Chapter 3

The trinkling sound of my anklets came to a halt when i saw dad in the white bed. He was being taken in an operation theatre. For what? He was well before i left him. Before he went to his work place as his colleague faced some difficulties to defend a case.

A man of my dad's age looked at me and advanced. He had a black court on. His eyes teary as well. "He was guiding me to fight a case when he suddenly coughed badly. He felt a sharp pain and he coughed some blood clottings. I rushed him to hospital and now the doctor is operating him." He informed

"What did they say?" I asked in a mere whisper. It suddenly seemed a heavy task to voice out my own thoughts.

"They said... it..it might be last of hi--"

"No. He's gonna return smiling and asking for his pakodas. I know it. " i will never accept that this is his last day. He has to return. To see me in the bridal lehenga that he wanted so keenly. To see me smiling when i leave to my in-laws. It was his last wish.

An hour went by and the doctor still not left the OT. The red bulb continued to glow. I continued to plea my mahadev to heal dad. He cannot snatch the only happiness i had.

As if the divine heard me, the bulb switched off and the doors opened. The doctor came out and looked at me. His face covered with mask, hiding his emotions. And all of the sudden i travelled to the 17 year old me, who was fidgeting her fingers to propose her crush. Having double thoughts.

The doctor pulled off his mask and looked at me with a smile. I mirrored his. My dad will never leave my side. My Mahadev healed dad.

"He is fine. The man bought him in time but..." But? "But the situation is more critical now. He has to let go of everything. No spicy, oily, no sugar, nothing. Just plain food. Or we can't ..do anything."

Before i could register his words, he spoke again. "Treat him as if these days are his last. " i wanted to interrupt him and tell him that my dad will live long, but listening him was more important. "Treat him the best you can. So that your life won't be filled with regrets after he has gone."

Once i was sure he's done, i spoke. "Is there really no way to ...to save him? Any doctor, any therapy?" Hope dripped my tone but alas!

"Its not. He is in the last stage of his life. Even his B.P. problems have begun. Any stress and he will..you know!" I nodded my head at him, completely understanding him.

At this point of time i did not grimaced over the fact that no power can save my dad, i was happy. Happy that he was atleast been saved. Till the time i had that phone call, tremendous possibilities came across my mind.

The guilt of leaving dad alone would have eaten me throughout. Had he been alone in home, he would've...

I turned to the man who had relief printed in his face. "Thankyou uncle!"

"For?" He asked.

"If you were not there, God knows what would've happened." I manage to speak with cracked voice and tears at the bay.

"He's my friend. He has shared his lunch with me, i had to return the favor." I smiled at his generosity. "i shall have left after meeting him, but can't let the work pending. The office closes at five. I have to prepare a report before it."

Soon he leaves and i see the time in electronic watch , hung around the white wall. 15:47. They shifted dad to ICU and he was still unconscious due to the medical doses. I call back to Revti aunty, seeing his 15 missed calls and various from others. She wanted to come here but we all knew it was impossible.

"He is now concious." The nurse informed me and i wiped my face once again, before entering the ICU.

There laid dad, watching at the up and down lines, which i never want to go straight, in the heart-beat monitor sensor. The blue gown made my dad looked more sick. "Dad?"

He turned to me and ran his eyes upside down before a smile graced his lips. "Princess." My eyes turned teary once again at the mention of the name, he had given me in a school fashion show. From then he started calling me princess and i began cringing at it in teenage, when everyone in school teased me about it. Dad reluctantly agreed to not call me that anymore, because i cried in his arms saying i'm not a princess.

I never knew the mere word will cause me so much happiness ever.

"Princess." He whispered once again and i ran to him.

"Dad. You know you look so old-fashioned. This gown does not suits you. Its yuck!" I jested and was content hearing his laugh.

"Next time, it would be a pink one. Okay?" He replied in the same tone.

"Next time dad? Really? I can't run to hospitals again and again. You know i'm a young old-woman."

He looked at me without speaking anything and i was okay with it. As long as he smiled. "You are truly looking like a princess. With this lehanga, necklace, earings. So beautiful. But there is something missing."

"What?"

"A chunni, mangalsutra, bangles and a pinch of vermillion." And there the rants of marriage begins. Even in this hospital bed, the only thing he wants to see me as, is a bride.

"Fine. I will marry." His wrinkles faded and a spark shined in his eyes. "But after an year."

"I don't have that much time."

"Then forget it. Either live till then, or forget seeing me marrying." I sassed as i studied his diet chart which the nurse provided. His medicines have been increased and it will be a hectic task to make him gulp them.

"I could never win from your mom. How could i win to you then?" I chased a kiss on his cheek. His answer was comforting in a way.

"You will be discharged tomorrow. All the fried, spicy even the sweet dishes are banned for you. And..i will have no mercy while you gulp tons of medicines. Get that?"

"No..." He whined.

And here he becomes my baby again!!

____