Chapter 146 - Hospital Vigil
The night at the Government Hospital was long and exhausting.
Sneha and Suresh stayed by Gowtham’s side in the general ward. The sterile smell of disinfectant, the distant beeps of monitors, and the occasional groans from other patients filled the air. Sneha sat on a plastic chair, her head resting against Suresh’s shoulder. Suresh remained mostly silent, his mind processing everything — the accident, Gowtham’s vulnerability, and the strange responsibility they now carried.
By early morning, Gowtham was stable but still groggy from painkillers.
A young man in his late twenties rushed into the ward — Jiiva, Gowtham’s close friend from his previous company.
Jiiva looked worried as he approached the bed. Gowtham, slightly awake, managed a weak smile.
Dei Jiiva..I thought you wont come?
I thought i should not come for the way you have behaved, what to do you happened to be my friend.
For Suresh it apperaed to be a friendly banter
I could not come immediately, as I was returning from a trip when you called. How did you end up like this? he asked”
Gowtham told the story.
after a minute..
Gowtham introduced him briefly to Sneha and Suresh.
“In Bangalore, he’s the only real I have,” Gowtham said, voice hoarse.
But he could'nt come at right time
“Glad you came before someone inform my parents… they would have panicked.”
Jiiva nodded at Suresh and Sneha gratefully.
“Thank you for staying with him.”
Same Morning at Gowtham’s Office
At 9 AM, the office was buzzing with the usual Monday energy.
Prakash had just returned from all the recent transfer documents and meetings.
As soon as he entered his cabin.. the security guard approached him nervously.
The security was waiting near Mirna's cabin to tell Prakash about accident.
Prakash realised Security wanted to tell something.
Prakash called him, come in Bala, whats the issue?
“Sir… last night, the cops called.
Gowtham sir seems like, met with an accident.
They asked for his address. I gave them!
Prakash asked what accident? why you didn't inform me?
Office security said sir earlier, Rahul sir managed all contacts, he used to pass all information's
but as he is not working here.. i don't know whom to connect.
I didn’t have your personal number, so I couldn’t inform you immediately.”
Prakash’s face turned serious. “okay? How bad? is he all right?”
The guard didn’t know details.
Prakash immediately turned to Mirna, who was reviewing documents nearby.
“I need to go see him. This is urgent.”
Mirna stood up. “I’ll come with you, sir.
As the shareholder and HR, it’s better if i could meet him too.”
Bharath, who happened to be in the office for some paperwork, offered to drive.
Prakash looked at Varsha, who was standing nearby, visibly shaken.
“Varsha, take care of things here. We’ll be back soon.”
Mirna noticed the struggle on Varsha’s face — the way her hands trembled slightly.
She quickly intervened.
“Varsha, join us.
Prakash looked at her confusingly... Mirna said..
Sir, they are good team members and friends.
It’s better she comes too.”
Prakash nodded. “Okay. Let’s go.”
At the Hospital
Sneha had gone home briefly to cook rasam and rice for Gowtham — simple comfort food she knew he liked.
Suresh stayed behind to speak with the doctor for the second opinion.
When Prakash, Mirna, Bharath, and Varsha arrived,
Jiiva was alone in the ward with Gowtham.
Prakash entered first, concern clear on his face.
“Gowtham, how are you?
What happened?”
He checked the leg covered by bandages.
Gowtham gave a tired smile.
“Just a bike accident, sir. Hairline fracture. Nothing serious.”
Varsha stood at the back, her face pale.
She looked at Gowtham with barely concealed worry.
Mirna noticed and gently placed a hand on her shoulder, calming her.
Mirna checked the medical notes hanging on the bed and the reports on the side table. With her past nurse experience, she confirmed calmly, “Hairline fracture and doctor would have suggested medicine and Six weeks rest.
Nothing too worrying if he takes care.”
Gowtham nodded yes, That's what doctor said.
Prakash turned to Gowtham.
“You are not resigning.
I’ll pay you double. Don’t go anywhere.
Take as much time as you need, but come back.”
Gowtham said, sir, I'm not resigning.
I assure lets talk terms once i got back.
Varsha felt a wave of relief wash over her.
The moment she heard, he is not resigning.
She had been ready to sacrifice everything, but now there was hope.
As the group prepared to leave the ward,
Mirna quietly observed Varsha’s emotional state.
The unspoken care in Varsha’s eyes was obvious every time she looked at Gowtham.
Varsha lingered near the door, then turned back. She walked to Gowtham’s bedside and said softly, “Get well soon.”
Gowtham remembered what she had done the previous day. He could see she had fallen for him. But he still wasn’t sure which Varsha was real — the one who only valued money, or the one who couldn’t bear to see him suffer. It seemed too unbelievable.
After she left, Jiiva, who had been silently watching everything, asked,
“Do you both love each other?”
“No,” I dont love her, Gowtham replied flatly.
Jiiva said, So its a one side story..
Gowtham said, Nah!
Almost 15 Mins, Gowtham told the entire story!
He could not believe, the women he said about and the women he watched here, it looked like there is a big gap between the characteristic.
But he spoke practically, okay now she seemed to value you, miss you.. may be she spoke in haze, or your distance could have made her react this way..
“Don’t use your cockiness and spoil a good relationship,” Jiiva advised.
“I know what I’m doing. Shut your fucking mouth and get lost from here.”
Jiiva shook his head. “Your arrogance has no place, Gowtham. You look calm one moment, serious the next. You know why you don’t have many friends after all these years? Because of this attitude - taking people for granted.”
Gowtham shot back, “Even after knowing the full story. You side with her.. Don't believer her current state, She may look pitiful now, but she’s a dangerous woman who only values money.”
“No one is more dangerous than you,” Jiiva said.
“At least she shows who she is. But you?”
Suresh entered the ward at that moment. .
“What’s the matter, buddies?”
Jiiva forced a smile. “Don’t be too good to him, sir.
He’s just an ungrateful person.”
He mocked lightly and left.
Later That Day
Sneha returned with hot food.
Suresh had spoken with the doctor — the injury was manageable but would require careful monitoring for the first few weeks.
Gowtham looked at both of them with a mix of gratitude and something darker — the knowledge that he was now dependent on them.
Which could naturally put him closer to Sneha.
The couple had agreed: they would bring him home once he was stable enough to be discharged.
Sneha and Suresh decided to get him stay in guest room.
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