I get a call from my friend F – about time. He asks how things are.
Me – Dad’s in the hospital
F – What happened?
I explain. Age + pain + investigation = surgery.
F – Where is it?
Me – My sister’s colleague is a doc – at a hospital he mentioned.
Your dad has insurance? F asks, practical as ever.
Me – No.
Silence.
F – You good?
Me – Yeah, I’m good.
F – Let me know if you need anything.
Me – Yeah, I will.
It was the day they were discharging us. I sat next to my dad on the bed. He, in pain from age and medicines. Me, from running and no insurance. This conversation played in my head as I stared at the walls of the empty room.
appam stew n prawns patiyo 