Kalaba Kadhala | Part 1

Chapter 3

Italics- translation

"He's actually not in the right state... romba stress le irukke... atha. Sorry about that". (He's quite stressed) Anushka said in a soft tone and Prabhas couldn't believe she was apologizing on his behalf, for something that doesn't seem to be wrong in his eyes. "Intha form kudunga... I'll ask him to sign. Please neenga seekro operation start pannungo".
(Give me the form. I'll ask him to sign. You please go ahead with the operation).

"Mam... neenga antha payyanode Akka illaya, neenga sign panna podum". (Mam you're his sister right? Maybe you can sign)
The nurse said making Prabhas wonder. But he opt to remain silent infront of the nurse. She knew there will be a lot of questions awaiting for her from his side but for now, without making it further suspicious, she signed the consent form and gave it back to the nurse. She turned to him and as expected his face already had a question mark.

"Ath vanth... I signed as his Sister on the admission form. I thought they won't start the treatment without the relative's consent. So I did what I had to do". She said making him nod and pass a grateful smile.

"Thanks". He mumbled. She nodded back, passing a comforting smile.

They didn't spoke anything for another few minutes, but their silence was interrupted by a team of doctors and nurses rushing to the operation theater, following by Dhruv lying on a structurer. Prabhas tried to touch him, but he was restricted by the staff. That sight shook him to the core, his little brother was lying lifeless, fighting between life and death and he was merely standing there, not knowing what to do. He felt so helpless that time. His sorrow, came out as anger but he gritted his teeth and fisted his hand, controlling himself from bursting out, outside the operation theatre.

Prabhas felt the next few hours, the longest hours of his life. He couldn't sit one place idly, neither could he think properly. All kind of negative thoughts wandered over his mind, as what if he couldn't survive it? He was the only irreplaceable person in Prabhas's life and he doesn't know how to handle himself. Whereas Anushka, she was equally worried for Dhruv like Prabhas, if not more. But she never took her eyes from Prabhas the whole time. She was watching his mannerisms, how he walked, the stress lines on his temple, his long fingers with which he rubbed his welled up eyes from preventing himself from crying. And him in between all the tension didn't noticed her gaze on him for once. She so badly wanted to console him but she just couldn't form any accurate words.

After a long wait, they heard the door opening and they both exhaled the breath they were holding for god know's how long.

"He's stable now, but it was a close call. We managed to stop the bleeding and repair the worst of the damage, but we have to keep him under observation. It's a miracle you got him here in time." The doctor said without asking.

Prabhas and Anushka felt a wave of relief wash over them. "Thank you, doctor. Can I see him?" Prabhas asked.

The doctor nodded. "You can, once we shift him to the ward. I'll let you know soon. And one of you can do the settle the rest of the things"

"Yea... I'll do that doctor". Anushka answered immediately making Prabhas surprised.

"Hey... I'll take care of that. You've already done so much". Prabhas said gratefully.

"I don't think so... but if you think so, then at least let me come with you". Anushka said and he smiled a bit seeing her kindness.

While they were paying the bill, standing by the counter, Prabhas could only notice Anushka's appearance. The condition of her dress more than her facial feathers. Her bloody kurta reminded him of Dhruv. How hurt he must have got? he thought. Anushka saw him lost in his thoughts and said –"Let's go? They must've moved him to the room". He nodded and walked behind her.