Back To Life ✔

29 | Sponge Bath

"Ishima! Papa..." Aditya turned to Raman. The way his face seemed pale, he was sure his father is not in a frame of mind to act. "Let's take her to hospital." He patted Raman's shoulder. He did not wait for a nod or an argument or anything, but shook him to ask if he could pick his mother up until their car. "Yeah..., I'm coming." Raman mumbled bending a little to scoop her. Aditya could see the discomfort his father was suffering, even so, he did not ask why, because all that he was concerned about was her who was not gaining consciousness even after their little tries.

His fingers were busy tapping on the steering, wiping his perspirations at times as he waited impatiently. He found Raman limping; to be clearer he was just trying to walk steady but could not. There was something amiss, he could not understand. Nevertheless, the moment he found he would give away, he rushed towards him and managed to hold his mother gently, but securely. "Aahh!" Raman panted, squeezing his waist from where blood started oozing down. "Papa! You're hurt!" Aditya shrieked; his eyes rolling, tears brimming down. He somewhat forgot the weight of his mother when he watched his father biting his lips to grit the pain.

"I'm okay, Adi." Raman shook his head, asking him not to worry. It was not enough; Aditya still paused troubled. Raman motioned him to get in the car; he escaped the shock and walked to the backseat door. He placed her on the seat, dragging Raman to sit beside and got on the driver seat. "How did this happen, papa?" Aditya asked peeping in the rearview mirror. "Haann...? I don't remember, Adi. But this is nothing. I'm perfectly alright. You better don't tell your Ishima. She'll strangle me!" He chuckled caressing her hair. "This's not funny, papa! You're hurt and we didn't know. This's awful! I'm awful!" he muttered darting his eyes from Raman to focus on driving. "You're the best. Now stop sulking!" Raman shrugged.

An hour of hustle-bustle. The first thing Aditya could think of doing was to let Raman be treated. "It's just the stress. Make sure she won't hereafter." The doctor told him, for his relief. There were his grandparents along with Simmi worried if something has happened to Abhimanyu. Now he does not care. "He bloody tried to kill my papa, that's why he beat him up. I'm not going to leave him daadu!" Aditya clenched looking through the glass door of the Intensive Care Unit. It took Om a few minutes to understand what he was talking. "What!" He breathed out. "Yeah..., he stabbed papa. He's...he's, I'm sorry, I didn't know. I didn't see that. Even Ishima didn't. I'm so sorry, I couldn't take care of him, daadu..." He broke down crying, hugging Om who has no consoling words to utter.

"Where's Raman?" The first thing Ishita could remember was that. She looked around to see her entire family there. "Amma?!" She could not believe she is watching her. Her father standing beside as they came closer. She has not felt the motherly caresses from a while that she closed her eyes in bliss. It was a different feeling to be loved by her, and she missed her so much. "Ishu, how're you feeling now?" Madhavi's sweet query blurred her eyes. She pursed her lips, sobbing; her hands thrown around her, an embrace she wanted to have from a long time. "I'm sorry, kanna..." She caressed her, securing her.

"...Raman?" She once again muttered quizzically. "Papa's...erm, alright." Aditya stuttered. "Alright? What you mean, Adi? He was alright! I was asking where is he?" Her heart was beating frantically. Did the police take him for attempting to murder Abhimanyu? The day was terrifying and that could be the last thing she would think of happening. He needed to see him right away and make sure he is fine; he is with them, with her. "Where's your papa, Adi?" Her voice turned stern. "He's..." Aditya started but cut short by the doctor. "...Mrs Bhalla, if you don't mind." He came inside apologetically. "Um..., could you please meet Mr Ragav. Actually, he's asked for you. He's conscious and out of danger." He stated.