13~ The Heart Break
Witnessing Akriti cry uncontrollably broke my heart.
I wanted to comfort her, be with her but the current state wont allow me, especially when there was nothing between us.
I didn't wanted her to think that I was taking advantage of her when she was the weakest. I knew Adrija was with her and would take care of Akriti but still, my heart won't allow me to leave her and hence I remained with them for the rest of the night.
Akriti's mother was under the effect of medications and slept peacefully but she didn't even blink the whole night.
With swollen, red eyes she gazed at her mother,sobbing.
I can't even imagine how painful it would have been, especially when Akriti's only family is her mother.
I don't know why her father is not here and it seemed a breach to her privacy by asking that.
I sighed and walked through the hospital corridors which were awfully quiet as it was midnight.
Only a few nurses and doctors on duty were present.
Being in hospital brought a feeling of peace in my heart but today it was hurting, it was hurting because I had to see her cry, see her begging to wake up her mother, see a weak form of her.
"Bhaiya, two cup coffee please",I asked as I reached the canteen.
(Brother, two cups of coffee please)
"Ji Sahab", he nodded and started preparing coffee while I waited there. In a few minutes, he handed me two hot cups of coffee as I paid him the required money.
I went back to the ward where her mother was admitted and opened the door.
She was sitting near to her mother, with her hands in her mother's as she gazed at her.
Love, the purest form of love was all I saw.
No one can love you more than a mother and Akriti was a perfect daughter.
The pain she was going through was huge, I can't even imagine my mum like this.
I am used to her blabbers, over excited planning, her teasing and jokes.
It scares me that someday I'll have to witness my parents like this.
I cleared my throat to grab her attention.
She looked at me and then at the coffee cups in my hands.
For the first time, she smiled at me, even if it was so tiny that one could even ignore it but never mind.
A small smile is better than nothing. I still don't understand why she is scared to show her emotions freely.
It won't hurt if she'll smile and laugh along but she maintains that stoic expression which I dislike a lot.
"Where did Adrija go?", I asked when I didn't find my sister anywhere in the room.
"Yash bhai called her, she's talking to him only", Akriti answered and I nodded taking a place on another stool kept near the hospital bed.
Yash might be worried about her, she frantically came running here and he is also not in the city.
I handed her one of the coffee mugs which she took gladly.
I took a sip and as usual it was perfect, just like I drink but Akriti's face scrunched as soon as she took a sip.
"Is it bitter gourd juice? It's so bad", Akriti exclaimed as my eyes bulged out of sockets. She is saying that this perfect cup of coffee is bitter gourd juice? It's so perfect! The milk, the amount of coffee, the bitterness and the sweetness all are in a perfect ratio.
"Coffee is like that only Akriti", I explained and continued drinking my perfect coffee but she glared at me and said, "I know how coffees are, and they are definitely not this bitter".
I rolled my eyes at the statement and continued enjoying my coffee, occasionally looking at the weird expressions she was making.
Her expressions were comical. First she scrunched her eyebrows, made a pout and then took a sip.
She kept on repeating it until she had drank it all.
She could have left it but she didn't and that made it obvious that she doesn't likes wasting food.
That's why I love her, she is thoughtful and intelligent of course.
"Why did you stay? You could have returned back home", I heard Akriti ask when I kept the mug on the small table near the bed.
"Because the whole hospital is vacated and it wouldn't be nice if I left three ladies here on their own.
I know you guys are strong and intelligent but an extra effort won't harm.
Additionally, I have to prepare for an interview that I won't be able to do at home because my mother would scold me for waking up late.
", I blabbered and made the excuse on the spot.
How could I tell her that I stayed for her?
I stayed because I felt that maybe I could give her some support, hold her and prevent her from breaking?
She nodded with a faint smile on her face and removed the hair strand from her face. Even after all of this, she looked like an angel. How can one be this perfect? Everything about her is so perfect.
"Akriti, you should rest.", I said when the silence became too unbearable. She shook her head and said, "I will but not now".
Adrija joined us after a few minutes and I took a nap there itself in sitting posture.
I'm used to it. My whole medical life went like this, running and sleeping wherever I found some place.
In the morning when I woke up, I saw Akriti sleeping with her head on her mother's stomach and Adrija by the support of the wall.
I sighed and went outside, stretching my arms. I felt my phone vibrating from my pants' pocket and saw it to be of mom's.
I saw she had called me several times. Amid all of this, I forgot to tell my mother that I won't return. She might be worrying about me.
I took a deep breath and picked up the call, scared of her wrath.
"WHERE ARE YOU ADHYAY BANSAL?", and here it came. I gulped and remained quiet because it was not over yet.
"DO YOU EVEN KNOW HOW WORRIED AM I RIGHT NOW? IT'S BEEN 6 HOURS SINCE YOU HAVE GONE", my mother stated, no yelled. I literally had to keep my phone at a distance from my ear so as to ensure that my ear drum doesn't burst by the amplitude of her voice.
"Mumma, I am at the hospital only", I said when she went silent from the other side. I heard her sigh and she replied, "You could have at least called me".
"I'm sorry mom", I apologised.
"It's okay, now come back home and eat something", mom said. After cutting the call, I went to the ward where the two were in and found them awake. Adrija was doing something on her phone while Akriti was pacing around the room.
I cleared my throat and informed, "Adrija, Akriti, I am going home.
I will return in an hour, I have told the nurse to prepare discharge papers".
Akriti nodded with small smile. Adrija, on the other hand said, "Okay, please tell Aunt Mishika to pack some food for Akriti and me, I am starving and I don't want to eat the mess food".
Akriti opened her mouth to argue when I said, "Of course!
I'll ask mom for food and Akriti, no arguments.
You haven't eaten anything". Akriti nodded, though with her expressions, it was clear that she didn't wanted any more favour from us.
But it wasn't a favour, I would have done it for anyone in place of her.
I drove back to my home and found everyone sitting on the dining table already.
Mum is strict in these matters. She won't tolerate even a single person to delay.
I went to my room and took a quick bath, changed into a fresh pair of clothes and then went downstairs to eat breakfast.
We all ate our food in silence and I thanked God for not letting my parents ask many questions.
Dad looked at me a few times weirdly but I acted as if I didn't notice it.
"Bhai, how is your patient now?" Hrishika asked, trying to be serious but beneath her tone hid a teasing smile. Hrishit stifled his laugh as my throat ran dry. These two are not doctors, but detectives! Personal detectives of Dr. Mishika.
"F-fine", I stuttered, trying to focus more on my food. If I tell them that it was Akriti then they will trouble me and I certainly don't want you to get teased by these minions.
"What was it? An accident or something?" My father asked, wriggling his eyebrows. I let out an internal groan and answered, "A brain tumour, dad. Her family was troubled so I couldn't leave them alone".
A smile makes its way on my parents' face relieving me. I let out a shaky breath looking at my parents. The two of them exchanged smiles and my mother said, "That's so thoughtful of you, my son."
My father nodded and said, "You are on the right path, I don't regret resigning. My son is so capable". I smiled nervously at the sudden appraisal. I never expected my parents to compliment me on this simple thing. Well, Indian parents are hard to impress.
"Okay mom dad, I have patients to see, I'll go", I informed and started leaving the house when I remembered that I had to get lunch boxes for Akriti and Adrija. But what do I tell my mother? I stopped midway and turned. Looking at my mother, I asked, "Mum, you forgot to give me my lunch box".
My mother scrunched her eyebrows and looked at dad who had a similar baffled look on his face. With a teasing smile, my mother commented, "Kya baat hai? Lunch? Weren't you the one who told me that you don't want me to treat you like a baby?"
I rolled my eyes and sweetly said, "Yes mumma, but I now have realised that mother's love is unbeatable.
I don't like the mess food". She looked at dad who blinked his eyes rapidly.
Convincing these two is the most difficult task ever.
And just like every Desi parent, they can see through my brain and ruin my plans.
Mom raised her eyebrows saying, "Okay, I'll pack food for you". I smiled at my victory when I realised that I have to get food for Adrija as well. I can't leave my sister after all, right? Her husband would take revenge if I trouble her now. I don't even trust my best friend in this matter.
"Wait mumma! Please pack some for Adrija as well.
You know she isn't eating enough ever since Yash went to Delhi", I said, making a troubled expression, trying to act like a responsible brother I am.
My father shook his head and said, "Why did she leave eating?
And that man, he can't even take care of his wife! "
My mother glared at dad and said, "Will it hurt is if we take care of our daughter?" Dad rolled his eyes and then preferred not to say anything. Everyone in the house knows that once Dr. Mishika gets angry, she'll roast everyone and chew them alive.
"You don't worry, I'll pack food for her as well, poor Adrija, she takes everything so seriously.
Ask her not to worry", my mother said, shaking his head and I nodded with a smile.
It was not that difficult after all. She packed two lunchboxes for me and I touched her feet before starting for hospital.
When I reached the Hospital, I straightway went to the ward but on my way, I saw something heartbreaking.
It was Akriti and some other man! She was crying, hiding her face in her palms while the man was trying to console her.
My heart crumbled into small pieces as I saw him offering her a handkerchief.
She smiled and that was when I knew that I held no importance in her life.
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