MEANT TO BE

Chapter-3

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(Udaipur, West Bengal)

"Ma, I've told you there is no need to go to country house at this time now. See, wah a peaceful environment!! Why on earth these kinds of construction have started in this rural area?" Tahir exclaimed in annoyance.

" Will you stop your complaints , from the moment you landed here to till now, your complaints never stopped . Now either you will stop talking or I'm gonna staple your lips with this stapler."

" You are always so ungrateful , you are not the only one who is suffering from this noise,there are lot more people in this village who are suffering, can't you be thankful that this noise and dust will be worth it while this hospital gonna be completed "

" Hospital !...haah a superspeciality hospital !...., definitely a private one"

" I don't think so.From what I've heard, some big private foundation is building this hospital and it's going to be a free hospital , we really need a hospital here, people have to travel more than 25 k.m, . What a benevolent person , may Allah grant all his good wishes."

" Ma, you are so naïve, you have no idea about this cooperative world. These are all publicity. Just wait and watch after 1 or 2 years it will eventually become a private hospital. There are no such be-ne-vo-lent people in this world who will spent so much without a reason."

" No, absolutely not. I've always known such people. Moreover, your Papa was one of them."

" That's why he was in such a pathetic condition on his deathbed "... the air turned dark on the topic.

" Alif , (in a firm tone) can't you just remember some good or positive things from the past. Why you are so negative about everything?"

" because my life have always introduced me to negativity rather than positive...whatever".... he changed the topic not wanting to drag it in this condition.

"I've to go to Kolkata tomorrow. My professor is coming there, we have a meeting, It might take quite time so, it could be late at night to return. You must have to take medicine on time and I've already told Rabia, she will stay with you", Rabia and Rahman are his cousins from father's side.

" Why do you have to trouble that kid I can take care of myself .Anyway do you think I will stay locked up all day in this house? I've come all the way to take a breath in this fresh air and peace, I'll stay with my people"

" haaa.. I've also thought about some peace but all I'm getting is dust and noise pollution. It would be better if I could locked myself up in my peaceful research cabin"

" You and your negativity…" his mother says in annoyance and left from the leaving room.

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(OSHIN FOUNDATION HOSPITEX, construction site,)

Blue sky.... blue water.... green trees.... everything was peaceful throughout the whole journey. Ramia was looking outside from the car window as if she was longing for this view for a long time.

" Everything is still same yet it's quite unfamiliar." she sighed.

" Have you came here before ?" Manager Roy and Assistant Mathur were quite surprised, the working maniac boss-lady have canceled an important meeting only to visit the hospital construction site while it was not even that nessecery, This is something new,(they thought in their minds).

" No, how can I come here. By the way....will you guys please tell me why I need so much bodygurds ?" (She looked at the black Mercedes in front and back of her car)

" Ma'am, we have told you, you need more protection now" Manager Roy said.

" I know that but it's too much...I mean it's not a movie it's my real life....how can i travel 24 hours with these things? Only two was enough, just like before."

" Sorry ma'am, but now you are worldwide famous....you know.... 'worldwide', things have changed ", Assistant Mathur said.

"For you not for me, nothing have changed, just a new title have added".

" Here we are " the driver announced.

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"It's OK, everything is fine but speed up the work. I need to complete the project within two months. I want to hold a grand inauguration ceremony in August, Do you get that?"

" Yes ma'am" the construction engineer in charge replied.

" Ma'am, I think it's going to be rain soon, see how the cloud gets dark (looking up to the sky), we need to go back now. Our work here have also completed", assistant Mathur exclaimed with worry.

" OK, you guys go first and leave my car behind. I will be back by my own"

" But how can we leave you alone in this unknown place, please go back with us"

" Ms. Mathur, nothing will happen to me. You are worried about nothing and tomorrow you both go back to Delhi. I will be back in a week."

" Bu…" Ramia interrupted manager Roy in the middle.

"and take those bodyguards too ,no need for them here. I know some self-defense thanks to you both. Take care of things in my absence and arrange all important works accordingly for me. You always complained about my sudden disappearance, this time I'm informing you beforehand.okey "

" That means you have already planned this and that's why you were working overnight on our new project to complete in a week... Waaah... you are such a pro boss-lady" they both exclaimed and clapped dramatically.

" but take these two bodygurds ….' Manager Roy stopped in the middle after watching his boss's glance towards him ,

" OK, as your wish, but try to come back soon Boss-lady, okay" Ramia nodded her head in reply. They all left the place leaving Ramia behind, finally she felt the cool breeze hitting her face. She was wandering around aimlessly only to be greeted by the magic of nature. The dark blue sky reflecting on the river water, birds are returning home and the sun is totally hidden by the clouds, it's all are natural sign before rain. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath ,it felt like she have finally became a human after inhaling those familiar air and a mild smell of wet earth, a drop of rain fall on her cheek . She hurried to the nearby shed of old closed shop, soon enough rain started pouring heavily . She was waiting for the rain to slow down a little, so that she can drive. Soon enough she hear a puppy's crying. She looked around to find the source but seems the voice coming from the construction zone which was quite far from her shelter. She tried to be indifferent but the sound got more loud as if it became more painfull .She stepped out from the shed and ran towards the sound. It was a brown puppy, his leg was stucked between pile of concrete, Ramia was completely soaked in the rain and trying herd to slide away the concrete a little with all her strength, a sudden pain felt on her hand... blood came out from her forearm... it was quite large cut, the puppy was finally took his leg out and soon ran away towards the bush.

"I think you have found your home, goodbye" Ramia hurried back to the shed. Blood was flowing continuously. She took out her handkerchief from her black jeans pocket and hold it over the cut. She was wearing a black top and a maroon shrug over it which were completely drenched by now .

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Taseefa Aslam was spending her day at her brother-in-law's house which was in her neighbour after her husband's death Mr.Malik (Tahir's uncle) have became her own brother now and his family became her own. She was so much engrossed in woman's emotional talking with her sister-in-law (Mr. Malik's wife) that she almost forgot about time and soon it started raining, she borrowed an umbrella and get out on her way to home. There is a new construction site have made in their neighborhood, she have noticed some big cars came there in this noon and stayed for a long time, seems they all have left now. She was about to open the entrance gate of her house while noticed a lady figure in a maroon shrug was standing under the closed broken old shop. She made her way towards her.

" What are you doing alone there dear ?"

" I'm waiting for the rain to be slowed down but seems like God don't want to show her mercy to me today" she smiled a little.

" But you are completely drenched come here,come with me"

"It's ok ma'am, I think it will slow down soon, then I can go back"

" Oh! your hand is injured , ahaa so much blood is coming out, come fast.... come on , you can wait at my place, it's almost time of Iftar(evening supper in the month of Ramadan). Come on hurry up"

" But.., She stopped her.

" Come fast my house is in the front. (She showed with her figure towards a two stored mid size house) that one, come"

She have no choice but accept the kind proposal .