Paakhi

T W E N T Y T H R E E

Aritro had been taken to one of the smaller, unoccupied rooms in the building by the doctor who had visited for Vandana's mother. Here, he was made to lie down after he'd panicked and fainted about an hour ago.

When Shantanu walked into the room, and saw the man lying on the bed with his eyes wide open, he couldn't help but snap, "Seriously, Aritro? You've been lying awake this whole time?"

"Actually, he just woke up." The receptionist; who he had just learnt went by the name Chhaya said to him. And as she did, he noticed the contempt in her eyes for him. It was weird and sudden, but his mind immediately brought back the image from when he had taken Aritro and Mili for their Chinese dinner and the way Mili had looked at him initially.

He hadn't understood the look then, but he understood it now. It was of doubt and distrust. Mili hadn't trusted him with Aritro back then. Shantanu felt a breath escape his lips from the realization.

But she'd let the two of them travel for this quick trip by themselves now. So, was it safe to assume that they'd made some kind of progress?

"I'm sorry, ma'am; for lying to you. It was not my intention to deceive you." He said to Chhaya, a little guilty for having misled her, "But it was imperative we met with Atreyi's mother."

Chhaya didn't particularly look at him at any point of this little monologue of his, as she kept doing something or the other. He could tell that she was doing this to appear busy; and she was doing a damn good job at it. She did look busy.

"Apratim Da told me you are a cop."

Shaan hesitated, "Yes, ma'am."

She looked surprised; and impressed. But she didn't really have a reason to be impressed with him, so he concluded that that expression was for Apratim's power of deduction and let it slide.

"But um, I must insist that you be more careful in the future." Shaan found himself urge, "If I could find my way into a patient's room without so much as an ID, I'm sure many others can too. Please don't be so trusting."

Chhaya seemed to take the suggestion constructively; for she nodded; as though in understanding.

"Uh, how is Aunty doing now?"

"She'll be fine. The sedatives were a little strong so she probably won't wake up until the evening."

Vandana er, Atreyi's mother may not have been in the best of health; but at least she was alive and okay. So, this piece of information was a relief to him. As for all his questions, he got the feeling that Apratim would be a useful resource. Shady, but useful nonetheless.

Shantanu nodded at Chhaya, now turning back to the other patient in the room. By now, Aritro had sat up on the bed; and was clearly busy trying to assimilate his exchange with the receptionist.

"Can you get back up?" Shaan asked with no sarcasm or disdain this time. For some reason, his anger with Aritro was dissipating slowly now. He was realizing, that it had been unfair on his part to expect a guy who was as hardcore a civilian as Aritro was; to be unfazed when behind a closed door with a patient suffering from a psychological illness and a gun pointed at him by a shady looking man. This was a regular investigation day for Shaan, but not for Aritro.

About a whole half an hour later, Aritro was actually back on his feet. Thanking Chhaya, they both walked back towards the reception in the building.

"I'm sorry for fainting like that." Aritro mumbled apologetically, just as Shaan started to apologize for his stern behaviour. "It wasn't your fault. I should have at least given you a heads-up about how ugly things could get."