"Heard Bhuvana came home after decades of time away," Subodh remarked, his eyes scrutinizing Raghav for his reaction.

"News travels really fast, doesn't it?" Raghav seemed a little displeased.

"Because that's Bhuvana - the abandoned daughter of a rich landlord who found success on her own in USA in a position one can only dream of. And still remained unmarried all because of the schemes of her horrible step-mother." Subodh paused for a moment before adding, "And also because people still keep guessing who out of you and Eshwar is the secret hidden boyfriend slash lover of this prodigal woman who couldn't follow her to USA."

Raghav stared at him as if he was mad. "What the hell are you talking about? That was a rumour that died two decades ago."

"It never died," Subodh replied.

"Do you believe it?" Raghav asked pointedly.

"No one in their right mind would actually believe that," Subodh answered solemnly. "None of you three friends would have stayed the way you are if the rumours were true. You guys are not so tacit or cowardly. Besides, I know you. Bhuvana was never a romantic interest for you."

Subodh gave a knowing look to Raghav. Raghav pursed his lips and looked away.

"And besides," Subodh added, "for someone who was daring enough to leave the country to escape a forced marriage, Bhuvana would never leave a man she was in love with behind. She would have grabbed her man along with her while running away, or simply eloped with him." 

"Then why is this rumour still going around?" Raghav was a little pissed.

"Because unfortunately we have some stupid people in our neighbourhood and amongst our relatives. And stupid people have loud voices devoid of embarrassment."

Raghav chuckled. Yes, their relatives were indeed stupid.

They chatted for a while before getting interrupted by a nurse who came over to check Subodh's stats and adjust the medicine drip he was getting.

"I asked for a copy of my daily case notes which the resident doctors took till today," Subodh reminded the nurse.

"Yes, I will check on them with the resident doc when he comes for rounds in the evening," the nurse answered as politely as she could and went away without waiting for his response.

"They seem to be pissed at you for being so nosy and tough on them," Raghav remarked eyeing the retreating nurse.

"I know. But it is my right to know my medical details."

There was a moment of silence as Raghav nodded and looked away studying the other occupants of the ICU.

His observation was interrupted by Subodh's words of introspection, "You know, I sometimes wonder how life would have been if my family had had the money to pay for my medical college tuition. I had to give up my dream of becoming a cardiothoracic surgeon because of money, and get into Veterinary college because I could get a full scholarship for that. Now I have all the money I can get, was able to pay expensive tuition abroad for my kids, but I cannot realize my dreams now. The irony of life!"

Raghav could see the prominent look of longingness on his cousin's face. He stroked his chin in deep thought for a minute and then asked Subodh intently, "How long do you have till your retirement?"

"One more year. Why?"

"Why don't you pursue the human medical field after your retirement if you are still interested and have the appetite for it? You are done with your responsibilities, you would get enough retirement benefits, gratuity pay and pension after retirement. You would have all the time in the world to do what you want," Raghav sincerely suggested.

"My elder daughter is planning to have kids next year, and my son will follow suit after another year. My wife is planning to travel to USA almost every other year to help my daughter with the pregnancy, childbirth, and everything related. And then help our son too. You think my responsibilities are done? I have grandkids coming up. I won't have time to pursue other things." Though Subodh seemed a little wistful, he did seem a little happy about the prospect of staying with his children and welcoming grandchildren.

Raghav smiled. "You are going to be a happy man one way or another. We don't get everything we want in life. But at least, you are surrounded by the people you love. I would give anything to have a family like that."

"You had every opportunity to build a family like mine. But you insisted on building it with only one woman who left without any trace," Subodh chided him. "Honestly, Raghav, just between us, do you think I got married because I fell in love with my wife? No! No one in our family ever married for love. We just built our lives and a lovable family around what was given to us. You are the odd one out who couldn't wrap your head around this concept."

"It's not because I couldn't wrap my head around it, it was because people tried to dictate my life and strung me along in the name of caste and community. I thought and still think that love shouldn't be a subject of those constraints," Raghav opinionated.

Subodh sighed. "What's the point in arguing about it now?" He paused and then said, "Anyways, bottom line is, I don't have the freedom to pursue my interests like you do."

Raghav didn't wish t pursue the line of discussion either.

Subodh tilted his face towards him and noted, "Also, you are talking as if I am only one with regrets regarding dream career. You and Eshwar are no different."

"Huh?" Raghav was confused.

"Oh, come on!" Subodh frowned. "You and I both wanted to be doctors. You were forced to join engineering because your family wanted you to inherit the family business. They are still running the spare parts manufacturing business, right? And have expanded much further. I still remember how much you complained, screaming that you hated engineering. I am still puzzled on why you accepted to join engineering college after all the tantrums you thre. Did your family threaten you with something?"

Raghav opened his mouth and closed without uttering anything, averted his gaze for a moment before answering, "Nothing of the sort. I simply gave in to their demands."

Subodh chortled. "Someone like you? As if I would believe it."

Raghav shook his head in exasperation.

"Didn't you ever regret it?" Subodh asked. "I am pretty sure if it really had been your dream career, you would carry the longingness for it just like I do. In fact, if you are anything like me, I would bet that most of the Facebook, Youtube and Instagram content would be videos on healthcare, medical information and content from doctors. Am I right?"

Raghav stared at him in disbelief. "What difference does it make if I feel wistful about it?" he asked.

"Well, unlike me, you are devoid of responsibilities, have all the money and time you can afford to realize those dreams of yours. It's not like you have anything stopping you now. In fact, you didn't have anything stopping you all these years either, given that you in fact didn't end up running your family business at all. What's the point of sticking to your current profession if it isn't serving anyone's interests including yours?" Subodh levelled a meaningful gaze at him.

"You can't be serious," Raghav protested.

"I am serious, most definitely," Subodh stated decisively. "Think it over."