What's her mistake ? - 39

The oncologist was happy to see both Nammu Aunty and Dammu together. But his face did not retain the happy lines after he checked Nammu Aunty.

We waited till Nammu Aunty was sent for a few tests. She was to undergo Chemotherapy again since the cancerous growth on her tongue was back.

The oncologist said, “Damayanti Madam! The results of the tests are not encouraging. In fact, I am getting the chemotherapy done on your insistence and also because we should not leave any stone unturned if any treatment makes the patient better”

Dammu said, “Please do that sir.  I need to discuss one more thing with you. Nammu is keen to stay in a village called Jaaji near to the city. Is it okay? Will she have a problem?”

The oncologist laughed. “Do you expect her to have some more problems apart from what she is already having? Can I suggest one thing?” he asked her and then continued, “Please allow her to do whatever she feels happy to do. This way she would be happy to spend the rest of her life....” he stopped since Nammu Aunty came into the room.

Did she hear what was told by the oncologist? I could not fathom by the look on her face. She seemed very normal to me.

After getting all the required medicine, I left with Nammu Aunty to Jaaji. Dammu was all in tears. I was surprised to see her emotion.

“Dammu! I feel I need to something before.....” she left the sentence in the middle. ‘Before I die’ was what she meant. This was known to both Dammy and me. We had taken leave from the oncologist and we were about to leave for Jaaji.  

“Ok, I think you need to be happy always Sakhi! That is what I wish for” said Dammu.

“Sakhi...! that’s a nice name for a close friend. Thank you Dammu! I am an ordinary woman from an ordinary family. But you have undergone such a torture in life that I won’t even wish it for my enemies also. So, you need to be happy Sakhi!” replied Nammu Aunty.

I smiled at the way the two friends treated each other.

After a lot of advices on how to take the medicine etc. we left for Jaaji after dropping Dammu at her home.

Nammu Aunty was silent. I thought it may be because of the tiredness due to the tests she underwent today at the Oncology Center. But later I found that that was not the reason for her silence.

We reached Jaaji by 4 pm. The sun was still hot and there was bright light spread across.

The house of Nammu Aunty was repaired to some extent. Now it was good to live. There was a small room and a hall. The floor was neatly kept by smearing it with cow dung. There was a small coir cot in the room. A mat in the corner cleanly rolled. The small kitchen had utensils and a gas stove. The cupboard carved out of the kitchen wall contained a few boxes which showed that there are some food items like rice, dhal, mustard, red chillies etc.,

Nammu Aunty viewed everything and then said, “Let’s get to the main job we have come for”.

I was wondering what it was. I came to know that after a few minutes. We went and met the smart woman who was also a sort of chief of the village.

She wanted to know at what time the children of the village returned from school. When she learnt that they would be back at 5 pm on the weekdays, she was beaming.

“I always wanted to teach children. I was busy with teaching my children till they went to higher classes. Then I was feeling I was missing something in my life. This is it! I want to teach children as long as possible!” exclaimed Nammu Aunty.

Then I realized how to keep her alive! This is the ‘story’! Dammu’s story had a beginning and an end. But teaching children is an eternal thing.

Ooh! I can keep Nammu Aunty alive! I thought, though the dark cloud of cancer loomed large over the head of Nammu Aunty.