The Elusive Prince

Victorias return.

It was a whirlwind from there. After much crying and jubilation, Ria was downgraded to special care where she would be observed for 24 hours and then if her vitals held, would be cleared to go home. Oliver was all over the place so Adrian had to take care of the formalities. He needed a couple of signatures on the release form so he went to look for Oliver, he was sitting in the cafeteria with a coffee mug in his hands. He hurried towards his father when a woman came up to Oliver, Oliver got up and hugged the woman and when he swung her Adrians stomach dropped. It was Sam, she was here!

She looked so tall and unmistakably woman. Gone was the slip of a girl. The pixie mop was replaced by long thick hair that was a fascinating deep red. The baby face had honed down to pure angles. Love floored him. He knew he still loved her, but this force of love he wasn't expecting. It felt like someone had punched him in the gut. He had balled the form in his hands, he meticulously smoothened it and when he caught his father's eye, he started walking towards them. 

"Hey Sam!" Sam froze in mid chatter. She had longed to hear this voice for so long. When Ria was admitted in hospital, she had hoped he would come back. When 3 weeks later she had seen no sign of him she had thought he had abandoned them in all sense. Here he was. Adrian.. Even his name speared her heart. The only boy she ever loved, the only man she truly hated and yet all of the past's hurt and bitterness had washed away when he had said her name. She turned towards him, all control. “Hi Adrian, didn't know you were back”

“Came in today, noon.”

She plastered on a bright smile “Well! Ria would be glad to have you back. Let me know if you are going to be in town for a while and want to hang out. Okay.? ” She turned towards the older man and thrust the flowers she had bought in his hands. “Oliver, give these to Ria and tell her we all are thinking about her and sending nothing but healing thoughts her way.” desperate to escape, she again smiled at Adrian,” so happy you are back, see you around. Gotta go! Bye! Bye Oliver!” She had to fight the urge to run, making herself  walk at a moderate pace. 

“She comes in every evening to bring her flowers, sits with me here for an hour or so. She is a very nice girl. ” Oliver casually remarked, noting Adrian’s expression. The boy was still watching her retreating form. Watching his pain, the old man's resentment softened a little bit. This situation was hard on everyone. He just hoped that Adrian's homecoming could overcome it and he could have a happy fulfilling life.

“Will the family of the patient in 404 come to the nurses station on the ground floor” the overhead speaker blared,

“Will the family of the patient in 404 come to the nurses station on the ground floor”

Adrian shook himself and in tune with Oliver started to walk towards the station.

"Mr Bloom, Mrs bloom has requested to see her son. She is quite anxious. ” The head nurse informed them both. ”Could you please follow me? Mr Bloom, Janice will get you in a few minutes and give you the list of medicines and apparatus you would need for home transfer. Please make yourself comfortable, she'll be here soon, ” she beckoned Adrian to follow her. “The Hospital staff is being stretched thin due to Covid. Normally we don't discharge patients this soon, but seeing as how hospital beds are a scarce commodity, we have to. " The head nurse went on and on enumerating her hardships. Adrian only half heard her. His mind was too full of Ria and Sam.  He had wanted to run after Sam and kiss her. Hold her and find out if he had put too much in this perfect fantasy or what he had was real. He also wanted to see his mom and talk to her, be assured that she was going to be fine and coming home. 

The nurse took him in her new room, all of a sudden Adrian felt awkward. A little nervous, a little shy. He entered the room. The tubes and needles invading Ria's body were reduced significantly. She was breathing on her own. Her skin had taken on a translucent quality. He approached her softly. "Mom?" She tentatively called out. "Mom," now his voice came out a bit stronger. Her eyelashes fluttered. He sat down on the chair beside the bed and took her hand gently in his hand. "Mom, I am here," he was pleading now. 

"Added..." Victoria tried to speak. Her dry throat making it impossible to be heard.

"Yes, mom, I am here. I am home. " Taking care of not exerting too much pressure on her frail hand. He entreated her, mom wake up, we need to go home, our home. I won't leave you, never. Just come home, just get better" Adrian whispered.

"Are you really back?" Victoria's eyes shone with hope.

"Yes, I am. I won't leave you again. " He promised.

"So sorry" with great difficulty Victoria asked.

"No, don't say sorry mom you didn't do anything. I am sorry. I was stupid. " his voice began wavering.

"My baby.." she tried to squeeze his hand, seeking reassurance. All she managed was a faint press.

"Mama," Adrian finally broke and wept, drenching her hand with his tears. 

The figure watched this in their orb. They fell on their knees. They were successful. It had begun. The candles snuffed in unison. The events were in motion now. Heaven or hell, now there was no turning back.