Her Second-Hand Husband! novel Chapter 14

Arjun's PoV

It really hurt me where she dashed on me and I lost my cool. I turned to scold her but she was already on the ground and was apologizing to me. I tried to help her and that is when I noticed her, she was crying and panic evident in her face. I helped her stand and she again apologized to me and turned to run. I stopped her and asked what was bothering her. She was struggling to speak out but I made out that something is wrong with her father. She took me to her home and I saw my 'Mama' (father in law) there.

That girl's dad was laying on the floor and with just a look at him I can say that he had a stroke and is now paralyzed. I waited no longer and took him in my arms and ran to my car. My Granny's home is in the next street and my mama and the girl and her mother came along. I drove the car as fast as I could and reached the nearest hospital in the nearest town. After admitting him, I waited outside in the reception room not knowing what the next thing to do was. I called my dad to let him know that I am here.

"Hello dad, I am in the nearby town. Sivaprakasam mama's relative had a stroke and I have brought them to the hospital here."

"Oh, Aju, Is he ok? Where did you meet him?"

"The doctors are looking at him. I saw him in a home on the next street. Have you come back from Coimbatore?" I asked him. He left for Coimbatore after breakfast.

"I am on my way. It is so good travelling by bus. You should try it once." he said.

"Sure, dad. I will be back as soon as possible. Let ammachi and Appuchi know that I am out."

"Will do! How is Sivaprakasam?"

"He is good. We haven't talked yet."

"If everything is fine there, you let them handle it and come back. I don't want you to be involved in anything that includes them."

"Dad!"

"I am telling it for your own good, Aju. We have faced enough problems for our whole life and we don't want to prolong it any longer."

"I understand, dad. But just remember that their loss is more than ours and yet they never blamed me or us for the disappearance of their daughter where if in usual cases I am to be blamed. They graciously gave me freedom from that marriage. They were never a problem. It is not fair to avoid them." I tried to reason with my dad. He is in a way right that my life is ruined because of their daughter but they are not bad people.

"Your wish. But I don't like it." dad said and disconnected the call. I sat on a chair in the reception and just noticed that my clothes were dry now.

"Maapla!" Sivaprakasam mama called me.

"How is he, mama?" I asked him.

"He is paralyzed, maapla. His left hand and left leg will not work. His life is out of danger anyways. That is the biggest thing for now. Looks like he didn't take his pressure medicines yesterday and today. His pressure shot up and this happened."

"How are they holding up?" I asked him. I couldn't imagine their situation now. That poor girl's teary eyes keep flickering in my mind over and over again.

"They are devastated, maapla. He is the only earning man in their family. The girl is yet to finish her degree and the boy is in his school finals." he said.

"That's really sad. Can this be cured? What did the doctor say?"

"You know, this has no cure. Only physiotherapy, that too after his health gets better. At his age, recovery has minimal to no chance."

"Is he your relative, mama?"

"Yes, maapla. Anandhi is my uncle's daughter. My mom's brother's daughter. My uncle is not alive. He is Saravanan, Anandhi's husband."

"Oh, what next, mama? When is the discharge?"

"I said don't mention it. After your final exams are done, call me on this number. I will provide you with a job." I gave her my card. She never broke eye contact and got the card from me. I couldn't take in her eyes any longer so I looked away. Her teary eyes are disturbing me more than she knows.

"Thank you, sir! I am waiting for the final round of interviews in two other companies in Chennai. I will surely call you to let you know that I have a good job." She said that literally hurt my heart. She says she doesn't need my help.

"Oh, good for you." I stood up.

"Thanks again for your help, Mr. Arjun!" she said my name looking at the card I gave her. I just nodded at her and turned to leave when someone stopped me.

"Sir, just a minute." I turned to see her mom standing near the door.

"How is he doing? Has he regained consciousness?" I asked her.

"His life is out of danger. He is sedated to expedite his recovery. Thank you so much for your help without which we would have lost him." she said with her hands together.

"Please, don't lose hope. He will recover soon. If you don't mind me asking, do you need any financial help?" I asked her. I can tell with just the looks that they are not from a rich background.

"Oh, we are good. Thank you. We don't need your charity." Anika sprung up from the bench and answered me. How rude!

"Shut up, Anu." her mom shut her up and looked at me with an apology.

"Sorry sir. Don't mind her. Thank you for asking but we are good now. We cannot trouble you more." she said and I nodded my head and left the place avoiding that girl.

I still don't understand why I feel pity on her rather than getting angry at her for her rude behavior!