If that woman dies. It's on you'.
Sitting in his tent, which was glowing with the last few rays of the setting sun, Aditya knew his brain needed another monologue to get over this. With a cup of chai in his hand, which someone had placed near him. Too watery, for his liking.
He has seen death. Too many times. Death of men he'd joked with a few hours ago. He had carried bodies heavier than memories. He knew too well what death means.
This woman is who that doctor was talking about. He knew nothing about her and was not related to way. If anyway, if she dies, is he to blame for standing in between that doctor and IV fluids?
Or does it hurt because she said that... Nah, he doesn't even know her name; she does not matter. But her work matters, and standing in between her work matters.
But was he really to be blamed? He had nothing in his hand. If he allowed her, he would have brought nothing but inquiry on himself or, worse, his whole team.
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"That chai will get cold if you don't finish it." Aarav commented with concern on his face, standing in between Aditya and that ray of sun falling on his face.
He did not enter Aditya's tent. He did not have to. Aditya had decided to show his vulnerable state on display by keeping his tent open.
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"It's not good. Too much water, I'll throw it anyway."
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"You do not get what you like in such areas, Adi. And do not go into a spiral about that woman. You did what you are trained for; going against protocol will bring unnecessary trouble on you. So don't let your brain overthink what an unknown civilian said." Aarav knew his batchmate and was aware of what was going on in his mind.
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Before Aditya could answer, Lt. Rawat thought it was his time to shine. "Sir, she should be an unknown civilian in the first place, for sir to not worry about."
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"What do you mean?" Aarav inquired.
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"Arey, sir, she is that pink saree." Rawat tried to explain.
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"Pink saree? Adi, what is he talking about?" Now there was visible confusion on Aarav's face.
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"Sir liked her pink saree." Thapa chimed in from his guard post.
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Now this was too much: "You three, do your work and leave me alone." Aditya shouted, visibly red from embarrassment.
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Aarav was intelligent enough to understand where things were going and made a mental note to inquire about it from Rawat later.
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----
In the medical camp 50 meters away.
Dr. Jahnvi was standing in front of Dr. Reeta like a schoolgirl.
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"You do not enter a secured area like that, Jahnvi. What you did was not heroism; it was recklessness."
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"But I wanted to save that woman's life." Jahnvi tried to explain.
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"I know what you were thinking about, and I understand that. But what if the guards had found you suspicious and shot you? Or maybe someone took advantage of the situation and tried to enter, which would result in a mass stampede." Reeta tried to explain.
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Jahnvi could not make sense of everything but thought it was best to stay silent.
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Reeta left her with few warnings and asked her to be more sensible.
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Before Jahnvi could spiral in her thoughts, Niharika broke the silence created by Reeta's exit.
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"Okay, Iron Woman, that was the fastest I had seen you run. Now sit down and relax."
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"Here, have some water." Sonali offered a water bottle.
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Jahnvi drank water; maybe it will help her hide her sadness.
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"Last time I saw you running like this was when a dog ran after you after you stepped on its tail during a village visit in 3rd year." Rohit tried to ease the situation by bringing in their MBBS memories.
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This one made them all laugh, easing the tension created by Reeta and Jahnvi's heated exchange.
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----
Before calling it a day, Aditya approached Lt. Rhea in the building's office.
"Did that woman make it? The one... that doctor ran for?"
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Rhea was surprised with this sudden and unexpected query.
"Yes, sir. I heard from villagers she is stable now."
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She was the only person left he could approach now about the situation without raising any suspicions.
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and then Add to home screen.