Part 14
"One cappuccino please!"
I ordered over the counter in the hospital canteen. The break had started and Liu has still not reached here. How was I going to explain her for last day's rude behavior if we don't meet. She was taking too long in the general ward. I'd be leaving for my duty in the pathology lab after this which is far from the general ward.
From the corner of my eyes I saw a familiar figure resting with knuckles set on the table.
"Not again." I muttered to myself.
I looked carefully this time. Something was amiss. The familiar arrogant care-free aura was missing. He sat sunken in his chair lost deep in thought.
My heart started racing. A thought pricked me. He was in the hospital again. I hadn't yet figured out what he does here. Seeing his casual attire I had ruled out the possibility of him being a patient here. But an alarming thought struck me. What if he was undergoing some tests before taking the plunge? My heart clenched. I need to know the truth for myself.
Make that two please.
Ahem…I coughed.
He didn't look up.
I banged the two coffee mugs on the table before him and sat down on the opposite chair facing him.
"Hello…all the tables are occupied so I hope you don't mind me sitting here. Coffee?" I added nervously wondering what he thought about my rude behavior last time.
Finally he bothered to raise his eyes and take notice of me.
"Sure."
He took his coffee-mug but didn't bother to drink it. He was once again back to his thoughts.
His cold voice unnerved me. I observed his face. His eyes were red and sunken. Looks like he had a sleepless night. I could feel the angst radiating from him. A lump formed in my throat seeing his terrible condition.
Ahem…I cleared my throat again vying for his attention.
Nothing seemed to distract him from his reverie. I wondered how to break the ice. Girl ask him before its too late!
"Mayank I never thought I'd see you here again. I mean you in a hospital. Is everything alright ?"
He raised his right brow.
"Ever seen a better body than mine? I am fine girl."
I winced as I remembered his six-pack framed torso.
"Alright then. Don't tell me. You are forgetting I work here. I will get to know what brings you here."
"Why do you care?"
I was taken aback for a second. I hadn't expected that question. I tried to beat around the bush.
"I have to make sure you are not stalking me." I crossed my arms.
"As if all the good things in life has come to an end that I'll be stalking you."
"What are you doing here then?"
"It's my dad. He just had a bypass surgery and is now recovering here."
"Oh…I'm so sorry." I felt relieved to know that my doubts were wrong and he was safe but I felt sad for him and his dad. No wonder that day in the park he reminded me of the beautiful bond between a father and his child.
"Don't be. I hate him."
"Mayank! Never say that about your parents!"
"You don't know him. Anyways no need for you to bother."
"I know for a fact you don't hate him."
"Really? How can you be so sure? "Finally he looked straight in my eyes. At last I was the object of his undivided attention.
"You wouldn't be here if you didn't care for him."
He smiled. "Saxena, you are so gullible. No I hate him with all my might. I am here for other reasons."
"How can you hate your own dad so much?"
He was silent.
"Mayank…you can tell me. I know I have no right to ask but if sharing it can make you feel better then you can always find me here to listen. I assure you I m not the one to mock or spread it."
"It's nothing."
Hearing his teary-voice frightened me. I can't see him break-down. Involuntary I kept my hand over his.
"Mayank."
"He abused me as a child. He abused my mom. He never had time for us. Just busy in making rat money. I was too weak then to resist him, fight him back. But now that I am strong enough to do that I hate him with every ounce of my life. I don't want to be near him when he's sick. But alas you see me here."
I tightened the grip on his hand.
"You really hate him?"
"Yes.I do."
"Then why are you sad for him?"
"I don't give a damn to him."
"Forgiveness is a virtue that can heal the deepest wounds. If it makes you happy and free forgive him."
"It's easier said than done."
"Tell me truly why are you coming to see his condition in hospital if you don't care a bit for him. If you hate him so much why bother?"
"It's for my mother. She has forgiven him. I am here for her happiness."
"It's great you seek happiness in your mother's happiness. There is never greater a joy than to see your loved ones happy." The words coming out of my mouth hit me and the deep realization of what I just said began to sink in.
"True I can do anything for my mother. Well even if that means to forget the past."
"So you are forgiving him?"
"I need some time Nupur."
"Sure. I understand."
He looked down to his coffee-mug.
"Umm….if you'll let go off my hand may I drink my coffee?"
"Oh,,yeah…sorry. "Embarrassed I quickly removed my hand off his.
"I am surprised to see you so calm with me today after last time."
I wished he could forget our last encounter. "Well….I was…that day I was….."
"…..frustrated. And you took it out on me. Shows you are completely normal. You proved my doubt wrong."
"Unless kick-boxing is added to my resume I can't be normal. Wanna try?"
"I'd prefer wrestling to that." He winked.
"You can't ever change!"
"So don't even try. Drink your coffee before it gets cold."
"Mine is cold-coffee."
"But you are hot-"
I coughed loudly. The coffee spilled out from my mouth.
"Hot-tempered. Easy girl." H grinned.
"I am going. Bye."
"Common I was just kidding. Finish your coffee."
"Can you ever be serious?"
"I am now. I never knew you understand me so well."
His deep gaze was uncomfortable to me.
"…umm…well…after all…..we are friends. Right? Friends do fight."
"And kiss and make-up."
"And make-up over cups of coffee." I corrected.
He laughed." You are cute, Saxena."
I flushed at the compliment. I tried to hide my blush by diverting the topic. "Why are you still here? I mean visiting time is already over for today."
"I was just waiting for her. She's late."
"Who?"
"Baby!"
I saw Isabelle entering the cafeteria screeching Bieber's baby song.
"Baby I am so sorry for making you wait. "She hugged him
The monster erupted once again inside me clawing my flesh. I was burning green.
"My break is almost over. Need to rush. Bye guys!"
"Nupur. Thank you."
I returned his smile and then left for the path lab. Before crossing the exit I turned around for one last glance. He was sitting with Isabelle all smiles. My heart whispered I was the reason for his smile. I chided my heart for dreaming. He was just my friend. The burning pained but stopped hurting me. Knowing that he does not love me back was hard but the fact that I had been about to lose him forever was harder.
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