THE NEXT MORNING
A black car came to a halt infront of Newlife hospital...
Out came a young woman dressed in a light pink salwar kameez.She was visibly worried and tensed.
"We're here, ma'am," Joseph said as the car screeched to a halt, jolting Kavya slightly forward.
She exhaled deeply and stepped out, the chilled breath of the air-conditioner brushing past her like a silent warning. Her eyes rose slowly to the imposing façade of the hospital, a monolith of glass and steel that seemed more intimidating than ever today.Her mind was restless and she grew more impatient with each step she took.
Joseph's voice broke through her daze, gentle and hesitant. "Are you sure you're ready for this, ma'am?"
Kavya nodded, the motion steady even if her heart was anything but. No matter how many layers of strength she wrapped herself in, she doubted she'd ever be ready to see her mother like this—to see THE Anita Singhaniya in a comatose state, especially after a whole year of absence.
As she stepped into the hospital's pristine lobby, the sterile scent of antiseptic and the hum of machinery settled around her like a weight. Her sharp gaze swept across the reception area, pausing at the security guard stationed near the desk—an unusual sight that tightened her nerves further.Even though it was morning it was filled witha few patients each having different expressions on them.
She moved forward, her heels echoing through the polished marble floor as she approached the receptionist.
"Excuse me. I'm Kavya Singhaniya. I'm here to see Mrs Anita Singhaniya. Could you please direct me to her room?" she asked, trying to keep her voice even despite the unease rising inside her.
The receptionist looked her over once, before she replied, "I am very sorry, miss but I cannot disclose that information. No one is allowed to visit her due to safety reasons. I cannot let you visit her."
Kavya stiffened. "You don't understand. I'm her daughter. I am not threat to her. Please let me through. I NEED TO SEE HER."
The receptionist hesitated, glancing towards the phone on her desk and the guard. "There are strict restrictions on the visitors. A pitiful glance of her helpless black eyes seemed to indicate that her job will be at risk if she didnot obey the order given.
"I don't care what orders are given," Kavya snapped, her anger rising. "I'm her daughter. I have every right to see her."
Visibly uneasy, the receptionist leaned in slightly, her voice dropping. "I'm sorry. I cannot let you in as patient's life might be in danger."
Kavya's jaw clenched in frustration. That conniving bastard was playing games with her, but she wasn't going to back down. She fixed the receptionist with a fierce glare,and in a fit of anger stood up from the chair which screeched loudly and she roared,
" I don't give a damn fuck who has said what. IF you don't want to see the hospital in the headlines tomorrow for deliberately harassing people and involving in shady businesses then you better lead the way."
The receptionist told her sternly this time " if you have the paperwork having with Mr Yadav's signature, I could. Without his explicit permission, I can't allow anyone inside."Please leave right now otherwise ,security needs to be called."
A cough echoed across the room.
Kavya turned to see Vikram striding towards them at a leisurely pace, arrogance filled in his posture.
" Kavya," he said smoothly. "After the extraordinary lame show you put forward yesterday, I figured you'd show up soon."He mocked her , and said what if I Don't let you see your dear mother and started laughing away at her angry humiliated reaction."
He turned to the receptionist, a smug look on his face. "She says she's Anita's daughter. Surely it's wrong to keep her from seeing her own mother? Tsk, tsk. That wasn't very polite of you. But you deserve a promotion for doing your job so well."
Then, addressing Kavya, he added, "You really shouldn't terrorize people. Lucky for everyone, my guards informed me the moment you arrived. Otherwise, you were ready to make the poor woman cry. Come now, your mother's in Room 207."
He strolled off down the corridor.
Fuming, Kavya followed him, hands curled into fists. Every instinct screamed at her to lash out, but she forced herself to stay silent. For now.
When they reached the room, Vikram lingered behind her, his voice carrying on with smug self-importance. She heard him boasting about taking good care of her health in her absence.
"...best doctors are in charge of her hea..."
"Stop spouting rubbish and get lost.Your sorry ass needn't need to be here." Kavya cut him short.
Vikram's face turned ugly. He said in a voice with barely concealed anger, "What? You're being unnecessarily rude. Yesterday you caused a public scandal. I did not say or do anything. I've been nothing but generous to you. You vanish for a year and now show up demanding access, acting like the world owes you something... You have been nothing but an ungrateful naive brat "
She turned around to face him ,saying"Don't you dare mistake my silence for fear. I am here to visit my mother, and I won't tolerate your interference.I believe You are a menace to the society. "
"FUCK OFF"
He was stunned speechless With a final look of contempt, Vikram stormed out.
"She has grown wings ..I see"How audacious she has grown to speak that way with me!"
"She thinks she can command me? She hasnot even seen 1%of my power.I will make sure her days here will be worst days she spends in her entire life "
Alone at last, Kavya walked over to the bedside. The fight drained from her the moment she saw the frail figure lying before her. Her breath caught. Her mother—once a woman of sharp grace and quiet power—now looked heartbreakingly small beneath the crisp white sheets.