We were waiting outside the hospital room. It’s been a while the doctor went inside to check my father. It’s been two weeks since my father went into the coma. I hope Dr. Praveen Gupta could do something good to make an improvement in my father’s condition. He is one of the best Neurologists in the country. It was our luck that he was in Pune in for a medical conference and he happens to meet our family doctor. He discussed my father’s condition with him and surprisingly he took an interest in my father’s case. And he agreed to take a look at his condition in the hospital.

So I and my mother is waiting outside the room for nearly 20 minutes now. My mother is holding my hand tightly and praying. I looked at her. She looks so vulnerable. I have never seen her like that. She was practically living in the hospital for the past two weeks. She never left his side. I asked her to go home and take rest for some time but she never listen to me.

I tapped her hand reassuringly; she looked at me with teary eyes. I feel bad to see her like that. I gave her a consoling hug. She hugged me back, I can feel her sobs. We both turned hearing the door opening sound. The doctors came out and we walked to him hurriedly.

Our family doctor introduced us to Dr. Gupta. He greeted us politely. “How is he doctor?” My mom asked eagerly.

“I think we have hope Mrs. Varma.” He told smiling widely. We both sighed in relief. “His condition is not that worse as I thought. I have asked some changes in his medicines and we will see how he responds. Anyways I can assure you that he will be out of coma very soon.” He told confidently. Our faces brightened with smile.

“Thank god for sending this man here. May god bless him with all happiness?” I sincerely prayed to god for the doctor.

One month later.

The past one and half month was really exhausting for me. But thanks for the exhaustion, I was sleeping without any nightmares for the last one month. I only remember seeing the bed after reaching home. With absence of dad I had to handle his work too. And Mr. Gupta wasn’t joking when he said my father will be soon out of the coma. He is actually awake now.

He started responding to the new medications after one week. His right fingers started moving after one week and he opened in the next four days. He recognized all of us. But his left hand and legs are partially paralysed. He was shocked and went hysteric when we first found out and doctors had him sedated. Afterwards Mr. Gupta talked with him and counselled him. He told that it might be temporary. He also said that there are high chances of recovery and we should continue with the treatment and physiotherapy. We are sincerely thankful to him for caring my father this much; he comes to Pune from Mumbai every week just to consult my dad. And tomorrow is the day he is getting discharged. They said that we can continue the treatment from home. And everyone was happy for him.

I left the office by 6.00pm. I was walking to the parking lot while looking at the phone. I had messages from Kavya and a missed call from my mom. I was typing a reply to Kavya. Suddenly I hit my leg on something and I fell forward. I am about to hit the floor with my face down. I was waiting for the pain going to pop up anytime soon. But instead of hitting the floor, I was pulled back and spun around to hit a hard chest. I closed my eyes tightly and clutched the fabric got in my hand tightly. It took a few seconds to calm myself down. I slowly opened my eyes. I realised that I am in someone’s tight embrace and I am still holding on to his grey suit collar. A mix of spices and citrus fragrance filled my nostrils. I slowly looked up to see the person who saved me from hitting my face. The same black eyes were looking at me with concern. They were holding some kind of softness.

I take a look at his facial features. With trimmed beard covering his perfect jaw line and his tousled slightly long black hair, he looked so handsome. I haven’t seen him a lot in the past one month. We only met during the important meetings. And he didn’t try to talk with me after our encounter at same parking lot previous month. Those eyes were still looking at me with some unreadable emotions. I don’t know why, but the look in his eyes gave me some kind of calmness in me. It felt like he cares for me. Does he care about me? That’s when I came out of my trance.

I looked away from his eyes. Clearing my throat I left his collar and tried to move away. But his hold on me was not released. I looked at him while giving a little push on his chest.

He didn’t budge. He is still looking at my face. I feel nervous. I tapped my hands on his chest. “Are you okay?” He asked in his husky voice. I looked at him and saw only concern in his eyes. “Yes.” I said in low voice while nodding my head. “Hmm.” He hummed still holding me in his arms. “You can leave me now. I am fine.” I said.

His eyes never left my face. “Yeah sure.” He said and slowly removed his hands around me. “Are you always this clumsy?” He asked. I looked at him, the concerned look is vanished from his eyes and it is replaced with a teasing one with his usual smirk. Oh the devil is back I guess. I frowned. “Yes, only when I am with some unlucky guy.” I replied. He chuckled. “Well I feel myself lucky.” Saying this with a smirk he got inside his car and drove off. What is it with this guy? Is he bipolar? Sighing I too got into my car. I just wanted crash on my bed. It’s been a long day.