When I See You Again (MxB)

3. Jude

When we went to the hospital again, dad still hadn't woken up. In fact, we had to wait for another three hours before he was finally awake. The nurse came in to tell us that we could visit him one by one, and only three of us could visit today. Since dad wasn't fully responsive yet, we could talk to him and he would understand, but he couldn't talk back.

All of us heaved a sigh of relief. We didn't care how long it took him to talk back to us, as long as we knew he was going to be okay, it was fine with us.

Maa was the first to go in. All of us anxiously waited outside the closed door as we saw her talk to him and then finally break into tears after a while. The nurse shooed her out after five minutes. She came out and it was my turn to go in.

I went in while squaring my shoulders. I knew seeing my father's face would break me down, but I had to be strong. Not for me, but for the people who were depending on me. I couldn't afford to break down, not now.

I walked into that room, watching my father as he gave me a weak, lopsided grin. I almost broke into tears at the moment but stopped myself. I sat there, looking at my strong, larger than life father who was now lying in a hospital bed with needles up his arms and an oxygen pipe shoved up his nose. I talked to him for a few minutes before the nurse came in and told me it was time to go.

I told baba I'd be back again tomorrow, to which he gave me another smile. While I was walking out of the room, the nurse stopped me.

"Mr. Roy?" She asked in a low voice.

"Yes?" I answered in a hoarse voice. I cleared my throat so that I don't choke.

"Well I just wanted to tell you that your father has suffered a massive stroke today, it's a miracle he made it. But it will leave it's effects on his body. His right side is completely paralyzed, and the doctors don't know if it's permanent or temporary." She said in a low and hurried voice.

I was dumbfounded. I wanted to scream at her, yell at the doctors, but I knew that wouldn't bring any good.

"Are you sure nothing can be done? Money isn't an issue." I told her.

The senior nurse pushed her spectacles up her nose before looking at me.

"Son, your father being alive is already something to celebrate. You can always get help with physical therapy and whatnot, but there's no sure shot way of making it happen. So I'd tell you to brace yourself." She said and I could do nothing but nod.

"I'd inform my family." I numbly told her and she nodded.

I stood there for a few moments, thinking how hard the news will hit my family, especially my dad. He has always been a man of action, and being bedridden is not something he would look forward to. But more than that, the whole responsibility of his work would come upon me. And the thought was scary.

But my father had taught me to take things as they come and I will. So I went out, told everyone about his condition and then my brother went in to meet dad.

I asked Divit if he could take care of mom for a few minutes, when he agreed, I pulled Fey's hand and walked him towards the end of the hall where I knew the washrooms were. He was confused, but thankfully didn't protest.

Once inside, I locked the door and looked at him. He opened his mouth to ask something but I didn't give him the chance as I wrapped my arms around his slender frame and buried my face in his neck.

That was when the first tears escaped.

I have buried everything in since the morning. Not letting my emotions take over my actions. I went through everything perfectly, like any perfect son would, any good brother would. But now, standing in the arms of the one person who makes me want to believe in love, I couldn't keep it in.