It was a long journey ahead, to heal, to rejuvenate, and to completely recover from this physical, emotional and mental turmoil.
Our love had been tested repeatedly; our feelings had been challenged, but nothing could defer our bond. I vowed to defeat all the odds and bring her every happiness.
She will get over this. She will be healthy and happy again, right now that's the only thing I cared about in this whole wide world.
Chapter 40
Your wish is my command
Emma
One month later
"Jake, please stop worrying. You need to go to the office today, and we won't be discussing another word on this."
"Emma, I can have it handled. I pay a great deal to a lot of people to manage my business, you know."
"You haven't left the house for a whole month. You have converted that study in a mini-office. You have some responsibility towards your work too. Just Go."
"I don't have any responsibility towards anyone except you. I am at your constant service madam. Your wish is my command". He bowed down, giving me a sheepish smile.
"And I wish you to get out of my hair today. I could use a breather, you know?"
"Ouch! you hurt my feelings." His expressions suddenly changed from an ear to ear grin, to a five-year-old's pout.
"Come on. I am much better now; I can walk around and can even shower myself." I was adamant on convincing him to consider getting on with his usual routine. He made me his life, literally, and I do not intend to have him wrapped around me like this. He needed to end his guilt trip and start afresh.
"Baby steps only Emma, don't forget what the doctor said. You have to move only when it's necessary. Your posture and grip are still improving."
I nodded with my eyes, gesturing him, I understand and will follow the doctor's advice.
"And hey, bathing you was my favorites duty, don't take that away, please."
"Oh. Shut up. You are a legit perv, Jake. Just go now, and shut the door as you make your way out."
He reluctantly abided and walked away while picking his office bag from the couch.
Before he stepped out, he turned around one last time, " I love you, Emma, call me if you need me."
"I love you too, Jake. I will, I promise."
As he left, I slowly picked myself up and stood my ground. I started taking small steps to the washroom and finished my morning business without any help or support.
Who would have thought that someday this would count as an accomplishment?
The last month of my life had been unruly. The highlights were, the never-ending attention, conflicting relationship dynamics and a highly enthusiastic team of friends and family, determined to prove their mettle as professional medical advisors.
I still got nervous, whenever I remembered the confrontation Jake and my parents had as they argued their lungs out, on who would take me home from the hospital. I never thought I would see a day when my father could retort to threats and blackmail to get me some separation from Jake. He advocated the idea of us taking a break as from his perspective, too much happened when we both were together.
Jake did not let me go, he insisted and fought his corner as he believed he could make the best possible treatment and facilities available at his home. He hired an army of nursing staff including yoga teachers, physiotherapists, psychologists and a handful of caregiving attendants, and put me in their care.
Thankfully Pam, Jake's mom, helped assure my parents that I will be well-taken care of and she would be staying with us to supervise our relationship and monitor my wellbeing.
Sounds bizarre, right? Well, that's the story of my life, or rather the circus of my life since the past month.
There was a soft knock at the door that immediately got me out of my reminiscence.
"Dear, here is your juice. Also, your friend Niki is downstairs. Shall I send her here?" Aunt Olivia carefully handed me the glass.
She had been taking care of me round the clock in the past month too. Even though she was full of secrets, I think my presence grew on her, and she had been very attentive towards my every big and small need, ever since I returned from the hospital.
I still felt curious about her, but that was a battle for yet another day. I had made my peace with it, for now.
She and Jake were the devil's team, who haunted me with nutritious food and fresh fruits every hour of the day. I took the glass from her, "sure, Aunt, please send her to my room. "After a minute, I realised that she was still standing here, giving me a polite smile.
"Anything else that you want to talk about?" I broke the awkward air that her funny stares were giving me.
"Jacob clearly instructed that I am not supposed to leave your side until you finish your juice."
Of course, he would say that.
I felt like giving both of them a piece of my mind and push some sense in their hollow heads, but instead, I just gulped the juice in one go and slammed the glass on the tray she was holding.
Trust me, I argued in the past, and these wicked creatures won every single time.
Soon, Niki joined me in the room. The only two sensible people I have had beside me were my two girlfriends - Niki and Britney. And of course, Pam too. Pam had been a perfect mother-like figure to me. We got so close as she had been staying with us since that unhateful day. She was very easy going and treated me like her own daughter. Right now, she was in LA for some days as Aunt Macy
