Part 2 Goal

Khushi observed the disappearing auto; a mix of awe and disbelief washed over her. The fact that someone from the Prince and Princess School had shown such compassion towards a poor boy was genuinely remarkable. Not only did he recognise the value of life, but he also treated all lives as equal.

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of people attacking the truck driver. The boy's parents arrived, frantically searching for their son.

"Where is our son? We heard he was in an accident...!" cried the boy's mother.

Khushi stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.

"Don't worry, Maji. Your son has been taken to the hospital."

"Which hospital?"

"MH Hospital," said Khushi, recalling the boy who had aided the auto driver.

"MH Hospital? Oh, God... that's the most expensive hospital in the city. Why didn't they take him to the government hospital?"

"It wasn't just people; a boy took him to the hospital."

"Who is this boy? Do you know him, dear?"

"I don't know him but saw him taking your son in an auto."

"Could you please come to the hospital with us? We're not used to going to such a big hospital. Please, help us, " the mother pleaded.

"I will come with you," Khushi replied without hesitation.

Khushi escorted the boy's parents to MH Hospital.

Khushi confidently approached the reception at the hospital and inquired about the boy. The receptionist guided them to the operation theatre that was on the first floor, and Khushi followed, feeling confused. How could they possibly operate on the boy without their parent's signature?

Upon reaching the first floor, Khushi spotted the same Prince and Princess School student who had rushed the little boy to the hospital, talking outside the operating theatre. He wasn't wearing her favourite coat, which was drenched in blood.

"I'm in the hospital," he said on the phone. Khushi found his husky and fetching voice appealing.

"I was waiting for Lavanya to wish her a happy birthday at the entrance when the boy had the accident. I brought him to the hospital."

Who was Lavanya? She must be his friend. Khushi thought.

"I will come later... Please don't wait for me. I badly need a bath... So, I will go home to take a bath. Only after that will I come to school."

"...."

"I will take a cab..."

"....."

"Bye..." he disconnected the call.

"He's the one who brought your son here," Khushi informed the boy's parents.

The parents rushed to the boy, but Khushi hesitated, standing a little away, feeling hesitant to approach him.

"Beta, where is our child?" the boy's father inquired.

"He is in the operation theatre. The doctors are treating him. He will be all right. Relax," the boy assured them.

"But, we have no money to pay the hospital fee. Why did you bring him here? We are poor and can't afford this," the father expressed his worry.

"You don't have to pay because I already did," the boy replied, leaving the boy's parents emotional and Khushi thunderstruck. Did he pay for the boy? A broad smile spread across her face.

"The doctors will take care of your son. Don't worry."

They observed the doctors exiting the operating theatre.

"How is the boy, uncle?" the boy inquired of the doctor.

Khushi raised her eyebrows while listening to him call the doctor UNCLE.

"He is doing well. Nothing to worry about. He will be alright. He just sustained a blow to his forehead with a few scratches. He will be discharged in a day or two."

"There's no rush. Keep him under observation and send him home after two days." The boy said.

"Yes, as you say."

Khushi was fixated on the boy. Who was he? Why were the doctors obeying him as if he were the hospital owner?

The boy took a piece of paper from his pocket and wrote something. He then handed it to the little boy's father.

"This is my phone number. Feel free to call me if you need anything," he offered.

"Thank you so much, beta."

"You're welcome. Follow the doctor's instructions."

"Sure..."

He handed a few five hundred-rupee notes to the boy's father.

"Keep it. I'm leaving. I have to go to school."

"Thank you so much," the boy's father emotionally grasped his hand.

"Goodbye," he gently pulled away and walked off.

Khushi couldn't take her eyes off of him. She was gazing at him, standing at the corner of the corridor. The boy glanced at Khushi for a second when he crossed her.

She approached the boy's parents.

"Could you please input his number on this mobile?" the man requested.

Taking the paper, she read the number. There was no name in the paper.

"Did he tell his name?" Khushi asked.

"No beta. Write HOSPITAL BOY"

She input the number into the mobile, which seemed fragile and secured with three rubber bands.

"Thank you for helping us, beta."

"That's okay, I am leaving," Khushi said, keeping the paper in her track pants pocket.

They nodded, and that was when Khushi's eyes caught sight of something. Her favourite prince and princess school coat was lying on the hospital dustbin. It didn't take long for her to know whose coat it was. She slowly moved towards the coat, which was drenched with blood, and took it in her hand. Opening it with determination, she saw Arnav Singh Raizada had been written on the left side of the coat. Her lips curved into a beautiful smile. Unconsciously caressing the name, she deeply respected him in her heart.

Khushi looked around, folded the coat, and walked off confidently, taking it with her.

Asking for a plastic bag from the hospital helper, she securely wrapped Arnav's coat and brought it home. After carefully ensuring her mother wasn't around, she concealed the coat bag under the iron cot.

Garima emerged from the room, ready to leave, and Khushi greeted her with a smile.

"Khushi, your breakfast and lunch are ready. Have your breakfast and take the lunch box. I'm leaving," Garima said.

"Will you also be back late today, Amma?" Khushi inquired.

"Yes, today is Thursday. The crowd will be heavy at Babaji's temple, and almsgiving will continue until evening. I'll be back only after it's over," Garima responded.

Breathing a sigh of relief, Khushi knew her mother wouldn't return until the evening. It was her routine. As soon as Garima departed, Khushi hurried to the kitchen and boiled water in a large vessel. After rinsing Arnav's coat thrice, she soaked it in normal water.

She dashed to a nearby shop to purchase a packet of soap powder and a fabric bleach pouch, which she promptly added to the boiled water. Following the process, she removed the coat from the normal water, squeezed it thoroughly, and immersed it in the boiled, soapy water for thirty minutes. After ensuring the water was still hot, she removed the coat using the pliers, pleased to see that the bloodstain was almost gone. She briskly brushed it and hung it out to dry, ensuring it was concealed.

After a quick bath, she ate breakfast while watching Arnav's coat. Then she headed off to school.

Her PET master was waiting for her. Seeing him, Khushi's expression turned grave.

She knew he would inquire about the spike shoes for the state meet. What could she say when she hadn't broached the topic with her father? She refrained from asking her father because she knew it wasn't within his means. She had only acquired a regular shoe last month after persistently asking her father for three months. How could she then turn around and request spikes immediately?

"Have you bought spikes, Khushi?"

"I'll purchase them within ten days, sir," she fibbed.

"Ten days? You have only one month until the state meet. How will you train with spikes in just twenty days? It's already late. There's no point in getting spikes after ten days."

"In that case, I'll run barefoot, just like I did in the district meet, sir."

"The state meet isn't a joke. The competition will be intense."

"I have more faith in my legs than the spikes, sir."

The PET instructor sighed.

"Khushi, I am a temporary employee at this school. If I can earn enough, I will buy you the shoes."

"That's all right, sir. You are doing a lot for me. It's enough, sir."

"Keep one thing in mind, Khushi. This state will determine your future. If you win the race, you'll win at life. You can participate in the National meet... then you could secure a job through sports quota."

"I want to pursue a college education, sir."

"Then you'll secure a spot in a good college. You might even get good sponsorship. So, focus on the state meet. You have one month to attend the state meet. Every day of this month is crucial in your life. Make the most of it."

"Sure, sir..."

"Start practicing..."

Khushi nodded and intensified her training with more determination than before, determined to excel at the state meet and transform her life—the same state meet that was going to turn her life upside down.

To be continued...