Chapter 18 #2
“You have been commanding this long enough, Doctor. Don’t forget, my reports are coming tomorrow. And once they come clean, which I know they will, the command passes to me.”
Her throat worked a swallow.
“Now enjoy your final night of command. Tomorrow, I rule again.”
She blinked, her mouth slightly open. Nilay never let an opportunity go. He gently pulled her down by the waist. Fixated by the moment, she came. Her mouth was open, close to his. And he pushed closer to take it when his doorbell rang.
“Fuck that bastard!”
“Who?” She pulled back.
“Whoever that is! Just come here and finish this…”
“Shoo!” She swatted his hand away and padded to his door. He had never been more grateful for a spacious hall that was never-ending. To see her walk, to see those hips sway without ‘swaying’ was alone responsible for half his recovery.
She pushed the intercom camera button and frowned.
“Who is it?”
“Your… father. And, brother.”
Nilay got to his feet and strode to her. “Go inside.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t want to expose you to whatever poison they have brought again.”
“No.”
“What?”
“I am here. Let them come. You go and sit down.”
“Ritu, we are not telling them about the attacks.”
She frowned.
“They don’t matter to me. Haven’t mattered to me for a long time. Bad news, just as good news, is shared with people who matter.”
Her eyebrows went down — “They are your family.”
“No.”
“Fine, open the door. But I am standing right here.”
Nilay turned the knob and opened the door. Sanket Patel and Parmeshwar Patel stood, side by side, two peas of one pod. Even their polo T-shirts looked like they were made from the same exact fabric, in different shades, falling down to their thighs in uncle cuts identically.
“Yes?”
“Nilay,” Sanket looked stunned. “How are you?”
“I am fine. Are you both returning to Dubai?”
“Yes… no. I mean…” he looked hesitantly at their father, then back at him. “We heard about your heart attack. How are you? They said you have not been coming to the office for a week…”
His face hardened.
“Can we come in?”
Nilay glanced at his father, then back to his brother. He looked over his shoulder, and Ritu was standing there, out of their sight. He raised his eyebrows. She blinked her assent.
Nilay stepped back, and saw both pairs of eyes widen at the discovery of the woman behind him.
“Before you step into my house, remember, this is the woman you both need to respect in order to step foot here. Talk as much shit as you want about me, not about her. Not even by mistake.”
“Actually,” Ritu interrupted. “I was going to say the other way. No shit talking about Nilay. We can sit down and talk anything else.”
“Is she your doctor?” Sanket inquired.
“Ritu is in the room. You can ask her yourself.”
Sanket gaped at her — “Sorry, I didn't mean to offend you.”
“Let’s sit. We can talk then.”
Nilay offered them the distant armchairs and occupied the long sofa with Ritu. As soon as he did, she slid closer to him. All he needed was a hint, because his arm reached out and splayed behind her. He leaned back.
“What happened?” Sanket asked. “What are the doctors saying?”
“Would you like to answer that?” Nilay looked at the woman under his arm. The doctor.
“It’s better you do,” she met his eyes. “I cannot divulge any medical information without your consent.”
Nilay turned to the senior Patels. “I had two heart attacks…”
“Two?”
“The most recent was last week. They found a block, cleared it via angioplasty. I am fine.”
“And you are his doctor?”
“I work with his cardiologist, but I performed his angioplasty.”
“Are you… Will he recover?”
“Yes.”
His father cleared his throat — “Is it… dangerous?”
That’s when they all looked at him. His shoulders were hunched, the proud ego in his eyes hooded.
“I mean,” he said. “For the future.”
“It’s not another weakness, Daddy, if that’s what you mean.”
“I did not mean that.”
Nilay was stunned.
“No,” Ritu finally voiced. “It is not dangerous. Nilay will make a full recovery and resume life as usual.”
His father nodded, the wrinkles on his face visible today.
“Is it because of… what happened that day?” His father’s eyes met his and Nilay recognised the tenderness, the fear, the arresting of life as they knew it when his mother had passed.
“Nobody can pinpoint such things,” Ritu clarified professionally. “Prolonged stress over a long time usually contributes to it, at times it’s one traumatic event. In either case, we don’t like to dwell on what’s passed. It’s how you treat it going forward that is important.”
His father nodded, too many nods today. His age was now showing in every unhinged fold of skin tittering under his jaw.
“Thank you.” He said to Ritu. To him, he said nothing. Only stared. Then began to nod his head — “You should come to Dubai and take a break.”
Nilay did not respond.
“Daddy is right,” Sanket added. “Come to Dubai. Stop working for a while.”
“I’ll see.”
“We can stay back and take you, if you want?”
“That won’t be needed. I have checkups to go to.
If I decide to come after that, I will let you know.
” Nilay got to his feet, sensing the uneasy awkwardness of the room.
Sometimes, you came too far from your blood to ever trace your way back.
Today, he wasn't reticent or angry or even hurt by them. It wasn’t petty revenge that made him not engage with them.
He had just liberated himself of that life, of those bonds, and of that person.
He would fulfil any duties due to him as son and brother, but comfort or companionship was not found here anymore.
Maybe never was. It had always been Mummy sticking them all together.
They followed his cue and got to their feet. Without a word, he and Ritu walked them to the door. There, his father turned to Ritu.
“I thought you were going to marry him. But you saved his life. Thank you.”
Ritu smiled. The maturity that she was wielding in this hotbed of unease was remarkable. He was so grateful that she was by his side today. And so, so proud.
“I will call you,” Sanket told him. “Plan something once the doctors allow you to travel.”
“Yes.”
The elevator doors dinged open and out stepped Maya, Gautam and MM in his arms. Nilay felt his face brighten up.
When the little girl finished gawking at her surroundings like a chicken and met his eyes, and a toothy smile bloomed on her lips, he felt his own answering grin open his mouth wide.
Hi, he mouthed, opening his arms for her.
Gautam crossed his father and brother and deposited MM into his waiting chest. Nilay squeezed her close, kissing her cheek, and saw his father and brother gaping at him as the elevator doors closed on them.
“Googoogagaa…” MM grabbed his beard with both hands.
“No sunflowers today but do you want rides in my private elevator?”
“Yay!” Maya’s cheer. “Nilay!” Gautam and Ritu’s deadpan.