#MaAn: A flight of fate

||25|| Is our Baby ok? [PT.2]

The room was quiet, save for the soft beeping of the heart monitor and the steady rhythm of Aarav's breath. Anupama and Anuj stood side by side, their hands still tightly intertwined. Anuj's reassuring presence beside her was a balm to her frazzled nerves, though the silence between them was heavy with concern.

Aarav lay peacefully on the hospital bed, his small face pale but calm. Anupama carefully brushed his damp hair back from his forehead, a mother's tender touch that spoke of all the love and worry she had for her son.

She watched him for a long moment, her mind still trying to process the rush of events that had led them here. A dehydration issue? It was difficult to believe something so simple could have caused such a terrifying reaction. But the doctor had been clear—while they would continue to monitor Aarav, he was stable, and there was no immediate danger.

"He's going to be okay, right?" Anupama's voice broke through the stillness, barely above a whisper.

Anuj squeezed her hand tighter, his own emotions carefully guarded. "Yes. The doctor said it was a simple issue, Anu. He's strong, he'll bounce back."

Anupama nodded, though the tightness in her chest didn't release. She leaned forward slightly, brushing a kiss across Aarav's forehead. "My sweet boy... please wake up soon," she murmured, her voice thick with emotion.

Minutes passed, and the steady hum of the machines in the room seemed to fill the space between them. Anuj stood beside her, his eyes on Aarav, but his mind was clearly elsewhere—on his family, on his wife, on everything they had endured together and yet to face.

Finally, a soft knock on the door broke the tension in the room. A nurse stepped in, her face kindly but professional.

"How's he doing?" she asked, her voice gentle but tinged with concern.

"He's stable," Anuj replied, his tone calm but his worry still evident. "But he hasn't regained consciousness yet."

The nurse nodded. "That's normal for now. We'll continue with the fluids and monitor him closely. His body just needs some time to process everything. It's very common with children who've been severely dehydrated, especially after a sudden collapse. We'll keep checking his vitals."

Anupama smiled weakly at the nurse, grateful for the reassurance. "Thank you. We... we just need him to wake up."

The nurse smiled back. "He will. Just be patient."

She turned to leave, and Anupama remained standing, her fingers lightly tracing Aarav's hand. Anuj, sensing the weight of her emotions, gently wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her closer.

"You've been incredible, Anu," he said softly, his voice carrying the weight of the days they'd been through. "Everything is going to be okay. We'll get through this, just like we always do."

Anupama leaned into him, taking comfort in the warmth of his embrace. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, savoring the feeling of his presence—his quiet strength.

Hours passed in what felt like a blur. Anupama refused to leave Aarav's side, only occasionally stepping out to grab a quick bite or to talk to the doctors for updates. Every time she left the room, she couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Why wasn't I more careful with him? Why didn't I notice sooner?

But each time, Anuj was there, a steady source of reassurance. He didn't allow her to dwell too long in her thoughts.

"Aarav needs us to be strong, Anu," he reminded her, his voice calm, yet his own worry was evident beneath the surface. "He'll wake up when he's ready. We're here for him."

By the time evening fell, the sun setting outside casting a warm glow over the sterile walls of the hospital, something seemed to shift in the room. Aarav's fingers twitched. His eyelids fluttered, and for the first time since they had arrived, Anupama saw a glimmer of life in his face. Her heart skipped a beat as she leaned forward, her hands trembling slightly.

"Aarav?" she whispered, her voice filled with hope. "Aarav, sweetie?"

The boy stirred slightly, a soft groan escaping his lips. Then, with a long blink, his eyes fluttered open, confusion and grogginess filling them.

"Mama?" Aarav's voice was weak, but it was the sweetest sound in the world to Anupama. "Papa?"

Anuj stepped forward instantly, his face lighting up with relief. He kneeled beside the bed, his hands gently cupping Aarav's face. "Hey, buddy. You're back with us. How are you feeling?"

Aarav blinked again, trying to focus. "Thirsty..." he mumbled, his voice hoarse.

Anupama quickly reached for the water on the bedside table, holding it to his lips, watching as he slowly drank, taking in the much-needed hydration that had been so desperately required.

"Easy, Aarav," she murmured, her hand gently holding his as he drank. "Take it slow."

Once he had finished drinking, he settled back into the pillow, his eyes fluttering again. "What happened, Mama?" he asked, looking up at her with innocent confusion.

"You fainted, darling," Anupama explained softly. "You were feeling weak, and your body just needed some rest. The doctors are taking care of you now, and everything's okay."

Aarav's brows furrowed in confusion. "I... I don't remember." His little voice was tinged with worry, but Anupama smiled softly.

"It's okay, baby. You just need to rest now. Everything is going to be just fine."

Anuj looked at Anupama, his face full of relief. As she gently stroked Aarav's hair, he took her hand in his and squeezed it tightly. This moment right here—this was all that mattered.

The next morning, Aarav was doing much better. The doctors had continued their assessments overnight, but the worst had passed. He was sitting up in his hospital bed, looking more like his usual energetic self, although a little pale. His parents and grandparents surrounded him, all smiles, though their eyes still betrayed their worry from the previous day.

Anupama sat beside him, her heart swelling with love and relief as she watched her son nibble on his breakfast.

"Feeling better, kiddo?" Anuj asked, leaning down to kiss the top of Aarav's head.

Aarav nodded, looking up at them with a shy smile. "I'm hungry, Papa. I think I can have some ice cream now."

Anupama laughed softly, brushing his hair from his forehead. "We'll have ice cream, sweetie, but after lunch. You've got to be strong and finish your breakfast first, okay?"

Aarav pouted playfully, but his parents could see that his energy was returning, and that was all that mattered.

The rest of the day was a whirlwind of check-ups and reassurance from the doctors. Aarav was cleared to leave the hospital, though they were advised to keep a close eye on him for the next few days.

As they left the hospital, Aarav holding tightly onto both his parents' hands, Anupama and Anuj exchanged a look. Their hearts were full of gratitude, and as they stepped out into the sunlight, they knew that the storm was over.

Aarav was safe. Their family was whole again.

"Let's go home," Anuj said softly, his eyes never leaving Anupama as she smiled at him.

"Yes," Anupama whispered, her voice full of warmth. "Home."

The road ahead was still full of surprises, but with their love and strength, Anupama and Anuj knew they would face it all, together.