Vikram Struggles to Pay His Mother’s Hospital Bill
One evening, Vikram received terrible news.
His mother's condition had become worse.
The doctor said,
“She needs immediate treatment.”
Vikram asked,
“How much?”
“Sixty thousand rupees.”
Vikram's heart sank.
He had almost no money.
He did not know whom to ask.
That night, John heard about the situation.
He did not hesitate.
He arranged the money.
He paid the hospital bill without telling Vikram.
When Vikram asked the hospital staff how the payment had been made, they simply said,
“Someone who cares about your family paid it.”
Vikram was confused.
The Truth
After his mother's condition stabilised, Vikram finally returned to his farm.
He stopped at the edge of the field.
His eyes widened.
The crops were green.
Healthy.
Beautiful.
He looked around.
“How?”
He followed the water channel.
It led directly to John's well.
Vikram stood silently.
Then he understood.
John had done this.
The same John who refused to speak with him.
The same John who had rejected him.
The same John who had fought with him.
John had secretly protected his crops.
Vikram's eyes filled with tears.
He remembered the snake bite.
John had been helpless on the ground.
Vikram had never thought about their dispute.
He had saved him.
And now John had done the same for him.
Vikram whispered,
“Why did we waste so many days fighting?”
He immediately went to John's house.
This time, John came outside.
For several seconds, neither of them spoke.
Vikram finally said,
“John.”
John looked at him.
“I saw my field.”
John remained silent.
“You helped me.”
John lowered his eyes.
Vikram continued,
“And I heard about the hospital bill.”
John looked surprised.
Vikram stepped closer.
“Why?”
John's eyes became emotional.
“Because you are my friend.”
Vikram shook his head.
“No. I stopped being your friend when my ego became more important than our friendship.”
John looked at him.
Vikram continued,
“I thought I was right. You thought you were right. We both kept proving that we were right.”
He smiled sadly.
“But what did we prove?”
John could not answer.
“We lost our friendship.”
John's eyes filled with tears.
“I was angry with you.”
“I know.”
“I didn't want to accept your love for Sweety because I was angry.”
“I know.”
“I thought if I accepted you, I would lose my respect.”
Vikram smiled.
“Friendship is not about winning an argument, John.”
John finally stepped forward.
“And it is not about holding on to ego.”
The two friends looked at each other.
Then John hugged Vikram.
For the first time in many months, they cried like two children.
The villagers who witnessed the scene smiled.
The friendship everyone thought was finished had finally returned.