Bit Broken.

Waiting...

"His heart  is failing..." The doctor sighed navigating a bunch of reports. "Did he take all the medications?"

I stared at the doctor and nodded. I wasn't too sure what Papa had been doing. I didn't ever inspect if he was taking the medicines on time or how was he taking them or if he was actually taking them.

"Does he still smoke? And what about the drinking?"

I gulped and lowered my gaze to the reports. There were some tough words and some worse numbers.

"We can monitor him for some more time but..."

"But?" I dragged the chair closer to the table. I made sure I hear him correctly.

"If the condition further deteriorates...he might need a surgery. I would recommend for the surgery as soon as possible but the cost would be difficult for you to arrange and ..."

I wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say. "Sir I am not following what you say. I am ready to do anything...just..."

"The outcome is not that good. From my experience, these patients do not have a good prognosis..."

"Even after the surgery?"

"Yes." he sighed. "The surgery costs a fortune and I don't want to give false hopes to you. I suggest, you take him home after he stabilizes and monitor time to time. He doesn't have much time, make sure he lives happy."

"Sure sir." I nodded as my eyes welled up. I went out of the cabin and peeped through the glass of the general ward. Papa was sleeping, bed number 34, the oxygen mask, the catheter bag at the foot end of the bed,  everything seemed enough to make my heart sink deeper.

I took him home once the doctor discharged from the hospital. We had the insurance from the Malhotra Groups but we had to pay half the amount, which was still big. I didn't tell Papa what the doctor had told me. I just wanted him to live the rest of his life peacefully. I talked to Mr. Malhotra. He didn't seem to be really interested and again casually threw a bunch of cash towards me.

"I would have to appoint a new gardener.." was his only concern. He allowed us to stay in the quarters even when Papa wasn't working for him. And that according to him was the biggest help he was providing.  I was really angry at his attitude but I had nowhere to go with that anger. I looked up from the hall to the stairs. Tara looked at me with guilt in her in her eyes. I knew she had nothing to do.

One day after returning home from the market. I heard some giggles from outside. My heart melted at once with that voice. Tara was sitting with my papa, gossiping about something. Papa looked so happy.

"Hey, you are  back!" Tara hugged me tight. It wasn't weird but I felt weird in front of papa.

"Your friend is really fun..." Papa laughed. "I am so glad you have such friends.."

I kept the groceries on the table. "Hi...Do you..."

"She has come to invite you to the party." Papa paused to take a breath. He couldn't talk for long now. "She wanted my permission."

"What party?" I looked at Tara who stood with a smile.

"It's my birthday." She lifted her eyebrows and rolled her lips in. In these long years of waiting I had never forgotten her birthday and this time when we were literally dating...it slipped my mind. My heart sunk at once.

"I am so sorry.."I mouthed to Tara.

"Come on wish your friend!" Papa uttered.

"Yeah..." I dragged Tara to my room. I didn't lock the door but made sure that papa cannot hear a thing from the other room. "Happy birthday princess!" I gave a peck on her cheeks. It got redder. "I am so sorry .."

"You are coming to my party....and you'll spend the night with me. Alright? I've talked to uncle. He is cool."

"What gift do you want?"

"I'll get it from you tonight" She winked. "Dad's again out of town..."

"I am sorry Tara...I was too caught up with Papa's health..."

"I know...Don't  stress out. Are you alright? You look pale.."

" I am fine now. " I couldn't help anymore. I pulled her in my arms and kissed her lips until we both were out of breath. "But I don't have any good dress for the party and I don't want to wear your dress..."

Tara laughed. "I just want you. Nothing more nothing less. " She smirked. "There is no party. It's a date. You, me and my room. I'll be waiting."

As I got ready for our date, Papa knocked on the door. I opened it, Papa stood with a smile on his face and  a small box in his hands.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Open it..." He seemed as excited as a little kid showing his new toy.

It was a gold chain with a small locket of floral design. I gasped. "It's mom's!"

"Yeah...I gave it to her on our first anniversary." He looked at the chain with an ear to ear smile. "Give it to Tara.."

"Papa...What are you saying? How ..."

"How long had you decided to hide the truth from me?" HE lifted his eyebrows.

"Papa...you know that..."

"You love Tara." He sighed. "I have raised you Tanvi...I know you better than you. I have seen those scars when you fell from the tree, I have seen each time when her car crossed our home you were glued to the window," He paused. "I have seen you smile with all your heart when you look at Tara. Yes....I am worried for you but...today I saw the exact same thing in Tara's eyes and that's enough for me. I was waiting for you tell me everything."

"I thought you won't understand!"

"You thought I won't understand love!" he shrugged. "Love is love. What's there to understand?"

I literally jumped at him and hugged him tight. He was literally the best. I cried. "I love you, Papa..."

"Now go...She is waiting!" He patted my back. "It would be difficult...But don't give up.."

"I know....I won't. " I assured him. He had told me stories how he had to fight his family to marry mom. They were from different castes. "I won't give up." I repeated with a smile.