The Secrets of the Elements novel Chapter 26

Advika could smell the metallic tang from stainless steel in the open air. Ray's gaze swivelled over the waiting room, looking for a place for him and Tej to sit. The hospital rooms were noisy and distracting, with doctors and nurses running errands.

The door of the operation theatre opened. Tej rushed towards the doctors stepping out of the room. Ray followed.

"How's Uncle now?" asked Ray.

"I can say he is out of danger now," replied Dr Sheena Dixit, the senior surgeon of The PrimeLife Hospital.

Tej let out a sigh.

"But, we have to keep him under observation for a few days," she added and kept her hand on Tej's shoulder. "Your dad will be fine soon."

Tej nodded as the doctor left to visit the other patients.

"Tej," said Advka. "Uncle's phone."

"Hello," said Tej.

"Tej, how is Mr Patel doing?" said the person on the other end.

"He's out of danger," answered Tej.

"Swarna ma'am was not answering calls, so I had to call on Sir's number," said the person.

"Is it something urgent, Mr Taneja?" asked Tej.

"You need to come to the office immediately," said Mr Taneja. "It's important, cannot be delayed."

"Is everything fine?" asked Tej.

"Please come to the office. I'll tell you everything," said Taneja.

"I'll be there," said Tej and cut the call.

"Zarna's dad is on his way to your office," said Ray. "There are some legalities that need attention. But uncle Zavier is there with you he'll handle everything. We're here with Uncle, you visit the office and come."

"Maya and Zarna are there with aunty," said Advika. "Doctor's have given her injection, she's sleeping, but she'll be fine," said Advika.

Tej looked to the ground and nodded his head.

"I'll be right back," he said and slowly walked towards the exit.

~~~~

Daksh, Indra, and Rishi stood in front of a broken hut.

Daksh fought tears as Dai Ma pushed open the door covered with moss and spider webs.

Rutuja stepped inside with five backpacks. She snapped her fingers. One by one, the bags began to move towards the wall of the room, arranging themselves in a straight line.

The living room decked up with old-fashioned wooden furniture. A large bookshelf placed opposite the sofa set.

"Reminds me of the academy," said Rishi. "Looked small from the outside, but spacious inside."

"Rutuja," said Dai Ma as she helped Rishi sit on the comfortable leather sofa. "Check all the rooms. Make sure they're tidy."

"Yes, Dai Ma," she said and went on to inspect all the six rooms of the house.

"I've destroyed all out traces, Indra," said Dai Ma and poured some water in a glass. "His men won't be able to follow us."

"I'm worried about the temple," said Indra as he sunk in the armchair.

"Okay, you have until tomorrow," said Zavier. "The legalities need to be completed by then."

"Legalities?" asked Tej.

"Tej," began Taneja. "The company is going through a financial crisis as of now."

Tej sunk lower in his chair and ran his fingers through his messy hair.

"Arvind sir and Swarma ma'am had forbidden this news to go out of the senior management of the company," said Taneja.

"Your father, Arvind, was handling everything well, but," said Zavier and removed his round spectacles. "The Patni group, due to some personal reasons, snatched a million dollar deal from us."

"We had invested almost everything in that deal, Tej," said Taneja.

"So, what can I do?" asked Tej as a peon entered the meeting room with a cup of coffee in his hands.

Zavier offered the glass to Tej as the peon left.

Tej gulped down the coffee and shut his eyes.

"Tej, you might not be knowing anything about this business, but you can learn, you have the potential," said Taneja.

"I'm here to help you and the company with legal issues, but, you have to take over and handle this situation," said Zavier and kept his hand on Tej's shoulder.

Tej let out a sigh and put his head back closing his eyes. He could feel the pain in his neck and his muscles straining.

"Now that you know the situation," said Zavier. "Think about it. Talk to Swarna and tell us tomorrow."

~~~~~