***No proof reading.
***Not edited.
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Suman took a cab to the hospital. She didn't know if she could drive. Her mind was in a whirlwind at the moment; tears biting at the back of her eyes.
She had informed everyone but her grandfather about the accident and immediately started for the hospital.
As she reached her destination, Suman's heart started beating so fast it seemed like it would burst out of her rib cage. She frantically paid the driver and tried hard to catch her breath, dragging herself inside the building to the reception desk.
The receptionist informed her that he had been admitted nearly half an hour ago and that he was probably being operated on.
A nurse led Suman to the third floor, the general surgery ward. As she neared the O.T., she found Pushkar pacing the corridor nervously. She ran up to him, tears streaming down her face. When Pushkar saw her, he wrapped her in a comforting hug.
"Sumo... Bhaiya..."
Suman couldn't speak. She clutched onto Pushkar, crying. Pushkar rubbed her back in an attempt to calm her but he couldn't find the words to melt away the melancholy.
When her sobbing stopped and she had regained her composure a bit, Suman noticed Ramnath sitting with his head lowered. She could tell he was devastated. While Lalaji was trying his best to console his elder brother and telling him that everything was going to be fine, Suman could see the efforts were far from having any effect.
She anxiously nudged Pushkar's arm.
"I think you should get a doctor to check on Ramnath uncle. I am not sure if he is doing fine and his health might deteriorate."
Pushkar glanced at his Bade Papa and nodded. He gestured Suman to sit while he went to search for a doctor.
Suman kneeled in front of Ramnath, taking his hand in hers, giving a reassuring squeeze. She didn't speak, just looked into his eyes. Ramnath smiled mildly, acknowledging her kind gesture.
Pushkar came back with a nurse.
"Bade Papa, come."
Before Ramnath could make a fuss, Pushkar and the nurse slid their arms around him and pulled him up while Suman followed them.
***
"His blood pressure is abnormally high. I have given him medicine so that should be under control. But he needs to rest. And he needs to get an ECG done."
Pushkar and Suman both nodded, anxious. Pushkar's phone rang and as he answered, his face lit up with relief.
"Sumo, the operation was successful. Bhaiya is out of danger now. They will shift Bhaiya to a cabin soon!"
He hugged her in excitement. He looked so happy that Suman couldn't help but smile. She was happy too. And relieved. Her Shravan was safe now.
Pushkar glanced at Ramnath, put in a dilemma whether to go and see if everything is alright with Shravan, when Suman touched his arm.
"Go. I'll be here with uncle."
Pushkar hesitated but Suman assured him.
"Go."
Pushkar flashed her a smile and started running towards the door. Everyone was in a rush, including herself, Suman pondered.
***
