Chapter 23: Chapter 23

TWO WEEKS BEFORE WEDDING DAY

*James Pov*

“You don’t give it a rest, do you?” he stared at me with a determined look not budging at all no matter how much I am trying to stop him.

I was done with my treatment, but this man stopped me from leaving and now trying to raise my temper, no matter how much I am trying to calm down. It’s been half an hour but he is still continuing with this discussion even after listening to my decision.

“I am not joking, James.” He warned without any hesitation.

“You were behind me all this time to have a proper therapy and just when I started doing that, you came up with another thing.” I pointed out tightening my grip on the chair.

“You are talking as if I will benefit from all this. Therapy was for you and this operation will also be for you.” He pointed back.

“She was working hard all this time and she finally found the expert and a way to increase…” I cut him off raising my hand.

“So, I get to live more. Then? Should I really increase my time living like this?” I asked gesturing to my legs.

“You will at least be alive for more time.” He slammed his hand on the table.

“I already told your wife to not look for any options. Now, as this whole discussion is nothing but a waste of my time. I will just leave this place.” I turned the chair to leave, but his next words stopped me.

“I will tell your family everything if you are not going to make a sensible decision.” I closed my eyes, hearing his words and turned to stare at him directly.

“Don’t forget that you are still my doctor and you need to respect your patient wishes more than anything.” I stated but he just shook his head.

“As a doctor I need to meet your guardian and talk with that person regarding this sensitive issue. But do you have one? Then I need not tell anyone about all this to get permission.” He is back to that point again.

I don’t know what to tell him anymore. He recently stopped talking about guardian issue and any other topic when I started to get therapy normally, but now he is back to that.

“The therapy I am going through is enough for me.” Saying that I again tried to leave, but stopped hearing a knock on the door after which she entered the cabin.

“You called for me, Chief?” she asked, clearing her throat, not even realizing I am present along with him.

He gave her a nod before starting to explain regarding the surgery while she calmly listened to everything without saying a single word.

“What do you think, Dr. Palak? He should go through it, right?” he asked leaning forward.

“You should talk to him about it tomorrow, Chief.” She mumbled sighing and he gave her a shocked look hearing her words.

“I just did and he is not accepting it.” He said, gesturing me and she immediately turned to stare at me with a shocked look.

“Oh! Uhmm… maybe you should talk to his family?” she mumbled, turning back to stare at him.

“Even I was thinking the same.” He nodded with a smile.

“I am still here and no one can drag me to the operation theatre.” I stated making both of them to glance at me.

“But your family can. Isn’t it right, Dr. Palak?” he asked, glancing at her while she just nodded without any hesitation making me frown.

“I will take my leave if there is nothing else to discuss, Chief.” Saying that she left the cabin while he too frowned at her this time.

“Why does she seem so lost?” he asked glancing at me.

“How could I know? She is my doctor and not the other way around.” I replied, still feeling the stress he is putting me through.

“Just because you are a family friend, that doesn’t give you any right to threaten me.” Saying that I shifted to finally leave and not stop anymore.

“If your doctor was not a family friend, then the situation would have been more than different.” I completely ignored his words shaking my head.

When I turned towards the entrance after leaving his cabin, the conversation I can hear in bits made me pause at again.

“Why did you rush from my cabin like this, Dr. Palak? You… understand… dangerous… for both of you.” I frowned, moving ahead to reach the two people discussing in whispers.

“I need some time, Dr. Kavitha.” Palak whispered back.

“I know! But you need to listen to my instructions to keep your baby safe. I already told you there are a few complications.” I stopped moving the chair hearing those words clearly.

“I know! Just give me some time to wrap up my mind.” I can hear her pleading tone, but my mind is still struck with that doctor’s words.

“Okay! But don’t stress yourself too much.” After the doctor left, I finally moved closer to her where she is still standing lost in her thoughts.

“You are pregnant?” I finally asked and she immediately turned around after letting out a scream.

“You startled me.” She frowned, looking at me and then her eyes widened.

“So, you are pregnant?” I repeated and she immediately looked around before gesturing the way we generally take when my therapy used to be outside.

She stayed silent for a few minutes sitting silently on the bench while I waited for her to start replying to my question. Even though it is confirmed, I still want her to say it.

“I don’t know how all this happened.” She mumbled covering her face while I shook my head.

“I am sure you know.” I mumbled back and she immediately turned to stare at me.

“You really know how to put down people.” I sighed, hearing her words and realized she is really upset over this.

“Why are you stressed? Just tell him and it’s done.” I pointed out to which she shook her head.

“We never discussed this topic you know.” She explained which seems silly for me.

“You shouldn’t hide things from him.” I warned her and without wasting a second she glared at me.

“Says the one who is hiding such a huge matter from his whole family.” I give her a point for firing back at me like that.

I still can’t believe she started speaking informally like this from the time I informed her about my acceptance of their relationship.

She was so stubborn to speak formally all this time, even after I mentioned once, but now she is not stopping at all. And on top of that she joined hands with Harsha to force me to tell everything to my family. As expected, she didn’t miss the chance when it got opened to her.

“Are you really comparing our issues?” I asked frowning.

“Exactly! Yours is more important than mine. When will you tell them, James? They will be really hurt.” She pleaded completely changing the topic.

“What do you actually want me to do? Go near my mother who already suffered all these years to raise us and even go through my present situation that I am going to do because of some stupid tumor.” I shouted not able to stop myself.

“James…” she whispered shifting back after hearing my tone.

“Do you really think I should do that and make them go through the pain until I pass away? I am choosing the way through which they will live happily and not worry about me. I don’t want my family to stand on the edge thinking about my situation all the time. And this operation? Why should I increase a few months of my life and live in this stage? I have seen how it affected all of them when I had my first operation. I can’t go near them and say that the problem we all thought as gone returned.” I don’t know what happened, but I poured out every frustration I am feeling every time they bring out this topic.

“I am sorry! I am really sorry. I was being insensitive. Please calm down.” She whispered, placing her hand on mine making me realize I am holding the chair tightly in my grip.

“I really crossed the line. I understood your privacy when I have been just your doctor, but realizing you will be my family, I crossed it. I will never do that again.” She promised and even teared up while I controlled my temper.

“No! I should be apologizing. Don’t stress yourself in this condition.” I mumbled, taking my hand away, making her drop her hand from mine.

“It is not my place to tell him, but you should tell him after gathering your thoughts.” Adding that I calmly left the place while she sat there without saying any other word.

I know her worry is unnecessary because David will be more than happy after he gets the news. Now that I am going to be an uncle, I need to put away my restrictions and help him in convincing Mom.