CHAPTER 12
“There’s the face I love.” Aman smiled looking at Isha on the video call. “And why are you up so late?” It had been a few days since she had seen Aman as he was traveling for work.
“I’m wrapping up some work.” She smiled.
“You are on family leave, why are you working?”
She chuckled. “I’m bored.”
“Go out with your sister-in-law’s brother if you are too bored.” Aman was pulling her leg knowing how much she could not bear his energy when she had talked to him, just after her brother’s funeral.
“The guy is busy with work or with the kids. One dedicated uncle.” She paused and added, “This is why I want to set him up with every legal step that is needed for him to adopt the kids.”
Aman scrunched his nose. “How can he adopt both kids? Don’t they have limitations in India about who an unmarried man can adopt?”
She nodded. “Yes, indeed and technically he is married so he will be able to.”
“I don’t understand.”
Isha smiled at Aman’s puzzled expression. “Don’t tell my mom, but I am the one who he is married to, obviously on paper to get the adoption process going.”
Aman let out a laugh. “This is genius. You, being the aunt, will always have joint custody of the kids even if the guy is raising them.”
“Yes, and I can’t take credit for it. It was all him, I just had to ask him to marry me.”
“This is good. So, you can come back as soon as the adoption process is complete.”
She nodded. “Almost true but there is a caveat. I told Ashok I would help him reconnect with his estranged family.” She told Aman everything about Ashok’s family and what she knew of the conflict and added, “Maybe things will all happen in parallel and I will be back in just a few weeks.”
“That’ll be good. I’m in Spain for a couple of weeks to work out the manufacturing unit. It’s not too far from India if you want to come hang out. I miss hanging out with you.”
“I miss you too, Aman but I can’t get myself to leave yet.” She felt a twist in her chest. “The two little ones are adorable.”
“Wow!” Aman did not hide his surprise. “That’s a first from a person who is not a kid friendly auntie.”
She rolled her eyes. “You know I love Chandini’s kid to death but never once…felt needed. These two kids, especially the little girl, she just…wants to be with me.”
“That’s kind of nice.”
“Yeah, and Ashok tells me that Vaish is a daddy’s girl and she sees…that she sees Ravi in me.” She choked.
Aman only smiled. “I can see that and I think I know why you’re finding it hard to leave.”
Isha shook her head. “I will leave, there is no doubt about that, I just want to make sure Ashok has the support system to raise these kids.”
“That’s right.”
Aman and Isha spoke a bit longer and ended the call. It was almost midnight when she went to her room. It was a hot day and she felt sticky all over.
Knowing she would not be able to sleep without a cold shower she walked straight into the bathroom. She was tired but the moment the cool water hit her skin, she felt super relaxed. She quickly washed and got out of the shower.
Her hair was tied in a tight bun so it didn’t get wet and she reached for the toweling robe that hung to one side and in the process didn’t realize she was stepping on a tiny toy car on the bathroom floor.
Before she realized what was happening, her foot slipped and, in her attempt, to grab on to something, she reached for the towel rack twisting her body to one side. There was nothing within reach and she fell in a loud thud, hitting the marble floor.
A yelp escaped her as a shooting pain rippled through her arm and through her ankle. She was shaking all over and tears rolled down her cheeks in response to the pain. She was trying to gather herself when she heard footsteps.
“Monisha, what’s…oh fuck!”
Ashok was by her side, his hand going to her back as she lay on her side partially covered in the toweling robe.
“Monisha, talk to me. Where does it hurt?” He was not his usual calm self.
She pointed to her shoulder and then her ankle, unable to speak. She closed her eyes, unable to bear the pain.
“Look at me,” he demanded and her eyes flew open. “I need to take you to the hospital.”
She nodded as she knew it was much needed given how much her shoulder hurt.
Moments later Sarita walked in, looking worried. “Isha madame, are you okay?”
Ashok instructed the staff to bring an ice bag and informed them that they would be going to the hospital. His orders included things they had to do that day for the kids, informing his office and many others.
How long did he think they would be in the hospital?
“Monisha, I’m going to pick you up and take you to the car.” He held her gaze and added, “Is that okay or would you prefer an ambulance?”
“No.” She had a phobia for those ambulance sounds. The noises that filled the house when her parents’ lifeless forms were brought back from the hospital to the house for the last rites and visitations.
“Let’s go.” She was glad she found her voice.
Isha wrapped the uninjured arm around his neck as he picked her up off the floor. Thankfully nothing else seemed to be hurting as badly as her shoulder.
Could she have a broken shoulder?
“I know you’re in a lot of pain. Keep breathing,” he whispered as he carried her down the stairs.
One of the staff was downstairs and had the passenger door open. It was not until he placed her in the seat that she noticed he was bare chested and in his sleep shorts. He instructed the staff to stay with her as he rushed back into the house.
“Madam, Ashok sir asked you to put this on your shoulder.” Sarita came to hand her a bag filled with ice.
She slowly placed the bag on her shoulder and adjusted the robe over her thighs.
Shortly after, Ashok came out of the house, wearing a t-shirt and a pair of athletic pants. He got into the driver’s seat. “I’m taking Isha madam to Global Hospital. Keep your phones by your side, I will call if we need something.”
The staff looked worried and only nodded in response as they drove away.
“We are only a few minutes away from the hospital.” He sounded calm but knew he had to be rattled by the fiasco.
“I…I’m sorry…”
Ashok hushed her. “Just breathe. Is the pain increasing or decreasing?”
“I can’t tell.” She felt numb all over.
“We are almost there. Hold the ice pack to your shoulder.”
A few minutes later, she saw signs to the hospital and he pulled up in front of the emergency department. He handed the keys to the valet and came to her side. He scooped her off the seat, effortlessly and took a few steps before a hospital staff brought a wheel chair.
He placed her gently on the wheel chair. “She fell on her shoulder and is also complaining about her foot.”
One medical staff asked her name and age. When the nurse asked Ashok for a relationship with the patient, he said without hesitation. “She is my wife.”
Her stomach dropped for a moment as the reality hit her. She pushed away the implications of what she thought was a piece of paper that was needed for the adoption.
Shortly after, a doctor saw her and they ordered an x-ray and gave her some pain medication.
Ashok and the doctor stepped out and the young nurse stayed to help her put on a hospital gown before she was taken to the lab for her x-ray.
Midway through helping her, the nurse whispered, “Madame, did your husband cause this injury?”
Isha was taken aback and froze looking at the nurse and the young woman shook her head. “It is only protocol that I have to ask, I don’t think your husband will do such a thing. You both look so much in love and he looks so worried for you.”
Isha only smiled and said, “Yes, he is a good husband.”
At least looks like he will make one at some point to someone else.
“You are so lucky to have such a handsome man love and care for you.” The nurse was gushing.
Was this woman being delusional? How could she read so much from observing Ashok just for a few minutes?
“Thank you.” She could feel the pain subsiding already and a deep sleep threatened to take over from the pain medications they had given her.