The last snow - part 8

Previously: The last snow - part 7

A nurse came out hurriedly outside the ICU and went to the Doctor's room. “Sir, patient Diya, her heartbeats is deteriorating. Please come and check.”

A doctor rushes into ICU. After all his analysis and sedating Diya, he gives some instructions to the nurse. All this while Diya's parents, Rohan and his Dad were losing their patience watching through the glass pane. Wondering what was going on. Equally concerned about Diya's health.

As soon as Doctor came out of the ICU. Diya's dad concerned and terrified,  “Doctor, is Diya alright?” “What's wrong with her?” “Why did you rush in?” “What...” Before he can complete, Doctor interrupted him, “Sir, please calm down. Don't panic. Diya is out of the coma. Her heartbeats fluctuated due to it. It's a positive sign that she is out of the coma.” A smile broke out on everybody's face. The doctor continued,  “We have to do some tests on her once she is conscious and then I can tell you about her improvement. Till then please be calm and positive. Let's pray she is out of danger. ”  And then he left from towards his cabin.

Diya's Mom lay on Diya's Dad's chest embracing each other and comforting each other seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Rohan was still in despair. He was stuck in between understanding his pain and feelings. Rohan's Dad placed a hand on Rohan's shoulder assuring him that everything will be okay. Still, he was scared as hell.

All this mess gave them no idea of dusk to dawn. It was early morning now, none of them had a bite of food, nor rest. Rohan's Dad said to Diya's Dad, "You guys must go home and eat something. And maybe rest for few hours. It had been a long night. I am here and also Police will be coming to investigate and get the statement. So in the meanwhile maybe you guys..." He couldn't complete his sentence, even he knew eating and resting for any parent seeing their child in a worse condition was impossible. He just glared at them. Diya's Dad looked to his wife and said, "He is right. Let's go. Just freshen up and come." Diya's Mom responded, "But... How can we?"  "Don't worry I am here." Rohan's Dad reassured her.

Diya's parents left the hospital. Meanwhile, Rohan's Dad called up a nurse and requested her to bring food for Rohan and look after Diya. If any case something happens, he must be informed. She nodded with a gentle smile and left for bringing food.

Rohan's Dad moved Rohan's wheelchair and took him to his room. Helped him to sit on the bed. He gave him some water to gulp down and wiped his face, which was swollen red due to endless sobbing. The nurse excused herself in the room and handed over the food plate and medicines to Rohan's Dad. "Thank you, sister." Rohan's Dad thanked her. And the nurse left the room.

Without any words exchanged, Rohan finished his food. "Rohan, I will fetch myself a coffee and be back in few minutes. If you need anything press the bell, don't move on your own." Rohan's Dad said this while helping Rohan to lay down on the bed.

Rohan closed his eyes and dozed off in few seconds. But the nightmare of their accident came flowing in front of his eyes. He woke up with a jerk. He somehow managed to sit and wiped off all the sweat which was running all over his forehead. Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and a nurse came inside. The nurse asked, "Sorry to disturb you, Sir, can you tell me where can I find your father?" Rohan replied, "He has gone to buy coffee. Is everything fine sister?" Nurse hesitatingly said, "Actually Diya Mam is bit conscious now." There was a shimmer in Rohan's eyes. He stammered to say, "Please take me to her." "But Sir..." The nurse was not sure whether taking Rohan to meet Diya was appropriate or not. "Sister, please." Rohan pleaded. Nurse affirmed and helped Rohan to sit in his wheelchair. Crossing the corridor, they reached to the ICU door. Before entering the room, nurse said Rohan, "Sir I can let you in only for few minutes. Hope you understand." "Ya sister," Rohan replied her back.

Nurse pushed the door and moved the wheelchair inside. She stopped the wheelchair near Diya's bedside. 

Rohan: Diya?

She slowly opens her voice and her eyes follow to the right side of her bed. She spots Rohan on the wheelchair.

Diya: Rohan

She manages to smile. Rohan places his right hand on Diya's right hand and smiles back. Both of them just admire each other without a word. A tear rolls down from the corner of Diya's eyes. Rohan wipes it off by his right hand.

Rohan: I am sorry.

Diya: Me too.

Rohan puzzled thinking why Diya was apologising.

Rohan: Why are you sorry?

Diya: I didn't let you taste the strawberry from my lips.

Both of them broke into a broader smile.

Rohan: I am sorry for being careless.

Diya: It was not your fault. It was fate. For fraction of seconds, I thought I will never see you again.

Her smile faded, and few more tears escaped. Rohan held Diya's hand tighter now. In the meanwhile, Rohan's Dad entered the room hurriedly. He came near Diya and carcases Diya's forehead and says, "How are you feeling beta?" "I feel dizzy," Diya replied. "It's the medication. You will recover soon. I know. After all, we have so many dinners to come." Rohan's Dad smiled and said. Diya smiled back.

A nurse walked into the room, “Excuse me. Sorry but, Sir they both need to take medicines and take rest” looking at Rohan's Dad. "Sure thing Sister." Rohan's Dad replied her back continuing, "I will take Rohan to his room. You please take care of Diya."

Rohan and Diya had a constant eye contact all the while. It was love, pain and fear all over them. Rohan broke the eye contact and took away his hand. He bowed his head down and planted a peck on her right hand. Diya smiled.

Rohan's Dad moved Rohan's wheelchair and said, "I will be back to check on you, beta." Rohan's Dad said Diya. Diya smiled him back.

The moment they came out of the ICU, they saw police officers waiting for them. "Good morning sir!" They said in unison along with a salute. Rohan's Dad replied back, "Good morning officers I will just come back to you if you don't mind." "Sure sir!" they replied back.

Rohan's Dad took Rohan to his room and made him laid on the bed after giving him the medicines. Rohan dozed off in few seconds. Then Rohan's Dad left the room to converse with the officers. After the conversation, he made a call to Diya's Dad and informed him about Diya's consciousness. Diya's Dad informed him that they are on the way to the hospital and will reach in few minutes.

Rohan's Dad unknowingly slept off on the hospital chair in the corridor. He felt a hand on his shoulders, it was Diya's Dad. "Sorry, I don't know when I slept." Rohan's Dad said while rubbing his eyes. "It's okay we understand." Diya's Mom replied him. "Here, please eat this. I brought some sandwiches for you." Saying this she handed a box to Rohan's Dad. Rohan's Dad, "Thank you, you had unnecessary trouble though." Diya's Mom, "No Bhai Saab, please we all are in the same position. Please have them." Diya's Dad said, "Please don't be thankful. We will check on Diya until the time you eat. And then we can have a talk to the doctor." "Yes. Sure!" Rohan's Dad replied back.

Diya's parents made a way to ICU. Diya was asleep. Diya's Dad planted a kiss on her forehead which woke her up. "How are you feeling sweety?" He asked her. "I want an ice cream!" Diya naughtily smiled back saying this. "Sure, we all will have one when you are fit to leave this room!" All the while Diya's Mom was rubbing Diya's left hand with care. Seeing all those cuts showed fear in her eyes. "Mom. I will be fine. Stop worrying." Diya managed to say her Mom. Whereas inside she knew there's something wrong with herself. She was in pain. But she faked, and with all her will power she was able to make everyone smile. Diya's Mom wiped off her tears and kissed her knuckles. "Okay honey. You sleep. We need to talk to the doctor. We will be here." Diya's Dad planted one more kiss on her forehead and gestured Diya's Mom to come with him. Both of them left the room. While Diya slept in minutes.

In Doctor's cabin -

Doctor: Hi. Please have a seat.

Diya's parents and Rohan's Dad made them comfortable on their seats.

Doctor: Rohan's hand will take a month to become fine. He got a major fracture. He needs to go some hand exercise once the fracture heals. Rest of his bruises are harmless. It will heal with ointments and proper rest. He should be completely fit in a month.

They all gestured each other with a smile except the doctor.

Rohan's Dad: Is something to fear doctor?

Doctor: I don't know how to put this. Okay, so we run few tests on Diya. Her bruises will get cured. But..

Diya's Mom: But what Doctor? Please just tell it to us.

Taking a deep breath Doctor continued.

Doctor: We did an angiogram too. We found a blockage in one of the arteries which carry blood to the brain. And I am scared to say that it won't be cured by medicines. And an operation has 10% chances to clear the blockage. I need your permissions to undergo the surgery.

The world came shattering into pieces. They could not believe what they heard. It was not a question of just a yes and no. It was life and death.

A/N: I know I am writing few parts of the story which makes you sad. But sometimes bad phase of your life teaches you the value of life and happiness. Sorry for posting the part late.