Day 2

Deva Prasad

We received a call at 3 am from our cousin who works for my brother's company. "Priya, are you sleeping?" “Yes, Annan. What is it?" He hesitated for a moment, “You know right? I am calling to let you know that we are going to process visas."  Half-awake, I say, “Yes, Annan. I know. Ok. Sure,”  and hang up the phone. Then my brain becomes restless. What did he mean by that? Why are they processing visas? Are they bringing Annan to the USA? What is going on? My brain refused to think anything hurtful.

I ask my husband to call my cousin back. I call my parents. They are worried and are crying. No one knows for certain what is going on. His friend picks up again and says there has been slight improvement and that I have to wait. My SIL says there were tears from his eyes, which appears to be a good sign. She then clarifies it was a not a heart attack but is Sudden Cardiac Arrest.

I google Sudden Cardiac Arrest. Then the realization struck me, I felt like someone had hit my head with a big iron rod. There was no chance of survival... Even if he survived, he would be in a vegetative state...Tears from the eyes is not a good sign, it is just the left over water... My head spins. A heat wave surrounds me. No! This cannot be true.  The internet can be wrong. Right?

My husband calls my cousin. He says they are trying to process a visa for my SIL’s brother with no luck.

A few hours later Dad calls me and asks if my husband can go to Korea and find out. No one gives a clear answer... Parents in India... Sister in the USA... and the brother lying in a hospital in Korea.

My cousin calls again, ”Priya, you should go to Korea. You can do it. No one can go now. You are a US Citizen. You don’t need a visa. You are the stronger one. You must go." I am hesitant. He convinces me and stresses ”Remember, you are not going there to cry. You are going there to be a support for Anni and the kids during this hard time. Understood?"

My parents are happy that one of us is going though they preferred my husband. They think he can handle things on his own. However my cousin is determined to send me. My husband books the ticket as I get ready. I promise my parents I will bring my brother home safely.

We receive the Dr.'s report from Korea. My cousin who is a doctor says she will review it and get back to me. But she won't call us back. The report reads "Impending Brain Death". My chest pounds. My brain goes, “So what? We can bring him to the USA and make him recover." I still refuse to believe that anything bad will happen to him. 

He loves God unconditionally. He has done so much good for everyone. He writes a check without a hesitation for any cause concerning church and education. Everyone loves him. I am sure God loves him more. With all these thoughts running through my mind, I am certain there will be a way to bring him back to normal.

My boss immediately accepts my leave request and asks me to be brave. 
My husband sends me off heavy-heartedly. My brother and he are best buddies. He mutters, “It’s all going to be okay. We are all here for you." My kids send their love to their beloved uncle and ask me to bring him back to the USA.