My dad is a Musician

Chapter 3

Reid came rushing at around midnight when he got to know about what happened and helped me set the room for the boy. He was still in hospital clothes. I will have to change it tomorrow.

Reid said he will contact an organisation that helps children with such a background.

I asked the hospital to give us a wheelchair to carry him around. They also sold wheelchair bells there. I thought it would be a good idea to buy one for the boy.

When everything was set we came to take the boy in but he was already asleep on the wheelchair by then.

I gently moved him from the wheelchair to the bed. I then put pillows under his leg which had the cast.  I was told to keep his leg at least 10 cm up from his heart.

Once we had set his leg properly without waking him up, we went out.

"You want something to drink?" I asked him, "Ah– the breakfast that you brought, it's still here." I checked the food and it seemed fine so I heated it up and put it on two different plates of which one I passed to Reid.

"How can you eat in such a situation?" He finally broke the silence. He has been holding it all in.

"It's sad whatever has happened to him and yes it was partially my fault. But, is there something that we can do about it?"

"That's…", he became quiet.

"I know you are angry and I know you want revenge but we don't know everything or where he comes from or who his parents are or whatever. It's basically a dead end no matter where we go at the moment."

He seemed to be letting it sink it. "That's why it's best to send him to an orphanage where he will be taken good care of. No need to bring the nurse here."

He looked up. "Once we finalise an orphanage for him, just send him there. It will be done by tomorrow morning." I said.

"I will take him in." He said suddenly.

"You?"

"Did you see back there in the hospital it was only you who could get closer to him and it was you whom he followed. God knows how in such a condition where it would be hard to even move a finger."

"Hey!" This conversation is getting heated.

"Please don't send him to an orphanage and make him feel miserable and that he is the cause of your worries."

"Don't you dare talk to me that way man. What the hell?! I am thinking of sending him there as the orphanage would provide him better care which is the need of the hour."

"He is in a very sh*tty situation as it is and you are making it worse by acting like an a**hole. Did you see his face light up when you praised him this morning? Do you think he would be that happy anywhere? I… F**k it."

"He needs recovery." I am getting his point but…

"We can call nurses here to stay for hours together. If you can't afford it, I will provide it. It's better he stays at the house now and not in the hospital. Since we don't know his parents, and neither does he, anyone who knows him can find him and report to his father and a criminal can go to any extent to hide his crimes."

"Listen this…", Whatever he is saying is true. What that kid needs is love and if not, me around. Who knows if I stay with him enough he would be able to just open up to me or remember about his past and we can catch the culprit.

"Just be with him and that's all I want. I will handle everything." He was now really desperate.

I went ahead and gave him a hug. He sighed and hugged me back. "I will be there for him and will take care of all his expenses. Don't worry. Just be with me too, ya?"

"Yup"

He really loves that boy huh? Then I can't act like I don't care about him. I brought him to my home, so he is my responsibility. I will definitely take care of him and not send him to any orphanage.

This… until when he says he doesn't want me to.

I will definitely be there for him till then.

"Come, let's eat now or the food will be cold."

"Yeah sure."

*****
The next day, I woke up early and prepared pancakes. Every kid I have known loves pancakes. He will like it too. The hospital has asked me to increase his food portions slowly. I don't know his normal ones but I will provide him an amount which is sufficient for a kid.

I arranged it in a way it looked appetising and then put it on the counter and went to the boy's room to check on him.

He was still sleeping. He looks so calm and relaxed. I went near and tucked his bed sheet again, it felt like he would catch a cold because his hands were out and it was cold today.

It was then suddenly he caught my hands and sat up and glared at me like a wounded lion at his opponent.

I think I triggered something.