So far,
Shivani came to Shakthi's house to check on him.
Now,
"Shivani, I left the rice on the stove. I'll go and turn it off," said Raji.
"No need to hurry, Aunty. You go and come back. Bharathi and I will take care of him," said Shivani.
"Bharathi, don't forget what you said—you must show the Shakthi's dream drawing later, okay?" said Shivani.
"Of course," replied Bharathi.
"What is it?" asked Shakthi.
"Oh, nothing much. Shivani wants to see the dreams you've painted" said Bharathi.
"How does she know about it? Did you tell her?" asked Shakthi angrily.
"I already told her everything about you," said Bharathi, smiling.
"Why, Shakthi? Am I not allowed to know anything about you?" asked Shivani.
"No, Shivani. I didn't mean it that way. It's okay, but now you'll feel sympathy for me, and I don't like people feeling sorry for me," said Shakthi.
"You might be right, but I'm also curious. Anyway, I came here to remove your bandages and see how your wounds are healing," said Shivani.
"Bharathi, get me a mug of clean water," said Shivani.
"One minute," Bharathi said and brought it to her.
Shivani first removed the bandage from Shakthi's hand.
"Does it hurt?" she asked gently.
"No, Shivani," said Shakthi.
"The wound on your hand has healed. No need for a new dressing," she said.
When she started unwrapping the bandage on his leg and touched it slightly,
"Ah… Amma!" cried out Shakthi in pain.
"It's hurting a lot? Please bear with me for a while, Shakthi. I'll remove it and put on a new one carefully," said Shivani.
"Please, Shivani… do it in a way that doesn't hurt much," said Shakthi.
"Okay, I'll be very gentle," she assured him.
"To make sure he doesn't feel the pain, I have an idea," said Shivani. "Bharathi, give me a clean piece of cloth."
"Just a second," said Bharathi and handed one to her.
"Shakthi, close your eyes. Bharathi, tie this cloth around his eyes," said Shivani.
"Why?" asked Bharathi.
"When he see what's happening, the pain feels stronger. This way, he won't focus on it," explained Shivani.
"Oh, okay," said Bharathi and tied it around Shakthi's eyes.
"Alright then. To distract him, shall we play a small question game?" asked Shivani.
"Okay," said Bharathi.
"I'll ask questions, and Shakthi should answer them, alright?" said Shivani.
"Mm," said Shakthi.
"What about me?" asked Bharathi.
"You'll help me with the dressing and tell if his answers are right," said Shivani, smiling.
"Okay," said Bharathi.
"Shakthi, who is your favorite god?" asked Shivani while gently removing the old bandage.
"That's already the wrong question," said Bharathi.
"Why?" asked Shivani.
"Because Shakthi doesn't believe in God," said Bharathi, laughing.
Shakthi smiled. "Bharathi likes Murugan, and Raji likes Lord Shiva," he said.
"Even I like Lord Murugan," said Shivani.
"Really?" said Bharathi.
"Okay then, your favorite food?" asked Shivani.
"Tomato rice," said Shakthi.
"Hmm… favorite tiffin?" asked Shivani.
"Parotta," said Shakthi.
"What about Bharathi?" she asked.
"He likes biryani—and same, parotta too," said Shakthi.
"Correct, Bharathi?" asked Shivani.
"Right," laughed Bharathi.
As they continued talking, Shivani cleaned the wound carefully and bandaged it gently.
"Bharathi, let's clean and dress his hand wound too," said Shivani.
"Okay," said Bharathi.
"Shakthi, Bharathi told me about you. Now you tell me about him," said Shivani.
"He's doing CA training to become an auditor. He's the youngest in his family, so everyone loves him a lot. He's mischievous but caring. He gives me advice like a friend, not a younger brother. Sometimes I even wonder if he's the elder one," said Shakthi with a smile.
As he spoke, Shivani asked Bharathi for a syringe and medicine bottle from the first aid box. Bharathi quietly handed them to her. Shivani filled the syringe and signaled Bharathi to hold Shakthi's hand steady.
She gave the injection slowly.
"Ah!" shouted Shakthi in pain.
"Sorry, Shakthi! I accidentally pressed a bit hard," said Shivani gently.
Then she removed the cloth from his eyes.
"Does it still hurt?" asked Shivani.
"Just a little, but I was distracted by your questions, so I didn't feel much," said Shakthi.
Later, Bharathi said playfully, "Shivani, you're really a super doctor—you handled our Shakthi perfectly!" Both of them laughed.
"Bharathi, something's confusing me," said Shivani.
"What is it?" he asked.
"You said Shakthi doesn't believe in God, but I first met him at the temple," said Shivani.
"Oh, that's because he goes there only for our mother," said Bharathi.
"Ah, I see," said Shivani with a smile.
"Alright, show me Shakthi's drawings. I'm really excited to see them. With your permission, Shakthi, may I?" asked Shivani.
"Yes, sure," said Shakthi.
"Bharathi, they're in my drawer. Take them out and show her," said Shakthi.
Bharathi took out the papers and handed them to Shivani.
She looked through each one carefully, asking about the dream and how it came true. Shakthi and Bharathi explained every detail, and Shivani was amazed.
Finally, she saw the portrait Shakthi had drawn of her. She froze for a moment, stunned.
"Shakthi, we hadn't even met before. How did you draw me so perfectly?" asked Shivani.
"I just drew what I saw in my dream," said Shakthi simply.
"I still can't believe it! Can I take a photo of this, please?" asked Shivani.
"Sure, go ahead," said Shakthi.
"Thank you so much," said Shivani warmly.
"No, we should be the ones thanking you," said Bharathi.
Raji entered the room after finishing her cooking.
"Shivani, all done?" she asked through her eyes.
"Yes, Aunty, all finished," said Shivani with a smile.
"Come, let's have dinner," said Raji.
"No, Aunty. My parents will be waiting at home. I'll go now. If you need anything, please call me," said Shivani politely.
"We're really grateful to you, dear. Come home often. Think of this as your home," said Raji kindly.
"Yes, Shivani, come often," said Shakthi.
"Of course, I will. Okay, Shakthi, Bharathi, Aunty—bye!" said Shivani as she left.
"just a minute, Shivani," said Rajii, and she followed Shivani downstairs from Shakthi's room.
"Shivani, how did you give him an injection. He didn't even shout?" asked Raji curiously.
"Oh, Aunty, I tied his eyes and distracted him with questions, so he didn't notice the pain," said Shivani, laughing.
"Thank you so much, dear. I came downstairs only because if I were there, Shakthi would have been very stubborn," said Raji gratefully.
"You're right, Aunty. Alright, I'll take leave," said Shivani.
"Okay, Shivani, take care," said Raji, seeing her off.
Then she brought food for Shakthi and Bharathi.
"Here, you two eat," said Raji, handing them the plates.
"Ma, you also eat with us," said Bharathi.
"Yes, Raji, come," said Shakthi.
"You both eat first. I'll take a bath, pray, and then eat," said Raji.
At her home, Shivani showed her parents the portrait Shakthi had drawn.
They were astonished.
"I really can't believe this," said her mother.
"Me neither, Ma. I still can't get over it," said Shivani.
Every day, she called Bharathi to ask about Shakthi's recovery.
Gradually, his wounds healed completely, and he was able to walk properly again.
After a week's rest, Shakthi finally got ready to return to his work at the bank.
To be continued…