Rohita

Chapter 25

MILIND

Milind woke up and glanced at the window. The sky was getting its gleam back, and a flock of birds flew atop a building. His room was still semi-dark, and he reached for the lamp and turned it on. Flipping his quilt to the side, he went to the bathroom for a wash-up.

He looked at his face - sunken an unshaved - into the mirror, and his overgrown hair appeared messy. How much he had changed in two weeks? Perhaps, Esha's silence to his phone calls added to his misery. Why couldn't he reach her? She had appeared on Gmail chat quite often before. What had happened? Was she upset? He did call her in the past to keep her interested and updated the ongoings. Did her parents' guide her against him? Thought of losing made his heartache. He gave up everything to ensure their future.

After a refreshing face wash, Milind went back to his room and sat. Burdened with the two weeks of stay, he was eager to leave before noon. The previous night, Doctor Brent approved his discharge, after checking his health, and Milind was overjoyed to go out of the solitary environment. He wished Ajit's company during his departure and had informed Ravi to bring him. Ravi hadn't stayed even for a single night with Milind, and he expected his arrival on time, at least.

His phone rang with Ravi's name lit on the screen. Milind didn't expect he would call so early. He tapped the answer button, clearing his throat. "Hi, Ravi. Where are you?"

"I'm at Ajit's home. We are leaving in a few minutes." He paused. "You can inform the hospital staff to prepare the bill. It will save us time."

"Sure, I'll." Milind wished to talk to Ajit. "Is Ajit around?"

"Yes, he is here."

"Please give him the phone."

"Hold on."

Milind waited until Ajit said, "Hi, Milind."

"Ajit, I'm glad that you're coming." Milind inhaled a deep breath. "I want you to talk to Doctor Brent about my further treatment before we left."

"Sure, I'll. You don't worry."

"Thank you, Ajit." Was Rohita accompanying them? Milind fought his urge to ask and ended the call.

Milind had called Rohita a couple of days before, but she hadn't answered. Ravi had told him later, she was busy in her studies. No doubt Rohita was striving hard to achieve success in her USMLE. However, she shouldn't rub off their elders, putting Milind in trouble. He wanted her to defend him to realize his dream, instead of acting with vengeance. Milind had helped her to settle in America, and she should return him the favor.

Milind, bored of seated in the room, wished to go outside. His legs relieved of pain after walking back and forth in the passage. His heart sank when a patient in an adjacent ward moaned in panic. He heard an approaching wheel sounds, and two nurses carried an elderly woman with her eyes wide open, on the stretcher. One held an oxygen mask while another pulled the stretcher forward. Petrified, he went back to his room and dropped on the couch.

After half an hour Loraine entered with her treatment bag. "Good morning."

Milind's chest lightened. Her chest appeared prominent in her tight uniform, and a lavender scent hit his nostrils. "Good morning, Loraine." He straightened on the bed.

"Hi, Milind, how are you feeling?"

"Much better now. The pain has gone, thanks for your care." He paused. "But it may take some time for me to feel energetic."

Lorain approached him with her toolkit. "You continue taking the medicines." She removed the bandage from his shoulder. "You'll be all right soon." She cleaned his wound with antiseptic cotton.