The Elusive Prince

hospital room

The walk to the lift was interminable. People bustled around. Some hurried some rambling. A cacophony of their voices rose and fell. The bulky visitors lift gratingly came to a halt. Like he was on autopilot, he surged in with the crowd and punched 4th floor. Adrian wanted to run up the stairs, but he did everything in his power to stay under the radar. The downside was he had to spend a lot of time just waste time doing mundane things he could ordinarily do in a jiffy. The lift groaned and started rising up. Something was gnawing at him. His chunky knit electric blue sweater itched and his well worn Levi's felt too tight. His ancient timberlands weight like an anchor dragging him down. Adrian tried to take deep breaths to center himself. Finally the journey came to an end and the lift halted at 4th floor. Adrian rushed out, heedless of the people around him. He turned left lobby and the door.

Adrian hesitated when he reached the room. His hand raised to knock, suspended mid air. He could hear her labored breathing and different machines beeping. It smelt like industrial bleach, pungent disinfectants and a very heavy coat of lavender floor cleaner to mask the medicinal odors. It all assailed his senses and left him a little breathless. He debated, very seriously if he should just bolt and never come back. No one knew he was here anyway. He wasn't ready to face whatever was on the other side of the door. He had run away once hadn't he? He could do it once again a snide voice said to him.

“So you came,” said the voice behind him. Adrian turned to see Oliver bloom standing with coffee in his hand, regarding him with calculating eyes. Tall and stocky. He looked like age hadn't touched him. Except some greying at the temples and few wrinkles near eyes and mouth. He looked the same. The years seem to fade away and Adrian felt again like a school boy. He wanted to hug the man standing in front of him, but unsure of the ground, stood there. Looking at him. Oliver took a step towards him and enveloped him in a bear hug. Adrian felt like he was melting. He returned the hug, leaned into him a little. The familiar scent of leather and tobacco engulfed his senses. He tightened the hug, felt a little tremor wracking the older man's body.

Victoria and Oliver were married for almost 37 years. They had met in college and fell instantly in love and had been together since. They were soul mates, best friends and partners. Beyond being a couple, they were a unit, a solid partnership. They worked together beautifully and he had never seen them seriously angry at each other. Adrian knew how lost Oliver would be without Victoria. Both men were unaware of how much time passed like this. They were both giving and receiving comfort from each other. 

"Mr Bloom" the man in doctors scrub broke the spell.  

Yes? Oliver dabbed his eyes as he turned towards the doctor.

"If you can come into my office? We need to discuss the new reports" saying so the doctor gestured towards a small office at the end of the hallway. he was about to turn

"Is she going to live?" Adrian abruptly asked, his voice up an octave.

Doctor cleared his throat, switched coffee mug from one hand to another and looked at Adrian questioningly, "Mr..."

"Adrian", he responded impatiently, "is she going to live?"

"Mr Adrian, there's a slim chance, but a chance nonetheless. You can sit with her while I talk to Mr Bloom."

Adrian wanted to shake the man and demand answers, compel him to perform miracles, but he reigned himself and nodded curtly.

Pushed the door and went inside. She lay on the hospital bed, tubes inserted all over her. She looked so frail. Adrian had never seen her so still. Always full of infectious laughter and never ending energy. Victoria-Ria Bloom. Adrian sat next to her, afraid to touch her. She looked so small. Her vivacity and elegance always made her petite 5'.3" frame taller and bigger. Nary a trace remained, only the smooth blankness of a death mask. It broke his heart. He had run away from her 16 yrs ago but he had never stopped loving or missing her. He was back now and she lay dying. He wanted another chance to make up for all the pain she had caused her. He took the hand that brushed through his hair so many times and hugged him, even when he wanted to wriggle out of it. she gave the best hugs, she had the best laughter and the biggest heart. She had also lied and hid things from him. Love rushed through him, tears made his vision blurry. he leaned into her.

“Mama”, Adrian called her softly, hoping she would react, “I am back.”