What's her mistake ? - 19

Nammu Aunty stood up as if she can’t any more of this.

I followed the suit. Dammu also got up with a nostalgic look in her eyes.

Poor lady! Is it a crime to marry a person whom we like? I know we have to respect our parents and give weightage to their words. But does it mean that just because it’s a golden needle given by our parents, should we have to pierce in the eye?

I think the days are changed and even the parents have changed nowadays. Should I consider myself to be lucky that my parents are dead?

I did not like the way I was thinking. But is this the way it is? Of course, the parents have the right to choose our life partners. After all, they do it because they feel whatever they do is for the good of their children. But if the children are not ready to accept the parents’ choice, why not they respect the children’s choice?

“Nammu, did I make you feel bad?” asked Dammu, putting steps to match with Nammu Aunty’s. I followed two steps behind them.

“No Dammu. I always thought my life is full of problems. God has given problems only to me. But I think I am fine compared to your life. Oh, poor Dammu....!” she said and stopped. She took the hands of Dammu in her hands. Nammu Aunty’s hands looked very fragile compared to Dammu’s which was looking quite strong.

Dammu faced Nammu Aunty and said, “Life is always comparison Nammu. I am better than a person who is at the edge of death due to severity of cancer. I have more time to live. Because God has given me strength to take more tests and therapies”

Nammu Aunty just nodded her head. She stepped forward and tripped. As she was about to fall, Dammu caught hold of her hair as she could not get any other part of Nammu Aunty. Once Nammu Aunty became steady, Dammu let her go.

But Dammu looked at her hand in dismay. There was a good amount of hair strands in her hand. Those had come from Nammu Aunty’s head. The Chemotherapy was showing its side effects!

It was Nammu Aunty’s turn to smile. “It is alright. The oncologist had already warned about it. In fact, I am feeling uncomfortable in my mouth. I think the chemotherapy is happily enjoying by making us uncomfortable. I have a feeling that it is severe in some people. May be because I am weak” were the words which came out of Nammu’s mouth. Does that mean she will have her mouth problems as well?

Oh God! This means she would be able to eat properly. Once the food intake comes down, the problems increase - were the words spoken by the oncologist.

We went inside and Nammu Aunty was not at all in good shape. Both of us caught her as she was about to fall. I started thinking, the oncologist told that she has at least 6 months to live. But she is looking so tired now itself. Does that mean her death has become nearer?

I could not think further. We steadied her and made her walk to her room. She sat on the bed thankfully and started crying a little. No sound, just the tears running down her cheeks from her eyes.

“Hey Nammu, Come on. You are stronger than this. Please don’t cry. The hair loss is something no one undergoing chemotherapy has escaped” said Dammu patting Nammu Aunty on her back.

“You can say anything Dammu. You have a long hair. You are pretty too. But I look very bad without my hair. Oh, I wish my death comes to me as early as possible” Nammu Aunty sobbed closing her eyes.

Is she feeling bad because she should not look bald in front of her children and grandchildren who could come someday to see her?

Dammu laughed. I sharply looked at her. Here is a lady who is crying because she might lose her hair and become bald. And the other lady sees a joke in it!

I was about to say some harsh words. I stopped them in time because I was watching Dammu putting her hand to her hair. With a little twist she pulled  at her hair and to my horror the whole hair from Dammu’s head was suddenly in her hands.

Dammu was completely bald without a single strand of hair on her head!