A Beautiful Mess

Chapter 8

We grabbed our bags and rushed out of the school in split second. Got in the auto none of us said anything. Josh looked scared, pale, and too shocked to function.
"Bhaiya, K M Hospital, and Quick," he said to the auto driver in a shaky voice.

"Nahi Bhaiya, take us to golden heights first," I told the driver.
"Whaaat why?" He asked 
"Trust me." I said and he did not ask any further questions.

Gam was in the hospital, she fell in the bathroom and her head was severely injured, she had also fractured her hip bone and a lot many other complexities because of her old age.
Our world was crumbling but we had to be strong. There was no scope of being weak or frightened. We only had each other and thus we put on our brave masks. We reached her apartment,

"Josh quickly go and change," I instructed.
He nodded and blindly followed my instruction.
I went to gams room and got all her reports, mediclaim, and other medical papers required and her credit card.
I too changed swiftly and grabbed a lunch basket with whatever food was available in the kitchen. Josh came out in his shorts and t-shirt and helped me pack food. 
*******
Hospitals suck and that is understood by whoever has been to one. I had my experiences and none of them, I would want to recall. Gam was in the ICU doctors had kept her under observation and our hearts were literally in our mouths. We paced in the hallway and waited for her to gain consciousness still unable to talk. I called up dad but instead got on phone with his secretary who said that he was busy and might not even come to India for Diwali. I was shattered. That feeling right then and was indescribable, like a punch in my guts. I still managed to stay strong. Josh was too stubborn to call his family for support but he knew he had to inform and so he did. His dad had moved on with his new wife and his mom had no intention of being in any contact with his father or his family. 
We both were on this edge of losing control but we held it together maybe for each other. Lekha Zarine and Dan came to visit for a few hours and left. It was almost midnight and the staff sent us home. 
*********

The streets were bustling with the festivities in the air. Buildings were already dazzling with fairy lights and lanterns. We were surrounded by so much of glitz and lights that for a moment the gloomy corner in our hearts forgot its sadness. 
"Umm, I'll see you at 8?" I said meekly 
"Yeah..." he replied in a tired tone
I turned to enter my home,
"Kalsi..." he said with urgency in his tone
"Stay, I want you to...I mean I don't think we should stay alone today, only if you..."
"I'll change and come over," I said.
He smiled a little and went inside, "Okay."
He couldn't say that he wanted me to stay but I understood his silence. The stress was piling up and I couldn't vent, my head was throbbing and I couldn't breathe. I quickly showered and took my medicine.
********
Josh heated the food and we sat together to eat. I couldn't eat and my breathe was still stuck in my lungs. I took a few bites and went over to the couch. Josh too went to bed without eating much. I sat in the darkness and sleep wouldn't come. Medicine didn't help and I felt like I was trapped. I caught my head in my hands and repeatedly chanted everything is fine, hoping this would actually make everything better. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up. Josh stood there with a look on his face which said he understood what I felt and I broke down.

Tears welled up and I couldn't control they ran down. I had no idea what was happening everything was spinning then I felt him hug me. I cried and wept. He rocked us together and kept on hushing me. I sat like that for maybe an hour and not once did he move. He just held me. I felt peaceful after some time the meds were kicking in and I fell unconscious. He slowly moved, kissed my forehead, and went inside.

The next morning I woke with ginger tea aroma filling in my senses. I sat upright and saw Josh stirring chai, I walked towards the kitchen, he looked at me and smiled, I made a weird face he looked insufferably happy. 
"Hospital called..." he said enthusiastically
"And?" I said smiling brightly 
"She's up we can get her home tomorrow for Diwali." he said it loudly and I screamed.

He came forward and I hugged him a little too tightly. Still screaming he twirled me around and we laughed.
After the moment passed, awkwardness hit us and he put me down. 
"I'll go and get ready," I said awkwardly
"Umm yeah, I made chai, here." he handed me the mug and I left.
I got dressed in the record-breaking time and hopped to meet Josh at the building gate. 
"I told you things would be fine right." He said smiling ear to ear.
"You did, and uh Josh, thank you for last night," I said looking at the ground.
"We're good Kalsi, glad to help the snooty wacko," he said teasingly.
I looked up and gave him my dirty face; he laughed and kissed the top of my head.
"Let's go now."