The rented wife

So children, the function of our heart is to pump the blood into different parts of our body. Veins carry the deoxygenated blo...." -  I stopped teaching in between when I heard my phone ringing on the table.

I kept the chalk which was in my hand at the table quickly and pick up the phone.

It was a call from the hospital.

"Excuse me, kids." - I spoke looking at the class full of kids and went out to answer the call.

"Hello? Miss Mishti? - The nurse's voice was heard from the other side.

"Hello!" -  I spoke with fear in my heart.

"Mishti, your mother's condition is getting worse now. Please come to the hospital soon." - I heard her saying from the other side and the call was ended soon.

I went out of the school but not before telling the guard to inform the principal about my departure.

As soon as I came out of the school, I stopped an auto and tell the driver to take me to the hospital directly.

"What is it, doctor? My mom is fine, right?" -  I asked looking at the old doctor with worry laced my voice.

"I have already told you Mishti that your mother needs surgery. Her condition is getting worse day by day. We might lose her if she was not being treated properly." - The doctor spoke with the disappointed look while tears pooled up in my eyes.

"I don't know what to do doctor. I have asked so many people to lend me some money but everyone refused. I don't have money, doctor but I can't see my mother dying like this." - I spoke sitting on one of the benches at the hospital remembering how I begged in front of my neighbours and the school principal for some money but no one show mercy on me.

Suddenly I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked  up to see the old doctor.

"The owner of this hospital is a rich business woman. She is a strict lady but she helped a lot of poor people. She is visiting hospital daily from last one month. She is here right now. Go and ask for help. Maybe she will help you and you will be able to save your mother's life." -  The doctor spoke and my eyes shone with hope. I quickly wiped my tears away and stood up from the bench.

"Where is she now? Can you take me there?" - I asked the doctor and he nodded in yes.

The doctor lead the way while I followed behind him. He stopped in front of a wooden door.

"Go inside and don't worry" - He spoke and I nodded my head in yes taking a deep breath.

"She is a woman. She will definitely understand me." -  I said to myself and pushed the door inside.

I entered inside and saw a lady sitting there. She must be in her 60's but she is pretty.

All rich people are beautiful.

She is wearing a simple saree and no jewellery. She is wearing thick glasses on her nose. Her hairs are dyed in brown colour. Her eyes are stuck at the computer screen.

I took a deep breath and the smell of expensive room fragrance filled my nostrils.

"Hello madam!" - I spoke bowing my head a little trying to get her attention.

"Good Afternoon, Miss Mishti!" - She spoke looking up at me from the computer screen while I was surprised.

How does she know my name?

"Have a seat please." - She spoke indicating at the seat just opposite to her. I sat there facing her.

"I saw you in the hospital daily taking care of your mother." - She spoke while I nodded my head in understanding.

"And I know why are you here." - She completed the sentence and I looked down at my hands in my lap.

"I... I... actually..." - I started to say but she cut me off in the middle.

"You need money for your mother's surgery, right?" - She asked looking at me and I nodded my head in yes slowly.

"Please help me. She will die if..." - A lump formed in my throat.

She quickly took my hands in hers.

"I can understand. I will bear all the hospital expenses of your mother's treatment." - She spoke and a look of gratitude appeared on my face.

"But I have a condition." - She spoke suddenly and my face fell immediately but I knew that I don't have any option.

At this moment, I am ready to put myself for sale to get money.

"What's your condition?" - I asked looking at her with a dejected sigh.

"Marry my son." - She spoke catching me offguard.

That's not what I expected.

I walked towards my house and found the door already unlocked. 

There is not much money in my house but I am really worried for my bottles of Kingfisher.

I stepped in the room and saw a lady sitting in the chair in my house. I opened my drunk eyes wider and took a step closer to her and that's when I recognise the lady as my mother.

My senses got sober again. All the drinks I just had in the bar get wasted.

Great!

I just ignore her presence and walked towards the bedroom with the bottle of alcohol in my hands.

"Sangam!" - I heard her calling my name from behind. Her voice was not rough but it wasn't sweet too.

I ignored her completely and continued walking with wobbling steps and with in a moment I was spun around to face her.

yes it's to be continues......