Her breakfast had arrived and the tray was sitting on the bedside table for a half an hour or so. She watched as other patients' relatives were called in to feed their patients and was fighting the pangs of hunger till a nurse popped in. "Your breakfast is getting cold, Aunty", She reminded. She requested the nurse to key up her bed and roll in the bedside table, so that she could reach it. The nurse complied and hurried back after pouring her a glass of water and placing it beside her tray. With intravenous needles pricking both her hands it was a struggle for her to hold the spoon as she tried to eat. She wondered if the Sharma's had found Siddharth or they hadn't? Had they conveyed her message or they hadn't? Or was he still alive or not? And it was then that she saw her sister in law making her way towards her. Her brother in law had been fired for some mysterious reason reason soon after they had returned from Nigeria. They were now living in Mumbai too though some twenty five kilometres away, so they met less frequently now than they did when they were in Lagos. How had she come to know when they hadn't even informed them? Had the Sharmas informed them? But they didn't have her number and nor had she been able to convey it to them since she didn't have her phone when they visited! Whatever it was, she was here, and a family member at last! She was nearly in tears as Bhabhi sanitized her hands before placing them supportively on her shoulders.
"Gauri, should I feed you?" She asked in a sweet sympathetic voice.
"Thanks Bhabhi, but I have just finished," She replied pushing away the table on wheels, too choked to eat any further.
"How did you come to know Bhabhi?" She asked through her tears.
"Gopal Bhaiyya asked me to check up on you. Everyone in your family was worried because no one was answering the phones…both the landlines and the mobiles!...when I went to your apartment no one answered the door. Then I asked your neighbours and they didn't have any idea, but asked me to inform the building society secretary Mr. Sharma! He told me that you were admitted here and that Siddharth was not answering the door!" This confirmed the worst of her fears! Siddharth was inside the house since the door was locked from inside! But was he dead or alive? If alive than in what condition?
"When was the last you saw him?" Bhabhi queried worriedly.
"Around fourteen days back" She guessed. Who had any idea of dates when struggling to stay alive in an ICU. Nor were there any bill reminders to keep a tab on the days passed!
"Do you think we should inform the police?" Bhabhi asked and she knew it was the only way forward. But she had known her husband for all of twenty five years now. He could well be lying drunk, oblivious to the world, while his dear ones worried sick over him. Calling the police at this juncture would mean further hassles! Once again she said her serenity prayer in her heart, trying to calm herself. A few moments later a solution struck her like a lightning bolt. She didn't know if it was a good one, but it was certainly better than calling the police!
"Bhabhi! Let them break down the door!" She whimpered out of sheer emotional and physical weakness. "If he is alive get him admitted here, and if…" Her sobs prevented her from completing her sentence as Bhabhi hugged her.