Dear Daughter

Dear Daughter Part 6

Hot parathas were laid down for us on the table. I gave a look of deep disapproval to Taramma. My brother, who saw this exclaimed - "Yes, Anya, we all know, you're not here for celebration and we shouldn't be serving you delicacies no matter how badly you've missed them. But guess what, father's doing well now. And as you know, it has always been a family tradition to keep the stomachs happy even at the most inappropriate of times". My bhabhi burst out laughing at this and I couldn't contain my laughter any longer either.

Bhabhi had a glow on her face I'd never seen earlier. She looked younger and prettier than ever before. When I teased her about the same, she gave her signature coy smile and exclaimed how she had redeemed her passion for fitness a year ago. With Aryan supporting her zumba classes in full swing, she'd actually found a career doing what she'd always loved to do. Nia carefully listened to our talks even if she could barely understand a few things. 

Around 10, Aryan received a call from mom telling him that the doctors had told dad could now be discharged. Even though it was a collapse due to low blood pressure, the doctor had asked him to stay overnight just in case. My brother had to rush to the hospital to complete the rest of the procedures and bring along mom and dad home. He asked me to stay home and take rest. I insisted on going along. After all, this is what I was here for.

We drove to the hospital which was almost half-an-hour from home now, because of the heavy traffic in my hometown. I sighed, recalling the days when there were more trees and lesser cars around. Simpler times, I'd say. That's exactly how we half-hearted nature lovers convince ourselves. By blaming the urbanization that we actually entertain otherwise. We were environmentalists, no doubt, but only on convenience. It was the irony we just had to live with.

The hospital was new. Aryan told me it was the best right now with all the state-of-the-art facilities and good doctors on-call. I was just happy that the hospital didn't have the usual feel that all hospitals do. I think it's a weird thing that we start feeling all the more sick as soon as set out foot into a hospital. Another irony, perhaps. 

Aryan told me to go ahead to the room where dad and mom were. I insisted on staying with him. He was my shield. He had always been. I knew it wasn't the right time to be thinking about what my parents would say or what I'd say to them but my mind, as always, kept playing a thousand scenarios , one worse than the other. So I decided I'd let him lead and follow him mutely. 

After all this time, one would think I'd have learnt how to face situations like these, with all my over-thinking and extreme preparations. But I wasn't. And my heart was already racing with anticipation - what would he think? What would he say? Would he be glad I'm here?

 Perhaps not!