Part 66 Last part

The next day

Arnav got ready to go to the government hospital.

"Khushi... I'm going to AR straight from the office. Tell mom about Sheetal."

Khushi nodded ok.

"I will come soon, finishing the conference. Till then, be with mom... she is distraught completely..."

"I will take care of her..."

Arnav nodded with a smile and left RM.

Khushi came to Ratna's room and saw Arvind advancing her room.

"I'm waiting for you, beta"

" Tell me, Papa"

" Be with Ratna. Please don't leave her alone "

" Don't worry Papa... I will be with her"

" Did Chotte go to the office?"

" Just now he left"

" I too want to visit a site. It's important. Or else, I won't go"

" That's ok Papa. I'm here with her "

"Ok beta... I'm leaving"

" Bye... "

She nodded yes and went to Ratna's room. Khushi saw Ratna lying on the bed. Though her eyes closed she was not sleeping. Khushi sat beside her on the bed. Ratna opened her eyes, sensing Khushi's presence. She smiled at her volunteering.

" Have you had breakfast? " Khushi asked.

"Not yet, beta"

" Why amma?"

" I'm not hungry... "

" You won't be..."

Ratna looked at her stunned.

"Until you meet your daughter... you won't feel like eating"

" No... not like that..."

Cutting her,

"I bet... You will eat well once you meet her"

Ratna was silent.

" Why are you adamant, Amma?"

" How could she? "

" Leave it Amma... She got punishment for a lifetime to repent... You are not like her... That's why you don't feel like eating... Don't cheat on your self amma. Our body responds to our minds. That's why sad people become thin... Don't keep the stress in your heart. Just threw it away out of your mind. Don't spoil your health Amma... We need you... For us, please make it easy..."

Ratna nodded yes. Khushi smiled.

" Shall we go to the hospital to meet her?" Khushi asked.

Ratna node ok and stood from the bed.

In the meantime, Arnav reached the government hospital. Aman was waiting for him in the parking lot. He rushed to Arnav, seeing his car entering. He was already inquired about Sheetal's condition. Arnav got down from the car.

" Where is she admitted? "

" In the fire care ward... It's on the ground floor..."

They walked to the fire care ward. Though Aman knew Sheetal's bed number he didn't tell Arnav.

When they entered the ward, they heard the mumbling of the fire victims. It felt awkward. They saw three patients in the ward. It seems they are in unbearable pain. Of course, fire injury is the most painful out of any other pain in the world. Arnav crossed all three beds, looking for Sheetal. But he didn't find her. He looked at Aman who was standing in front of a bed.

" What are you waiting for? " Arnav asked him through gesture as they are in the hospital.

Aman gestured him to see the woman on the bed. Arnav walked, looking at her with a horrified expression. He lifted the report pad which was hanging in the side bed and read the name of the patient. He gulped down, seeing Sheetal's name in the pad. She had lost her identity completely.

"You said she lost her hand...? " Arnav asked.

"Of course, she lost her hand..."

Arnav frowned.

"And she also got some more injuries," Aman said.

"These are not just injuries but she has almost burnt completely..."

"It seems so..." Aman said casually.

Arnav looked at him stunned.

"I don't think she deserves sympathy"

Arnav looked at her who was groaning in pain and then Aman.

"She doesn't even recognize us..."

"She should have lost the listening ability; I suppose"

"No, she is in pain like hell..."

*Of course... she met with a fire accident. So she must be in pain*

They saw the doctor coming. Arnav moved to him.

*Doctor... what's her condition? * Arnav asked.

*who are you to her? * the doctor looked at the policeman who was guarding there.

*They got proper permission, Sir* the policeman said.

*Are you her relative? *

Before Arnav said anything,

*No, Sir... her brother is in Singapore. He requested us to know her condition as he is unable to come to India soon...*

*Oh... she tried to escape from the prison it seems. While doing that, she touched the high voltage wire and got injured badly... seventy percent of her organs burnt*

*You mean, inner organs? * Arnav asked shockingly.

*yes, sir... she is a hopeless case...*

*Will she die? * Aman asked.

*Ninety-nine percent...*

Arnav gestured Aman to leave. Arnav wanted to warn her the one last time because he thought she won't be quiet. But here, the condition is worse than ever. Though she is his enemy he felt bad for her condition.

Health Hospital

Ratna and Khushi landed at the hospital. Khushi guided Ratna towards the ICU. As she didn't find Anil near the ICU, Khushi herself went to get permission from the doctor to meet Raveena. After getting approval from the doctor, Khushi came to Ratna.

*Amma... you go*

*Are not you coming? * Ratna frowned.

*Don't know how she feels, seeing me...* Khushi said hesitatingly.

*If she feels bad seeing you... she would feel more bad seeing me... she has to face this... come...*

Clutching her hand, Ratna dragged her inside.

They saw tears overflowing from Raveena's eyes which looking at the roof blankly. Not only Khushi but also Ratna melted, seeing her condition. Raveena turned her head and was stunned, seeing her mother and sister-in-law. She smiled in between tears.

*Mom...*

Khushi looked at Ratna with teary eyes. Ratna stood, looking at Raveena shockingly, swallowing down hard. Raveena moved from the bed with the help of her hands and fell down on the floor. Ratna and Khushi rushed towards her. Raveena circled Ratna's legs and started crying bitterly.

*Mom, I got the punishment for betraying a pure soul like you. You always say our Karma will follow us no matter where we go. You are right. My Karma had hit me hard... it disabled me... I need this punishment. A sinner like me deserves this punishment, Mom. I just wished to see you for one last time before my death... my wish came true... I won't mind dying anymore*

Ratna sat down and wiped her cheeks.

*I always said something too... we should forgive the person who repents for her deeds... if you feel bad for your deeds wholeheartedly, apologize to Khushi...*

Raveena looked at Khushi who was looking at Ratna shockingly.

*Amma...* Khushi tried to say something,

*I'm sorry, Khushi... please forgive me... I had done a very big sin... I should not have done that to you and Chotte...*

*You no need to apologize to me... I will be happy if Amma forgives you* Khushi looked at Ratna.

*She is my daughter... I can't be rigid even after seeing her in this condition...* Ratna said.

They helped Raveena and made her lay down on the bed. Raveena spilled satisfactory tears again.

RM in the evening

Arvind and Arnav became happy as well as relieved knowing about Ratna's hospital visit.

*Thank you so much, Beta. You had done a very good job* Arvind said gladly.

*That's my duty, Papa...*

*From here on, Ratna will decide what to do... we don't have to worry about her*

Khushi nodded yes smilingly. She came to their room and frowned not finding Arnav. She saw him sitting at the poolside, looking at the water. Khushi touched his back and Arnav looked at her. Arnav stood and brought her inside the room, clutching her hand.

*What happened Arnav? * she asked.

Arnav hugged her tightly and rested his chin on her shoulder.

*Arnav...* She tapped his back slowly.

*Thank you so much...*

*For...? *

*For taking mom to the hospital...*

*That's my duty*

*Actually, I have decided something. I was so hesitant to talk about it to mom. You made my work easier...*

*What work? *

Arnav told her about his plan. Khushi was surprised... glad... and also pleased.

*I would like to give the share of our property... she needs it now... then only she will get respected in her in-laws. She will not feel unworthy. *

She hugged him tightly.

*You are so sweet, Arnav...*

*Not more than you...*

They looked at each other and smiled.

The END.