The girl who made my life heaven and hell like

Chapter 14

Chapter 14:

The men, who admitted Pia at the hospital, left few minutes after my arrival. I registered Pia's details to the registration staff and her fully fledged treatment began. I sat alone, staring at the door of the Emergency care room, Pia was being treated at. Actually, I was the only person in the whole floor, except for few nurses and people, who passed by me from time to time. I prayed silently through my tears. My phone rang, tearing the silence of the lonely corridor. It was my mom. My lips quivered and tears welled up, when I saw the call. She was the only one I had, whom I could open myself to, other than Pia.

"Mom," I began to speak, muffling my flowing tears.

"Varun, you did not call me after reaching your work place. What happened? Where are you?" I sensed anxiety in her voice. I couldn’t complain. Ever since I came out alive of the nearly fatal accident I met with during the first year of my college, she made it a point I called her after I reached my whatsoever destination.

"I am in hospital mom", I spluttered, tears washing over my face. "Pia  met with an accident mom. She was hit by a car in the signal,".

I could speak no more and began to cry all my heart out, finally, letting all my grief fall as tears. My mom remained silent, letting my words slowly sink into her. I sensed her. She did not know whether to call me off from the hospital, owing to the fact I was not supposed to meet Pia , or console me.

"It's her birthday today, mom. It all happened because she was coming to meet me. I am feeling so lost, mom". Her motherly love took control in an instant, hearing me sob.

"Tell me which hospital. I cannot see you like this, Varun. Let me be there with you."

I needed strength now - Strength only Pia or my mom can give me. But, as much as I wanted her presence beside me, I knew it was better not. The doctor, who was treating Pia came out then. "Mom, the doctor comes. I got to go. I will call you later. Please don’t worry about me".

"Are you related to the girl?", the doctor asked, pulling away his gloves. I couldn’t speak, rather, I just nodded. He was in his mid fifties and one look at the weeping me, his coolness-composed expression turned more father-like.

"Don’t worry, young man. She looks miraculously fine, accounting to the criticality of her accident. Nothing fatal to be worried about," he spoke, patting me gently on my shoulder.

 "B-but, I was told s-she hit her head on t-the sidewalk -- ", I stuttered.

"Yeah, but luck chose to be with her today, I suppose - there was no head injury. She seemed to have hit her head on the grassy patch of the sidewalk. Rather, her right shoulder could have been the one to get hit against the stone surface. So, she got it fractured and also her left arm, plus, few minor cuts on her body. Except for these, she seems totally perfect."

I finally breathed a sigh of relief. In fact, I finally felt the ability to breathe. I felt a rush of gratitude, towards God or the doctor, I did not know.

"Thank you so much, doctor. Can I see her now?"

"Sure, but please don’t take longer." The doctor left, transferring his calmness to me. I responded with a weak smile and went inside to see her.

A nurse was checking on her vitals and doing other formalities, smiled at me encouragingly, while Pia  laid there unconscious, looking peacefully asleep, covered in bandages and oxygen mask.  I wanted to take her into my arms, if not her whole self, at least her hands. But, she looked too fragile. I bent and kissed her feet and sat, observing her silently, until the nurse sent me out. My eyes were once again full of tears, this time, out of happiness and gratitude. My angel came out alive, like a phoenix out of ashes.

Her parents arrived after few minutes. I saw her mother first . Her mother, Pia was her photocopy -- from the walking style to the color of her eyes. Her father, Mahesh More, was tall and casted a tough-guy aura, but appeared apparently lost of all strength, when taken a closer look. I knew they did not know me, so I introduced myself and briefed Pia's condition.

Her father held my hands in his and thanked me. He looked neither tough nor weak, rather, he became more composed.

"Oh, thank god. I came cursing the fate that took a toll on my daughter, but now, I can't ask for more", her mother sobbed.

Looking at Pia's mother, brought my mother's face into my mind. I knew how restless she could be feeling right then, back home. But, I couldn’t bring myself to leave Pia's sides. However, I couldn’t stay there longer either, with her parents there, and some of her relatives started popping in too. So, I forced myself out, bidding farewell to her parents, assuring them, and myself, that she would come around sooner, with her warm smile.