The Don regrets

Ria

The moment they entered the hospital, the smell of disinfectant and medicines hit her nostrils and Ria winced.

They were led, flanked protectively by the men, to the hall facing the Operation Theatre. There were no patients around and Ria wondered fleetingly what her father had done with them. The sound of their heels clicking on the polished tiles was the only sound and the low hum of the machinery. The place was almost deserted except for…

‘Pappa…’ said Ria softly. Her father sat alone, on a couch, his grey hair ruffled as though he had been rifling his hands through it, his face was grey and gaunt and she felt a deep feeling of remorse swamp her. If anyone had had any doubts about whether the great Don loved his wife, this was proof, this bleak look in his normally fierce hawk-like gaze, the emptiness staring out of his eyes as he looked at them, uncomprehending. Even his powerful muscular body seemed smaller and with a sob, she ran to him. She did not want to see her Pappa, he