the least of her concerns. The nurse greeted her with a relieved smile.

"The puppy's stable," the nurse reported. "He's a fighter, just like you said."

Adrita sighed in relief and walked over to the tiny patient, who now lay peacefully on the bed. She gently stroked its fur, a small smile forming on her lips. "You did well, little one."

As dawn broke through the clinic's windows, a faint glow of sunlight illuminated the worn-out tiles of the examination room. Adrita and the nurse, their exhaustion momentarily forgotten, stood side by side, gazing out at the awakening city.

The nurse, a woman of quiet strength, tossed a towel over Adrita's shoulders with a playful grin. "You don't want to catch a cold now, do you?" she teased, her voice a soothing melody in the stillness of the room.

Adrita chuckled softly, the sound a rare respite from the weight of responsibility that hung heavy in the air. "Thanks, but I think it's a bit late for that," she replied, her tone tinged with gentle exhaustion.

As they watched the city come to life below, the nurse broke the tranquil silence with a gentle inquiry. "I thought you had plans for a family dinner last night. Did something come up?"

Reality crashed over Adrita like a sudden downpour, her heart sinking at the reminder of her missed obligations. "Oh, gods," she muttered under her breath, her hand instinctively reaching for her pocket where her phone should have been.

A surge of panic swept through her as she realized her phone had fallen victim to the rainstorm, its screen nothing more than a shattered mess. With trembling fingers, she turned to the nurse, her voice trembling with urgency. "I need to borrow your phone," she implored, the weight of her mistake settling heavily upon her shoulders.

To be continued....