"Where is she? How is Akshatha?" his wife asked anxiously, her voice trembling.
"She's okay now," Nagaraju said softly. "Out of danger."
His wife let out a shaky breath, her shoulders dropping in relief. "Thank God… I was so scared. What did the doctor say? Can we see her?"
"They'll allow us soon," he replied.
Meanwhile, his elder brother stepped forward and nodded reassuringly. "Don't worry. I'll handle things here."
After a brief pause, Nagaraju turned to his wife.
"Did you bring the money?"
"Yes," she said quickly, handing him the bag. "Everything is inside."
"Good," he replied, taking it and heading toward the billing counter.
The elder sister-in-law watched silently. Her eyes followed the bag in his hand.
So… he already had money ready?
She folded her arms slightly, her thoughts racing.
Before the accident, he was planning to help us with my daughter's college admission fees…
Her gaze shifted toward the ICU.
But now… look at this situation.
Hospital bills wouldn't be small. That money would be used here.
She leaned slightly toward her husband and whispered,
"Looks like he had already arranged money…"
Her husband sighed quietly. "This is not the time to think about that."
"I know," she said softly, though her eyes remained calculating.
"I'm just saying… things have changed now."
She paused.
If we ask now, it may look wrong…
But if we don't ask, we may lose the chance completely.
After a moment, she spoke again in a low voice,
"Let's wait and see how things go. Once Akshatha recovers… maybe we can ask him carefully."
Her husband frowned slightly. "We'll talk later."
She nodded, but her mind was already planning.
In this situation, they'll need money themselves…
Still… it won't hurt to try once.
Her eyes drifted toward the billing counter where Nagaraju stood.
Timing is everything.
Nagaraju returned after paying part of the hospital bill, the now-empty bag still in his hand.
His elder brother looked at him. "Is everything done?"
"For now," Nagaraju replied. "They said more tests may be needed tomorrow."
His wife asked quickly, "How much did it cost?"
"Don't worry about that now," he said gently. "Akshatha is safe. That's what matters."
The elder sister-in-law observed quietly, her gaze shifting between Nagaraju and the empty bag.
So… most of the money is already gone.
She stepped closer, her expression softening with concern.
"Nagaraju," she said gently, "how is your daughter now? Can we see her?"
"The doctor said only one person at a time," he replied. "Maybe after some time."
She nodded sympathetically. "Poor child… such a young girl going through all this."
Then, with a small sigh, she added,
"Hospital expenses can be very heavy these days."
Nagaraju simply nodded.
His elder brother spoke firmly,
"Don't worry about money right now. Let the girl recover first."
"Yes, of course," she said quickly, raising her hands slightly.
"I was just saying… these situations come suddenly."
She hesitated, then spoke carefully,
"Actually… before all this happened… we were planning to discuss something with you."
Her husband turned sharply. "This is not the time."
"I know," she replied quickly, lowering her voice. "I'm not asking now. I'm just saying we had planned to talk."
Nagaraju looked slightly puzzled. "What matter?"
"Oh… nothing urgent," she said with a polite smile.
"My daughter's college admission is coming soon… the fees are quite high."
She looked at him meaningfully, keeping her tone gentle.
"You had once mentioned you might help a little… so I thought we would talk."
Her husband sighed. "Enough. We'll discuss it later."
Nagaraju remained silent for a moment.
Then he spoke calmly,
"Right now, my mind is only on Akshatha. Let her recover first. After that… we will see."
"Of course," she replied immediately with a sympathetic smile.
"Family comes first."
But her thoughts told a different story.
He didn't refuse… but he didn't promise either.
The hospital expenses will consume most of the money.
If I wait too long, there may be nothing left.
Her eyes shifted once more toward the ICU door.
I must find the right moment.
Inside the ICU, Akshatha lay still, her eyes half-closed. From the outside, she looked weak, resting.
But her mind was awake.
She had heard everything.
Every word. Every pause.
The silence in the corridor… the careful tone of her aunt… the hidden meanings behind gentle words.
Inside her mind, the System spoke calmly—
"Host… this is human nature."
Akshatha didn't respond.
"Greed doesn't always appear harsh," the System continued.
"Sometimes it hides behind concern… behind timing… behind polite words."
A faint pain passed through her chest.
"She is not entirely wrong," the System added.
"She is calculating survival. But her method… reveals her intent."
Akshatha slowly closed her eyes.
So this is how people think… even now…
Outside, Nagaraju stood silently, staring at the ICU door.
His brother walked up beside him.
"Don't think about anything else now. Focus on your daughter."
Nagaraju nodded. "I know."
He remained quiet for a long moment. Then, in a low voice, he said,
"Anna… about the money…"
His brother looked at him.
"We'll manage. Don't worry."
Nagaraju shook his head slightly. "No. Listen."
He took a deep breath.
"I had kept that money for emergencies… and I had also thought of helping with her admission."
A brief pause.
"But now I understand something clearly."
His brother stayed silent.
"My daughter's life comes first. Her treatment, her future… everything."
He stared straight ahead, his voice steady but firm.
"I won't take risks with her life again. Not for anything."
"If there is anything left after her full recovery… then I will help. Not before that."
His brother nodded slowly. "That is the right decision."
From a distance, the sister-in-law watched them. She couldn't hear every word, but she saw the seriousness on Nagaraju's face.
Something in her expression shifted.
So… he has already decided.
Inside the ICU, a strange warmth spread through Akshatha's heart.
The System spoke again, gently—
"Host… not all humans are driven by greed."