Pranbir Short Story Collection

The Accident Part 2

"I can only speak if you will let me. Calm down, young man. Patient is out of danger. The operation has been successful and since there was, thankfully, no internal hemorrage, she will regain her consciousness soon. She will be shifted to her cabin now. Then you will be able to meet her. However, she will have to stay in the hospital for atleast 6 days. You can take her home this weekend." The older man smiled kindly, understanding Ranbir's state of mind.

Ranbir shut his eyes tightly as an intense relief coursed through every single vein of his body. He staggered back and when his back collided with the hard strength of the cold wall behind him, he rested his head on it. Eyes still closed, he sent a fervent prayer to the Almighty followed by an ardent thanks for saving the life of the love of his life.

"Thank you so much, doctor." Abhishek shook the doctor's hand and expressed his gratitude.

"It was my duty, Mr. Mehra. Don't worry. Everything will be fine. You can see her shortly." The doctor smiled benevolently and excused himself.

"Where is Prachi's mother, Saritaji? Have you informed her." Pallavi turned to  Saritaji.

"She went to the temple to pray for the success of the operation and Prachi's wellbeing. I will inform her what the doctor said. She will be so ecstatic." Saritaji smiled through tears.

"I understand. Nothing is more important to a mother than her child's happiness and wellbeing. I can understand what she must be going through. Please inform her as soon as you can. She must be so worried." Pallavi nodded understandingly.

Saritaji walked a little away from the group to inform Pragya about the recent developments.

Ranbir's eyes snapped open as the sound of wheels grating against the concrete floor reached his ear. Instantly, he starightened from the wall and turned towards the OT just in time to see the doors opening and some compounders and nurses wheeling the stretcher carrying the unconscious form of Prachi, now covered in bandages. 

Abhishek experienced a strange pain as he witnessed the unconscious form of the girl he had come to consider as his own daughter. He didn't understand why but he felt as if someone very dear to his heart was in agony seeing Prachi. He didn't understand why he felt such a pull towards this girl as if he shared some relation with her. 

Both Abhishek and Ranbir hurried over to the stretcher at the same time and both took hold of one hand each of Prachi. As they looked up and their eyes met, their eyes communicated a shared agony. As the stretcher moved, both Abhishek and Ranbir walked beside it, neither leaving Prachi's hands. 

Soon, Prachi was shifted to the private cabin. After she had been settled down on the bed and the multifarious medical paraphernalia had been set in place, Ranbir, who was staring at Prachi with desolate eyes, looked up. The despondency in his eyes slowly morphed into an incandescent rage and a thirst for vengeance. 

"Aryan, stay here with Prachi. And till I return don't leave her alone for a moment." A fire was smouldering in the depths of Ranbir's eyes.

"Okay. But where are you going?" Aryan stated at him in utter bewilderment.

"To complete an unfinished work." The grimness in both the voice and features of Ranbir warned Aryan against any further inquiry at that moment.

As Ranbir walked out of the hospital, he fished his phone out of his pocket and dialled a number. He didn't have to wait much before the call was answered.

"Yes, Ranbir. How are you? And how is everyone at home?" A familiar voice answered.

"Balbir Uncle, noone is fine and least of all me. I need your help. May I come to your office right now?" Ranbir inquired with an urgency in his voice.