So far:
After giving first aid to the injured Shakthi, Shivani helped him and Raji into her car and drove them home.
Now:
Just then, Raji's phone rang. It was Bharathi.
"Bharathi," Raji said, her voice trembling with worry, "our Shakthi got hit by a car while saving a child. His hands and legs are bleeding badly. A girl rescued him, carried him, and even bandaged his wounds. She's the one driving us home now."
"Ma, how is Shakthi now?" Bharathi asked, panic creeping into his voice.
"He's still unconscious, da," Raji replied softly.
"I'm coming home right away," Bharathi said quickly and cut the call. Without another word, he rushed toward home, his mind filled with worry for his brother.
Shivani stopped the car in front of Raji's house.
"Just a minute," Raji said, hurrying out to unlock the door.
Once inside, Shivani gently lifted the unconscious Shakthi and carried him inside. She moved carefully, making sure not to jostle him.
"Aunty, where is his bedroom?" she asked.
"Upstairs — the first room," Raji replied, her hands trembling.
At that moment, Bharathi entered the house. He froze when he saw Shivani carrying Shakthi up the stairs. The scene looked exactly like the sketch his brother had once drawn — the same girl from Shakthi's dream. For a second, Bharathi couldn't move, stunned by the sight. Then he gathered himself and followed her upstairs silently.
"Aunty, I'll take my leave now," Shivani said softly.
"Wait a minute, ma," Raji replied. "Bharathi, this girl's vehicle is parked near the temple. Take her and drop her there."
"It's alright, aunty. I'll go by bus," Shivani said politely, trying to reassure them.
"It's already late, dear. Go with Bharathi," Raji insisted, worried about the evening getting dark.
"Okay, aunty. I'll go and come," Shivani said and stepped out.
"Ma, I'll drop her and be right back," Bharathi said and followed her outside.
As they drove toward the temple, Bharathi glanced at Shivani with gratitude. "Thank you so much for saving my brother's life and bringing him home safely," he said sincerely.
Then, with a small smile, he added, "I'm Bharathi. I work as a trainee in an auditing company. And you are…?"
"I'm Shivani," she replied. "I work as a doctor at GH, and I've set up a small clinic in front of our house."
When they reached the temple, Bharathi stopped the car.
"Alright, Bharathi. I'll go from here. Tell your brother to rest well — his leg injury looks serious. He shouldn't move his leg for at least two days. If the pain continues even after that, take him for a scan," Shivani instructed, her tone calm and professional.
"Sure, doctor," Bharathi said, nodding.
She smiled faintly, got into her scooter, and drove away.
When Shivani reached home, her father noticed her. "Shivani ma, you're so late today. Emergency case at the hospital?"
"No, Pa. It's a long story," she said, and carefully told him everything that had happened, from the accident to how she had helped Shakthi.
After listening carefully, her father nodded.
"Alright, I'm going to freshen up and check the clinic. The patients must be waiting — the assistant said there are eight already.
Ma, can you get me a cup of coffee before I go?" she asked.
"Sure, I'll bring it," her mother said, heading to the kitchen.
"Was that boy badly hurt?" her father asked.
"Mostly his leg, Pa," Shivani replied.
"That boy risked his life to save a child. Nothing bad will happen to him. God will protect such souls," her father said with quiet admiration.
Her mother returned with the coffee, and after finishing it, Shivani went to bathe. As she took off her clothes, she noticed something — a gold chain tangled in her shawl.
She held it up, surprised. "This must be Shakthi's," she murmured. "It must have caught on when I carried him. I'll return it to him tomorrow."
Meanwhile, at home, Bharathi had just returned.
"Ma, did Shakthi open his eyes?" he asked as he walked quickly toward the room.
"Not yet, da. He's in pain, moaning even in his sleep. I can't bear to see him like this," Raji said, tears welling up.
"Ma, don't cry. Shakthi will be fine," Bharathi comforted her gently.
"Did you drop that girl safely?" Raji asked.
"Yes, Ma. She left near the temple," Bharathi said.
Raji's eyes softened. "That girl… she came like an angel, just in time to save our Shakthi. May God bless her."
Then she sighed. "Go change and eat, da. Kamala prepared dinner before leaving. When she heard Shakthi was hurt, she got so worried. You know how she's been taking care of you both like another mother since you were little. I sent her home early because she looked exhausted."
"Okay, Ma. You come eat too — Shakthi is sleeping now," Bharathi said.
"No, da. I'm not hungry. You go," Raji replied.
That night, Raji didn't sleep at all. She sat beside Shakthi, watching him breathe, gently wiping the sweat from his forehead. Bharathi, sitting near his brother, fell asleep leaning against the bed. The house was quiet except for Shakthi's soft breathing and the occasional rustle of Raji adjusting the blanket over him.
The next morning, Shakthi slowly opened his eyes.
"Raji… water…" he whispered, his voice weak.
The sound of his voice brought Raji back to life. She quickly gave him some water. Bharathi woke up hearing the sound and rushed to his brother's side.
"How are you feeling now, da?" he asked.
"I'm alright… but my leg hurts so much, I can't move it," Shakthi said.
"That girl told you not to move for two days," Bharathi reminded him.
"Raji, how did we get home? Did you bring me?" Shakthi asked, confused and still dazed.
"You don't remember anything?" Raji asked, concerned.
"I remember saving the child, then the car hit me… and then… yes — that girl from my dream came in real life! She lifted me up… then you came running and crying… after that, I don't remember anything," Shakthi said.
"That same girl treated your wounds," Raji said softly. "When I called Bharathi, he didn't answer. I didn't know what to do. She came to me and asked, 'Aunty, shall I call an auto for you?' When I said we had our car, she asked for the keys, carried you to the car, and drove us home. She even lifted you again to your bed upstairs before leaving. Then Bharathi came, and I sent him to drop her at the temple."
At Shivani's house the next morning, her mother called out, "Shivani! Eat something before you leave!"
Shivani replied while searching for her bag, "Ma, remember the boy I told you about yesterday? The one who got hurt in the accident? His chain got stuck to my dress. I'm going to return it and then head to the hospital. I'll grab something to eat on the way."
"Alright, ma, but be careful," her mother said.
Meanwhile, Shakthi's house was filled with visitors — friends, neighbors, and shop workers had all come to see him. Bharathi held up the sketch Shakthi had once drawn.
"Look at this! The same girl from his dream — she's the one who saved him!"
Everyone was astonished, whispering among themselves. They all knew about Shakthi's strange foresight — the dreams that often came true. Both brothers were loved deeply by everyone for their kindness and humility, but Shakthi, especially, had a calm and gentle nature that made people feel at peace around him.
When the doorbell rang, Raji went to open it — and there stood Shivani.
"Come in, ma," Raji said warmly.
"Aunty, how is your son? Did he wake up?" Shivani asked, stepping in.
"Yes, this morning he finally opened his eyes. His leg still hurts a lot though," Raji said.
"Aunty, did you give him any pain killers?" Shivani asked.
"No, ma. He's scared of tablets. Even if I try to make him take one, he ends up vomiting," Raji said helplessly.
"Alright then, do you want coffee or tea, ma?" Raji asked kindly.
"No, aunty. I just had coffee at home," Shivani smiled. "Can I give him some medicine?"
"Of course," Raji said, eager for help.
Shivani took out a tablet. "Aunty, please crush this into powder," she said.
Raji did as told, and Shivani mixed the powder into a spoon of honey, then added a bit of water and stirred it into the juice that Raji had prepared for Shakthi.
"Aunty, give this to him after a few minutes," Shivani instructed.
"That's a clever idea, ma," Raji said, impressed. "By the way, what's your name again? I didn't get to ask you properly yesterday."
"My name is Shivani," she said with a smile. "We live not far from the temple — my father is a senior lawyer, my mother's a college professor, and I work as a doctor at GH. I also run a small clinic in front of our house."
Then she held out the chain. "This belongs to your son. It got caught in my dress when I lifted him yesterday. I thought I'd return it before going to work."
Raji took the chain with moist eyes, her heart filled with gratitude.
To be continued…