Anika's PoV
I could not meet his eyes. I could not manage his presence around me. That feeling of acquaintance is something I could not shake off. He is the most charming and handsome man for sure. He is for sure a good man at heart because he never hesitated even a second to help us. He carried dad in his arms like he was no burden and literally ran. All along the drive to the hospital, I could not take my eyes off of him. I could see the genuine rush in his driving to save my dad.
My rational mind ordered me to stop this nonsense at a time like this. It kept on reminding me that this mishap happened because of me. Dad is in this condition because of me. Even though one part of my mind strongly believes that my dad will be alright and will come back to me, the other part kept scaring me of the endless possibilities of horror. In the midst of all this chaos in my mind, I felt a pure attraction towards this stranger man. I could not even believe myself for doing this at this time.
After admitting our dad in the hospital, me and my mom stood outside the ICU ward holding hands together. If I am scared, mom is devastated and crying her heart out. I tried to stay strong to hold her up but as the time passed our fear was getting stronger. We couldn't even imagine a life without my dad. At last, the door of the ICU opened and the doctors came out.
"How is he, doctor? He will be alright, right?" my mom asked the doctor.
"His life is out of danger. But unfortunately, he is paralyzed. His left arm and leg lost its control. The brain nerves are heavily damaged because of the high Blood Pressure he had. Looks like he missed taking his medicine. It is because of the clot in the nerves that made him go unconscious. You must be happy that he is alive." the doctor said which shattered us.
"Oh no!" My mom started crying and I don't know how to react to this news.
"Is there a cure? Can he be cured?" I asked the doctor.
"There is no cure for this. You can try physiotherapy exercises after he gets better. His bp should be kept in check always from now on, for if it shoots up again, he will go to critical conditions and even end up in a coma. He is just lucky this time." the doctor said.
This is all because of me. I know that dad has BP. I know that his health is not at its best. He had been unconscious before when he skipped his medicine for 2days straight in a row. The doctors then said the same. His bp should be normal all the time and he can never skip his medicines. I know all of this and yet I brought this upon dad. But I am truly grateful that he is at least alive.
"You can go see the patient. But he is sedated. So don't try to have a conversation with him yet." The doctor left us. I have no courage to go and see my dad like this. I sat on the bench and started crying my life out while mom went in to look at him.
"Excuse me!" I heard a metallic voice that had a strong magnet in it. I looked up to see that stranger standing near me with pitiful eyes filled with concern. I stood up as his eyes were so disturbing.
"No, please sit down." he said and looked inside the room through the door. He then sat on the other corner of the bench. I felt goosebumps on me and struggled hard to hide them. It felt completely weird and I could feel his eyes on me.
"Thank you so much for your timely help. Doctor said it would have been impossible to save him if we came late." I told him truly from the bottom of my heart. I didn't like that awful silence.
"Don't mention it. Don't lose hope. He will recover soon." he said which weirdly gave me a sense of protection and confidence.
"He must, Or else this guilt will kill me!" I said, unable to control my tears.
"Please, Anika. Stay calm. Things happen and it has nothing to do with us. Don't blame yourself." he tried to console me and when he said my name, it was too natural. I am scared of myself now. I am feeling intimidated by his presence. I am not myself and I know this is not right.
"No, this happened because of me! I did this to him!" I said trying to deviate my stupid mind.
"Relax, Anika. You are in no way responsible for this mishap."
"Huh, thanks. You don't know what happened and yet you try to make me feel better. You have done more than enough help for us. I cannot ask for more." I said looking him in the eye. I cannot have this feeling on him while I am in love with Arun. I tried to deny my inner-self which is starting to crush on this man at this unfortunate time.
"I said don't mention it. After your final exams are done, call me on this number. I will provide you with a job." He gave me his card. Somehow, it brushed my self-respect. What did he think of himself? He thinks that we are poor and we couldn't survive this? I don't want his help. I hate this pity look that he gives me.
"Thank you, sir! I am waiting for the final round of interviews in two other companies in Chennai. I will surely call you to let you know that I have a good job." I said, still looking in his eyes. I now felt the attraction towards him fading away. This is it! If I hate him, I can keep my stupid mind in control.
"Oh, good for you!" he said standing up and the hurt was very evident in his eyes. It's none of my concern. He is a nobody and I don't have to care about his hurt. But all of me wants to make him feel better and I don't want him to leave just yet. I know it contradicts myself.
"Thanks again for your help, Mr. Arjun!" I said looking at the card he gave me. ARJUN, I think this name suits him so well! He just nodded at me and turned to leave when my mom came out and stopped him. After a formal health inquiry he said something which made my anger shoot up again.
"Please, don't lose hope. He will recover soon. If you don't mind me asking, do you need any financial help?" he asked mom.
"Oh, we are good. Thank you. We don't need your charity." I said. I hate his looks on us. He may be a rich man but that doesn't give him the right to look down on us.
"Shut up, Anu." my mom interrupted me again. He helped us, I agree but that doesn't mean that we have to bow to him.
"Sorry sir. Don't mind her. Thank you for asking but we are good now. We cannot trouble you more." she said to him and he nodded his head and left the place. He just went away without even sparing a glance at me like I was invisible. He took something with him that is a part of me.
It felt like our pillar of strength was going away along with him. How weird that I feel safe and protected in his presence, also intimidated and confused at the same time. How can I expect that stranger to be with us? I still don't know why I feel compassion and anger towards him at the same time.