Second Chance

Chapter Six

A/n - Up to today, this story has reached thousand odd reads for just few chapters. I'm amazed at the response. I didn't really give priority to this story because I was focused on my 2moons ff. But as a tribute to all the readers, I'm going to update one chapter per day from now on. Thanks my lovelies. 😘😘😘😘

Chapter Six

“What do you mean you’re extending your stay in Thailand?” Mandy asked in disbelief. I adjusted the laptop screen and leaned back on my chair.

“Relax girl, it’s not like the dude is planning to settle back in Thailand.” Mike gasped at his own words. “You’re not right?” He peered at the screen, his face looked ridiculous.

“Give the man a break guys.” Ranveer came and pushed Mike away from the chair and sat on it. He took a bite out of the large doughnut he was consuming. “Sup dude?”

“Hey Ranveer, I’m gonna stay little bit longer here. I know you can take care of things for me.” I leaned forward and looked at him seriously.

“Course dude, don’t mind these sissies. Take care of whatever business you have there man.” He extended his balled up fist and touched the screen. I smiled and copied him.

“Buy guys”

I sighed and stood up. It’s great that my team is amazing. I’m so grateful for them.

It’s been a month since I came here. It’s been a month since my little nephew was born and it’s been a month since I started spending my nights besides the hospital bed of my wasting ex lover.

I climbed down silently. When I was passing the nursery I saw that the door was half open. I peeked my head in and looked at the infant sleeping in the dim light. He looked bigger now. I can hold him now without the fear of dropping him. It’s so amazing to watch him grow bigger everyday.

I wish Rambo would make a progress too.

I walked down the hospital corridor nodding at few people. I’ve been coming here every night, people here kind of know me. Night security guards, nurses, attendants, old man who does the late night shift at the cafeteria, the little old lady in a dressing gown, who hangs out near the vending machine and complains that she can’t sleep. The list is endless. Most of them knew me as a visitor. Some thought I worked here.

“Hey Mae'Jean, looking good today.” I greeted one of motherly attendants who was pushing a cart full of linen.

“Khun'Pree, nice seeing you.” She smiled kindly.

I pushed my hands down my pants pockets and walked casually towards the ICU. I pushed opened the glass door and entered.

Something is not right. The machines were silent and unhooked. The bed is empty. Haphazardly unhooked wires were on the bed and floor. Where is Rambo?

I ran out of the emergency room and looked left and right. There’s no one around. Where is the night nurse? Why isn’t there anyone when I wanted one? I ran to the opposite direction of where I came and to the nurses' station.

I ran fast and skidded stop when I almost crashed in to two male attendants wheeling a patient down the corridor. They looked at me with irritation.

“Careful, let the dead guy go to the morgue in peace.” They started pushing the wheeler with a body covered in a white cloth. I stared at them moving further away from me towards the morgue.

No no no that can’t be him. He can’t be dead. Rambo can’t die…. I started walking after them.

“Hey!” I called. They didn’t stop. So I quickened my steps and started running. I ran into them again and stopped the wheeler by holding onto it. “Stop! Please?” I panted.

“What’s your problem Khun?” The older guy turned to me tiredly.

“Who’s that?” I pointed the stretcher, my finger shook with tension.

“Some guy from the ICU. We didn’t ask for his birth certificate cause he’s already dead.” The younger guy snapped. “Let us move Khun.”

I hurried to the side of the bed and snatched the white cloth away from the body.

“Hey!” they shouted at once.

“Please let us move Khun, it’s disrespectful for the deceased to keep him waiting in the hallway.” The older man placed his hand on my chest and pushed me aside gently. I stood their staring at the dead man’s face. The younger one glared at me and quickly covered the body back.

“Let’s go P” He shot me a final glare and wheeled away the body.

I leaned back on the wall sighing. I must be going mad. I ran my fingers through my hair and slid down the wall and sat on the floor.

“Son?” I looked up. It was Rambo’s father. I got up quickly.

“Dad, Rambo?” He placated me with a raised palm. “I went in to the ICU and the bed was empty.” He patted my shoulder smiling.

“Rambo is fine.” He squeezed my shoulder and laughed. His eyes are filling with tears. I stared at him incomprehensively. “Pree, Rambo is awake.” He laughed again.

“He's awake?” He nodded.

“He woke up this morning. I didn’t know how to contact you. So I waited for you to give the news.” He held both my shoulders and shook me.

“He’s awake.” I gave a little laughed. Dad nodded.

“Come.” He gestured for me to follow. And I did. “We moved him to a private room.” He opened the room and urged me in, looking back.

I took a deep breath and entered.

He was still fragile and weak. But there’s little bit of color in his sunken cheeks. But he was very much alive. Head of the retractable bed was raised and he was being spoon fed some liquid by a nurse.

“Look your dad is back.” she smiled at him kindly. He slowly turned his head and looked at his dad. Then his eyes met mine. They held on to mine for an awfully long time and I was about to reach the conclusion that he didn’t really know me anymore.

And then his lips, which used to be supple and pink but now pale and chapped, twitched slightly. His lashes blinked few times.

“What is it sweetie? Do you know this handsome young man?” The nurse dabbed his lips with a napkin. He nodded his head infinitively.

I walked forward and moved closer to the bed.

“Hello Rambo.” I smiled.

“Pree.” His voice is barely audible.

“Yes it’s me.” I whispered and reached out to touch his hand gently. He moved his fingers weakly trying to hold on to my hand. I held his hand with both of mine and smiled down at him.

He shook his head and his eyes started filling.

“No Rambo don’t cry. I’m here na?” Rambo blinked.

“Rambo? Did you know Pree sat with you every night? He was by your side all this time waiting for you to wake up. He talked to you, read for you. Did you hear him?” Dad spoke to Rambo slowly.

Rambo’s eyes never left me.

“Okay I’ll leave you people alone now.” The nurse picked up the tray. “Just, try not to agitate him too much.” She smiled and left carrying the tray.

“Pree?” Rambo called again. I moved closer to his face. His fingers are twitching in my hand. I sat on the chair next to the bed and placed his palm over my cheek.

“Yes, it’s Pree.” I smiled. His lips twitched resembling a smile.

“Pree, I knew.” He blinked and rasped. “I knew you would come.” He stroked my cheek with his weak fingers.