“She needs immediate blood or else it will be difficult to save her. But the problem is we don’t know her blood group and we don’t even have time to test it.”

The doctor says in a tensed tone. Aditya comes near the bed and leans forward. Nandana is still lying lifelessly. Her chest is moving up and down at a slow pace.

“Take my blood. It will be safe for her.”

Aditya says to the doctor still observing Nandana. Getting no reply from the doctor, he turns to him. The doctor is still perplexed.

“I am O negative. Universal donor. So, you can use my blood without knowing her blood group. Harry up, we don’t have time.”

Aditya rolls up his cuffs. Ayan is noticing him. He never saw his boss so concerned about any girl until now. Is it only care, concern, repentance or something deeper? But it is for sure…this is not mere lust for what this girl is brought here.

“You have to lie down while I will insert the needle. As this bed is quite wide and there is no other place to lie down, you can take her adjacent place. Mr Ayan, I need some more equipment from my car. Please get it as soon as possible.”

The doctor suggests and within some minutes, his all instructions are obeyed.

“Lying beside her a ft apart, I am feeling a weird tenderness to this girl. Her closed eyes, swollen face…motionless limbs and the serenity of her face are continuously inviting my glances. The blood is dripping from the bag hanging in a stand full of my own blood slowly passing through her artery. I am saving her life…the life which I was going to destroy some hours ago. Why am I doing this? Is it only out of fear and concern or something else? I again look at her face…but this time it is not a glance. I am gazing at her with sheer admiration. She is beautiful; she is innocent as an angel. And she is perfect for you…My inner demon somehow sounds soft yet resolute. My eyes are slowly closing. It is peaceful…it is blissful…”

Ayan becomes tensed seeing Aditya closing his eyes slowly.

“What happened, doctor? Why did he shut his eyes? Is it dangerous for him? I mean you have taken out almost 2 pouches of blood. It must be harmful to him.”

Ayan sounds worried. The doctor is sitting on a chair near the bed so that he can keep an eye on both. He comes near to Aditya and checks him.

“Don’t worry, he is a well-built healthy young guy. He can easily donate 2 bottles of blood. It’s just he is feeling temporary dizziness because of the process. When I will stop the flow, he will feel absolutely fine. He just needs rest for a couple of hours. Thankfully we got the donor so fast. Otherwise, she won’t survive.”

Saying this, the doctor stops the blood flow and again checks Nandana’s pulse and heartbeat. A satisfaction beams on his face. He gestures to Ayan to come outside. Aditya and Nandana are still lying on the bed with closed eyes.

“I think we have won the initial battle. The girl is much more stable now. Her heartbeat and pulse rate are getting normal. Now, she only needs rest. I can say more only after she gains sense. Only after that, I can say what is her condition and if she needs any further treatment or not. Right now, my work is done. And one more thing…make Mr Oberoi have some food like hot milk, stew or soup. Let him also take a rest. I will call you in the morning.”

Saying this, the doctor tries to take leave but Ayan stops him.

“Doctor…ummm…I mean if you don’t have any problem, can you stay here for the night? I mean…this farmhouse is very remote from the city as you can see. Moreover, there is no other help around as the surrounding is so desolate. If an emergency arises at night, we will be helpless. You only said that the girl is still unconscious and not fully recovered.”

An urge and plead is evident in his voice. The doctor hesitates for a while. His suspicion is not baseless. She is stable yet vulnerable. Ayan notices the dilemma in the doctor’s eye. He further says,

“There is a guest room downstairs. You can take a rest and meanwhile, I am arranging your food.”

He suggests while the doctor nods in positive. Both proceed to the guest room.

.........................

“Something hot and warm is caressing my face. I am trying to open my eyes…they are still heavy with sleep. I brush my face with my hand and slowly unfurl my sleepy eyes. The Sunrays are coming from the window partially covered with yellow curtains. I run my fingers through my hair. My head is heavy. It takes some moment to sink into the situation…last night…wounded Nandana…the doctor…I was lying beside her…the blood pouch…Immediately my eyes fall on the other side of the bed. She is still sleeping like a sleeping beauty…She is peace…she is bliss…my inner demon whispers.”

Aditya takes his face near to Nandana. He can hear the sound of her breath. He looks at the stand where the blood pouch was hanging from. But now it is replaced with a glucose bottle. He glances at his vein near the elbow hinge. A round tiny band-aid is stuck there. He looks at the wall clock. It’s 8 am. That means he passed the night without any disturbance and nightmare.

“Strange…”

He murmurs and after glancing at Nandana once more, gets down from the bed. He comes out of the room without making any noise. This farmhouse has a caretaker who comes daily for mopping and dusting. However, Aditya forbade him to come today as it was planned to bring Nandana here. Aditya comes downstairs. He hardly knows anything about the kitchen but as the demand of the situation, he has to put something in his wrenching stomach.

“Sir…”

Suddenly a call halts him. Ayan is sitting at the dining table. Some biscuits and a pot of tea are kept on the table. Aditya slowly approaches him.

“You didn’t leave?”

Aditya asks while sitting on a chair and pours some tea into the cup.

“No, Sir…I thought it would be wise to stay here as you were alone and sleeping. I even tried to wake you as the doctor said that you should have some food but you were sleeping like…..”

He abruptly halts. Aditya looks at him and smiles.

“Like a sleepy sloth…right? Ha…ha…really, I have never slept so peacefully for quite a long time. It is so refreshing.”

He inhales in satisfaction. Ayan is observing Aditya. Even he has never seen him so happy recently. He enthusiastically says,

“Sir, one more thing…I requested the doctor to stay here last night. He is in the guest room.”

Ayan hardly finishes his words when the doctor comes out of the room. He sees Aditya and Ayan and acknowledges both with a nod.

“Mr Aditya, is she awake? Then I have to check her.”

The doctor sounds concerned.

“Not yet…is it a matter of concern? Should we try to bring her in sense?”

Aditya becomes edgy. The doctor smiles and sits on a chair. Ayan passes him a cup of tea.

“Mr Oberoi…I am very touched to see your responsibility and worry towards this poor girl. She is lucky to have you as a saviour during her crisis period. You actually gave her a second life by donating your blood. She is out of danger as I checked her last night. However, I have to check her once more and only after that, I will be able to say if she needs any further care. Come, let’s go…”

...........................

As all three enter the room, a sight grabs their attention. Nandana is stirring on the bed, murmuring something as she is having some nightmare. The doctor and Aditya immediately come near.

“Leave…me…where are…you taking…me?...uffff…so much of…darkness…ahhhh….I can’t…. breath…Papa….it’s paining….ufff…..”

She is continuously muffling. Aditya shifts his eyes from her agonized face. His jaws clench. The doctor checks her pulse, eyes and heartbeat. Suddenly Nandana opens her eyes with a jerk. She moves her eyes around the room. A vacant stare moves everywhere and eventually rests on Aditya and the doctor’s face.

“Where am I? Who are you? My head is paining…Ahhh…”

She touches her bandage and flinches in pain.

“Don’t…you had an accident…but now you are fine. This gentleman saved your life (He points to nearby Aditya)… Now don’t move and don’t touch your wound.”

The doctor tries to quell her restlessness. However, she doesn’t listen to his instruction and tries to sit but due to weakness, staggers to fall. Aditya Immediately comes forward and holds her by the shoulder. He helps her to sit by placing two pillows behind her back. During this Nandana is continuously observing him. The line, “This gentleman saved your life”…. is echoing in her mind.

“Thank…you…”

Aditya startles and meets her eyes hearing her whisper. Their faces are now inches apart. A brief eye-lock takes some moment. The next moment doctor’s voice breaks their reverie.

“Ummm…dear…can you tell me your name and your address?…So that we can inform them…they must be hell worried.”

The aged doctor shows his normal elderly concern. However, Nandana looks at him vaguely. She keeps on looking at him for a long time. Aditya’s brows furrow in apprehension.

“Did she recognize me? She didn’t know that I was the person behind her kidnapping…But what if she reckons…if she tells everything to the doctor?...to the police?...”

His mind quickly starts anticipating. He opens his mouth to divert the question when Nandana’s words shock every person present in the room.

“My name…my name…I can’t remember my name…”

She helplessly roams her vacant eyes on them. Her fingers fist in frustration. She continuously starts maffling,

“I can’t…remember anything…who am I? My name…what is my…name?…why can’t I remember anything?...”

The last line let out like a hapless howl.