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An older white haired man pushed through the doors of the Paediatric ICU, smiling wanly at the nurses at the counter in greeting. They all acknowledged him respectfully, this handsome green eyed gentleman is one of the benefactors of this hospital. But in this ward, he is a family member. As he has been in here for 2 months now, caring for a little boy.
He walked into the isolation room quietly, taking in the now familiar sounds of the beeping machines. He grew to understand which kind of beeps were the good kind, and which ones were not. Some nights, he felt those beeps sync with his own heart beat as he watched his precious boy sleep peacefully.
His eyes were closed, face gaunt, small slight body wasted with this illness. Each breath looked like it took so much effort, with his chest bounding with the dynamics beats of his diseased heart. Occasionally , he opened his eyes and you could see a faint version of the beautiful smile this boy had. But he was always so tired, his very engine in trouble. The infection in his heart had taken a huge toll on his small body.
Satisfied with the regular beeps, he touched his wife's shoulder. She had just closed her eyes for a minute, having stayed up all night here. She opened weary eyes and pleaded silently for him to please make all this okay again, and he nodded to give her strength.
"Go home,jaanu...rest and come back. I will stay with him." They held each other for a moment and she left for home, as was their routine for the last month among family members. He now sat by the bed side, taking the frail little boy's hand and enfolding it in his own warm ones.
"Good morning Beta. How is my brave pehlwan today? You're looking very good today, some of that glow is coming back. Come on beta, let's beat this bug and get out of here soon okay?" his deep velvety voice waking the little one from his rest.
Green eyes opened to meet his own. A wan smile tinged its depths in recognition.
"Shabash !! That's my pehlwan! Today is the day we beat this!! Don't you want to go home and see your new little brother? Yes ?? "
"What if I die, Dadu?" his weak breathless voice spoke the banned words that plagued the innocent mind.
Prithvi Singh Oberoi gripped the young Shivaay's hand and demanded he repeat his words, soon to become a mantra.
"Shivaay Singh Oberoi ki jaan, itni aasani se nahi jaegi !!"
"Repeat !!"
And so they repeated the words, as it became a mantra to the young man as he grew up, far beyond the death of his beloved Dadu.
*end*
Just a sudden inspiration, from the oft repeated lines of SSO, it seemed to me like something drummed into him since childhood. Hope you liked it!
Yes, I know. I owe you guys 2 updates. Still cooking that. Not quite happy with some bits here and there.
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Anisa
Love Friendship Dating and Relationships
Bindi
