Unconditionally Yours

Courage and Strength

Naina was sitting outside her daughter's ward and waiting for her little angel to open her eyes and giggle at her. She was missing Awantika calling her in her baby-like voice.

She recollected the events of her day realizing how a fateful day turned out into the most unfortunate one. When she was talking to Dr. Dixit and Dr. Shukla, she had got a call from Awantika's school.

She had picked up the call only to be informed that there was an emergency in the school and she was called upon. She was shocked beyond everything. She had informed Dr. Shukla about the same and excused herself from the event promising to revert as quickly as possible. Little did she knew she couldn't fulfill her promise owing to her terrible situation. She was herself enthusiastic about the first conference that she had organized.

While driving to the school, she had made up her mind to reprimand the school authorities for not telling anything over the phone. She knew their behavior was strictly unprofessional. She was really upset with them. Little did she knew that upon reaching the school, she will be informed of the worst possible news.

Upon reaching the school, the beautiful lady in the reception had asked her to meet the Principal.

She had entered the cabin of the Principal and was wondering what the matter was. She knew her Awantika couldn't be defaulter, rather her daughter was a brilliant kid.

"Dr. Naina Malhotra, please be seated." Principal had said making an annoying face towards her as she entered the cabin. He had a glimpse of annoyance plastered on his face. He was newly appointed in the school. He had a irritating persona.

Taking the seat, Naina had corrected him as she usually did in the school, "It's Dr. Naina Vashishtha, sir."

She wasn't getting good vibes from this man. She had not liked the way he was seated and sipping coffee while checking her out.

Visibly irritated, he had said, "Whatever" and smirked.

Naina's anger had known no bounds. Everyone knew everything in the school. She had strictly informed everything regarding her daughter when Awantika was admitted to the school. She was taken back by the weird and unprofessional behavior of the new principal but she had maintained her composure.

Sipping a sip of coffee, he had calmly said, "Your little brat went towards the construction site of the new building and she is fallen from the second floor."

Naina had lost it when he said that because of his nonsensical attitude towards the life of a kid. She was angry and devastated. She knew what it means to fall from the second floor and the beast disguised as human who sat in front of her was sipping coffee calmly. She had lost her cool by then.

She had literally shouted at him, "First, mind your language and then, tell me where is my daughter" She had said shoving her finger towards him stressing over each and every word as she got up from the chair. Her black eyes were petrified and were bulging out as if they will fall off the sockets. She was beyond angry.

He had commented, "Madam, you should teach your daughter. I mean, you can understand, right."

He was indeed, a shameless man who was literally laughing at her outburst. She, on the other hand, was terrified at the thought of her injured child.

Maintaining her composure, she had shouted back, "Tell me, where is my daughter?"

Sipping his coffee deliberately to irritate her even more, he had said, "She is in the City Hospital. We had called the ambulance. We are avoiding the police, maintain our dignity", in a monotone though he had wished to say more but he had refrained. Naina was able to read his disgusting mind.

She hadn't answered him not because she couldn't but because she wanted to check upon her daughter first. She was adamant to go to the police station too. She was disgusted at the school authorities. She wanted to see her daughter. She knew Awantika, her angel was important for her.

It was then she had left the school premises immediately. She wanted to know things from her daughter. She had no issues in involving police but she wanted to know the depth of the matter. She rushed to the hospital as she knew the City Hospital had a Police Cell too.

She did what was important. She had been driving towards the hospital, while on the way, she had called her IPS friend, Shivika Dutt. They were college friends and when she met her last time, she got to knew that Shivika was posted in Delhi.

Shivika had picked up the call in the second ring chirping a sweet "Hello".

Sobbing, Naina had said, "Hey, Shivika. I might need your help."

Shivika was visibly concerned hearing Naina crying. She knew Naina didn't cry easily. She had asked her the matter.

Shivika was shocked at the inhumanity and irresponsibility of the school authorities, she had assured Naina for her full support. Shivika had explained that she will ask the appointed police officials at the City Hospital to look into the matter and take the statement of the doctor as well as the ambulance staff along with school authorities. Plus, she had also asked Naina to meet the police staff once.

Naina, being grateful to her friend, had rushed towards the hospital. She had met the doctor and completed all the formalities. She could have made the complaint in person but for now, she knew it was necessary to see her daughter. She knew she was alone and she had to take care of everything and her little angel was her priority.

She was crying profusely by now as she remembered her day. Her tears knew no bounds and were falling like the rain drops continuously.

The police inspector came and handed her the FIR which was filed on the orders of Shivika. She signed it and took a carbon copy of the same. No words were spoken between the two until the inspector said in a monotone, "Ma'am, school authorities didn't tell much. They are blaming the little girl. They were irresponsible enough not to accompany the patient. We find something amiss. Inform me as soon as your daughter gains consciousness."

She mumbled a thank you as she nodded upon the instruction. She was able to register everything in her devastated state.

He said, "Ma'am, Shivika ma'am is on a case in Gurgaon, she will meet you once she comes Delhi. She asked to inform you."

Inspector had seen many cases. He knew she was in a trance. He wondered even if she was actually listening and understanding what he was saying. As Naina nodded towards him, he took her leave. Passively, Naina shoved the copy of the complaint in her purse as she sat there. From the corner of his eye, inspector saw her keeping the copy of FIR safe and he realized she is strong enough to have the presence of mind as he moved away getting back to work.