They enjoyed the train car around the Niagara Falls premises along with many tourists before heading back to Rochester.
Chapter 24 Niranjan’s Father Hospitalized
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another - Anatole France
Niranjan entered into the hotel room along with Jennifer, and they were exhausted after the visit to Niagara Falls. They decided to stay in the hotel on that night according to the AAA trip plan and travel to New Jersey next day morning.
They had good time in the pub and restaurant adjoining the hotel and returned to the hotel lobby late in the evening. Niranjan thought of spending few minutes in the seating place near the lobby, and he made himself comfortable in a couch along with Jennifer.
While he was speaking to Jennifer, his cell phone started ringing. He took it out from his pocket and saw Shubra calling on the screen. His face glowed with cheerfulness. "Hello Shubra how are you doing."
There was a pause for a moment. "Hi Niranjan, I am good, is everything okay at your side?"
"Yeah, I am doing well. Did you meet my parents?" Niranjan asked.
"Well, I am calling from the New City hospital and your father is admitted since yesterday. Your mother is with me and she is very much longing to see you immediately," Shubra said.
Niranjan was shocked to hear the news from Shubra. "Well, I speak to my mother in few moments but how is my father doing now? Is he all right? What did the doctor say?"
"He is under observation and the medical reports are yet to come, it may take another few hours before we know in detail," Shubra said.
"Okay, please give the phone to my mother." His voice was tense.
There was a pause for few moments before he heard his mother weeping and sobbing over the phone.
Niranjan tried to control his emotions and drops of tear fell on his face.
"Please don't worry Mom, Appa will be all right and Shubra is with you for your help," Niranjan said.
"My son, I want to see you immediately, please come back to India. I always insisted you not to leave us, but you never listened to my advice. Your father always remembers you every day and he too want you to come back,” his mother said. She tried to convey her message with much difficulty amidst her continued sobbing.
Niranjan was sweating and his face slowly filled with an expression of guilt. Jennifer could vaguely understand by overhearing his conversation over the phone, and saw Niranjan's face turning pale.
Moments later, Niranjan spoke to Shubra. He requested her to be with her mother and asked her to keep him informed about the on goings. Niranjan requested Shubra to console his mother till he reached India.
He paused for a moment. “I need to go to India immediately since my father is unwell and admitted to the hospital."
"Oh, I am sorry to hear this, if you need any help from me, please let me know." Her face was filled with emotion while she expressed her sympathy.
"I think we better start from here tonight itself and reach New Jersey by morning. I may need your help in arranging the plane tickets for me to India immediately," Niranjan said.
"Okay, I know an agent in West Windsor, and I can speak with him about it," Jennifer said.
They both walked towards the hotel room and Niranjan entered inside hurriedly and readied his travel bag. Jennifer came closer to Niranjan; put her hands around his neck. "Niranjan, are you leaving this country once for all?"
Niranjan kissed her lips. "Honey, I am sorry about it, I need to go and look after my parents. I had told you before many times about my parents’ affection towards me. I need to take this decision one or the other day, and time has come for me to say adieu to this country."
Jennifer blushed. "Oh, I miss you Niranjan." She kissed him back.
Niranjan had to convince her for the next half hour about his situation back in India and he explained her about his duties towards his aged parents. Since Jennifer was grown in a family environment, she could understand Niranjan's point of view and agreed for his decision to go to India. She inwardly appreciated him for his love towards his aged parents.
Chapter 25 Adieu
And ever has it been known that love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation - Khalil Gibran
Niranjan drove overnight for seven hours to reach New Jersey early in the morning. He spoke with Jennifer on various matters ranging from his family to technical work and politics to make the night journey without stress. Jennifer was awake throughout the journey to keep up the Niranjan's motivation to drive back home.
He drove the car inside the Deer Creek Apartment. "You can leave after few hours since it is still dark outside."
They had reached the place just before the dawn.
Jennifer came closer to Niranjan and kissed him. "It's okay. I will leave now and call you during noon time. Take care." Her voice trembled. She walked towards her Beetle.
Niranjan stared at her car till it disappeared. He walked inside the house in dejection.
######
Niranjan decided to call Vivek to inform him about his plan to go to India. He punched his cell number. The phone rang for a while before Vivek answered.
"Hi Niranjan, how are you doing? You called quite early today," Vivek said.
"I am doing well. Yesterday I heard a message from India that my father is hospitalized. I am leaving for India." He sat on the couch.
"I am sorry to hear this. You can go to India, and please speak with Frank. You may have to convince him if you are leaving in between your project," Vivek said.
"Yeah, I am concerned about the project and I will speak with Frank today," Niranjan said.
"All right, please let me know if you face any difficulty."
"Okay, I will call you later." Niranjan disconnected the call.
Later, before leaving for the office, he called Shubra to know the health status of his father. She informed him about the results of medical reports, and the coronary Angiography report revealed a block in his artery. Doctor had advised to go for Angioplasty as early as possible. She expressed her concerns about his mother's eagerness to see him back home.
Niranjan conveyed his willingness to be there in few days and requested her again to control his mother's emotions. He conveyed his gratitude to her for being helpful in this difficult time.
######
Jennifer reached her home with heavy heart, thinking about Niranjan. She was disheartened for Niranjan's decision to leave the country. She admired him for his affection towards his aged parents.
Niranjan always tried to be good friend of mine and he never deceived me for any reasons. He is quite altruistic in nature which makes him different from others.
She had to explain her mother, Catherine, about the i
ncident and the reason for their early arrival to New Jersey. Her mother expressed her sympathies towards Niranjan, and advised Jennifer to help him during this time of difficulty.
Jennifer relaxed till noon and later called the travel agent at West Windsor for tickets availability to India. Upon confirmation from the agent, she called Niranjan and informed the ticket availability after two days. Niranjan asked her to book the tickets immediately without making any delays.
They together decided to sell his Acura back to the dealer before his departure to India.
*
Niranjan went to Frank's office immediately after reaching the General Electric. He explained to him in detail about the incident.
Frank pondered for a few moments. "Well, it is difficult situation for us to lose you in this crucial phase of the project. Since you have genuine reason to go back to India, we are left with no options. I request Vivek to provide me another technical person who can replace you."
Frank immediately sent a meeting request to all the team members to assemble in the conference room immediately. He walked out of his office towards the meeting place with Niranjan.
Niranjan opened the door of the conference room and entered inside with Frank.
"Well, I speak with Vivek about the possible replacement in my place and I am sure he can help us."
Frank informed the team members about Niranjan's decision to leave for India, and he advised his other team mates to take his help for their project related problems before he goes. Niranjan informed his availability for the next couple of days and offered his help to his team mates.
"It is very difficult situation for us to lose you, and I wish you all the best for your future endeavours and speedy recovery for your father," Daniel said.
Sing Ming and Harris conveyed their wishes to Niranjan, and Niranjan turned down Frank's request to have a team lunch in a nearby restaurant. They together spent few minutes in the cafeteria inside the office building.
######
Jennifer could help Niranjan to pick him at the Deer Creek Apartment and taking him to the JFK airport in New York. She was disappointed to lose such honest friend, but she realized the situation which Niranjan was facing. She tried to be cheerful and conversed with Niranjan while they travelled to the airport.
When they reached the main hall inside the airport, Jennifer desired to spend few more minutes with Niranjan while he collected his boarding pass. Her face was dreary while she stared at Niranjan with soft smile.
"I thank you for your camaraderie. The moments I spent with you for the last few months are quite memorable in my life," Jennifer said.
"Yes, and I too had a good time in this country and I am thankful for your help all these days. I found a real friend in you who is caring and kind. I am helpless as you know already, and I had to wrap-up from here," Niranjan said.
Meanwhile Vivek entered into the hall and greeted Niranjan with best wishes. He too expressed his disappointment for Niranjan's early departure. He was expecting Niranjan to be part of his expansion program, and wanted him to lead the project acquisition process.
They discussed few details together before Niranjan walked towards the terminal gate, and waved to Jennifer and Vivek affectionately.
###The End###
Thank you for reading my novella, Love is Blind. Please consider leaving a review at your favourite retailer’s website; your feedback is important to me and helps me decide what types of stories to write in the future.
Best Wishes
Vijay K Kerji
About the Author:
I'm an engineer, worked in software organizations, including Siemens and Intel. Later on, my vast experience in design and development was useful for various students in technical colleges while giving lectures on software subjects. I had a passion for writing and I'm thankful for the electronic media like SmashWords.com for giving opportunities to fulfil writer’s aspirations, and making their dreams real. I like spending time with my family and playing with my one year old daughter. I live in India.
Other Titles by this Author:
1.Aiding a Broken Heart – A Love Story
2.A Friend in Need
3.The Lady and The Widower
Love is Blind Page 13