Beep. Beep. Beep.
Deva, the noise of the alarm is not helping my pounding head right now.
Beep. Beep. Beep.
Wait, I never set an alarm up with a beep sound. All my alarms have a ringtone with loud music.
Beep. Beep. Beep
Wait! Wait! Wait!
Beep. Beep. Beep
I don't think I set up an alarm.
Beep. Beep. Beep
Where am I?
My eyelids feel so heavy. They never felt so heavy before. I try to lift them. After a couple of tries I can finally blink my eyes open. They feel blurry. I blink again.
Blink. Blink. Blink.
Okay. So now my head is pounding but at least my vision is clear. I slowly turn my head to the side to see Aai by my bedside. The sight of her darling face brings a lump in my throat.
"Aa.. Aai…" I try to shout out loud but it comes out more as a croak.
Her head snaps up instantly as if she heard me. When she realises that I'm awake, she starts stuttering out, "Doc.. Doctor.."
Then she starts screaming, "Doctor!"
Her screaming makes my head pound even worse. It wakes up someone on the couch. No, it wakes up two 'someones' on the couch. Upon blinking some more, I realise it's Dad and Anya.
Dad runs out hurriedly as Anya and Aai gather around my side. It's then I realise that I'm in a hospital. Aai has tears streaming down her face as she clutches my hand tightly. I look up at her and she places a kiss on my forehead. It calms me down and makes me feel safe.
I look around to see Anya in the same condition with waterworks down her pretty face.
Suddenly, dad returns with whom I assume is a doctor who starts taking my vitals. He lists out something clinical which Aai, Dad and Anya pay attention to very much.
But I zone out his words as the events from the last of my memory lane catch up to me. After asking me a few questions, the doctor leaves. I focus on Aai and Dad again.
I'm surprised to see Dad's eyes full of tears. All my life, my dad never, ever cried. It shocks me.
"There are not many things in my life that move me to tears besides losing you and your Aai. I think I'm entitled to some." Dad says sappily.
I just smile at him tiredly. Or I think I try to.
"Don't you ever do that to me again, pillu. Do you understand? Aai chokes out, demandingly.
I try to answer her, but just blink at her and smile lovingly. Deva, my body is so tired!
"Let him rest, Meera." Dad says as places a hand on her shoulder and kisses her temple.
Aai kisses my cheek and says, "I love you, pillu."
Aai steps back and lets Dad kiss my forehead. He whispers to me, "Get well soon, darling boy. I love you."
At last, Anya comes to me.
Did she hear my words that day? Did I even confess my love for her? Deva, this is so confusing and frustrating.
Anya holds my hand firmly and kisses the back of it. She then kisses my forehead as she whispers, "I love you too, Swastik."
She loves me too.