34. Blossoming spring days

The Next day Morning,

Rahul's POV

I didn't want to wake Rithick up. I waited for him to get up. An hour later, he opened his eyes slowly.

"Rithick..." I called his name.

He looked at me but he didn't utter a word.

"Rithick, Why did you propose to Shantra?" I asked the question again.

"It's my life. Kindly shut up, Rahul."

"Are you mad?" My anger reached its peak.

"I don't bother what you think about me. She is my life. That's all." Rithick said.

"She means whom? Neethu." I stressed her name.

"Rahul, leave me. Don't interfere in my life."

"Do you know what? Neethu loves you." I broke Neethu's promise in a second.

Rithick didn't say anything for a moment. He didn't show any reaction. This meant he really hates Neethu? No! Never. His behaviour was weird. After a minute, he stood up. I was sure that he was not ready to share anything regarding this.

I was confused. Rithick didn't utter a word even after knowing Neethu's love for him. Though he didn't show any reaction, his face was bright when I told him about Neethu's love. But, within a fraction of a second, he wore a fake mask on his face by hiding all his love. He was hiding something from me and What was it? Why was he hiding from me even when he used to share little things with me?

Without knowing the reason, I couldn't bring him to the comfort zone. I couldn't comfort him. I was sure, he was still loving Neethu but why was he hurting himself and her? Also, why was he hiding it from me? Something was behind it. I would find out the reason as soon as possible so that I could help him without any delay.

Neethu's POV

A week had passed. This one week taught me everything. I had learnt how to be away from Rithick. I didn't even look at him and he too didn't talk to me. I tried a lot to change my mindset and now, I could live alone. Now I could face anything that spirit and strength came in me. I gained the confidence much better than before that I could live without him. It still hurt me when he was close to another girl.

In these days, I behaved maturely than before and I could see a lot of changes in me. These days were the worst in my life. I wished to be myself always but I changed everything to make Rithick happy.

I didn't talk to Rithick for about another month. I didn't even look at him once.

Time had changed me and my character too. I couldn't be the old me. I couldn't find the old Neethu in me. I missed myself. I was too silent nowadays. I could sit without talking to Rithick but I couldn't imagine him with another girl. How would I face it? It was a question mark yet. Dear God, please give me enough strength to move forward in my life.

Mithila and Rahul were showing me their love as usual. They became my strength. Rahul always gave his support to me in each and everything than he did to Rithick. Nowadays, I could see clashes between Rahul and Rithick often. But as usual, they would compromise sooner.

Two months had passed. As usual, I went to college with Mithila. She was my best friend and was together with me in all my situations. Rithick and Rahul came after 15 minutes. By seeing Rithick, Shantra moved towards him and they both had a conversation. It hurt me a lot, but I pretend

not to care.

The class started, I got a call from an unknown number. I didn't attend it as the class is going on. I got a call from the same number for a second time. I felt it was something important, so I got an excuse from madam and came out.

It was a lady who spoke from the other side. Her voice was tensed. I asked her the reason for her call.

"Ma'am, Are you Neethu?" she asked.

"Yes. What happened?"

"A woman has fainted nearer to the Taj city roadside. No one is ready to take her. I felt pity for her. I admitted her in the hospital. I found a mobile phone in her bag. There, I found your number, so I contacted you," she explained.

"You have done the right thing. I am not aware of the lady. How did she get my number? Who is she? Please tell me if you find any details about her." I said.

"I don't know anything about her. Please come to L.M hospital. The case is severe." she said.

"What do you mean?" I asked. My throat turned dry.

"The doctor checked her body. She was very weak and her condition was critical. So, please rush to the hospital as soon as possible." she said and hung up.

I was confused and didn't know what to do at that moment. Was it a fake call or was someone playing a prank? My heart told me to go to the hospital to know the truth. I didn't say anything to Rahul and Mithila. I got excused from madam and rushed to the hospital.

In the hospital

I reached the hospital. I didn't know any other details. I called back to the same number. The same lady attended the call and asked me to come to the ICU ward. I rushed there. I found the lady who had called me. She said whatever happened in detail. From her speech, I could guess that she was a good woman. She was a working woman and I asked her to go to her work as she was delayed already for an hour.

After some minutes, the doctor came out. I asked the doctor regarding the patient and requested him to make arrangements to see her. I told that I was not aware of the patient.

"The patient condition is critical now. She was in an unconscious state. When she gains consciousness, you can see her," the doctor said and he walked away.

I thanked the doctor and waited there for hours.

The nurse called me in to see the patient. I went inside and came closer to the bed. I was shocked to see her. She was Nethra.

"Nethra!" All the tears in my eyes rushed out in a second. I held her hand tightly.

"How did I came here? What happened to me? Where is my baby?" she asked. Her voice was quivering.

"Nothing happened to you, dear," I said, crying.

She started shouting and I couldn't control her. The nurse injected an injection in the glucose drip. A few minutes later, she closed her eyes slowly and slept.

I met the doctor there.

"Doctor, she is my sister Nethra. What happened to her? Why was she behaving like this?" I asked with tears in my eyes.

"The patient is in persistent depressive Disorder (also called dysthymia). It is a depressed mood that lasts for at least two years. She has taken lots of antidepressant tablets that made her health conditions worse. If it continues, I can't help her. Kindly consult a psychiatrist as soon as possible so that she may recover quickly or else her condition will become even worse. Always try to do whatever that makes her happy. A peaceful sleep, regular exercise and good surrounding will bring her back."

I thanked the doctor. I felt pity for her. I became weak again. How could I help Nethra to overcome her depression? Why was God always showing her the worst path? For about a month I hadn't met her due to my personal problems. She never informed me about the depression. Now, I understood her reason for avoiding everyone. Due to depression, she couldn't be normal for anyone but she was friendly to me. Why did I forget her for about these two months? She was all alone there. How could I be this selfish? Why didn't I care for Nethra? I cursed myself for keeping a distance from her.

Where was her baby? Everything felt like a big question mark. I was blank. Her baby's face and Nethra's face flashed in front of my eyes at the same time. What would I do now? I was very much confused. What would I tell Nethra if she asked about her baby the next time? The negative reply would make her situation worse. Now, Nethra was safe in the hospital. First, I had to find out her baby. Who would help me?

I had no one to help me in this situation. Only God had to show me the right path to handle the tough circumstances. Let me inform this issue to Rahul first. No, it was the wrong decision. If I inform to Rahul, I couldn't imagine his life next. Rithick was supportive in all of Nethra's issue but now the situation changed. What to do? Tears formed in my eyes.

Suddenly, I remembered the proprietor at Mercy Home. Immediately, I took my mobile and made a call.

The proprietor picked up the call, "Neethu, how are you?" he asked from the other side.

"I am fine, uncle. Is Nethra's child there?" I asked. I became too nervous and my body was frozen just in a minute. My heart skipped a beat and I was very scared to hear his reply. If he said no, I couldn't imagine what would happen next. My God, please help the child.

"Yes, the child is here. Nethra went to the mall to purchase some things, leaving her child to the maid," the proprietor said.

"Thank you so much, uncle, the child is safe." I couldn't control crying at that moment.

"Neethu, what happened? Why are you crying?" he asked.

I explained what had happened to Nethra in short and hung up.

I closed my eyes and relaxed a bit. Unexpectedly, I got a call from Rahul. I couldn't ignore his call. What to do now if he asked anything? I didn't come to a conclusion within a short time, so I didn't pick up his call. He called me again and again. Finally, I picked up his call.

By hearing his voice, unknown tears flowed out of my eyes. If he knew that I was crying, he would definitely try to find out the reason that would bring his life in distress. So, I controlled myself much better.

"Neethu, why didn't you attend my call? Where did you go without informing us? Are you alright?" he asked me.

I was searching for a reply. I was blank. My brain refused to give me a proper reply. "Rahul..." I released a breath.

"Are you busy, Neethu?" he asked.

"Yes, Rahul doesn't mistake me, I will call  little later once the situation becomes normal," I blurted out.

"What normal?" he questioned.

"Nothing wrong. Calm down, Rahul. My parents came today without informing me, so I came to see them and just now they went back to home. I was on the bus and due to heavy traffic, I was late. I will reach the hostel within an hour." I tried to manage speaking with a normal voice, but tears still spilt like rain.

"I am shocked by your words, Neethu. You didn't inform anything regarding your parents' arrival. When did you change like this, Neethu? I know Rithick's actions hurt you and you are away from him. Do you want to avoid me too, Neethu?" he asked. His voice sounded hurt.

"No, Rahul, don't worry. I didn't know about the arrival of my parents. I am sorry, Rahul. I will call you later," I said and without hearing his reply, I hung up.

I wiped my cheeks. I should act boldly and take a decision. I should bring Nethra back. She became my good friend within a short span. Rahul shouldn't know about this until she recovered. I need help from Rithick because I couldn't handle the situation alone. I didn't bother about the gap between me and him. The only thing in my mind was Nethra.

After a long gap, I searched for Rithick's contact on my mobile and dialled. He didn't pick up my call. I didn't want to call him again as I felt like I was disturbing him. I was thinking about Nethra, about the steps to be taken next to help her recover quickly.

I got a call. I think it was Rithick and took my mobile. The mobile screen flashed Mithila's name. I picked up the call immediately

"Mithila, I am in the hospital. Nethra's condition became worse." I explained to her whatever happened from morning to till now. My sorrows became light at the moment I shared everything with her. I felt like I had gained my confidence back.

"Neethu, don't worry. I will come now. Rithick went out with Shantra, he may be busy with that girl. So he didn't attend your call, I think so, Neethu," she said. My anger on Rithick reached to the top.

"Mithila, you stay there itself. I will be back soon and sorry, someone is calling me," I said and looked at my mobile, it was Rithick. I hung up her call and picked up his call angrily.

"Hello, Neethu, why did you call me?" Rithick asked on the other side. His words had no love for me. When did you change this much, Rithick? ~ my mindvoice.

I didn't expect anything from him and my only intention was Nethra. "Come to L.M hospital. I will tell everything after that." I said.

"Why and Who is in the hospital? Are you in L.M hospital?" he asked.

"Come as soon as possible," I said

"Sorry, Neethu, without knowing the proper reason I can't come," he said. It was shocking to me but I never bothered because he was not mine.

"Nethra was admitted in the hospital. Don't inform this to Rahul."

"What happened to Nethra? How do you know that she is in the hospital? Wait there itself, I will come soon," he said in a tensed voice.

After some time, Rithick reached the hospital. It was like I was seeing him after a month's gap. I didn't have any feelings or emotions for him now. I hope he too maintained the same. He came closer to me and asked about Nethra's conditions.

I explained everything from the beginning. "Thank you so much, Neethu, for being with Nethra this much time without any expectations."

What did he mean? Why should I expect something for helping my good friend, Nethra?  I am not Selfish...

Meanwhile, the doctor came out after checking up on Nethra.

"Doctor, I am Rithick. Nethra is my cousin. How is her condition now?" he asked, his face contorting in a frown.

"Her condition is better compared to earlier. I want to ask you something personal if you don't mind," the doctor said.

"Ok. You can ask me, doctor."

"Are you the great business tycoon, Mr Sanjay's son?" the doctor asked. Rithick froze.

I didn't expect this question from the doctor. I knew Rithick didn't want to show the identity of his father as it would become viral news. Nethra's conditions would be out in the open air which in turn would collapse his family and put them in distress, especially Rahul.

Rithick looked at me for a while. "No doctor, we are new to this place and I don't know about Sanjay as you said."

"Everyone knows about Mr Sanjay. He looks exactly like you," the doctor said with a confused look.

"Ok doctor. When will you discharge Nethra? Is it possible to meet her once?" I asked.

"She is okay now. You can discharge her now itself."

Rithick and I rushed to see Nethra. Nethra asked about her baby. I told that her baby was safe. Even now she was angry with Rithick and his family. She didn't like Rithick's arrival there.

"Nethra... How are you?" Rithick asked.

"How did you know that I was admitted in this hospital?" Nethra asked. I didn't expect this question. What would happen if Rithick told her the truth? Would Nethra hate me too? No! This couldn't happen, it would make her condition worse. She was thinking that everyone betrayed her and she believed only me. She shouldn't get broken by knowing that I was a friend of Rithick's and Rahul's. Also, the fact that they were sending me to visit her at Mercy Home...