The smell of antiseptic hit me the moment we burst into the hospital. Bright white lights stabbed my eyes. "Emergency!" Vaishank's voice cracked as he carried my father in his arms. A nurse wheeled a stretcher toward us; metal clanged against the tiles. Dad's head lolled on Vaishank's shoulder, his breath shallow, his lips almost grey.
We followed as they rolled him down the corridor. I kept whispering, "Pa…Pa…" but my voice felt small, useless. The swinging doors of the treatment room closed, swallowing him whole.
My mother's back hit the wall. She slid down a little, trembling, palms pressed together as if in prayer. I gripped her shoulders hard enough to feel her bones through her saree. Don't cry, I told myself, but my own hands were shaking. I had to be her strength.
Vaishank stayed at the counter filling out the form with Dad's ID card. His fingers clenched the pen so tight it trembled. The name "Raj" in his handwriting blurred through my tears.
Doctors and nurses darted in and out of the room, shoes squeaking, eyes tense. None of them looked at us. My chest felt like it was shrinking, each breath a battle. My legs were heavy, my stomach churned. He was fine this morning, my mind screamed. How can this happen?
A warm grip closed around my shoulder. I looked up into Vaishank's face. He gave a small nod, his jaw tight. Without a word, I leaned into his arm. He drew my mother in too, holding both of us against his chest. "Everything will be alright," he murmured. His Adam's apple bobbed as though he was swallowing his own fear.
Minutes bled into hours. Every tick of the clock scraped my nerves. Fear crawled over my skin like ants.
The door opened. A doctor stepped out, mask hanging loose under his chin. "Raj's family?"
My mother shot up. "He's my husband."
The doctor's eyes softened. "He's had a heart attack," he said. The words hit like a slap. "Didn't he tell you he'd already suffered two attacks before?"
I turned to my mother; she turned to me. Both of us stunned, betrayed. Tears welled and slipped down my cheeks. He hid this from us.
The doctor went on quietly, "His heart is very weak now. We've done all we can. At this stage we can only keep him comfortable. Time is limited."
My mother's hand flew to her mouth. I clung to her, sobbing soundlessly.
"Two people can visit him," the doctor added. "Please…don't cry in front of him."
"Thank you, doctor," Vaishank said hoarsely.
I could barely breathe. Is he going to leave us? Leave me? My throat burned. My chest felt crushed. Vaishank rubbed my back, his palm moving in slow circles. "Amrita," he said gently, "someone has to go in."
Neither my mother nor I spoke. We shook our heads like frightened children.
Vaishank crouched so his eyes met mine. "I know you're scared," he said softly. "But this is when you have to be brave. Show him the daughter he raised. Let him be proud of your courage."
His words steadied me. I took a ragged breath, glanced at my mother. She shook her head again, her body trembling.
I straightened. "I'll go," I whispered.
Vaishank nodded, squeezed my hand. Together we walked into the room.
The rhythmic beep…beep of the monitor filled the silence. The smell of medicine burned my nose. Dad lay there with an oxygen mask, the screen tracing the fragile peaks of his heartbeat. My legs almost gave out. Vaishank's hand on my shoulder kept me upright.
I reached for Dad's hand. His skin was cool, the veins like blue threads. His eyelids fluttered open a fraction.
"You had heart attacks before," I managed, swallowing hard. "And you didn't tell us." My voice shook between anger and despair. "Why, Pa? Why hide this?"
His fingers twitched in mine. He tried to smile. "I didn't want to scare you, beta." His voice was paper-thin. "I know now…I don't have much time. Will you do me a favour?"
I bit my lip until it hurt to stop the tears.
"I just want to see…my responsibility done," he whispered. "To give you into a good family. And you already found one." His eyes slid to Vaishank, then back to me. He squeezed my hand weakly. "Will you both get married before something happens to me?"
The tears finally spilled.
Vaishank dropped to his knees beside the bed, his hand gripping Dad's thigh. "Don't worry, Uncle," he said, voice rough. "We will marry. Soon. She can continue her studies after marriage."
I looked at him, stunned, but his eyes were steady on mine. He squeezed my shoulder gently.
Dad exhaled a long, relieved sigh. His trembling hand reached out. He placed my hand in Vaishank's palm. "Thank you…so much," he murmured, a faint smile flickering on his lips.
I bowed my head, tears falling onto our joined hands. Nothing is more important than making him happy now, I thought. If this is his last wish, I'll do anything.