Two Brothers: Shadows of Deception

Chapter 15

Unexpected Embrace

(Niharika)

We stood outside the hospital room, anxiously awaiting the doctor's update on my father's condition. It had been two long weeks since he slipped into a coma. Dr. Praveen Gupta, a renowned neurologist, had been called in to assess his situation, giving us a glimmer of hope. Our family doctor had connected with him during a medical conference in Pune, leading to this fortunate turn of events.

My mother tightly clutched my hand, her face reflecting a mix of worry and vulnerability. I had never seen her so distressed. She had practically taken up residence at the hospital, refusing to leave my father's side. Despite my pleas for her to take breaks and rest, she remained steadfast in her commitment to him.

I gently tapped her hand, attempting to provide reassurance. She looked at me with teary eyes, and my heart ached for her. I embraced her, feeling the weight of her sobs. Suddenly, the sound of the door opening caught our attention, and we hurriedly approached the doctor as he emerged from the room.

Our family doctor introduced us to Dr. Gupta, who greeted us warmly. Anxiously, my mother inquired about my father's condition. "How is he, doctor?" she asked, her voice filled with eagerness.

"I believe there is hope, Mrs. Varma," Dr. Gupta replied, a wide smile lighting up his face. A collective sigh of relief escaped both my mother and me. "His condition isn't as dire as I initially thought. I've made some adjustments to his medication, and we will monitor his response. I can assure you that he will soon emerge from the coma," he confidently stated. A wave of joy washed over us, replacing our earlier worries.

In that moment, gratitude overwhelmed me, and I sincerely prayed for this remarkable doctor. "Thank God for sending this man here. May God bless him with all the happiness," I whispered, expressing my heartfelt gratitude for his care and expertise.

One month later...

The past month and a half had been nothing short of exhausting. However, amid the fatigue, I found solace in the fact that my nights were now free of nightmares. I would collapse into bed as soon as I arrived home, welcoming the blissful oblivion of sleep. With my father's absence, I had taken on his responsibilities, managing his work alongside my own. And Dr. Gupta had not been exaggerating when he said my father would soon wake up from his coma-he had indeed regained consciousness.

After a week of responding positively to the new medications, my father's right finger began to twitch, and within the following four days, he regained full movement. He recognized all of us, although his left hand and legs remained partially paralyzed. Initially, he was shocked and went into a state of panic, necessitating sedation. However, Dr. Gupta reassured him, explaining that the paralysis might be temporary and emphasizing the high chances of recovery with ongoing treatment and physiotherapy. We were immensely grateful to Dr. Gupta for his unwavering commitment to my father's well-being, commuting from Mumbai to Pune every week solely to consult on his case.

Tomorrow marked the day of my father's discharge. We had been informed that we could continue his treatment and rehabilitation at home. Happiness radiated throughout our family as we looked forward to this significant milestone in his recovery.

Leaving the office at 6:00 p.m., I absentmindedly glanced at my phone, noticing messages from Kavya and a missed call from my mom. Engrossed in composing a reply to Kavya, I accidentally collided with an unseen obstacle, causing me to stumble forward. Bracing myself for impact, I prepared for the imminent pain, but instead, I felt a pair of strong arms pull me back, preventing me from face-planting on the floor.

Eyes squeezed shut, I clung to the fabric within my grasp, trying to regain my composure. After a few moments, I slowly opened my eyes, realizing I was enveloped in a tight embrace. Peering up, I found myself gazing into a pair of concerned black eyes, emanating an inexplicable tenderness.

I examined his features-a well-groomed beard framing his chiseled jawline, tousled black hair that fell slightly past his ears-and couldn't help but acknowledge his undeniable handsomeness. Though our interactions over the past month had been limited to important meetings, he had made no effort to engage with me since our encounter in the same parking lot. But now, those same eyes that once seemed distant held a warmth that resonated with me. Did he genuinely care? The thought interrupted my thoughts, snapping me back to reality.

I shifted my gaze away, clearing my throat as I released my hold on his suit collar, attempting to create some distance. However, his grasp remained firm, his eyes fixed on my face. Feeling a surge of nervousness, I tapped my hands lightly against his chest. "Are you okay?" he asked in his deep, husky voice, his eyes still filled with concern.

I met his gaze and nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. "Yes," I replied softly. He hummed in response, still keeping me within his embrace. Sensing my discomfort, I pushed against his chest, trying to free myself. Yet, he remained unfazed, his eyes never leaving my face. "You can let go now. I'm fine," I insisted.

Finally, he relinquished his hold, but his gaze continued to linger. "Yeah, sure," he replied, slowly retracting his hands. A teasing smile replaced his previous look of concern, hinting at his mischievous nature. "Are you always this clumsy?" he asked, his smirk returning.

I furrowed my brow, slightly taken aback. "Yes, but only when I'm around unlucky guys," I retorted, shooting back a playful response. He chuckled, his playful demeanor apparent. "Well, then I must consider myself lucky," he quipped before climbing into his car and driving off. What was it about this guy? Did he have a dual personality? Letting out a sigh, I started my own car, longing for the comfort of my bed. It had been a long day indeed.

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