What's her mistake ? - 5

I got down the auto, paid the driver apologizing for cutting down my journey. He understood and left.

I went and knocked the door of Nammu Aunty’s house. I need not have worried. She had never bolted the door from inside. It is almost that she was waiting for me to come to meet with her!

I went and sat on the mat she had spread. She stood in front of me leaning on the opposite wall and looked at me enquiringly. That made me blurt out the whole thing in such a speed that she blinked at me, then smiled and sat next to me.

Her right hand patted my left cheek twice. She asked quietly, “Can you tell me slowly and clearly? I thought you have learnt a new language and never taught me!” and there was a twinkle in her eyes.

Tears started rolling down my cheeks. I could not stop crying. My stomach moved in and out and I tried hard to control.

Nammu Aunty is the closest of a mother for me. I always was proud of me thinking that I am very detached. I won’t get moved by anything in this world. I am like a rock.

But what am I doing? I broke down like a weakling in front of the person to whom I am not supposed to tell her present condition.

“Sonny, I have cancer. Is that what you are trying to avoid telling me?”

It hit me like nails driven into my skin.

She got up, got a tumbler of water and gave to me.

She sat again, this time in front of me.

“Let us not beat around the bush. Please let me know what is happening so that I will get mentally prepared”, her words were very crystal clear.

That was the moment it struck me! If there is any chance of a miraculous cure, it is now! We have to act fast so that we can save this nice lady!!

I told her that she has tongue cancer. She took it quite coolly. Too cool for my comfort! Is she shocked inside and trying to look calm?

“You spoke to a cancer specialist in the auto?”

I nodded my head and said “Oncologist”

“Ok then, make an appointment with the Onco...logist. But only when you are free”

I nodded and mentally made a check on which day is suitable out of the days given by the oncologist over phone.

I fixed the date once again speaking with the oncologist. It looked as if the general physician is a close friend of the oncologist.

“Will you drink some milk?” asked Nammu Aunty.

I said no. She looked at me affectionately and said “Come on Sunny. Just because you refuse to drink milk, I won’t be cured today itself. It takes time. Let the onco..logist ... oh, you did not teach this word to me sonny! I am unable to pronounce it properly” she laughed.

Her infectious laugh made me smile. Now I was feeling a little better.

“Nammu Aunty, I love the way you prepare rasam. Can I get a tumbler of rasam please? Haan, if you don’t have enough for the night, then I don’t want” I said categorically.

“I have enough, don’t worry” she said and gave me a glass of rasam.

Oh, it is so tasty! Who will give me such a rasam later? I cursed myself for thinking of a time when Nammu Aunty is no more.

May be the oncologist will find that there is a very easy way to cure Nammu Aunty. I am sure he will find out some method to make Nammu Aunty free of her problem.

He did help her, and not in any of the the ways I ever imagined!