Manan: Mr and Mrs Doctor

Beyond the trauma 😔

Avantika pov:

Raman office:

As Avantika sat in Raman's office, the fluorescent lights above seemed to hum in sync with her racing heart. The antiseptic smell of the hospital lingered in her nostrils, transporting her back to the moment of the attack. She felt a lump form in her throat as she gazed blankly at the floor, the cool tile a stark contrast to the warmth of the tears welling up in her eyes.

Raman's voice was a distant hum, a gentle murmur that barely penetrated the fog of her memories. Yash's words were a jumbled mess, a meaningless string of syllables that held no significance. Avantika's mind was elsewhere, reliving the horror of the attack, her thoughts a jumbled mess of fear, anxiety, and confusion.

Nandini's gentle touch on her shoulder broke the spell, and Avantika turned to face her friend, her eyes unfocused. "Avantika? Avantika, are you okay?" Nandini's voice was laced with concern, her eyes scanning Avantika's face for any sign of recognition.

Avantika blinked, her gaze slowly focusing on Nandini's worried face. She nodded weakly, the movement sending a wave of dizziness crashing over her. "Y-yes, I'm fine," she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Yash's voice cut through the haze, his words finally registering in Avantika's mind. "Avantika, we're going to make sure that the patient is held accountable for their actions. We'll also review the hospital's security protocols to prevent something like this from happening again." His eyes were filled with empathy, his expression soft with concern. Avantika felt a small sense of comfort in his words, but her mind was still reeling from the shock.

Raman's firm voice cut through the haze, "We'll look into the security protocols and ensure that our doctors are better protected." The words echoed in Avantika's mind as she stood up, her legs trembling beneath her.

As Avantika stood up, Nandini's eyes locked onto hers, filled with a deep concern. "Do you want me to come with you to the home?" Nandini asked, her voice soft and gentle.

Avantika shook her head, a small smile on her face. "No, Nandini, I'll be fine. Chachu is already here, isn't he?"

Nandini nodded, pulling out her phone to call her dad. Avantika's eyes wandered around the office, taking in the familiar surroundings. The soft hum of the air conditioner, the gentle rustle of papers on Raman's desk, and the warm glow of the evening sun streaming through the window all seemed to blend together in a comforting melody.

Nandini's dad, with a warm smile, appeared in the hospital doorway, his eyes scanning Avantika's face with concern. "Avanti, are you okay?" he asked, his voice gentle.

Avantika nodded, feeling a sense of relief washed over her. "Yes, chachu, I'm fine. Just a bit shaken up."

Nandini's dad nodded, his expression softening. "Let's get you home, avanti. We'll take care of you."

As Avantika walked out of the hospital with Nandini's dad, she felt a sense of gratitude towards Nandini and her family. The cool evening air enveloped her, carrying the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant chirping of crickets. Avantika took a deep breath, feeling a sense of peace slowly creep over her.

In the car:

As they drove through the mumbai streets,
Nandini's dad's expression softened, and he reached out to gently pat her hand. "It's okay, avanti. You're safe now. We're here for you."

Avantika felt a lump form in her throat as she looked at nandini's dad. She had always considered him like a father figure, and his kindness and concern only made her feel more emotional.

"Thank you, Chachu," she whispered, her voice trembling.

He smiled warmly. "You're like a daughter to me, Avanti. I just want to make sure you're okay."

Avantika nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude towards him. "I just need some alone time to think...to process everything," she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

Nandini's dad nodded understandingly. "Take all the time you need, Avanti. We're here for you, always."

As they pulled up to the house, Avantika felt a sense of relief wash over her. She was home, surrounded by people who cared about her. Now, all she needed was some time to herself, to heal and reflect.

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Author pov:

As Nandini walked through the ER doors, Manik's eyes met hers, filled with warmth and concern. He excused himself from Asha and walked towards Nandini, his smile gentle.

"Hey," he said, his voice soft. "How's Avantika?"

Nandini's heart fluttered at his kind tone. "She's going home with my father," she replied. "She wanted to be alone."

Manik's eyes filled with understanding, and he reached out to gently take Nandini's hand in his. "You're being too hard on yourself," he whispered. "You did what was best for Avantika."

Nandini's heart skipped a beat at the gentle touch. As they stood there, Manik's thumb stroked the back of her hand, offering comfort and reassurance.

"She'll be okay," Manik whispered. "And so will you."

Just then, a loud alert echoed through the ER speakers, making Nandini and Manik turn towards the doors. "Trauma alert, trauma alert," the voice announced. "We have a seven-year-old female patient incoming.

Manik's grip on Nandini's hand tightened as he exchanged a concerned glance with her. "I need to go," he said, already moving towards the ER doors.

Nandini nodded, her heart racing with worry. "I'll come with you," she said, her hand still clasped in Manik's.

The paramedics rushed through the ER doors, carefully navigating the stretcher through the crowded hallway. Manik and Nandini quickly moved to intercept them, their eyes fixed on the tiny form lying on the stretcher.

"Seven-year-old female, multiple bruises, and a head injury," one of the paramedics announced, his voice crisp and urgent. "We found her unresponsive on the staircase at her home. She's been stabilized, but we suspect possible internal injuries."

Manik's expression turned grim as he listened to the paramedic's report. Nandini's eyes widened in horror, her hand still clasped in Manik's.

The paramedic hesitated, his voice dropping to a somber tone. "Doctor, we need to inform you...she's a suspected assault victim."

Manik's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in anger. Nandini's face paled, her eyes welling up with tears.

"We'll need to proceed with caution," Manik said, his voice firm and controlled. "Let's get her into CT, now, and get a police report started."

As the paramedics transferred the little girl to the hospital stretcher, Manik turned to Nandini. "We need to get to work," he said, his eyes locked on hers.

Manik quickly turned to Asha, his voice low and urgent. "Asha, can you page Dr. Mukti, please? We'll need her expertise on this case."

Asha's eyes widened in understanding as she nodded and quickly reached for the phone. "Right away, Doctor."

Manik's eyes met Nandini's, his expression grim. "We'll need to move quickly on this. Mukti's expertise will be crucial in assessing the extent of the injuries."

Nandini nodded, her face set in determination. "I'll assist Mukti with the examination. We'll get to the bottom of this."

As Asha dialed Mukti's number, Manik turned back to the paramedics. "Let's get the CT scan started, and get a police officer here to take a statement. We'll need to move quickly to preserve any evidence."

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1. "What do you think Avantika needs most right now?"
2. "How do you think the hospital staff will handle the new patient's case?"
3. "What's your prediction for the next chapter?"

* "I'd love to hear your thoughts on this update! Please leave a comment below."