Aranyak's POV
I saw her leaving the exit, and I was about to go back, when my eyes went to the clock. It was around 11:30. No..I can't let a woman go alone at this late hour. Rupsa also broke her phone. What if she gets into trouble. My driver had come to the hospital with my car and had given me the keys before leaving. Since it was getting late, i asked him to go back home.
I took out my keys and my coat before rushing out. Thankfully, she didn't go that far. She was stumbling along the sidewalk with a slow pace, and weary expression. I rushed behind her and called out her name.
"RUPSA!!"
She stopped in her tracks and turned around to watch me with her swollen eyes, and that's when it occurred to me that..she was crying. Well, ofcourse she was. I would be bawling if something like that happened to someone I love. She looked back and wiped her eyes before turning back with her cold gaze.
"Did you need anything, sir?"
"Uh..No. It's just that..it's late, and it isn't safe for you to go alone at this hour. Let me drop you?"
She wondered a bit before speaking again "It's okay sir. You don't have to trouble yourself. I can go back on my own."
"Don't be silly, Rupsa. It's about to be 12, and you don't have your phone with you. What if you get into any trouble? You won't even be able to call anyone. Let me help, please?"
"But-" She was still trying to resist but I broke her off.
"Please?" I asked with a softer voice this time. She still hesitated but eventually gave in.
"Okay.."
I gave her a satisfactory smile "Alright. Wait here. I'll be back with my car." I rushed to the parking lot and got my car before driving back to the footpath where Rupsa was waiting. I halted the car near her, and got out to open the door. She slowly got in, as i seated myself back before turning on the engine and heading off.
"So..Where do you stay?"
"Esplanade, near the metro station. XYZ street, Building **"
"That's quite far from here..And you were saying you could manage it alone?"
"I've travelled at late hours a lot of times."
"Well, have you travelled alone, and without your phone at this time?"
She remained quiet, and instead just stared out of the window. Her eyes glistened, as the street lights reflected in her eyes. A small smile crept into my face, as i realised her lack of response. I had surely taken her aback.
We stayed quiet for the entirety of the ride. I stole a few glances of her once in a while, and constantly kept reminding myself to focus on the road ahead, instead of the person beside me.
As i parked near her house, i turned to escort her till the gate of her house, but instead i witnessed a serene sight. She had fallen asleep, resting her head on the car seat. Her eyelashes rested on her cheek casting shadows on her skin, and street lights illuminated her face partly. As i focused, i noticed the thin tear stains on her cheek. My heart clenched as i recalled the previous events of the day. This day was supposed to be one of the happiest days of her life, but instead it turned into a nightmare. I didn't admit infront of her, but i unintentionally heard her conversation with Mrs Bhattacharjee. It wasn't fair how she was blamed for this, and somehow she was blamed for the same in past as well. Atleast, that's what I interpreted from their conversation.
I called her name softly to wake her up, but instead she just snuggled more into the seat. I reached out to touch her shoulder, and that's when I noticed she was shivering. I touched her forehead and indeed..she was burning. I did not feel it was appropriate to carry her, since i didn't have her consent and she doesn't even know me that well.
I got out of my car and walked to her house before knocking the door. After a few seconds, the door opened to reveal an elderly woman. That was probably her mother.
"Yes? Who are you?" She asked with a confused expression.
"Um..Nomoshkar Aunty, ami Dr Aranyak Chaterjee (Hello Aunty, I am Dr Aranyak Chaterjee). Actually.."
How should I explain everything? So much happened in these few hours.
"It's a lot to explain, but what is important is that, It was late so i thought of dropping Rupsa home. She is in my car, but she has fever, and is not waking up. Can you take her to her room please?"
"What?! She is sick? Oh don't worry, I am coming. Where is your car?"
"This way.." I guided her till my car, and in the way she again started interrogating. By looking at her expression, i can understand she looks very confused..which is pretty normal."
"But Baba, Tumi ke? ( But dear, who are you?) Are you Rupsa's friend or something? She had an exhibition today right?"
"Yes aunty, she indeed had an exhibition. I am not her friend but i was the chief guest of the exhibition. So, I know her from there." We reached my car, and i opened the car door for her. She started calling her name but then I saw her eyes widen.
"Blood?! Dear, why is she stained in blood?! Is she hurt? What happened?!" Oh shucks! I completely forgot about the blood stains on her clothes, which she got during her friend's accident.
"Aunty..Calm down. She is not hurt, but after the exhibition, her friend..what was her name again?..Ah yes!, Priyadarshini...she got into a very fatal accident. We took her to the hospital and everything, and in that duration she might have gotten those blood stains."
"What?! Priya got into an accident?! Oh my god, why did this girl not inform me any of this?! How can so much happen in this one day?!"
"Well..her phone broke, and probably that's the reason she couldn't inform you. As i said, it's a lot to explain. But, what is important is that,Rupsa is sick. It's better if you take her home..She needs rest."
Her mother nodded and somehow woke her up and held her by the shoulder, before walking towards their house. As i saw their figures fading, i couldn't help but say something which was weighing on my heart since long.
"Aunty..I just want to say that, whatever happened today, I think it has affected Rupsa deeply. Perhaps, she was even blaming herself. Just give her the reassurance she needs. Please don't mind, I know you're her mother and you know the best for her, but i just felt like letting you know."
At that, her mother's expression changed, which showed remorse and pain, but she hid it with a small smile.
"I didn't mind, dear. Infact, thank you, for bringing her back home safely. I'll take care of her, don't worry. You can go back home now, it's late."
I nodded acknowledging her sentence and got back into my car before driving away. I just hope she gets well soon and whatever is bothering her, soon goes away.
All along the ride, my thoughts were occupied with one person...Rupsa. Not just that, even after getting back home, getting changed, and getting into bed, the only word that echoed in my mind..was her.
Hahh..*sighs* Rupsa Chakraborty...I don't know what are these new feelings I am experiencing. I don't know if these feelings are love or not. I don't even know if we will meet again. But all i know is, You're all I can think of now..
YOU ARE READING
HER LIGHT IN THE DARK
Romance'She believed she was a curse and that love wasn't for her,.. until he proved her wrong.' Rupsa Chakroborty was the youngest daughter of The Chakroborty family. Being a young 25 year old, she was navigating through the world of art and literature fo...
