Mahe's Men - Chapter 5

Chapter 5 – Mahe’s Men

All the characters in this series are fictional. Any resemblance whatsoever is purely incidental/unintentional.

“He might live John. Sridhar might live a life like any of us. But we must act fast. I have drained all the poison from his body and he is safe from it now. But the hemorrhage has to be attended quickly. I have informed my colleague to take care of his admission in my hospital. I have also arranged his surgery for tomorrow evening. I apologize for doing all this without Sridhar’s parents consent but taking into consideration John’s presence I took the liberty of arranging for the surgery. I hope that’s not a problem for you Suchi?” the doctor asked with earnest interest.

“Definitely not a problem doctor. I will explain the situation to my mother. She would only be happy for Sridhar. Dad has gone out for some personal work. I will inform him too. So when should we start for the hospital doctor?” Suchi asked the doctor.

“Right away; if possible. Because the more it gets delayed the more dangerous it is going to be for Sridhar.”

“Please give me some 15 minutes. I will inform my parents and we can start off quickly.”

“Sure take your time. And Sridhar still does not know what is happening around him as I have given him sleeping pills. Try not to disturb him. John and I will carry him inside the ambulance when it arrives. The moment you are ready we can call the ambulance.”

“Sure doctor. I’ll be right back.”

A ray of hope seemed to have struck Suchitra and there seemed to be a drastic change in her behavior after hearing the doctor’s word. She was a brave girl right from her childhood and such incidents were not new to her for she always helped her friends during times of crisis. But this was just too much to bear for her, battling against emotions of her own and trying desperately to save her brother. She was the only pillar of support for her parents now.

She headed straight to her parents’ room and knocked on the door. Her mom opened the door. She looked extremely pale and forlorn.

“Ma. The doctor says there are chances that Sridhar may survive the illness. He says he has arranged for a surgery tomorrow in his hospital.”

“Oh alright. Go ahead. I can’t come to the hospital. Can you take care of everything? Is John helping you out on this? I am too weak to even walk.”

“Sure ma. I’ll take care of everything. I’ll call dad and inform him also.”

“Okay. Please take care.”

Her mother didn’t sound interested at all. “What is going on in her mind?” thought Suchitra. “Well, she must be too tired to come till the hospital. Maybe she’s given up trying to save her son.”

“But I can’t give up. He will live. My brother! Yes, he will live.” She kept saying to herself hoping not to lose hope even when the most severe consequences arose.

She called her father to inform him of the sequence of events and rushed towards the doctor. Her father reacted the same way as her mother did.

“Crazy people. Aren’t they concerned about their son’s illness?” she thought.

She quickly changed and got ready to go to the hospital with John and the doctor. She thought about the difficult day that lay ahead of her. She has to take care of everything relating to her brother all by herself; with the help of John of course.

“Doctor we can leave anytime you want. I’ve informed mom and dad. I am also ready.” Suchitra announced to the doctor.

“Okay. That’s good. I have already called for the ambulance and we can leave once it is here.”

Dr.Sudhakar was always committed to his work. Not that John was pretty close to him and hence the dedication, he was extremely passionate about his profession and always held the opinion that the patient is equivalent to God and should never be let down.

“Doctor! I think the ambulance has arrived.” Exclaimed John with a note of caution to ensure Sridhar doesn’t wake up.

“John both of us will need to carry Sridhar inside the ambulance. Let’s do it.”

“Alright doctor. Let’s do it.”

The doctor instructed the guys inside the ambulance to bring the stretcher inside. They did as instructed and came to Sridhar’s room.

“John, take hold of his legs, I’ll hold his shoulders.” The doctor said slowly.

Though Sridhar was not very big made, both men had a tough time carrying him and shifting him on to the stretcher. They shifted him successfully and the two other men carried Sridhar back to the ambulance.

“John, please follow the ambulance to the hospital. Suchitra please come with John. I have my car and will go to the hospital first to make necessary arrangements.”

“Okay doctor. We’ll meet you at the hospital.” John was quite tensed about how he would be able to manage this issue. He had never been in such a situation before and it was imperative for him to ensure his friend’s safety. Suchitra was equally dependent on John as she trusted him as much as she trusted her parents and her brother.

“Suchi, let’s leave.”

“Okay John.”

“Are you fine Suchi?”

“I don’t know. I guess I won’t be until Sridhar is fine.”

“Don’t worry. Everything’s going to be ok. Just trust in the Almighty.”

“For now Dr.Sudhakar is my Almighty.”

“Let’s go. We are running late already.”

Both of them set off in John’s car towards the hospital. It wasn’t too far and John’s driving was quite swift even amidst heavy traffic that they reached the hospital in half an hour’s time. But it seemed to take an eternity for Suchi. She tried to find some sleep during the journey but couldn’t. Her mental stress was taking a toll on her body. John played some soft 90’s melodies in his stereo which he thought might have a soothing effect on Suchi. But nothing worked. Both of them remained tensed and kept quiet throughout the journey.

At the hospital:

“Doctor when is the surgery scheduled?” John asked.

“That is not decided yet. I have asked my colleague to ensure if a surgery is ‘really’ required. Once he confirms, I will finalize the time.

“Okay doctor.”

“Where is Suchitra?”

“She has just gone out for some fresh air. Poor soul, she has been running around for a long time today. She was supposed to go on a trip somewhere next week but now she’s cancelled it.”

“That’s obvious John. She has to. After all it’s her brother.”

John realized that the doctor was right. It was just that he had been watching Suchi too often today that he had a soft corner for her.

“Maybe you’re right doctor. It’s just that I can’t see her struggle so much. Even her parents don’t seem too concerned. That is troubling me more than anything else.”

“I’ve seen many cases like this John. Don’t worry too much about it. We’ll give our best shot and leave the rest to God.”

“Hmmm.” That was all John could say.

As they were discussing, Suchitra came in. She looked much better now, with her hair neatly pinned and her face looking brighter.

“How are you feeling Suchitra?” before Suchitra could reply the doctor continued, “Sridhar is being attended to by my colleague. Once it is confirmed that a surgery is required I will intimate you and the arrangements can be made.”

“Okay doctor. Will we tell him about his illness and the surgery? I mean my brother.”

“I am not sure of that. I leave that to you both to decide. John what do you think?”

“I think we must tell him about it.” John said.

“I think he is right doctor. I don’t think we can keep this away from Sridhar for long.” Suchitra also echoed John’s thoughts.

Just as Dr.Sudhakar thought about saying something he stopped and started walking towards his left. There came another man, who looked like a doctor too and was approaching Sudhakar.

“Yes Panicker. Updates, if any? Sudhakar asked the other doctor.

“Yes. Quite a few. But before I could tell you about it, tell me who diagnosed this chap with hemorrhage?” the other doctor asked Sudhakar. He seemed expressionless when he asked that question and neither of Suchitra or John could guess the reason behind the question. Both John and Suchitra realized that they didn’t have an answer to the question. Suchi’s parents did not tell her about it and neither did she bother to inquire them about it.

Sudhakar glanced at Suchitra as she gave an ‘I don’t know’ kind of a look.

Dr.Panicker was watching all this and smirked at Suchitra.

“Well, I have news and it is a good one indeed. Sridhar is not suffering from any hemorrhage. He is hale and healthy;  fit and fine. Whoever said he’s got a hemorrhage is not a doctor. And whoever wanted him poisoned must be a bloody killer.” Dr. Panicker spoke those words with confidence and authority.

Suchitra and John looked at each other in complete shock and disbelief. 

To be continued……

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