Daniel passed the nurses’ station, glancing at the board, panic rising in his chest as he approached Mr. Mehta at nearly a run. “Uncle, is everything okay? Why are you in the ER?”
Mr. Mehta looked up from his phone and stood. “Hmm? Yes, yes.” He held his hand up and gave a small smile. “Everyone is fine. No one is hurt. Sorry to have alarmed you, but I came to see you.”
Daniel’s heart still hammered in his chest, and he inhaled deeply to slow it, but even in his relief he couldn’t imagine why Mr. Mehta had come to see him. “Okay. I just finished my shift. I’ll be right back.”
Daniel clocked out, sifting through the possibilities of what the older man could want with him. He grabbed his jacket and backpack and took a breath before walking toward the waiting area.
Mr. Mehta was waiting by the doors. As Daniel approached, Mr. Mehta nodded. “Coffee?”
“Sure.” Daniel opened the door to a slight evening chill, then led the way down the block to the closest coffee shop. His heart rate had returned to normal, but now his stomach was in knots. Was Annika okay? Was he about to be berated or thanked for leaving her?
Mr. Mehta addressed the barista. “Tall coffee, room for cream.” He turned to Daniel. “How about you?”
“Same.” He pulled out his wallet.
Mr. Mehta smiled at Daniel’s choice of beverage and addressed the barista again. “If you don’t mind, we’d like our coffee in mugs as opposed to the to-go cups.” The barista nodded, and Mr. Mehta waved away Daniel’s offer to pay. “Don’t be ridiculous. Put that away.”
For some reason, this made Daniel defensive. “It’s coffee. I can afford—”
Mr. Mehta stepped closer to the counter and swiped his card. “You misunderstand. This has nothing to do with whether you can afford to pay for coffee.” He finished his transaction. “On the contrary, this has everything to do with what I owe you.”
Daniel was speechless.
They fixed up their coffees and found a place to sit.
“I’m relieved you did not order the ‘chai’ tea.” Mr. Mehta gave a small smile.
Daniel scowled. “‘Tea tea?’ Seriously. And it’s not real chai anyway, is it?”
Mr. Mehta chuckled. “No. That it is not.”
Daniel sat straight in his chair, both hands on his mug. “Is everything okay with Nilay?” he asked as Mr. Mehta took his first sip. “How’s his recovery?”
A few people entered the shop, and the slurps and burps of the coffee machine mixed with the low volume of chatter.
“It may be some time before he can come home, but Nilay is progressing nicely. I suspect you already knew that.”
Daniel nodded. He’d been visiting every day, just trying to keep clear of Annika when he did. It didn’t stop Nilay from lecturing him about breaking his sister’s heart. Daniel tried to ignore Nilay’s words. Better he broke Annika’s heart now than later on down the line.
“Well, Daniel.” Mr. Mehta took another sip and gently set his mug down.
Daniel took a sip, allowing the hot liquid to warm him while he waited for the older man to continue. For mid-March, it was still cold, even though the sun was high.
Mr. Mehta raised his chin and looked Daniel in the eye. “I wanted to see you for a couple of reasons. Not the least of which is that I owe you deep gratitude for what you did for Nilay. Sajan insists it was your quick thinking that saved his life.”
Daniel forced a smile. “Part of my job, sir. Nilay is a wonderful kid, and I’m just thankful that he’s doing well.”
“You weren’t working that day, and you were injured, as well.” He glanced at the healing gash on Daniel’s forearm. “But you put my son’s care before yours, and for that I am eternally grateful.” Mr. Mehta smiled, but it was something melancholy and weak. “Not only that, but you are modest, too. I should have known.” He paused.
Daniel waited, as it seemed Mr. Mehta had more to say.
“I’m also here to apologize for underestimating you—actually, I should apologize for my rudeness the few times we have met. I’m afraid I prejudged you based on your chosen profession and my own biases. It’s no excuse, especially when my son and daughter think so highly of you. You have no reason to accept my apology, but I offer it, nonetheless.” He stopped and sipped his coffee.
A few beats of silence passed as Daniel digested what he had said. What Annika’s father had said. All he could manage at first was a nod. “Thank you, Uncle.” Still in shock, his voice was not much more than a croak. “That means a lot to me.” He looked the older man in the eye. “It’s not easy, being a father. Seems natural to want only the best for your children.”
“True, but we have to separate what’s best for them from whatwewant for them.” Mr. Mehta shrugged with a small smile. “Sometimes—many times, in my case—that is not the same thing.”
Daniel smiled his acknowledgment and went back to drinking his coffee. Mr. Mehta sat in silence for a moment, as if deciding whether or not to say something.
