Chapter 4

"I know Russell used to wake you up like this". Carson said, gulping a big lump in his throat. His eyes were shedding tears again. 

"I am sorry, Daniel". Daniel pulled him in his arms.

"I am sorry Carson. I am sorry, baby. I thought it was him..." Daniel was in tears too. They both were over sensitive. Even a single touch of comfort was reminding them of Russell. 

Carson pulled away. He cupped Daniel's face in his hands. And swiped away all the tears from his cheeks. He softly pecked his cheeks and pinched them a bit. Daniel smiled softly. First smile in hours. Carson smiled too.

"Now get up and get fresh. I have packed a bag for Russell. Have a look and let me know if something is missing. Also I have asked the maid to prepare breakfast for all. So now get fresh. I have placed your clothes in the washroom. Meanwhile I am going downstairs to arrange everything. We have to eat breakfast and leave for hospital.". Carson said all while pacing here and there in the room. Arranging everything. 

Daniel stood up and held his hands. "Since when you got this responsible. And why didn’t you wake me up". He queried. 

"C'mon. You were sleeping so peacefully. So I thought to lessen down your burden a bit. Russell has caused enough trouble for us. Let him gain concious and I am gonna beat the shit out of him. And don’t you dare side him. Deal?". Carson raised his pinky and Daniel interwind with his pinky to seal the deal. 

"Done baby". He knew Carson is saying all to ease the tension. And he was with him. He wanted to confront Russell too. 

When they reached hospital, they were relieved to hear the news that Russell was shifted in private room. Though still under care, but out of danger. Both of them served breakfast to their parents and discussed about Russell's condition.

Daniel could see that his parents were tired. So he and Carson insisted them to go home and take rest. And at this state, no one was even in a position to argue. So they agreed to leave with an assurance from Daniel and Carson that they would contact them as soon as they get any information. So Daniel and Carson promised them and kind of pushed them to go back home and take rest. 

Since it was Carson's personal hospital so the whole floor was kind of occupied with the families. They were free to move and visit Russell when ever they felt like. When everyone left Carson instantly entered the room where Russell was resting. 

Daniel saw him, and he didn’t stop him. He was about to enter too when Luke Wilson called him.

"Daniel!" He turned to face him. "Yes uncle". He softly asked.

"Daniel ... Take care of my son. I know I dont need to say it. I know no one can take care of him better than you, because you have always looked after him since he was a child. And he relies on you more than anyone. 

Carson is also with you, but he and Russell have same mental approach. They both are emotional and sensitive. I know I can trust you that you will manage all. Also here take this.." He handed a black card to him. 

Daniel wanted to refuse but he couldn’t win against Luke. 

"I know son you don’t need this, but it’s a request from a father. Take it. And get everything you or Carson would need to take care of everything. Now I am leaving. I will b back later. I am relaxed now." He hugged Daniel tightly who was still under the impact of his words. 

He never realized that Russell's family trust him to this extent. He didn’t even know when Luke left and he was still standing there alone in the waiting area. 

He was turned back to reality when Carson approached him.

"Daniel.. What happened? What did uncle say? Is everything okay... Is Russell okay?".. He bombarded Daniel with questions shaking his shoulder and Daniel simply pulled him in a hug.

"Everything is fine, Carson . Don’t worry. Let’s go inside. Russell is alone. Right. Let’s go."

The room was quite big and comfortable in terms of commotion. The bed was in the center surrounded by latest medical equipment. There were two big couches against both walls. There were recliners incase more visitors arrive. 

Russell was still attached with lots of tubes and I/Vs. His hands were pierced with needles. There was a kit attached with plugs to his bare chest. His finger was attached with a clip that was indicating his heartbeat on display. He was inhaling the oxygen from the nasal tubes. So vulnerable, so weak. 

The only movement they could see was his chest. Moving up and down with every breath he was taking. They were standing still, motionless. Like statues. 

Carson left Daniel's hand and slowly moved to Russell. He stood close to him looking him with blurry vision. But he instantly wiped his eyes. He had promised Daniel, no more tears. Russell was fine now. He held his hand softly observing him and slowly bend over his chest. He placed his ear on his heart and stayed there for a while. Daniel was looking at him. He was silent. He let Carson do anything he wanted to. After a while he stood straight and looked toward Daniel. 

"Its beating." His voice was no louder than a whisper.

It was a breaking point for Daniel. He couldn’t hold his tears back. He turned his back to the bed and cried silently. It was getting too hard for him to control himself. He wanted to stay strong. For everyone, for his family, for Carson, for Russell. But he was getting weak in his knees. It was like his feet lost all strength to held him up straight.

He was about to fall down when Carson held him tight. He engulfed him in his arms. No matter Daniel was elder than him or not, but at this point, Carson was kind of more composed than him. He had seen mew himself. He trusted all equipment now when he had witnessed himself. So it was his turn to take care of Daniel.

He slowly took him to the recliner and gathered him to his chest. Daniel was crying in his arms like a child. And he was just whispering comfort words to him. He was moving his hands on his back in a circular movement to soothe him. He wanted Daniel to cry for once and for all. To let his tears take away all his pain. 

"It’s okay Daniel. It’s okay. He is doing good. He is improving. I have listened to his heart beat. He is fine. Cry out all your fear. He is here. He is with us." His words were helping Daniel to get stable. 

Soon his tears turned into sobs and eventually he was silent. Still he didn’t pull out of Carson's embrace. His arms were a cage of relief for him. 

They both were sitting there silently observing Russell, when the door opened. It was his doctor and nurse to check the vitals and charts. The doctor observed him, checked his bp level. Injected a few medicines and turned to the boys. He patted Daniel’s shoulder.

"Boys.. He is doing good. Trust me. He will open his eyes soon. And if he saw you like this, shattered, and in tears, it’s gonna hurt him. Do you guys want that? Do you want to see him in pain?" Both of them shook their heads.

"So better freshen up urself. Wash your face. Get something to eat. And be presentable. Or I will send you both home. Am I clear?" He said in a bit strict tone and they both nodded their heads again.

"Good boys. Now I am leaving. And I expect you to inform ne as soon as he opens his eyes. Understood?". 

"Yes doctor". This time Daniel managed to say it.

 "It’s better now". Doctor smiled and left with the nurse.

They were relaxed now. Daniel took his phone to call Russell's mom dad to tell them about his recent condition. They were willing to come over but he politely forbade them. He insisted them to stay at home and they will b informed again. 

Eleanore informed him that other two families were together at their place so Daniel requested politely if she could pass the phone to his mom. 

"Hi mom. Yeah Russell is fine now. Doctor told that he will open his eyes soon. Yeah I will inform you. Mom I am fine. Carson is fine too. Mom could you please send mine and Carson's cloths here. Along with my accessories. My laptop bag. And yeah please ask to send Carson's laptop and his bag. Yeah it will be on his study table. Yeah mom. Send it as it is. 

Yeah mom I will take care of both. Don’t worry. Lunch.. Wait.." He turned to Carson who was listening to him with wide eyes.

"Carson do you want lunch from home or anything else". 

"Whatever you choose." He replied. 

"Okay mom. Send us lunch too. Yeah mom I am waiting. Don’t forget to send Carson's books. Okay mom. Love you. Take care". He ended the call and turned to Carson who was starring at him. 

"What?". He asked him softly. Racking his hairs with fingers and planted a soft kiss on his forehead. 

"Daniel!" Carson just said one word. 

"Baby.. I know your final quiz is due next week followed by a thesis. So you are going to prepare for it. Got it?". He interwind their hands. 

"But... I can’t focus. I will do it next time". Carson pleaded. He knew he won’t be able to focus. And he knew that Daniel was not gonna let him skip the quiz. Still he pleaded.

Daniel's features turned from soft to strict. " You can't focus studying here?" Carson shook his head in no. 

"Then I am sending you home and you are not allowed to visit the hospital again. Clear?". Daniel said it calmly but Carson knew he was stern and he would do as he said. 

No compromise on study. It was their final year. The engineering dept was on semester break. But medical department had a final quiz to pass. 

"No Daniel. Please don’t send me home. I will prepare for my quiz. But dont send me away". Carson was pleading Daniel holding his hands in a strong grip. He was scared that Daniel would send him away from Russell, and this was the last thing he ever wanted. 

"That’s my baby". Daniel softly patted his cheek.

Carson let a sigh of relief. Daniel had moved the recliner closed to the bed and was talking to Carson holding Russell's hand. 

Unconciously he was moving his fingers in his hair with his other hand as he always used to do whenever Russell was sleeping and they both were talking. 

Either it was a medicine effect or the warmth of Daniel's fingers, Russell gasped and fluttered his eyes open. Initially he couldn't see anything because his eyes were sore. And the light was blinding him. But with a slight effort he was able to open his eyes again. Daniel had not yet witnessed it. And neither did Carson. They were discussing his final quiz in low voices. 

"Daniel".....

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Tabby