Nidhi's POV:

Days passed and things were slowly getting better. Grandma was juggling between consciousness and unconsciousness. But seeing her eyes fluttering open after two whole days after the operation was such a relief. I spoke a few words to her with teary eyes and she just nodded lightly and went back to sleep again.

I and my father took turns and stayed with Grandma at night and Maa and Nithin came over in the mornings managing their work shifts. And I am the only one who is workless who has all the time in the world so I stay most of the time in the hospital. 

Currently, I am in the room allocated to Grandma after she was shifted out of ICU. Some fluids are still attached to her and she hasn't woken up since morning. 

And I was multitasking by looking after her and waiting for her to wake up and reading the news. As much as I want to take a break from all the things that are going outside I can't help my mind going back to them. 

I read all the news local, national, and global everything. And thanks to my friends who are still working their asses off I am fully informed of everything and so are they about Grandma. Ravali even visited me in the hospital a few days ago and handed my things to my family at home which I felt back at the hostel that day.  

Though I have left the hostel with the hopes of staying at home, this hospital became another hostel for me now. Sighing, I left my phone and went near my grandma and held her hand. I felt a slight stir in her hand and my gaze shifted to her face and her eyes slowly opened. 

"You awake? Do you need anything? Water? Before I should call the doctor...." I went on blabbering in panic seeing her wake up and only I am there with her. And before I could do anything she tightened her grip on my hand and stopped me. 

"No need. Just sit down," she replied weakly. I sat down and kept looking at her. Looking at her like this made me feel like she aged way more in these few days than in all these years. 

"How are you feeling?" I asked her. 

"Tired. But I guess you were more sick than me?" she questioned me with a small smile. 

"You made me so sick," I retorted with a stern look.

"Have you thought I would leave already? I won't until I see my grandchildren's children." I cringed hearing her. Seeing my expression she chuckled. 

"From where you went to where? Is there any connection between them?" Seeing my sulking face she laughed more. Guess her head is not healed yet, I thought.

"But you know," she spoke after a short silence, "I felt my time has come to an end when I fell down. That I am leaving you all. I thought I would never open my eyes." 

"Grandma. You are fine and fit now. You will live long enough. So long that you will see your granddaughter's granddaughter. Ok? Don't talk like that," She smiled again hearing my statement. I didn't want her to think about all things now when she healing well. 

"That's a wonderful thought but I don't want to live that long dear."

"Grandma. Enough of this conversation. And don't say those words. We all are waiting for you to get well soon and come back home and you are talking like this?" Her words are making me angry. I know one day or the other everyone leave this world, but should we have to discuss it every day? And she is going on thinking about that only.

"I know how much you love me, dear. All of you. But you know sometimes, especially in moments like these I miss your grandfather. We lived together for 30 years and then suddenly one day he left me. And that makes me lonely. That makes me want to reach out to him soon. And his void is something that can never be filled by anyone. Not even you. 

When I fell with unbearable pain, I was scared of not seeing you again and not saying goodbye to you all, but not of death. It's the only way to meet him again. On the other side." 

She said all her hidden feelings with a soft smile dancing on her lips. When she said she is not afraid of death she meant it. But she doesn't know that we get scared of that. Death is inevitable and I am aware of it and the least we can hope for is to pray to spend the most precious time with our loved ones. 

"Ok, Grandma. You will see my wedding. Ok? Now take some rest," I said to her and waited till she slept again. The tablet's effect made her sleepy again. Once I felt she won't wake up anytime soon I went out of the room. 

I strolled through the corridors still thinking about Grandma's words. She sounded both sad and happy. And her concern about my marriage. Did I become too old to get married already? 

How do people choose he or she is the one so quickly and easily? Owing to my bitter experience in love in the past I developed severe trust issues. 

With all these thoughts I reached the canteen to have some snacks or some drink to cool down myself, but the scene in front of me could only increase the hotness of my brain. 

Nithin and Reena were sitting at a table right ahead of me. 

I stared at them for a few moments waiting if Nithin could sense my presence as he was facing me, but he was too much drowned in the girl before him. 

Unable to be ignored any longer I went and sat next to them. Reena rather reacted surprised but Nithin remained calm as he was before. 

"My father told you my name, right?" I asked Reena with a sarcastic smile. She smiled sheepishly and looked at Nithin for help. 

"Don't scare her off. I was waiting for you to introduce you to her today," he said and held her hand right before me and continued, "Meet my girlfriend, Reena."

"I slipped my tongue on that day, but nice to meet you, Nidhi," Reena replied offering her hand to me for a handshake. Well, there is no reason to not take it so I smiled back at her and took her hand. 

"You asked me that day and now I showed her to you. Happy?" Nithin asked.

"Yeah. Finally, the suspense left and I am happy. Happy for both of you. And we must get to know each other too, Reena," I said to them both and Reena nodded to me smiling. I chit-chatted with her for a few minutes and got to know that she is also a junior doctor under my dad and knows my brother for the past 3 years, the years when I am away from home.

"When will you make things official then?" I asked him after my long talk with Reena. 

"I told you when I would do that Remember?" he questioned me back with a small smirk on his face. Unlike other times I am not angry with his statement. I remember him telling me to get married fast so that he can marry soon. And this time I fell into a deep dilemma and thought of this marriage concept where everyone is behind me. 

I didn't reply to him and he didn't bother me again. We chatted some more time but Reena excused herself as it is time for Dad's shift and Nithin asked me to get my belongings so that he can drop me home for the rest of the day. 

"Will you reveal everything at home if I get married?" I asked him out of the blue while we were on our way home. I just want to know his genuine answer. 

"Nidhi, leave it. I was just joking around with you. And the answer to your question is no. We are serious about each other but still, we need time to set out our priorities. So we will take some more time."

"Then why everyone is bringing up this topic and forcing me into marriage?"

"Nidhi, you know none can force you. Not even Dad. He didn't even force you to be a doctor and he kept that dissatisfaction with himself only. So it is your choice only. Even I told Dad that there is still time for us to discuss your marriage and everything. So no need to think about this."

And again he touched the sensitive topic. My dad will never be happy with my choice of profession and everyone feel I have disrespected his hopes and values he kept on me. My Maa and Nithin at least became neutral with me but not my dad. And even I gave up on him. 

But I guess if I agree to this marriage I might go far from him physically, but maybe I can get close to his heart again by following his words? Maybe I can see his love towards me again with words and actions. Maybe I can make everyone happy with this decision of mine. 

Maybe even I can be happy if I found a soulmate like  grandma and grandpa found each other. 

Maybe it is time for some big change in my life.  

Hello everyone.

I have updated again after a week. As said I am returning back to my own pace. Hope this will continue.

And coming to the chapter it was slow I guess and next two chapters will be same too. So bare with me.

Do tell me if you liked this chapter and the conversation between Grandma and Nidhi.

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