The tweet of birds woke him up and Nachiket rubbed his eyes, willing himself to wake up. He looked at his watch and yawned, hardly believing that he had slept soundly for these few hours.
There was a ping on his mobile. It was Ranbir
'Dad, good morning. Mom is fine. Dr Dwivedi mentioned that she will be shifted to a private cabin today evening. You take your time and come over. No need to rush.'
Nachiket smiled. How could he explain that he was in a hurry - hurry to get Ragini out of that freaking hospital bed, out of the ICU, back home - all hale and hearty, back into his arms. Oh, how he missed her!
He busied himself in getting ready for the day, when Nishi called him for breakfast.
As he settled down to eat, Aarav joined him. Nishi excused herself and left for the Hospital with Aagham and Suhaani, urging Sunny Tai to cook dinner before they returned.
'You didn't go to the Hospital?' Nachiket asked casually, as he sipped his morning tea.
Aarav shook his head
'Nishi said that you wanted to talk to me. I stayed back.'
'Good' Nachiket nodded his head. 'That's the first full sentence we heard from you this week'
Aarav looked up as his Father continued
'What's the matter Aarav? Or don't you want to go to the Hospital, again and again? If that is what you want, I am sure, as parents, both Ragini and I would understand. Not everybody has the disposition to go to the Hospital for a visit everyday.'
Aarav shook his head violently
'No no Dad. I want to. But I don't know what to do, how to make myself useful. I just can't'
Nachiket pushed forward a bowl of cereals in front of his son and added some strawberries to it. Ragini had told him once that Aarav loved strawberries.
'I understand' he gently nodded. 'But what stops you? Your Mother needs you, and so do all of us, especially at this moment. I hope you understand that'
Aarav struggled for words
'I have been such a ... such a bad son. I have hurt Mom so badly ... always. And I so hated her, never understanding her. I put everything she loved in jeopardy ... and I don't know how to make things right. The hurt will always stay Dad, however hard I try.'
Nachiket sighed deeply as he ruminated over the words, as he bit into his toast.
'Fortunately Aarav, we do understand. Most parents do. And that is why they are able to forgive their children so easily. Ragini loves you. And so do I. And if you really feel that you want to make right the things that have gone wrong, just be yourself. Just be. You don't have to win any popularity contest amongst your siblings. Your deeds will take care of your intent ...'
Nachiket's words were cut short as the phone rang. He responded in mono syllables as he tensed up. Flicking his phone off after a while, he said
'I am off to the Hospital now Aarav. There is a surgery lined up. I will meet your Mom thence. Do you want to come along with me?'
Aarav hesitated.
'Ok' Nachiket said, as he got up.
'You take your time. We are here for you always. And by the way, the conversation is not over.'
As he picked up his blazer and left the apartment, Nachiket thought about his conversation with Aarav. He realised what Ragini had been telling him all the while, that this son of theirs was too sensitive. They definitely needed to handle him with care and he was confident that they would.
He just needed his love back.
Edited by poetic - 9 years ago
