His innocence

I got dressed and went to Ari's room. It was now close to seven hours since he was conscious. Sira was sitting on the couch and Miraj stood by the window.

Sira was the son of my father's doctor. We practically grew up together. He had confessed to me when we were seventeen and I had never rejected anyone more politely. I didn't have too many friends, I tried to cherish the ones I had. I was happy that I had rejected him though because he was in a happy marriage for a couple of years now, with a terrific doctor. She was pregnant right now and her baby was due sometime next month.

"How's he?", I asked Sira.

"He should wake up any moment now. I standby Mathews' diagnosis."

Taking Sira's second opinion was, in a way, offensive to Mathews and Miraj but I didn't care. The first time I had done it, Mathews was furious but Miraj forbade him from speaking to me.

When Miraj asked me my reason, I told him I didn't trust his man and I didn't like him. If I needed a second opinion to be assured, I would get it. And I didn't have to respect his employees, just him.

Mathews was present during this conversation but my disrespect towards him wasn't the reason for his dislike. I knew because I could feel his resentment towards me before that incident ever happened.

"I will go check on dinner. You should eat something," Miraj said to me.

I was still worried about Ari and imagining different ways I could have killed those fools, ways that would have made their death very painful. Food wasn't my priority right now but I nodded just the same.

As he left, I turned to Sira and asked,"Will there be any side-effects from this?"

"Not really. Just some weakness. Nothing that proper rest wouldn't cure."

I could finally relax then.

***

Miraj and I decided to have our dinner in Ari's room. I had almost finished everything on my plate when I heard a faint voice.

"Mom..."

Both of us wiped our hands with napkins and rushed towards the bed.

Miraj spoke first,"Ari, how do you feel?"

Ari's eyes were still closed but he was moving his fingers and legs slightly as he asked,"Daddy, where's mom?"

"I am here, baby! I am right here.", I said to him as I sat beside him on the bed and pushed his hair away from his forehead slowly, in a caressing gesture. I could see his struggle as he slowly opened his eyes.

"Mommy, there were bad people in the park and they took me away."

I smiled at his innocence. He was so aware of the fact that there were violent people around us. He had seen our men train. He had been a part of a couple escaped assassination attempts on his parents. But he never questioned what we had done to need such protection with all the bodyguards or to warrant such hate from others. He wholeheartedly believed we were good people because we loved him. The innocence of this child was in believing that we treated the others the same as him. This was why no other love on earth could rival the unconditional love of a parent and child. The kids saw the best in their parents and the parents wanted to be their best for their kids.

I could see the worry in his eyes so I tried to comfort him with my words,"Don't worry. The bad people are gone. No one is taking you away from us."

"Promise, Mommy?"

"Promise."

I looked at Miraj and we had a silent agreement about making sure this promise was kept.