Dr Meera Saravana has been on the run for the last ten years due to a fatal misunderstanding. She ends up in New York, hoping that maybe this time everything will work out. But that's turning out to be impossible the more she gets involved with the...
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It took three weeks for me to be discharged from the hospital.
Dr Carlson had given clear instructions about what to do and what not to do. I would be having follow up visits with him every week, mostly to make sure I was getting my rest but importantly, to see if I was healing properly. One of the most common complications of a broken rib was pneumonia. The thing about rib fractures is that they healed easily within a month or two but it was painful, every time you took a deep breath or coughed, it was excruciatingly painful. There were also the bandages around your chest that made sure that you didn't breathe too deep and the constant use of ice packs to deal with the inflammation.
It was going to be a long road to recovery. Physically, it would take me a few months but emotionally, I didn't even know where to start.
I arrived at my apartment in a white Land Rover courtesy of Anya. Nat and Amara were waiting for me anxiously at the doorstep. Amara had a bouquet of daisies wrapped in a blue ribbon. As soon as I stepped out of the car, she had her arms wrapped around me, careful not to hug me too tightly. She half dragged, half carried me into the house. The air was cool inside and I could smell the scent of my favourite tea wafting from the kitchen.
Pharaoh had come bounding over to me, his tail twitching in excitement and meowing like crazy. His yellow eyes told me how much he had missed me. Amara was kind enough t0 reach down and pick him up, placing the devilish cat in my arms. The feeling of his purring made me feel a little bit better.
Amara, the poor girl had been crying, it was obvious with the puffy eyes and sniffles. I pulled her close with my free arm, ignoring how sore my body felt.
"There, there." I patted her head affectionately, ruffling her messy hair. "I'm made it back in one piece didn't I?"
"Don't joke about that!" She said, her voice muffled against my shoulder. "I thought—-"
I kissed her head when she started crying against my jacket. "I know. I'm sorry, honey."
"Don't apologize," Nat snapped from the kitchen. She braced herself against the countertop, two mugs in front of her. She looked tired with the bags underneath her eyes and her messy hair, it looked like neither of us was sleeping properly. "Don't you fucking dare. You don't have to apologize for anything. Nothing—and I mean nothing—was your fault!"
I reached out my hand. "I hope one of those mugs is for me."
She handed it to me with a glare that was less than threatening. "It's tea. I made it the way you like."
"No sugar?"
"No sugar."
"Thank you, Nat."
"Welcome home. It's about time."
I couldn't help but smile weakly. Despite how hard the past weeks have been, both mentally and physically, I had this to look forward to.
I stayed in the house for a whole week after that, keeping myself busy and practising breathing exercises. Nat went to the bar but came back during lunch with food. Amara was like a stray cat, I didn't know when to expect her. She came and went, always making sure to check up on me. At least Pharaoh was home with me. I think he was happier, purring and cuddling up next to me. Because I was home most of the time, I got to spend more time with Pharaoh. I don't what it was about Pharaoh but he seemed to understand what I was saying.
