บท 4: Chapter 4
Mithran hurried inside the City Hospital and enquired at the reception desk for his father.
He was guided by a nurse staff and he found his mother in front of the intensive care unit, crying her heart out.
"Amma" he called out as he rushed towards her.
She hugged him and cried more.
"What happened Amma? Why is Appa in the intensive care unit?" He asked, dread chilling his blood.
"I don't know. I found his unconscious in the living room. I tried calling you several times. But you didn't pick up. Our neighbour helped me take him to the hospital" Gayatri Yadav cried
"What did they doctors say?" He asked
"They asked me whether he had repeated headaches before. Anything different in his walking style and all?" Gayatri told her son what the doctors asked her
"And what did you say?" Mithran asked
"I didn't knew" she cried guiltily.
Mithran was equally guilty. He had stayed away from his family for the past two months, preferring the peaceful solitude of his apartment. He should have paid more attention to his aging parents
"Stop crying Amma. I will talk to the doctors" Mithran said and walked towards the doctor's cabin
***
"Take a seat Mr Yadav" Gopal Naik, the doctor in his fifties said
"Thank you doctor. I would like to know about my father's health, doctor" Mithran said, wanting to know more
"Mithran, your father fainted today morning. From what I can understand, it is not the first time. Your father is conscious now and I took a detailed history. And the symptoms are not very promising" the doctor said
"What is wrong? Tell me doctor"
"I suspect there is a tumor. I'm not hundred percent sure. I suggest you take him to an oncologist" the doctor said
Mithran froze at his place listening to the word tumor.
The fear gripped him hard.
"There must be some mistake doctor" Mithran said, finding it hard to believe.
"I hope I am mistaken Mr Yadav. But it is good to be sure. I suggest, you talk to Dr Naira Kamat. She is very young. But the best oncologist I have seen so far. I will refer your father to her. She will do the further tests to make sure that your father is okay"
***
Mithran did the rest of the things mechanically.
He talked to the young doctor about the doubts Dr Gopal Naik shared and showed her the reports of his father.
"I will have to do a few more tests to be sure Mr Yadav" Naira Kamat said
"Sure doctor"
****
Ependymoma!
A tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord.
Surgery is the only option
Let's hope for the best.
The words of the doctor echoed in his mind as he drank a shot of whiskey directly from the bottle.
****
Two days later, Mithran was sitting next to his father's hospital bed.
"Mithran" Madan called out softly
"Yes Appa"
"Will you fulfil a wish of mine?" Madan asked
"Anything Appa." Mithran said emotionally.
"I don't know how long I will be here. When I die, I want to die peacefully" Madan said
"Appa please. Nothing is going to happen. Dr Kamat said surgery can cure you. They can remove the tumor" Mithran argued
"And they have not given you a hundred percent sureity. Have they?" Madan asked with a humourless chuckle.
"I'm sure you will be fine after the surgery" Mithran said with conviction. He needed to believe it. That is the only way he can encourage his father to be optimistic.
"Anything can happen to me after the surgery Mithran. I'm not an idiot. Surgeries of brain and spinal cord are highly risky" Madan said
"I'm bringing in the best neurosurgeon of our country. You have nothing to worry about Appa. I can afford it." Mithran said
"I know you can. You have made a big success out of your career. And I'm very proud of you. I have always been scared to step out of my comfort zone. I preferred my government job. Risks were not my thing. And I'm proud that you weren't scared to take risks." Madan said
"Appa. Don't exert yourself. We can talk all these later" Mithran said trying to calm his emotional father.
"No. I have to say this now. Who knows, if I would get a chance again" Madan said
"You will" Mithran said vehemently
Madan let out a small smile at that.
"You are my beloved son, Mithran. Always remember that I love you. And I love your mother. I always have" Madan said making Mithran feel more guilty.
He had for a moment believed that his father is an adulterer who had cheated on his wife for years.
"Appa..."
"And I love Chaahat as much" Madan added
After the talk two months ago, that name had never popped up again in their conversations.
"I understand Appa" Mithran said, though he couldn't understand why his father hid Chaahat from them all these years.
"And I'm worried about her. She is all alone Mithran" Madan said
"She has you Appa. And she has us. We will look after her" Mithran said
"Mithran, I had promised her mother that I will take care of her always. And I don't know what will happen to her after my time" Madan said in worry.
"Appa..."
"Marry her Mithran. Give her the protection of your name. Take care of her after my time" Madan said dropping the bomb on Mithran so unexpectedly.
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