Return With Skills

As I stepped into the room, Ratika's eyes lit up with relief. "Good evening, Mr. Chatterjee," I greeted, extending my hand to shake his. His grip was firm, but the worry etched on his face was unmistakable.

"Good evening," he replied, his voice strained. "Thank you for coming so quickly."

"Of course," I said, turning to Ratika. "How are you holding up, Ritu?"

"I'm okay," she said, her grip on my hand tightening. "But I'm worried about Mom."

I nodded, understanding her fears. "The doctor said she needs an operation soon," Abhi added, his voice filled with concern.

"We're going to do everything we can," I assured her. "Let's talk to the doctor."

We made our way to the consultation room, the seriousness of the situation weighing heavily on our shoulders. As we sat down, Mr. Chatterjee spoke up. "The doctor is back from another hospital. We've been waiting for him to explain the situation fully."

"Oh, I see," I said, feeling guilty for not being there sooner.

Ratika looked up at me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears. "Big brother, please, tell me what to do."

"We're going to get through this together," I promised, giving her hand a reassuring squeeze.

The doctor entered, a stern look on his face that matched the gravity of the situation. We listened intently as he explained the risks and the urgency of the operation. The tension in the room was palpable, but we all knew what needed to be done.

"We're here for you," I said firmly. "We'll support you through this."

Her father nodded in agreement, his own worries momentarily forgotten as he focused on his daughter. "Thank you," he murmured.

Together, we faced the challenge ahead, united by love and a shared commitment to Ratika and her family. And as we left the hospital that night, I knew that the bond we shared was stronger than any obstacle we could face.

"Doctor, What precoder are you using?" I inquired, making sure everyone heard me.

"Uncle, it's a really effective one," I assured Ratika's father, explaining the procedure in a way that was easy to understand. "It has a high success rate, so it's the best choice for her."

"Okay," he said, still looking concerned.

"Don't worry, uncle. Aunty will be fine," I reassured him.

"Then we'll operate tonight?" the doctor checked with us.

"Alright, doctor," I said, after confirming with Ratika's father.

"Please pay the fees," the doctor instructed.

As we approached the counter with the prescription, the bill came to 140,000 rupees.

"What? 140,000?" Ratika's father was shocked. "We talked about 100,000!"

"Yes, but the provider needs more for this treatment," the receptionist replied.

"Don't worry, uncle," I said. "Please confirm the deposit." I handed my credit card to the receptionist.

"What are you doing?" he asked, feeling guilty. "You've already given us so much. Let me handle the money."

"Don't worry about it, uncle. You focus on Aunty," I insisted. "Just confirm the payment."

"The payment went through, and we can start the treatment," the receptionist said.

"How can I thank you," Uncle said, his voice choked with emotion.

"Worry not, uncle," I replied with a warm smile. "We're family."

The night was long and fraught with tension as we waited for the surgery to begin. The hospital's fluorescent lights cast a cold glow over the waiting area, making the shadows dance on the walls as we sat, each lost in our own thoughts.

Mom arrived, her eyes fill with worried. She looked at Ratika, a silent understanding passing between them. Despite the gravity of the situation, their relation remained a pillar of strength.

"I'm here for you," Mom whispered to Ratika, wrapping her in a comforting embrace.

Abhi and I didn't leave Ratika's side, offering our support in the quiet moments between the doctor's updates. We talked about mundane things to keep our minds off the surgery, shared laughs to cut through the fear.

As the hours ticked by, the tension grew. The air was thick with the scent of antiseptic and the muffled sounds of the hospital machinery. The only thing that kept us going was the hope that Ratika's mother would pull through.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the doctor emerged from the operating room, his scrubs still damp with sweat. He approached us, his expression a mix of exhaustion and relief.

"The operation was a success," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of his words.

Ratika burst into tears, and her father hugged her tightly. Abhi and I shared a look of relief, our shoulders sagging with the release of tension.

"Thank you, Jain," Ratika's father said, his voice trembling with gratitude.

"It's what friends do," I said, patting him on the back.

In that moment, the love and support we shared was palpable. It was a stark contrast to the cold, clinical environment surrounding us. And as we held each other close, we knew that together, we had faced the night's challenge and come out stronger on the other side.

As the days went by, Ratika's mother's condition improved steadily. When she finally awoke after the operation, she thanked me profusely, her eyes brimming with gratitude. It was heartwarming to see her recovery progressing so well.

Meanwhile, life began to return to normal, and we found ourselves visiting various apartments to potentially buy one. Mom, Priyatama and I were eager to find a place that reflected our tastes and needs.

"This one is nice," I said, surveying the spacious living room of the apartment we were viewing. It had a modern kitchen and a cozy balcony that overlooked a bustling market.

"It's better than the last one," she agreed. "And the location is great, we can customize it to our liking."

Mom nodded in approval. "You're right, son," she said. "The market is so convenient."

I felt a sense of excitement and anticipation. Moving out together was a significant step in our relationship, and it was a symbol of the life we were building together.

"Let's do it," I said, smiling at Priyatama and Mom. "We can make this our home."

Her eyes lit up with joy, and she squeezed my hand. "Home," she echoed. "It sounds perfect."

The real estate agent handed us the necessary paperwork, and we began discussing the customizations we wanted to make. The apartment had potential, and with a little bit of work, it could become the sanctuary we all desire.

We finally decided to start the restoration of our new apartment. It was a bittersweet process, saying goodbye to the old place filled with memories of stickers on the walls and endless hours playing on the floors where we had grown up. The landlord, who had always been so kind to us, was also sad to see us go.

Moving day arrived, and as we stood in the empty space that had been our home for almost two decades, Mom couldn't hold back her tears. We had made so many memories here, and it was hard to let go. But life moves on, and so must we.

When we stepped into our new place, the bare walls and empty rooms were a blank canvas for our future. The excitement was palpable as we started to unpack and organize, with Ratika and Priyatama pitching in tirelessly. Their friendship had grown stronger through this whole ordeal, and it was a sight to behold.

Together, we worked day and night to transform the apartment into a cozy haven, a place that reflected our personalities and our love. Priyatama had a knack for decor, and Ratika's organizational skills were second to none. Mom's cooking filled the air with the aroma of home, and Abhi's laughter echoed through the halls.

The walls of our new home began to whisper tales of our lives, our laughter and love painting them in vivid colors. And as we sat on the floor of our new living room, surrounded by cardboard boxes and hope, I couldn't help but feel that this was the beginning of a beautiful new chapter.

when other working n ground floor, Priya went to roof for dumpping some items, I followed her. As she stepped onto the rooftop, I approached her from behind.

I wrapped my arms around her waist and whispered, "Priya, I've missed you."

With a surprised look in her eyes, she asked, "What's going on?"

I replied softly, "I just couldn't resist."

Priya turned to face me, her cheeks flushing red. She leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on my lips. Our connection was immediate, sending a jolt of electricity through my body. Our kiss grew more passionate as we eagerly explored each other's mouths with our tongues.

Her hand reached for the back of my neck, pulling me closer as she deepened the kiss. I felt her body melt into mine, and I knew she was feeling the same intense desire that I was.

Our breaths grew ragged as we kissed, our passion building with each passing second. The warmth of her body against mine was intoxicating, leaving us both desperate for more.

The sound of our hearts pounding in sync filled the quiet rooftop, the only interruption being our occasional moans and gasps for air. The chemistry between us was undeniable, setting the stage for an intimate encounter that neither of us could resist.

Her hand slid down to my waist, gripping my shirt tightly. I felt her breasts pressing against my chest, her hardened nipples evident through the fabric. My hands wandered to the small of her back, pulling her in closer, as if we could become one.

Our kisses grew more heated, our bodies grinding together in a dance of desire. The tension between us was palpable, a silent promise of what was to come. We were lost in the moment, our connection stronger than any force that could have kept us apart.

This stolen moment on the rooftop was ours, a secret shared by the stars above. Our bodies moved in unison, driven by a hunger that only we could satisfy. We were bound by passion, ready to let our emotions take over and lead us to uncharted territory.

We broke apart, breathless and smiling. "We should get back to work," she said, though her voice was filled with reluctance.

I nodded, not wanting the moment to end but knowing we had a home to build together. "Later," I promised, and she nodded in agreement.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of unpacking and organizing, but every time I looked at Priyatama, my heart fluttered with the memory of our rooftop kiss. It was moments like these that made all the hard work worth it.