Chapter Three- The Emergency

I cannot remember how long I stood there by Saawan’s bed, shouting his name, then my mother’s, then Pavni’s, but I do know it was quite a while before I realised that Ma had left the house. Pavni did not answer no matter how many ever times I shrieked, and soon I began to get panicked.
Somehow I managed to get my hands on a phone, and dialled Pavni’s cell. I poured out the words, stammered them. Pavni, surprisingly, was calm. “Call an ambulance, Laila. Everything will be fine. I’m coming over.” I hung up and called the emergency number. Halfway through the explanation, I started sobbing. What was wrong with me? I sat down on the bed. Saawan was still unconscious, but he was breathing.
Pavni arrived within minutes, the ambulance meds with her. They lifted Saawan with ease and took him outside. They asked for our parents’ numbers, which we gave them. They didn’t have room inside for both of us, but Pavni wouldn’t go without me, so we stayed back. The meds told us they’d keep us posted. The minute they left, Pavni said “Go get your books. Your bag.”
“What? Why?”
“What do you mean why? You are going to school, Laila.”
“But-“
“It will take your mind off things.”
I did as she told me. She took my hand and together we walked to school. We separated at the gates, as she went to her class and I went to mine.
As soon as I sat down, I knew I had forgotten something. My class was quieter than usual, and the desks were arranged in rows. That’s right- the final exams for this semester were today. Oh…no….
The teacher slapped a question paper in front of me. “Hurry up and get your pen out. I can give you a bit of extra time, but not much. I suggest you begin really quickly.” She walked away, leaving me staring at a piece of paper that contained questions that I had never even dreamed of in my life.
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After school that day, Pavni and I caught a rickshaw to visit Saawan at hospital. Our parents were already over there. Saawan was lying on a white bed, looking tired and wan, but still he smiled at us like nothing had happened. The doctor was making one of her routine checks when we walked in. “He’s doing fine. I’m very pleased. I don’t think it was anything serious; people have been known to pass out in times of great mental stress.”
I sneaked a glance at Pavni. She was biting her lip off.
“However…” the doctor frowned. “This is a nasty blood clot he has here.” She ran a long finger across his cheek. “Any idea how he got it?”
There was an uncomfortable silence. Our parents avoided everybody’s eyes. Finally Saawan opened his mouth. “I-“
“He tripped. Over my notebook.” interjected Pavni. Gratitude flitted briefly over Saawan’s expression, but then the poker face returned.
“Can he come home with us now?” asked Ma.
“I don’t see why not.” said the doctor.
There were smiles all around, but when we got in the car we knew the built-up nitro-glycerine was just waiting to burst.