11 ~ The Problem
After tucking mumma to bed, I started working on my book.
It's a tiring task when you have the story but can't get the words to write it.
Days had been a lot tiring and amidst this, I was neglecting my work.
If I don't give my publisher a heads up that I am working on a banger idea, she will probably loose her trust on me.
Writing is nice, I enjoy it but with it comes interviews, book signing etc etc which I want to avoid but I can't. I don't like unnecessary attention but that's the time I get the most. Every time the interviewer asks the same questions and I have to answer them maintaining my cool.
They ask stupid questions sometimes which really mess with my self control.
I remember mumma advising me to answer wisely because the world will not remember the question but the way I answer.
I have been careful since then, trying not to be rude, harsh to the interviewer when they ask such controversial questions.
Amidst the ideas of my novel, my brain kept swirling at Adrija's advice.
Should I tell her that I like Dr. Adhyay?
She would help me propose her brother. She would know what he likes and dislikes, so I'll be able to know him better.
However, I can't stop thinking about my biological father who left us as soon as I took birth.
He deceived my mother in the name of love.
What if Dr. Adhyay does the same to me? What will I do?
I don't want to go through betrayal and loneliness.
I think being alone is better than a heartbreak.
But I don't think Dr. Adhyay is like my sperm donor.
He belongs to a well groomed family, I have seen how his parents are insanely in love with each other till this day.
His siblings are friendly as well, they warmed up with me and treated me like their own sister.
Both Hrishit and Hrishika are bundle of happiness and so is Dr. Adhyay.
Behind his doctor mask, he hides a simple man who loves helping everyone.
He is a calm man who believes in trying to find the solution rather than blaming others.
I don't think he would ever think of breaking someone's heart.
Yawning, I looked at the clock. Shifting the thoughts of Dr. Adhyay aside, I prepare to sleep when I hear a loud noise. The sound of steel falling.
Hastily, I quickly went towards the kitchen, thinking of the rat which has been troubling us for days.
Two days before, I found it running to hide beneath the sofa and since then I have been trying to find the little troublemaker.
I don't want to harm it, when I'll get hold of it, I will free it in the nearby bushy area.
He is a clever rodent. Always nibbles away the cheese and bread but never enters into the rat trap. Today, I will catch him for sure!
I ran outside, eager to catch the rat. I looked around the living room and then proceeded towards the kitchen.
I didn't spot the rat but when I turned to go back, I found mumma? She was unconscious.
Panic was all I sensed. My sense organs went numb seeing mumma fainted.
I crouched and patted her cheeks, "Mumma? Mumma wake up! Mumma"
But she showed no response. I bought water and sprinkled it on her face but still no response. I was scared and terrified. Not knowing what to do, I ran to my room and grabbed my mobile, colliding with many things in the process but I only cared for my mother.
With shaking hands, I dialled the only person I could expect to help me, that is Adrija. I couldn't even click the buttons due to panic. Thankfully she picked up the call at once.
"A-adrija? M-mumma f-fainted a-and n-not responding", I stuttered before she could say anything.
I was really scared. I have never dealt with such things, I should have known.
She was getting tired easily and was having frequent headaches.
I thought they were because of stress but I don't think it is because of that.
"Akriti, calm down. Do one thing, check for any head injuries and raise her legs, it will increase the blood flow," she said and I bit my nails. How did this happen?
"Should I take her to the hospital?" I asked, my voice shivering with fear.
"Yes! Take her to the hospital. I'm coming", she said as I tried to stop myself from shivering. I wanted to cry, my legs felt weak and my vision blurred due to the tears. I don't know what to do! What if something happens to my mumma? How will I live without her?
"Akriti, don't panic. Take deep breaths and come to the hospital", she told me and I hummed, tears threatening to spill from my eyes. I don't know what to do, how to take mumma to hospital. My apartment is on the 25th floor and I don't know how to pick her up and take her to the lift.
"But how?", I asked her and ran back to the kitchen. I placed my two fingers on the side of the wrist and checked her pulse rate. I didn't comprehend how it was, I am not a doctor for God's sake but it was there.
"Take help from your neighbours. Is she still unconscious?''Adrija questioned.
"Yes", I answered and dragged the stool that I always keep in the kitchen because I am short. Balancing my mobile phone with one hand, I gently kept my mother's legs on the stood and sat down, keeping on head on my lap.
"Adrija, I raised her legs. Now what else to do?" I asked and I heard some commotions from the other side.
"Wait for a few seconds. If she still doesn't regains her consciousness, then it's something serious. I'll call dad, he will know what to do", she said, her own voice cracking.
After that she disconnected without saying anything.
I was confused! I kept sitting with my mother's head on my lap but she didn't even open her eyes.
Panicking, I decided to call an ambulance but it will take time for it to get there.
I knew it wasn't wise for waiting for the ambulance so I rushed towards the main door.
I rang my neighbour's bell, hoping he would help me.
Why isn't my neighbour a doctor? It would have been easier.
I waited for the whole two minutes and then the door opened revealing my neighbour, Tushar.
He works in a tech firm, and is quite a nice person to talk with.
His hair was messy when he opened the door.
He yawned but then his eyes widened when he looked at me.
" Akriti? What happened? It's 2 AM?" He asked, his own face morphing with confusion.
I tried not to cry and replied, "My mumma fainted and she's not responding. I need to take her-"
He didn't let me complete and said, "Where is she? Let's take her to hospital".
I looked at him dumbfounded. How did he know what I wanted to ask him? He turned and said, "Akriti, Come on! It can get serious".
I nodded and along with him went towards my mother.
He helped me to lift her up and I pressed the lift buttons.
We went to the parking lot. I opened my car's backseat and helped him settle my mother there.
I turned to look at the worried face of my neighbour and said, "Thank You so much Tushar.
I'm really grateful. Now you may go and rest. Thank You so much".
He glared at me and replied, "I'm coming with you. How can I leave you alone?"
I opened my mouth to deny it but he didn't let me speak and sat in the driver's seat of the car.
"Akriti give me the keys. We are getting late".
I nodded and tossed him the key to my car.
I sat in the backseat and kept mumma's head on my lap.
Why isn't she waking up? Her Breaths were slow.
I checked her head for any injuries but didn't find any.
God what happened to her? Why are you doing this to me?
I only have her as my family and I won't be able to live if something happens to my mother.
Tushar drove at a high speed as the roads were empty.
We reached the hospital and got her admitted.
I spotted Adrija at the reception when I was signing.
I hugged her and that was when I started crying.
She patted my back and whispered sweet words but that was not what I needed at the moment, I just needed my mumma on her legs.
"Umm excuse me?", we heard Tushar say. I thought he went but he didn't. Adrija looked at him suspiciously when I said, "Thankyou Tushar for helping me."
He smiled and scratched his head.
" That's what neighbours are for right? I just hope that aunty gets well soon", he said.
I nodded and smiled sadly.
"You should go and sleep. You must have work tomorrow", I advised. I will be always grateful to him. If he wouldn't have helped me, I don't know what would have happened. The problem isn't solved yet but we are at the hospital and I know that they'll cure my mumma.
"If you want, I can stay. Only if you want", he offered nervously. I bit my lip and was thinking how to deny it when Adrija said, "No need, I'm here with her. My brother owns this hospital so there won't be any problem. Thank You so much for helping".
Tushar nodded with a sigh and with a goodbye left.
I instantly felt sad because of Adrija's reply.
She sounded so rude and it did hurt him.
But I let it slide. The only thing that mattered to me was my mumma right now.
Adrija led me to the VIP ward where my mama's check up was going on and the good thing was that I got conscious after the medications.
''How did it happen?'Adrija asked and I told her everything from the start.
By the end I was in tears. She hugged and consoled me as I kept on crying and crying.
I lose control of my tears when it's about mumma.
One scratch on her and I start crying. No matter how much I try to be strong, I can't if it's about my mumma.
I don't know what happened to her. She would often complain of headaches, bouts of vomiting, vertigo, blurry vision but I thought it was due to stress.
She is taking a lot of stress these days, I never thought to go to a doctor.
It is all my fault, if I had paid attention to her health, she would be fine.
I am such a bad daughter. She gave her whole life to me and I didn't even paid attention to her health.
As her only child, it's my responsibility to take care of her and I failed that.
Stifling my sobs with my palm, I kept looking at the doctors and nurses who were checking my mother. I felt Adrija's hand on my shoulder. Looking up at my best friend with tears in my eyes, I cried, "It's my fault Adrija".
She shook her head and said, "No Akriti, it's not your fault. She will be fine, look, there is a whole team of doctors. I have called Adhyay, don't worry, nothing will happen. I think she is taking a lot of stress these days and that's why she fainted. There is nothing more".
I sobbed, shaking my head. "I am scared Adrija", I cried and she engulfed me in a hug. Patting my back, she tried to console me. If something happens to my mumma, I won't be able to forgive myself. I am such a curse to everyone's life.