by Priyal Jain
CHAPTER 29
“Jake!” I said, waking him up. “You slept?” I asked and laughed.
“I am sorry, I don’t know how I…..” he rubbed his eyes.
“It’s okay.” I said, shuffling his hair. “Have this coffee, it’ll help.”
“Thanks.” He said, taking the coffee from me.
“You feeling okay now?” I asked.
“Yes a lot better.” He replied. We both sat in silence and drank our coffees.
“You look really tired; I think you should go home and have some rest.” I was really concerned about him.
“No I am okay.”
“You sure?”
“Ya.” He replied, a little agitated and then sipped his coffee. I know he is really tired but is concerned about Emmet that is why he is staying here. It is better I don’t say anything at all to him, right now. His irritation is justified. It was a tough day for Jake. It was a lot to take in for him today. I turned away and drank my coffee.
“I am sorry I know I am getting all cranky pants.” He apologized.
“Jake no need to say sorry, I understand it’s a tough time.” I said.
“I love you!”
“I love you too.” I replied. We held hands and waited for the doctor to come out. Emma, mom and dad came after sometime and anxiously waited for Emmet to be alright.
“Jeez, it is taking ages for the doctor to come out.” Emma said, restlessly.
“Relax darling!” mom said.
“Yes Emma doctors are trying their best in there.” I pointed towards the OT.
I hate hospitals. I mean I don’t hate them but I don’t like them very much. Hospitals are a big irony in themselves. Here every minute a new life enters this world and in the same minute someone’s life is ending. I mean how can births and deaths take place in the same building? So many negative vibes for the small cute munchkins. Hospitals are creepy places and I don’t like coming to one.
“Ashley are you okay?” Dad asked brushing my hair with her fingers. I nodded and smiled. Finally, the doctor came out.
“How’s Emmet?” Emma leaped to her feat. All our heartbeat rates were more than double.
“He is alright. The tumor is out of his body. The operation was successful. But the next few hours we have to keep him under observation, they are quite crucial.” Dr. Smith smiled.
“Thank you, thank you so much Dr. Smith. You are so adorable.” Emma said and hugged him. WHAT?????? Emma hugged a doctor. We all were trying hard not to gawk. She finally composed herself and set the doctor free.
“I am sorry. It’s just that I am really happy.” Emma replied.
“Its okay, happens.” The doctor patted her shoulder.
“Can we go inside and meet Emmet?” I asked, getting excited myself.
“Not now, he is resting. You can see him in an hour or so.” Dr. Smith said. “Now please excuse me.”
“Thank you doc.” Jake said and Dr. Smith nodded and went.
“Emma!” I said and hugged her very tightly.
“We are all so glad, Emma.” Jake said.
“I can’t wait to meet Emmet!” Emma jumped up and down with joy. I am so happy for Emma. She deserves all this happiness. I have never seen her dancing like this before. We all were enjoying watching her. She has had her share of sorrow now its turn for her to be happy and enjoy life.
After an hour, we all are standing in Emmet’s room. We had to beg the nurse to let us all in. She permitted us but said we cannot stress Emmet, which of course we won’t.
“Thank you so much for being here.” Emmet said to all of us.
“We are really glad that you are fine now.” Dad exclaimed.
“We are surely gonna celebrate this.” Jake said, doing a little party dance and all of us laugh. He can make a complete fool of himself just to see his dear ones laughing.
“You should go out now and only one person should stay.” The nurse said.
“I think Emma should stay and we should all wait outside.” Mom said and we all agreed. We waved Emma and Emmet bye and then came out of the room.
“Mom, dad I think you should go now. It is almost morning and you guys are really tired. You should get some rest.” I said.
“But honey, what about you and Jake?” mom asked.
“Kathy we’ll be okay.” Jake replied. “Don’t worry I will take good care of Ashley.”
“That we know darling.” Mom said and Jake smiled. “Okay then we will leave but keep us updated.”
“Of course.” I said. “I’ll see you off.” I went outside the hospital to drop off mom and dad.
“Thank you so much mom and dad.” I said.
“It is okay sweetheart.” Dad said.
“I love you both. Bye.” I said.
“Bye honey!” both of them sang. They sat inside the car and rode off. I was returning when I saw the garden again, where Jake smashed his phone. I went inside and wait a minute. What did he said here a while ago. I want to have a family. I didn’t notice that part of his speech before. Oh God! I could feel butterflies in my stomach. Well, the whole zoo at this time. Why didn’t I hear him carefully? But then I thought of all the beautiful moments of love we have shared. But we have not been together for even a month. What did he mean when he said ‘family’? It is such an enigma, what to do? But when it’s right it’s right, you just know. I looked around the garden once again. It was very beautiful.
“Yes!” I screamed with joy. I am not such a bad girlfriend after all. I composed myself and went up where Emmet’s room was.
“Where were you?” Jake asked.
“Just seeing off mom and dad.” I said casually even though there were firecrackers bursting in my stomach.
“Is everything fine?” he asked.
“Absolutely.” I replied and he smiled. I didn’t know if I was doing the right thing.
After sometime we both also went inside Emmet’s room.
“I hope we are not disturbing?” I asked before entering the room.
“Not at all, come in.” Emma said.
“How are you feeling Emmet?” Jake asked, yawning and we all laughed.
“I am fine but I think you need to get some rest.” Emmet gagged.
“Emmet is absolutely right, it’s 6:00 am and you have been awake the whole night.” Emma said.
“We are fine Emma and even you haven’t slept at all last night.” I said nudging her.
“I think you both should go and have something to eat, I will stay here with Emmet.” Jake said pointing towards me and Emma.
“That would be perfect!” I said and grabbed Emma’s wrist and dragged her towards the door. “You guys have fun!” I said before slamming the door shut.
“What is wrong with you?” Emma asked, rubbing her wrist.
“I am sorry, I got too excited.”
“To stand here.” She snapped.
“No silly, I really have to talk to you. Just come with me.”
“Where?” she asked.
“Just come!” I took her to the hospital’s garden and told her about everything.
“Do you think I am doing the right thing?” I asked. My stomach was in knots.
“You both look so nice together and we have seen love in your eyes. We have seen how happy you make each other. Your face glows up just by his presence and his too. But no one can be more right to make this decision than you.”
“I know but I am confused. What if Jake doesn’t love me and thinks of it as just goofing around?” I know I am being unreasonable.
“I am shocked that you said that. But to clarify that too I have a secret.”
“What secret!”
“Jake once told Emmet that he has a crush on you from high school!”
“What??? I didn’t know that. He seemed too shy and he was an introvert. Back then I didn’t have a clue that he had a crush on me.” I was shell-shocked. He liked me in high school, we rarely used to talk.
“So what do you think now?”
“I’ll go ah
ead as planned.”
“You sure?” she teased.
“I am sure. It’ll be his best birthday.”
“Have you asked your parents yet?” she asked.
“You caught me, but don’t worry I know they’ll agree and I will talk to them today itself!”
“Way to go, girl!” Emma hugged me.
“Thank you!” I replied.
“Now can we go and have something, I am starving.”
“We will eat but first you have to talk to Dr. Smith.” I said. “The same doctor you hugged.” I teased her.
“Haven’t I embarrassed myself enough?” she asked, getting a bit upset.
“Okay, okay I am sorry, but tell me honestly do you like him?” I tickled her a little.
“Yes….. he is cute and sweet and he saved my brother’s life.” she blushed.
“Someone is blushing!” I sang.
“Stop it or else talk to Smith yourself.”
“Sorry, sorry but please talk to him. We need permission to use this garden.
“Okay, let’s suck up to Dr. Smith.” She said and we high-fived. We went inside the hospital and started looking for Dr. Smith. We found him near the reception talking to someone. As soon as he got free we caught him.
“Hello girls.” He greeted us.
“Hello Dr. Smith.” Emma said and I just smiled.
“Can I do something for you?” he asked politely.
“No…… yes…no….I mean yes!” Emma fumbled. Dr, Smith got utterly confused and raised his eyebrows.
“I mean first of all I am really thankful to you for saving my brother’s life.”
“That is my job.” He shrugged and smiled.
“And I am sorry for the hug fiasco.” She said and I giggled, Emma elbowed me in the stomach.
“It is okay, forgiven and forgotten.”
“You look really young to be a doctor!” Emma started the conversation.
“Well everyone says that but I am 28, not so young!” he winked.
“You’ve maintained yourself well.” I chimed in.
“Dr. Smith we wanted a favor from you. Actually there is a garden in your hospital, quite discreet. We wanted to organize….something over there. We promise we won’t disturb any patient, just some decorations that’s it.” Emma explained.
“Well it’s a hospital!” he replied.
“We know, please try and understand. We won’t make cause any problem. Please help us.” Emma said.
“Well I have to talk to some senior authorities.” He replied.
“Please doctor. We will really be thankful to you. It’s just that we cannot do anything special without Emmet.” I made pretty-please face.
“I understand but I still have to ask my seniors. I will try my best to convince them only on one condition, no patient should have a slightest of a problem.” He said in a strict voice. It didn’t suit him though.
“Promise.” We both said together.
“I’ll meet you both, in an hour, over here only and then I will tell you their decision.” He said and smile.
“Thank you so much!” We both said in unison and he smiled.
“Oh God, I can’t wait!” I said excitedly.
“Don’t get your hopes too high.” Emma the realist said.
“You are right. Ashley keep calm.” I said and took a deep breath.
“Ashley now if you don’t let me eat anything I will kill you!” Emma said.
“Okay let’s go.” I said dragging Emma to the canteen. We have ordered two bagels and we are waiting for them. I am also feeling really hungry and if our order didn’t come within a minute I will rip the heads of those bloody chefs.
“2 bagels!” the girl at the counter shouted. Thank God. I hurriedly went and grabbed our bagels.
“Thank you so much!” I flashed a smile at her and strolled back to our table.
“Ah!” Emma exclaimed at the sight of food. We ate in silence well we pigged out. We were starving. Jake must be hungry too but we are not allowed to take food inside the room. He should eat something or else he will fall sick and he cannot fall sick until his birthday. He has to be perfect just as always. I am going to make it a fabulous day for him full of surprises. I love him and want everything to be as special as it could be.
“Were you eating everything that was available in the canteen?” Jake taunted as we rejoined the guys.
“Shut up, we were just hanging out.” I lied.
“I hope you guys had fun?” Emma asked, changing the topic.
“Absolutely, Jake sang all his latest songs and they all were really amazing. He is a total rockstar.” Emmet showed a thumbs up.
“When are we gonna get the privilege to hear them?” Emma asked.
“Soon!” he replied. We all were chatting and laughing as a nurse entered the room.
“Mr. Emmet, how are you feeling?”
“Good!” he replied.
“As it is 22 Jan today and so will be required to stay here till 25 Jan.” she said and a smile came on my face.
“Okay.” Emmet replied. “No problems.” I looked at Emma and she gave me a hidden thumbs up. The only task left now is to convince mom and dad. I have only one day to organize everything. I can do it. Please let the doctors allow us to have the place.
“I think I should head home.” I announced.
“Why?” Jake asked.
“Actually I am really tired. I want some rest my body is paining.” I lied.
“No problems Ashley!” Emma replied.
“Shall I drop you?” Jake asked.
“No I think I’ll manage but you take care of yourself and please have something to eat.” I said. He smiled and nodded.
“I’ll see you off.” Emma said.
“Bye guys, see you in some time.” I said and we left the room.
“So you have to meet Dr. Smith and then text me their decision.” I said in bossy tone.
“Okay captain.” Emma saluted me and we both laughed. The doctors standing nearby shushed us.
“Sorry!” we said in a low voice.
“Bye, take care!” I said and went out of the hospital building.