The car came to a smooth halt beneath the vast concrete structure of Nalanda Hospital's parking complex.
The engine went silent.
For a brief moment, no one spoke.
The hospital loomed ahead—massive, orderly, and coldly efficient. Even from the outside, it felt less like a place of healing and more like a small city built solely to wrestle with life and death.
Ken stepped out first, followed by Dhriti. Ekant and Tiyan emerged moments later, the echo of their footsteps swallowed by the open space.
thudding...
thudding...
thudding...
They entered through the main gate.
The interior was flooded with white light, polished floors reflecting the steady movement of patients, doctors, nurses, and families— each carrying their own invisible burdens.
To the side of the entrance sat the front desk.
Behind it stood a middle-aged man with neatly combed hair and calm eyes. The moment he noticed them approaching, he straightened slightly and offered a polite smile.
"Good morning," he said warmly. "How may I help you?"
Ken didn't waste time.
He reached into his bag and retrieved a folded piece of paper, sliding it across the counter.
The man adjusted his glasses, examined it briefly, then typed something into the computer. His fingers moved quickly, practiced.
A soft beep followed.
He nodded.
"Please proceed to Angel Area, Building Number 5, Floor 3, Room 9."
He paused, then clipped additional documents to the paper and handed them back.
"These are your admission details. Everything has been prepared."
"Thank you," Ken said.
They already knew where Angel Area was.
Crossing the main building, they stepped into the open expanse beyond.
Only then did the hospital's true scale reveal itself.
It stretched endlessly across the land—nearly twenty buildings, each rising fifteen floors high, divided into five distinct areas, all connected by wide roads and walkways.
It was so vast that Ekant couldn't help but think—
This place could swallow half the world's largest airport…
And that wasn't even counting the staff-only zones.
As they exited the main structure, a row of special services lined the path—wheelchairs, electric taxis, even ambulances ready at a moment's notice.
But no one asked for them.
No one suggested it.
Instead, they walked.
Step by step.
Half an hour passed.
By the time Building Number 5 came into view, their pace slowed instinctively.
Angel Area.
Building 5.
The air itself felt heavier.
Tiyan swallowed.
Even Ken and Dhriti exchanged a brief glance.
This building was… different.
Among the locals, Building 5 had an unofficial name.
Demon's Building.
It was where the most critical cases were sent. Where lives hovered on thin edges. Where success rates were high—but fear was higher.
People whispered about it.
Feared it.
Respected it.
In the city, it was known as—
Angel's Demon.
They entered quietly.
After checking in at the desk and receiving the room key, they boarded the lift. The doors slid shut with a soft chime.
Floor numbers rose.
1 ↑
2 ↑
3
Thud...
The doors opened.
The corridor was long, spotless, eerily quiet.
Room No. 9 lay at the far end.
After unlocking the door, they stepped inside.
They placed their bags neatly near the wall. Most of their luggage had been left in the car intentionally—to avoid unnecessary delays.
Ekant glanced around.
The room was… more than he expected.
A modern, fully equipped patient bed sat at the center. Air conditioning hummed softly. A television was mounted on the wall. There was a private bathroom and washroom, an extra sleeping area for relatives, a washing machine, a vending machine—
And even an ATM.
Who even uses cash here…? Ekant wondered briefly.
A small table stood beside the bed, accompanied by five chairs.
Clothes for the patient were neatly folded.
Ekant picked them up and headed to the bathroom.
When he returned, dressed in hospital attire, his own clothes folded in his hands, the room felt… final.
Not scary.
Just real.
A short while later, a nurse entered.
Her tone was professional but kind.
"The operation will commence at 8:00 p.m.," she explained. "It's currently around 10:00 a.m. He is not allowed to eat from now on. Water is permitted until 3:00 p.m.."
She moved to the other side of the bed and picked up a glucose bottle.
"Please lie down so I can set this up."
Ekant nodded and did as instructed.
She skillfully checked his veins, adjusted her equipment, and inserted the needle with practiced precision.
A dull thud echoed softly as the setup was completed.
She checked the flow, nodded once, and exited the room.
Time passed.
Slowly.
Painfully.
Evening crept in.
At 8:00 p.m., Ekant was wheeled out of the room.
Each floor had its own operation theater.
The lights above blurred as he stared upward, the ceiling passing by like a slow-moving river.
A doctor leaned over him.
"Relax," the doctor said calmly. "Count backward if you want."
Ekant didn't get past three.
Darkness took him gently.
---
When consciousness tried to return, it was distant.
Muted.
The operation had lasted just over an hour.
It was successful.
At 9:25 p.m., Ekant was brought back to Room 9, still sleeping under the lingering effects of anesthesia.
Dhriti sat beside him, holding his hand.
Ken stood quietly nearby.
Outside, the lights of Angel's Demon continued to glow.
And for now—
The worst was over.
To Be Continued...
___
Author's Note: Its a new challenge for me to write something in different genres. I know its not going to peak like other games Web Novels but I'll try my best to make it upto 6/10 rating...