Before Venelope could say anything more, Jay's father walked over, holding a bowl of freshly cut fruit. His steps were calm, but his eyes were quietly scanning both women.
"So," he said lightly, trying to sound casual, "what are you two talking about?"
Neither Jay nor Venelope answered.
Jay looked away, and Venelope, sensing the tension, simply gave a small, polite smile.
He didn't push. Instead, he walked over to Jay, handed her the bowl, and gently smiled as if nothing was wrong. Then he turned to Venelope and gave her a subtle nod a signal to come out as he moved towards the room door.
They both stepped out of the room, leaving Jay alone. But Jay knew. She knew exactly why they were stepping out. And she also knew the conversation that was about to happen beyond that hospital door.
Out in the corridor, her father's voice lowered, but the urgency in it cracked through.
"She doesn't need to know who that third person is," he said, barely keeping his tone controlled. "I've been trying to protect her and you her friend is trying to ruin it!"
Venelope folded her arms. "Sir, You can't keep doing that."
"I told you before," he continued, "she's my daughter. I just want to shield her from more pain. That's not the same as deceiving her."
Venelope shook her head. "well… I didn't say that you are deceiving her… but see even you yourself know it deep down what are you doing… It is deception if she's the only one being kept in the dark. If someone was there in that room with her if she felt someone with her don't you think she deserves to know who it was?"
"She's still fragile. What if it causes more damage?"
"She's fragile because you treat her like she'll shatter."
There was a silence between them.
"I'm not asking you to throw her into fire," Venelope said more gently now. "I'm just saying… give her the truth. Give her the choice. Let her decide. Don't hide things from her under the excuse of love and protection. I will not stop but stay that you have ruined her enough… ignoring her and then telling her she has to get married …where is her liberty in this all…"
He didn't respond right away. He just looked down at the floor, torn.
"And she already senses something," Venelope added. "And sooner or later, she'll find out. Wouldn't it be better if she heard it from him directly?"
Another pause.
Finally, Jay's father sighed one hand on his pelvis other on his temple massaging his head. "Maybe… maybe you're right. But I won't force anything. She'll need to be ready."
"hmmm," Venelope said with a small nod. "Then let's make sure she is."
.......
Venelope returned to the ward quietly and sat down beside Jay, pulling a chair close to her hospital bed. Jay looked at her but said nothing at first.
After a moment of silence, Jay herself broke it. "What happened?"
Venelope's response came quickly. "Nothing."
Jay narrowed her eyes. "What did my dad say to you?"
Venelope shook her head with a light smile. "Nothing serious. He just said he's stepping out for a while and asked me to keep an eye on you."
Jay went quiet.
She didn't need proof she could see the lie written all over Venelope's face. Her dad had said something else. And Jay had a strong feeling it was about the person they'd mentioned earlier the one who wanted to meet her.
She didn't let it go. "Venelope… what were you saying earlier? Who wants to meet me?"
Venelope hesitated. She laughed it off nervously and then pivoted. "Actually… okay leave it…" then she start talking by herself, "jay…just look at this place," she said, gesturing around the room. "What do you think? About all of this?"
Jay glanced around the ward the curtains, the fresh sheets, the quiet hum of the machines, even the floral arrangements on the table, the mini fridge, the sofa and everything else.
"It's nice," she said. "Looks clean. Peaceful. Exclusive. What about it?"
Venelope raised an eyebrow. "Exactly. Yesss… And do you think your father arranged all this?"
Jay shrugged. "Probably."
Venelope gave a knowing smile. "Jay, do you really believe your father is capable of pulling this off … this whole setup?"
Jay frowned. "Well, maybe he is. But… I don't know. Doesn't really seem like him. Could it be you?!" she said with shock while sitting upright.
Venelope leaned in slightly with a smile. "Exactly. Because he didn't. And No! its not me either…Someone else did. A third person."
Jay's gaze darkened slightly. She didn't respond, but the unease in her chest deepened. She knew. Deep down, she already knew. Its been a while since she had been feeling the presence of someone around her.
Venelope spoke again, softly this time. "And I want you to meet him."
Jay still said nothing.
"Jay," Venelope continued, "will you meet him?"
Jay blinked and looked away. The question was too direct. Too loaded. And other then feeling awkward she felt strange feeling inside her.
"I'm asking you something. Will you?" venelope asked again.
Jay finally nodded, awkwardly trying to hide her confusion, pretending to be confident. "Yeah… I guess I will. I don't mind."
......….
The Next Day
It was the next day. Jay was sitting on her bed, talking casually with Venelope. Her father was in the corner, slicing fruit in quiet concentration, as usual. It was his morning ritual to cut fruit for his daughter, trying to extinguish the fire of guilt burning inside him with the little deed of presenting anything to rebuild the burnt connection. But overall the mood was light, relaxed, even warm. They were talking and iften smiling and laughing at jokes together.
Until Venelope glanced at the clock and then turned to Jay. "There's someone here to see you."
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