#FirstLook | Read an Extract from Award–Winning Writer Benyamin’s Riveting New Novel ‘Body and Blood’

It was when Rithu and Ragesh were planning to go to a movie straight from the office that Brother Aruldas called and informed her about Midhun’s accident. They left for the hospital immediately. On the way, she WhatsApp-ed Sandhya the news. It was because she had no idea what exactly had happened and how serious things were that she chose to just WhatsApp. On reaching the hospital, she was glad that she had done so. If not, Sandhya would have really panicked.

By the time she reached the hospital, Dr John Samuel and Pastor Sam Philip were already there. And using their contacts and influence, they had ensured that Midhun got the best possible medical attention. Even in that moment of worry, Rithu felt a happiness tinged with pride about the fact that she had landed amidst people who spent most of their time for others. She could have ended up anywhere in this great big city. Even in dark alleys. But God must have decided that she should be with these people and, through them, find the path to goodness. Not just her, everyone in the group, including Ragesh.

Her only fear was that Sandhya would lose courage. But when she met Sandhya in that hospital corridor and told her what had happened, she realized that Sandhya had more courage than she thought. Not only that, Sandhya did not falter even as she stepped out of the ICU, wearing a hospital gown, after seeing Midhun during visiting hours. When Ragesh offered to stay the night as Midhun’s caretaker, she turned him down affectionately and took it upon herself, almost as if it was her right. People imprisoned in their hostels and homes had to report faithfully every night. But there was no need for Sandhya, who lived alone in a studio apartment, to do this. Her space and time were hers alone. The intrinsic value of her freedom lay in the fact that she did not have to answer to anyone. And that was probably why nobody refuted her right to stay the night. They silently agreed that it was indeed Sandhya who should be beside Midhun that night.

It was based on the reassurance of Dr Samuel and the insistence of Sandhya that they – Rithu and Ragesh – left the hospital that evening, although a bit late.

But the next afternoon, a call from a totally bewildered Sandhya reached Rithu. And it was to say that Midhun’s condition, which had been stable until then, had suddenly taken a turn for the worse, and that she was really scared.

‘The doctors are not saying anything definite. The nurses said that there were a few complications. I have no clue what to do, Rithu,’ wept Sandhya, who had lost all the courage she had had until then.

Rithu worked in an MNC that was based in Korea. One could not walk out of there with the same ease with which one could walk out of a local government office. It involved a complex process, with emails being sent giving detailed explanations and then waiting patiently for a reply to come in. But she managed to cross all these hurdles and reach the hospital in an hour.

‘He was fine in the morning when I saw him, Rithu. We also spoke for a while…’ she cried.

‘The entire fellowship is praying for him. I am convinced that it will bear fruit. We were taught to believe firmly, without doubt. Then why are you so scared?’ said Rithu, comforting her.

‘Yes, that’s the only way ahead,’ said Sandhya. After a while, a dejected Dr Samuel walked out of the ICU and said, ‘There was an internal haemorrhage that did not catch our attention yesterday. That has become worse. There have been many instances in my life when medical science was reduced to being a helpless spectator. Only God can lead our Midhun back to life. I know many lives that God gave back. Pray hard.’

Sandhya prayed. In all the languages that she knew.

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