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Aunty sat next to Roshni on a chair. She held Roshni’s right hand in hers and, wiping her tears, said, “Roshni bete, what did you do to yourself? How did this happen? Why should such things happen to good people?”
It was time for the doctor’s visit. He enquired who
Aunty was and how she was related to Roshni. Aunty explained the details to him. He came to Roshni, and while talking about the accident, he examined her vital signs and noticed the bandages on her forehead and thigh, where she’d received some stitches, were red. She either had bled or was still bleeding at these two injury sites.
While this discussion went on, Roshni tried to slowly open her eyes and move her leg. The cast on her right leg was heavy, and all the bandages did not provide her with the flexibility to move. She opened her eyes and saw the doctor in front of her. Her mind was too fuddled with the dose of painkillers, and pain racked her entire body.
“How are you, bete?” asked the doctor.
Roshni just nodded and in a very feeble voice said, “It hurts, doctor!”
“Of course it will hurt, bete. This was not a small accident.”
Roshni looked at him and then at Aunty, and tears blurred her vision. Physical agony was there and she was unable to bear it; however, the dull ache in her heart, the emotional pain was greater.
Aunty immediately moved closer to her and placed her hand over Roshni’s forehead, very gently consoling her.
“Did you inform her family?” asked the doctor.
“Yes, Doctor, Sheetal beti called them, and her brother-in-law is arriving this afternoon from Mumbai,” aunty replied.
“Oh, good!” He saw the mangalsutra on Roshni’s neck, so he continued, “What about her husband?”
“Doctor, he lives in America. I’m not sure if he has been informed yet!” responded Aunty.
“I think we should inform him. Roshni beti suffered a great deal, and having him here would be plenty of moral support for her.”
Aunty listened and agreed. Roshni gathered some strength and asked the doctor in a very feeble tone to explain the impact this accident had on her, and he explained. He continued, “Looks like you are still bleeding at these two sites. I will have the nurse check on this and change your bandage.”
Roshni nodded gently. She had no strength to move or speak and was very tired and exhausted.
“Doctor, what can she eat and drink? I brought some chai for her. Can I give it to her?” Aunty asked the doctor.
“Of course, let me have the nurse elevate her bed a little. She may not be able to move, but we can help her.”
As this conversation went on, a nurse came in, and upon the doctor’s instructions, she changed the bandages. The doctor left, letting them know that he would be back to examine Roshni later.
The nurse elevated Roshni’s bed so she was in a reclined position; she also helped Roshni rinse and clean her mouth and face. Aunty gave her some chai with biscuits. Roshni with difficulty managed to hold the cup and drink. The nurse showed Aunty how to lower the bed in case Roshni wanted to sleep, and she left.
Aunty helped Roshni to get a little more comfortable in the bed, and she sat next to Roshni on the chair. Roshni was tired and exhausted; she sat with her eyes closed. After a few minutes, she opened her eyes. “Aunty, when did you get here?” she asked in a feeble voice.
“This morning, maybe around nine. Sheetal beti’s friend Sunil brought me here.”
Roshni sighed in acknowledgement. She continued, “Where is Sheetal?”
“She went home to have a shower and change. Oh! She was also going to the airport to pick up your brother-in-law.”
“What? I mean…who informed them?”
Aunty gave the details to Roshni.
Roshni closed her eyes again. She was so tired; her brain was too foggy with the painkillers! Aunty noticed tears in Roshni’s eyes. She leaned over to Roshni and very gently wiped her tears away.
“Aunty, I don’t know why I had to go through this. It would be simpler if I died!” said Roshni with tears in her eyes.
Aunty was caught off guard to hear Roshni. She knew something was bothering her and immediately hugged Roshni. “Roshni bete, please don’t say such things. I know there is something that is bothering you, but nothing can be that bad, right? Everything can be sorted out, beti. Please don’t cry.”
Aunty helped lower the bed so Roshni could sleep comfortably. Soon after, Sheetal and Akash entered the room. Sheetal noticed Roshni was sleeping, and introduced Aunty to Akash. Akash wondered if Aunty was related to Sheetal, but that was not important at this time. He looked towards Roshni and could not believe she was lying in that situation.
