Sitting comfortably in his chair, Vijay Ahuja scanned Om from head to toe with his eyes. Vijay Ahuja was a multi-specialist doctor, a man consumed with pride over his wealth. Apart from his wife and children, he didn't even consider it necessary to think about helping anyone else, let alone actually doing it. He only deemed it worthy to spend his time with those who were rich or had a big name; as for common folks, he didn't consider them worth his time. In short, Vijay Ahuja was a greedy and selfish man who didn't care about anyone but himself.
After a brief silence, Om hesitated before speaking:
"Hello, Uncle Vijay, how are you?"
Vijay smiled arrogantly and said sarcastically:
"Huh, never mind about me, kid. Come over here and sit in front of me."
As Om sat on the chair in front of the table, he said in a very sweet and humble voice, "Thank you, Uncle."
Vijay, still looking at Om with a condescending gaze and maintaining his sarcastic tone, said:
"Hmm... so you're still in this city. And don't mind, huh? I'm so busy with my work that I hadn't even thought about you. But it's good that you came to see me. At least we got to meet. So, what's your name again?"
Om, maintaining his humility, replied:
"Yes, Uncle, it's Om."
Vijay smiled and said in his arrogant voice:
"Oh, right, Om... I remember now. Sorry, but I saw you last at your parents' funeral. After that, I didn't hear anything about you. To be honest, I thought you might have disappeared somewhere."
Hearing this, Om gave a slight, innocent smile.
Then, clearing his throat, Vijay said:
"So, Om... what are you doing these days? Do you have a decent job, or are you making ends meet through some labor work? If you need money, don't hesitate to ask. After all, I am your uncle."
Om, still wearing his innocent smile, replied:
"Uncle, I don't have any work at the moment. I'm still looking for something."
Although Om understood Vijay's intentions very well, that he was just trying to belittle him, it didn't bother Om at all.
Vijay, showing his arrogant smile, said:
"Oh, so you're unemployed. Well, at least you're educated, right?"
Om, still smiling, answered:
"Actually, I dropped out of school."
Vijay, almost thinking of Om as a beggar at that moment, thought to himself:
"So, you're completely useless. And anyway, what more could anyone expect from you?"
Then, laughing, he said:
"Well, no problem. So, tell me, why did you come to see me after so many years? Need any help? Are you in some financial trouble or some other kind of problem?"
Om, as if he had read Vijay's mind, replied without hesitation:
"Uncle, nothing is wrong. I just came to see you, without any particular reason."
Hearing Om's words, Vijay, still in his arrogant manner, said:
"After all these years... just came to see me... really? Well, alright, that's good."
Then Om, in a very calm tone, said:
"Yes, absolutely, Uncle. I'm thinking of leaving this city to find a job, so I thought I'd come and see you and Aunty before leaving. So, I just came without giving it much thought."
Hearing this, it was as if Vijay had received a jolt. After staring at Om for a moment, he said:
"Oh... okay, no problem. It's good that you came. At least I got to see you."
Om smiled and said:
"Yes, you're right, Uncle. By the way, how is Aunty? How's everyone? And how are you, Uncle?"
Vijay replied in his usual manner:
"Don't worry, everyone is doing great, just perfectly fine."
Om, after thinking for a moment, asked:
"And, Uncle... Manoj Uncle... do you know where he is? It would be nice to meet him as well."
Vijay laughed and answered:
"Oh, yes, his job or business is in some other city. I'm not exactly sure, but he's there with his family."
Om nodded his head in understanding. The conversation between them was still going on when suddenly, a nurse rushed into the room, panting, and said to Vijay:
"Dr. Ahuja, please come quickly. It's an emergency. Please come quickly."
Hearing the word "emergency," Vijay immediately stood up and asked:
"What happened, Sister? What's the situation?"
The nurse, still panting, said:
"Sir, it's the Mayor's son... his condition..."
She paused to catch her breath again.
"Oh, come on, Sister, stop this drama and quickly tell me what's actually happening!"
The nurse, now hurriedly, spoke in one breath:
"Sir, the Mayor's son in Room 142, his condition has worsened again. He's having difficulty breathing and is writhing on the bed and..."
After saying all this in one breath, the nurse stopped again. Vijay was now getting angry and shouted:
"And... and what? Tell me quickly, don't irritate me!"
The nurse, in a flustered state, said:
"And the Mayor has been calling for his doctor for a while now, and he's furious."
Vijay's arrogance had now turned into fear. Hearing this, he quickly started running and said:
"Oh, hurry up and get the medicines... I'll check on the Mayor's son in the meantime. Quickly, Nurse, do it quick!"
Vijay ran out of the office, and Om followed him. As soon as they reached the room of the sick patient, Vijay stopped outside the door, where the Mayor was standing, his eyes filled with rage.
Seeing Vijay, the Mayor immediately yelled:
"Hey, Dr. Vijay, do you not care about your job? You said you could cure him. My son's condition has been worsening despite your numerous efforts over the past 15 days. What excuse will you make now? Or do you just want to take the hospital fees and leave my son to die? (yelling) Tell me quickly!"
Vijay, now trembling with fear, replied:
"Sir, please let me check the patient. I'll do everything I can to save him... Please, sir, understand the situation."
Hearing this, the Mayor became even angrier and said:
"What efforts, huh? Are you going to keep trying until my son dies? Or are you determined to kill him?"
While the argument between the Mayor and Vijay was going on, Om noticed the patient's worsening condition. He interrupted them, saying:
"Excuse me, but could you please..."
Om had barely said this much when Vijay, turning towards Om, angrily interrupted:
"Shut your mouth, understand? This is beyond your comprehension. Speak according to your status."
Vijay then turned back to continue his conversation with the Mayor. Om, as if understanding the patient's condition, shouted:
"Can you guys not argue later? Because if you delay, I don't think there will be any point in trying to save him. So, will you first try to save your son?"
Hearing Om's words, the Mayor finally thought of his son and angrily said to Dr. Vijay:
"Alright, Doctor, go inside, but remember, if anything happens to my son... if anything happens, you better pray for your own safety. I'll make your life and your family's life a living hell, something you'll remember for seven generations. Understand? Now go and do whatever it takes to save my son."