Aditya clears his throat, his voice light. “Alright, you two need to cut the emotional stuff. Aunty, you should get some rest.”
Mom chuckles, dabbing at her eyes. “With you two acting as my bodyguards, I know I’ll be fine. Thanks, Aditya.”
I lift my eyes to Aditya. “You don’t have to stay.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not going anywhere.”
I sigh. “Aditya…”
He leans back, crossing his arms. “I’m staying until your mom is discharged, so stop wasting time.”
Mom smiles knowingly at me. “I already like him.” She then looks at Aditya. “Tell me, son, are you single?”
I groan, covering my face with my hands. “Mom, seriously?”
Aditya, of course, doesn’t keep his mouth shut. “Yes, Aunty.”
Mom smiles. “I am happy to hear that. So, son, what do—”
I cut her off mid-sentence before she starts with her matchmaking questions. “Can we focus on your health, Mom, and not Aditya’s life, please?”
Mom simply shrugs. “I was just trying to make conversation.”
I roll my eyes. “Ya, right.”
Just then, Aditya’s phone rings. He glances at the screen before standing up. “Excuse me, I need to take this,” he says, stepping out of the room.
I exhale in relief, glad that Mom won’t be interrogating him further… for now. But, judging by the amused glint in her eyes, I know she’s not done just yet.
Before Mom can say anything, I shake my head. “Not now, Mom. Please. I’m still trying to process the fact that I’m seeing you lying in a hospital bed.”
She watches me for a moment before speaking softly. “I won’t give you a hard time anymore, sweetheart.”
I squeeze her hand gently. “Just promise me you’ll take better care of yourself.”
“I promise.”
With the tension easing, we fall into a more relaxed conversation—everything from her complaints about the hospital food to the latest gossip from our neighbour, Aruna Aunty, who had brought her to the hospital. For the first time since I got that call, I begin to feel the weight lift, reassured that she’s truly okay.
Soon, Mom drifts off to sleep, her breathing even and peaceful. But I don’t move. I keep holding her hand, watching her, as if reassuring myself that she’s really okay.
But soon, my thoughts drift to Aditya. He still hasn’t come back. Maybe he left. I wouldn’t blame him. It’s late, and he didn’t have to stay. Still, I can’t thank him enough for bringing me here, for keeping me grounded when I was panicking.
Just then, a soft knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts. I look up as the door opens, and Aditya walks in, holding a cup of coffee in one hand and a brown paper bag in the other.
“I figured you could use some caffeine,” he says, holding out the cup.
I take the coffee from him with a small smile. “Thanks.”
He lifts the brown paper bag. “I got some sandwiches too.”
I shake my head, letting out a tired sigh. “I don’t really have the appetite right now.”
Aditya gives me a look that says this isn’t up for debate. “You should eat something. Running on stress and empty stomach isn’t exactly healthy.”
I glance at Mom, still peacefully asleep, then back at him. “Maybe later. For now, the coffee will do,” I murmur, taking a sip and feeling the warmth spread through me.
Aditya pulls up a chair beside me. “I’m not letting you starve all night,” he says, unwrapping a sandwich and offering it to me with a determined look.
