So far:
Everyone is discussing Shakthi and Bharathi's plan to return home.
Now:
"Aunty, I can't sit. Can I lie down on your lap?" asked Shakthi, turning to Shivani's mother, who was sitting nearby.
Smiling gently, she let him rest his head on her lap, and Shakthi lay there watching TV.
"Hey Shakthi, you're acting too casual! You're not even a guest, you're a patient! But you behave like this is your own house," said Bharathi.
"Aunty, look at him, aunty!" Shakthi complained playfully.
"Let it be, Bharathi. He's not feeling well — don't tease him," said Shivani's mother.
Shivani and her father, watching them talk, couldn't help but laugh.
After dinner, everyone went to sleep.
"Shivani, no matter how much I thank you and your parents, it'll never be enough. You treated Bharathi and me like your own sons, with so much love and care. We'll never forget this help," said Shakthi.
"Too much emotion isn't good for your health. Now go to sleep peacefully," said Shivani with a smile.
"Okay, Doctor Ma'am — if you say so," said Shakthi, lying down to sleep.
A little later, Bharathi came inside. "Shivani, has Shakthi fallen asleep?" he asked.
"Yeah, he just did. Why, Bharathi?" asked Shivani.
"No, I was just thinking… he doesn't seem scared anymore. Maybe because all of you are here and taking good care of him. He feels relaxed now.
If we go home, Mom will get worried. He'll never show it. He hides his pain — physical or emotional — because he doesn't want to trouble us," said Bharathi.
"Yes, I noticed that too. Whether he's in pain or missing your dad, he never shows it or talks about it to anyone. That's exactly why his health got worse.
When you go home, don't leave him alone. He hasn't recovered fully — not physically or mentally. You need to be careful.
Once I finish at the hospital, I'll come check on him. If anything happens in between, call me. I'll come right away," said Shivani.
"Thanks a lot, Shivani. Anyway, it's late — let's go sleep," said Bharathi. They both went to bed.
The next morning, Shivani's mother woke up early and began her daily chores.
Around five o'clock, Bharathi's phone rang — it was Raji. Half asleep, he answered.
"Hello? Tell me," he said.
"It's me, your mother. I've left already and boarded the bus. I'll reach home in about three hours," said Raji.
"Alright, Mom. I'll wait for you at the bus stand," said Bharathi and cut the call.
He quickly washed his face and went to Shivani's mother. "Aunty, could I have a cup of coffee, please?"
"What, Bharathi? Just a minute, I'll make it," she said, smiling as she handed him the coffee.
"Why are you up so early, Bharathi? Couldn't sleep?" she asked.
"No, aunty, Mom called — she's already left. I have to pick her up at the bus stand.
Before that, I thought I'd pack our things. It'll be easier for Shivani to take Shakthi along comfortably," said Bharathi.
"Oh, really? Shall I help you then?" asked Shivani's mother.
"No, aunty, it's fine. I'll manage," said Bharathi.
As he packed, the sound woke Shakthi.
"Bharathi, what are you doing so early?" asked Shakthi.
"Mom called — she's on her way back," Bharathi replied.
"Okay, I'll help you pack," said Shakthi, getting up.
"Oh no, Shakthi — if you just sit quietly, that'll help me plenty," said Bharathi.
Shakthi made a face but sat quietly.
Just then, Shivani entered. "Bharathi, why does Shakthi look upset?" she asked.
"He wanted to help me, so I told him sitting quietly would be enough help. Now he's sulking," Bharathi laughed.
"See, Shivani, how he talks to me even when I ask with concern!" Shakthi complained.
"He's saying that out of care for you, Shakthi," said Shivani gently.
"You always take Bharathi's side," said Shakthi, pretending to be annoyed.
"No, Shakthi. You're still recovering — that's why he asked you to rest," said Shivani.
Talking as they worked, Shivani helped Bharathi finish packing.
Then, Shivani's mother brought some water and wiped Shakthi's face.
"Bharathi, I forgot to tell you — Shakthi shouldn't bathe for another two or three days.
Just clean him with a towel. If he takes a bath now, he might feel weak and faint, okay?" said Shivani.
"Alright, Bharathi, you go bathe and get ready. I'll do the same," said Shivani, and they both went.
In the hall, Shivani's father was reading the newspaper as Shivani, Shakthi, and Bharathi got ready to leave.
"Shivani, maybe Shakthi should stay here for a few more days until he's fully recovered," suggested her father.
"No, uncle, if Raji comes and doesn't find us home, she'll create a scene," said Shakthi, smiling faintly.
"Anyway, I'm feeling better now. Don't worry — I'm going with Shivani. Once home, Raji will take care of me."
"Alright then, go carefully. Shivani, make sure you get him home safely," said her father.
"Yes, Shivani, drive carefully," said her mother, placing sacred ash (vibuthi) on Shakthi and Bharathi's foreheads.
"Okay, uncle, aunty — we'll leave now. We'll never forget the kindness you've shown us," said Bharathi.
"Oh, Bharathi, don't talk like a stranger. This is your home too — you're welcome anytime," said Shivani's father warmly.
"Alright, Bharathi, aunty will be home soon — you go. Shakthi and I will leave too. Give me the keys," said Shivani.
"Oh sorry, I forgot — here. I called Kamalamma; she'll be here soon," said Bharathi.
Bharathi then left to pick up Raji from the bus stand, while Shivani helped Shakthi into the car and started driving toward his home.
"Shakthi, why are you so quiet?" asked Shivani.
"Nothing, Shivani. It's just been three days since I saw Raji. I'm missing her," said Shakthi softly.
"You're quite attached to your mom, huh?" asked Shivani teasingly.
"Why do you ask?" smiled Shakthi.
"Oh, just like that," said Shivani.
"Shivani, you drive really well," said Shakthi.
"Oh, come on! You've only traveled with me twice, and you're saying that?" she laughed.
"Well, both times I wasn't even fully conscious," said Shakthi with a grin.
"Fair enough. I actually learned driving from my dad. He raised me like a son," said Shivani proudly.
They kept talking until they reached Shakthi's house.
Meanwhile, Bharathi saw Raji getting off the bus, hurried to her, took her bag, and helped her onto his bike.
When Shivani and Shakthi reached home, Shakthi sat in the hall waiting.
"Shakthi, won't you rest in your room?" asked Shivani.
"No, I'll wait till Raji comes," he replied.
Shivani nodded and sat beside him.
A few minutes later, Raji and Bharathi arrived.
The moment Raji stepped inside, Shakthi ran to her and hugged her tightly, breaking down in uncontrollable tears.
"Shakthi, Shakthi…" Raji tried to comfort him, but he wouldn't stop crying.
"Shakthi, please don't cry — you'll fall sick again," said Shivani.
"What happened to Shakthi, Shivani?" asked Raji in panic.
"He's gone a little… out of control," said Bharathi worriedly.
"Bharathi, don't talk like that. Shivani, tell me what's going on," said Raji.
"I will, aunty — but first, we have to calm him down somehow," said Shivani.
Despite everyone's efforts, Shakthi wouldn't stop crying.
Suddenly, Shivani pulled him away from Raji and gave him a sharp slap.
Shakthi froze, stunned — and his crying stopped instantly.
Everyone stood in shock.
"I'm sorry, aunty — I didn't know what else to do. If he'd kept crying like that, he would've fainted from breathlessness," said Shivani.
"Bharathi, take Shakthi to his room and let him rest," she added.
Bharathi led Shakthi to his room.
Shivani then explained everything that had happened to Raji — every detail. Raji sat motionless, speechless.
"Aunty… aunty!" Shivani called gently, and Raji blinked back to awareness, her eyes filled with tears.
"I must have brought this curse upon myself — to see my son suffer like this. No mother should ever go through such pain," she cried.
"Aunty, please don't worry. These things can be treated easily these days.
My next task is to find the right doctor for Shakthi and make sure he recovers completely," said Shivani.
"Really, Shivani? Will Shakthi get better?" asked Raji hopefully.
"Of course, aunty. That's my responsibility now. Don't worry about him anymore," said Shivani with confidence.
Shivani and Raji then went to Shakthi's room.
"Bharathi, has he fallen asleep?" asked Raji.
"Yes, he cried for a long time and finally dozed off. But Shivani — I never expected you to slap him. Though… it worked," said Bharathi.
"There was no other way. If he hadn't stopped, he would've fainted. That's why I did it," said Shivani.
"Even if you hadn't done that, you wouldn't have been able to calm him down," asked Raji softly.
To be continued…