DEPTH

Chapter 5

Having no better way to occupy itself, other than staring at the dusty ivory walls of the hospital cafeteria or listening to the monotonous tics of the ancient clock, Vel's mind took a inward bend. He was now in a relatively better framework to analyse the rationale of things. Being beyond the 'why me' style of thinking, his anger gave way to introspective analysis.

Even without the necessary peg his inner philosopher erupted. Like a kettle of vultures circling the sky looking for prey to scavenge upon, his mind was looking for the meaning of yesterday's incidents. Words like destiny, fate, divine intervention now seemed to have gained meaning.

The girl was slipping in and out of life. Well, a hair line fracture of the skull, an internal haemorrhage in the brain, fracture of the ribs, ligament tear in the ankle and topped with a bullet shot which narrowly missed the heart could do that. The doctors were trying their best to prevent the girl slipping into coma.

Vikram on his end was trying to solve the mystery surrounding the girl. So far the police were clueless. But with the break of dawn in a couple of hours they were confident that they would get a definite lead. Combing the area again in broad daylight could help them find something.

Referring to her as this girl, that girl or her seemed to be a herculean task for Vel's sleep deprived brain. Moreover a name was better. So what was her name? Who was she? The Marsian male mind seemed to come up with a readyfix solution. Just give her a name now. However, Vel couldn't connect to Shakespeare 's famous statement "A rose by any name would smell as sweet as rose". No name that he could think of seemed to suit her.

He looked up probably intending to see the intervening divine then and there, but what he saw instead was the light cobwebs dangling at the corners and the dusty ceiling. Man, this place needed some cleaning or what is commonly referred to as "feminine touch".

His mind slowly drifted onto his work. He was mentally planning his work plan. The ensuing minutes saw a raging battle between his eyelids which were drooping by the moment and his mind which wanted to stay awake and plan the job in hand.

He was not sure what woke him up, the sore neck or the light taps by someone. A police official stood there in his pristine best all set to urge him to go home and get on with his life.

Vel thought so too, but something urged him to at least visit her once before he went on with his life.

He asked the duty doctor how she was and if he could go see her. He replied " yes, you may go but be sure not to disturb the patient". Vel couldn't stop wondering as to  how one can disturb someone who is almost comatose?

He just hoped he didn't think that aloud as he entered the room.  There she lay amidst all tubes and machines looking a broken porcelain doll that has been neatly bandaged.  That  moment he felt something that he couldn't even comprehend. 
That moment altered the flow of his thoughts
That moment brought about a ray of hope.
That moment was the first of many beautiful moments that were yet to come.

***********

"Sir, this is my younger daughter Valli's photograph, she is missing since yesterday. We looked at all places we could think of but no avail. We are very afraid"

"Please calm down. We will definitely find her. But before that I need to ask you Certain mandatory questions."

"Can you tell us what happened. When did you find out that she is missing."

Mr. Sāmbhasivam told the inspector all that happened yesterday including that of the scorned lover.
Just then Vikram strode in and took in the case history. What he didn't see was the photo. The father left only after he was promised that his daughter would be home soon.

Oh! Yet another girl was missing without any trace. Wait! could this be the girl they found in the woods yesterday? He called for the photograph and yes she was. Vikram schooled his emotions and without betraying any expressions facial or otherwise, he returned the photo to its file and cabinet in all indifference and nonchalance but not before mentally noting the given contact details.

***********
Sri, was a mark of respect and also meant beauty and wealth. So that was it he was going to call her Sri.

He sat next to her bed.
" Hi! I am Vel, an architect by profession. You know, in the past 24 hours my life has had a 360° turn. I am happy once again.

Why don't you wake up? We can celebrate this with a coffee. We can get to know each other. We can date...Get married. ...oops that was pretty fast...I don't know where it came from. But don't you think it's a nice idea? "

"Could it be because you are just out of a relationship, you are having such thoughts... But Marrige?"

A startled Vel turned to see his other friend Mark, standing at the threshold of the room.

"Hi... eh...um.."

"Vel.. I thought you had no speech impediments. And if you want to know why am here? The answer is that I took the first flight home when Vikram told me what happened. 
Am happy that you are free to rescue this damsel in distress and play her knight in suit or jeans was it"

"And we thought you would be upset .... but here you are proposing to another woman like nothing has ever happened".

Both Vel and Mark turned to see Vikram striding in followed by a very stern faced nurse, who ousted the three men just by her looks.

Once back in the cafeteria, Vel was about to ask Vikram when he came, but before he could open his mouth, Vikram answered for him " I came when coffee and marriage was in the air"