The day started off as a normal one but turned hectic as time passed by .

Though Mr.Ranganathan was  expected to be taken up for surgery at the earliest no one expected things to take a sudden twist .

The elderly man was  constantly monitored and was planned to be taken up that weekend only . There was problem with his renal parameters that needed to be put under control before shifting him to OT .

But inspite of meticulous monitoring things went a bit out of hand .

Kathir had work at the main office at Chennai the day before and had left to the capital city .

He had had this routine of visiting the Chennai offices in person twice in fortnight though he was effectively managing his business online itself.
But he strongly believed that nothing works like his physical presence _ after all his business was part and parcel of his life .
So whatever unhostile the situation was he made it in person .

On that  day , Kathir had just returned from Chennai .

Since Murugan'  was to be discharged on that forenoon , Kathir had taken the wheels straight to his Trichy office from the airport .

Having cleared all the bills wrt Murugan' s treatment he had given the responsibility of picking up Parvathy to his nephews ,  and had planned to travel along with Murugan' to drop him at their Musiri home . Hari was to accompany him . Kathirangan had asked them to come over to Rangan palace itself , Murugan' being the shy father in law ,had feebly requested to shift to his own home at Musiri itself .
Of all , Murugan' hadn't known the changes in his son in law . He had thought of Kathir' to be still the proud peacock he once was .
Already suffering with an untold complex ( since his SIL had paid bills ) Murugan' didn't want to embarrass his daughter more . He thought going to Musiri itself would be a better idea .
Though Kathir' didn't acknowledge his idea at first , he accepted to it on Sadha ' s insistence .
Sadha , knowing about  his friend  Murugan' had asked Kathir' to do as per his wish .

But things took a change when the shocking news of Mr . Ranganathan's attack arrived .

It was Uma and Mullai who had noticed the difference in Ranganathan' and called him .

Mrs.Periyanayagi fainted on seeing her better half near to collapse .

Narmada was shocked on seeing both her parents .

Unfortunately Skandan wasn't there at home .

The rest were kids .

So once Kathir got this call ,he dumped off all his work at Trichy office and rushed home..

On the way itself he called up their surgeon ,

The cardiac surgeon insisted on immediately going ahead with the surgery , inspite of a very guarded prognosis .

The risk had to be taken at any cost ,

And this time ,they really didn't have the breathing time too.

One brilliant idea Kathir had done was to rent a fully equipped ambulance ,on daily basis with the staff needed .

So they were readily awailable to give first aid and shift Mr Ranganathan , within the golden period itself .

As whilst transporting his grandfather , Kathir' called up his uncle Sadha , informed him and picked him up on the way .

He knew that only Uma would be able to take care of Periyanayagi in such a critical situation . Uma , being the stable minded , responsible daughter in law of the household ,hid her apprehension and took charge of things at home .

On the way , Kathir' altered his plan wrt his in laws .

Mullai , the kindest  human being ever he had known , was already into the ambulance ,seated beside his grandfather , assisting the staff to secure the airway tapes that had been secured .
Even in that critical situation it was pure bliss to watch that serene scenario .
Kathir ,believed her to be his mother sent God angel !!
He couldn't refuse her help .

And ,

In a matter of few minutes they arrived straight to the Cardiac ICU , with staff ready to prepare the elderly man for his surgery .

Dr.Skandan was on the way ,

Baran took charge of running on ,in OT . His two years of medical school education helped him a lot .

Though , the hospital was equipped with a pack of brilliant and talented doctors , a wave of tension took over them since Ranganathan' was a VIP patient .

The surgery took a wholesome of 6_7 hrs .

And if Kathir' was asked what happened outside that OT complex in that span of time his answer would have been a big NO .

Because right from the second Ranganathan' was shifted into the preparation room , Kathir' had sought permission from the hospital management and was beside his grandfather ,until the surgery was over .

The chief surgeon was initially hesitant though;

Consultant surgeon : Mr.Kathir , I understand your concern . But .... engaluku oru rules eruku . Non medical person eh , Theatre kulla ithu varaikum naanga allow pannathu illa .
Athuvum ithu oru complicated surgery .
We will never know what I'll happen on the table ,
Ninhe management ku rombavae close person . Infact you are an indirect share holder in this hospital .
Athunaala ...unga ulla allow panna solli engaluku pressure ...the surgeon was bit hesitant to allow him .
There was always a risk whilst attending VIP patients and he was literally scared on knowing that Kathir' is going to be around him .

The doctor s fear was sensible .

But Kathir was too adamant in his stand . At same time he was able to empthathize the doctor s situation .

Kathir : Sir ..I get your point .And I do respect your professional space . Naan athulaam thalaiyida maaten , athu koodavum koodathu .
My point is different . Intha surgery romba risky nu enakum theriyum .
Epo venumnaalum enna venna nadakalaam .
And ...he paused and sighed heavily . For once the smiling and caring face of Ranganathan' _ his role model and father figure unfolded before his vision ,
Doctor , I just want to beside him .
That's all !!
Even if something untoward happens I want to be beside him .
Awaroda kadaisi nimishangala erunthalum ,naan awar koodavae eruka piriya padren .
Naan ungala disturb panna maaten.
I'll just stand ,at the head end.  Nothing more .

Surgeon : Romba blood loss agum , Evlo mentally strong person ah eruntha kooda ....ratham , kathi ... tissues burn aagura vaasam _  nu  laam paatha bayam varum .

Kathir' : Naan bayapada maaten ! Unga work la thalaiyidavum maaten. I assure you !

He cursed himself for having stayed away from his grandfather for the past one year . And now ...even before they had had a proper heart ti heart conversation he was fighting his end ,

So at the least , Kathir wanted to be near him .

Cons doc : Then it's ok sir .

Kathir stuck to his word .

Sadha was trembling literally with fear and confusion .
He couldn't even stand properly .
Mullai was the one who coaxed and consoled Sadha
uncle .

Baran ....helped his elder brother with utmost zeal .
The young pack took care of everything .

The surgery took a very long time with ups and downs in the due course .

Kathir' stood as a rock ... witnessed everything like a stone. ..

He didn't even remember his own father nor mother s faces .

He grew up looking at this grandfather s face only .

The thought of losing him was so paining .

And his act of refraining from him for one whole year was killing him as hell .

He stood with hope and helplessness combined together .

It was ofcourse painful .

Silently praying within his ownself Kathir' watched his hero ' s sternum dissescted open in half , bones exposed , flesh charred with cautery ....that feebly beating heart brought out of the rib cage ...veins dissescted in separately.,
The graft vein being stripped off from somewhere down his limb ,
Then brought up , with much difficulty ,
The heart blocks identified and bypassed , with the grafted vein finally sutured with a parralel anastomosis being created .

It wasn't that easy a job !!

Uff !!!

Kathir finally breathed relief ... after a loonng wait of 6_7 hrs .

It didn't end with that .

There was huge blood loss in the midst of surgery .

Ranganathan's blood type suddenly went out of stock .

It was some rare type.

Coincidentally only Kathir's blood type matched .

He donated his own _ two pints , consecutively much to the ashtonishment of the medical staff .

They were in immediate need of two pints but as per nature and rules one person can donate only one pint at a time .

But with Ranganathan' s need being so urgent and his blood type not awailable except for Kathir's , the later went onto donate 2 pints within a span of just an hour .

Baran , who assisted his elder brother was so scared to even inside the operating table .But his concern for his brother made him stay there .

Baran : Anna , two pints at a time . Are you ok na ?

Kathir' : Am fine !

Baran : Tired ah eruntha ....room la poi rest yedukringala na ?

Kathir' ::Dei ..inga enna picnic ah vanthrukoom ?
Time oda importance theriyaama .

Baran : Athuku illa na , ivlo blood eh donate pannitu , thirumba poi , theatre kulla nikka poringala ?
Yen na ,ningala surgery panringa _

Kathir : Naan illa . So what ?

Baran : Athukilla naa ...

Kathir' : Sari ...nee poriya ?

Baran : Aiyaayoo ...naan inum outstanding student than na . Clinical postings laam arambikala .
Namaku OT complex laam inum palagala !

Kathir' : Unnaiya !

Baran :Anna ...matha vellailaam ,maadu maathri oodi oodi poi senchruken.
Ninge sonninganu .... pharmacy ku kooda ,naanaae than poi medicine vaangitu vanthen .
Hospital staff oh illa Namma allungalaiyo anupala naa !

Kathir' : Atha mattum panni paaru _ eruku unaku .
Baran ...look am very serious in this ,
Already thaatha trt la oru doctor double cross panna paathaaru .
Then blood reports la ... prechanae vanthuchu ,
Ipadi nammala suthi oru cobweb maathri danger eruku .
Panakaarangala erukrathaala vara prechanaila ithuvum onu .
We have to be careful ,

Baran : Purithu na !

Kathir' : Hmm

Baran : Aanalum ...ninge ivlo thooram bayapadanuma na ? I haven't seen you this tensed .

.
Kathir' : Ofcourse yes . Vera valli illa .
There are so many things happening around us which you guys are oblivious to .
Athu mattum illa ....he is stopped not letting the cat out of the bag .
Baran was still a kid ! He plainly added ,
Thaatha ku attacknu sonna odanae, namma office vellaiya apadiyae vitutu vanthuten .
Ipo than.... surgery konjam nalla padiya mudiyavum nimathiya eruku .
Ipo poi business vellaiya paakanum ,.intha chinna gap la ....nammala keela thalla evlo per vellai senchrupaanga theriyuma Baran ??
You are so innocent about the outside world.
Sila vishyangalku tension aagithaanda aaganum .
Running a business is like a hamster on wheels _ oodikitaae than erukanum .

Baran : Hmm

Kathir' : Sari ...naan ulla poren.  Thaatha ku suture than podranga pola . Naan poi awara  pakkathulla eruka post op room shift panra varaikum koodavae erunthutu , apuram office ku poitu vanthudren .
Antha time mattum nee konjam kooda eru .

Baran : Sari na !

He took a step forward and then came back to Baran as if getting reminded of something .

Kathir' : Dhaya _

Baran : Anna ? 

Kathir' : Anni epadi da eruka ? Morning , ambulance la vachu paathathu .
Athuku apuram naan OT kulla poiten.
Paavam ....pesa kooda illa . Mobileum enkitta illa .
Saaptaala ? Enga eruka ...veetuku poitaala ?

Baran : Veetuka ? Athu sari ...ninge inga eruka bothu , awanga enga povaanga .
Corridor layae than anna erunthanga. Roomkum pogala .
Sadha maams romba down aagitaaru na , Anni than mamakum, ammakum supportive ah erukaanga .
Appa ipo poi ipadi held up aagitaare .

Kathir' : Chithappavum awar patient eh thana poirukaar .Viddu !
Anni Saapitaala da ?

Baran : Illa na .
Naa keten ,
Surgery mudincha apuram paathukalaam nu sollitaanga .
Nee paakriya na ?

They both were inside the huge Operation Unit Complex of that hospital .
There were specific rules and regulations to enter and exit it .
Kathir' and Baran were allowed inside it .
The others had to stay outside in their alloted rooms or the corridors .
If Kathir' had to see Mullai he had to unscrub his apparel fully and go out .
Getting inside too required the same procedure which was time consuming .
Baran was " on the running floor "duty that he didn't have these rules .
Keeping the situation in mind , Kathir' had to forcefully stop his desire to meet his lady .
His heart was so sore and heavy and body was aching that he wanted her warmth badly _ but keeping the thickness of situation in mind he put himself under control .

Kathir' : Hmm...illa ipo mudiyaathu . Vellila vanthutu ....thirumba ulla poi ,na....nalla erukaathu . Namaku therincha hospitalngrathaala romba advantage yeduka vendaam .
Nee awa saaptaala nu mattum paaru .
Make sure she eats something !

Baran : Sari .
anna ... .neeyum than ! Rendu pint blood kuduthutu ,oru juice mattum saaptutu erukinga .
Take ca....

Baran was speaking to the air ... because Kathir' had disappeared so fast on the call of a staff nurse , with a swift nod to him.

Baran : Hmmm....inga naan medical student ah illa iwara ?

That was it !!!

It took a solid of three days for Ranganathan' to get back to near normal and to be shifted to the Post operative ICU care .

In these days .... Kathir had donated blood twice again , took care of his hectic work inbetwn _ bore the brunt of extra load of work as well , worked as a dog , as well didn't move out of Ranganathan' s ICU complex , took care of the elders at home as well , drunk his wife only in looks , skipped his own meals as well loathed in a untold mental stress .

He was feeling too bad for having awoided his grandparents for a whole year .,just because he didn't like the marriage they had arranged .

It now hurt badly .

Ranganathan was flipping back and forth between consiousness and sleep .

Still he was in the aftereffects of anaesthesia and surgery that he couldn't identify people nor speak coherently .

Periyanayagi also was in a state of shock , cocooning herself in the pooja room itself .

Except Kathir ,all the other siblings had parents of their own !!

The elders ....Sadha , Saraswati and Narmada had their life partners and kids _ a family of their own .

For them ... Ranganathan'and Periyanayagi were extended family .

But for the parentless Kathir these elders were his own parents .

So it ached more for him than others .

The pain was so excruciating that Kathir dwelled in only the well being of his grandfather .

His heart ached for his lady love _ he missed her badly and wanted her warmth .

But ....work pressure and Ranganathan' s condition confined Kathir to the small room near by Ranganathan's ICU .

Mr . Ranganathan' was still active in business ,

His ill-health reflected in output of his business .

The shares suddenly took a dip ...due to rumours spread by their business foes .

Kathir was directly looking after Ranganathan' s business as well .

He had been looking after that also since the oldman fell ill .

But ..... somehow there was a pitfall in these few days post his surgery .

Kathir really had to work his heart and lungs out to manage it as well .

He worked more than 24/7 !!

No sleep !!

No food !!

No rest !!!

No Mullai !!!

Kathir was literally turning mad _

Though he  wanted her badly. ,his work pressure and Ranganathan's health  didnt allow him to move away from the hospital complex .

Mullai too missed him equally .

All she got was a glimpse of him , whilst visiting the Ranganathan' .

The other members weren't allowed to see the patient nor enter his complex .

And with Kathir glued to his grandfather s room all the time , Mullai was getting worried for her husband .

On the top of this , a message from Rajasthan police , too alarmed Kathir .

He was mad as hell _

Baran who was the only mediator between both sides ....out bursted to Mullai unable to watch his brother suffer like hell .

Baran : Anna sariya saapida maatengraaru anni .

Mullai : Naan than daily samachu yeduthtu varanae da ,
Anga thaatha pakkathulla thana erukaanga , rendu vaai saaptutu ,paathukalaam la ?

Baran : Ada ponga qnni

Mullai : Nee sollalaam la Dhaya ?

Baran : Anna paakavaae vera maathri erukaaru anni . Veri pudicha maathri olaikraaru .
Yepo paaru ....onu business call ,illati thaatha pakkathulla erukaar .
Thideernu office Kum vanthutu poidraaru .
Aana ...kitta poi pesa mudila anni .

Mullai : Yen da ?  Naan pesiyaae naal aachu . She teared up ,

Baran : Alathinga anni . Ennanu therila .
He is pre occupied with something .
Sollavum maatengraaru .
Ennavo mana olachalaae erukaaru ,
I don't know what !

Mullai : Daily message mattum varuthu da ,
Saaptiya ...thoongitiyaanu !
Aana athuku reply panna .... bathilku response adutha naal than varuthu !

Baran : Romba vellai anni ! Maadu maathri olaikraaru !
Ennanu than therila ,
Sadha maams than sonaaru _ thideernu business la prechanae vanthruchu nu !

Mullai : Athukaaga ,

Baran : Blood mattum ....4 times donate pannitaaru anni.
Actually it's against rules and not good for his own health too !
Aana athuku yetha maathri ...saapidrathu illa.
Kannelaam ulla poi ...yelachu , karu thu poi erukaaru .
Thaatha patient ah illa Annava nu therla anni !

He said with real concern and sorrow .

Mullai couldn't remain patient anymore .

She asked Baran s help ,

Mullai : Dhaya ...nee enna pannuviyo ,yethu pannuviyo theriyaathu ,
Ennaiya awanga kitta kootitu poo !

Baran : aiyo...Anna thittuvaaru !

Mullai : Tchu ...Athelaam naan paathukren !
Athu enna ,oru kastamna...Thaniya erukrathu ?
Naan pesikren . Ennaiya kootitu mattum poo !