21 Days - Day 8

"How you feeling today" I asked.

Smita looked up, her eyes half open. She looked tired. I had come back late last night to see her after her radiation but she was asleep. After spending an hour in silence, I had left for the day.

"I am fine..." she replied, her voice without any strength.

"Don't worry, you will feel much better soon.", I replied, wishing she wouldn't start off on that thread again.

She didn't.

The door opened and framed in the doorway was her mom clutching two heavy bags. She came in heavily and placed the bags on the table, pushing aside the slips of medical bills. With a heavy breath she came near the bed and sat down.

"I just spoke to your dad. He asked for you. He called last night but you were already asleep. He is trying to get leave and fly out here. I have told him that you are fine and was sleeping."

"I wanted to talk to him. You could have woken me up, mommy..I miss him so much..when is he going to come."

"He will come soon, sweetie. You know how tough it is for him to get leave. He will surely come. In a day or two....I will call him around 5 and give the phone to you. You can talk to him then, ok baby?"

"He always says that but he never comes..Please tell him to come soon. It has been so long since I saw him. "

"Yes baby...he will surely come this time. You also tell him when you talk to him today evening."

I finished up my notes and checked the vitals and was about to leave the room.

"Mom, give me your cell na...keep alarm..I dont want to be sleeping when he calls."

I turned and left the room.

Four hours later, a couple of catheters, one discharge report, two new admissions later, I was dead tired and needed caffeine to stay awake. I walked down to the cafeteria and noisily settled into a corner table.

" Ram anna, one coffee, strong with no sugar.", I shouted out.

That is when I noticed her sitting in the other corner of the cafe. Smita's mom. I should have probably left her alone. I dont know what I was thinking but found myself getting up and suddenly I was standing in front of her.

" Can I sit here"

She startled out of whatever personal world she was in and looking at me, nodded slowly.

"How you holding up?"

She nodded and managed a brief smile.

"Don't worry. We will do a round of tests and see the effect of the treatment. We should be able to see some results soon. In fact by the time her dad comes, she should be.."

"Her father isn't coming" she interrupted.

"..fine.  What? I heard you say that he is .."

" ya I know what I said..but he isn't coming."

"oh okay." I said and sat there, not knowing whether the conversation was over or not. You know how sometimes one never knows what correct etiquette is. Whether to leave or to stay put.

She helped me decide.

" This isn't the first time. Always some reason or the other...onsite trip to US and UK, deadlines, boss pressure..all crap...it must be that girl, Reema...mentor-trainee..my foot...all those late night calls..even when he came to India on vacation.."

I dint know what to say. Should I point out to her that there is a time difference between here and out there..no no no..she would know that. Or should I tell her about the rigors of working in the IT industry? No she would know that too. Maybe what she said had some value and what she doubts is exactly what is going on. Maybe Reema was more than an associate.

So in the end, I just said a bye and left the cafeteria.

Day 9