What's her mistake ? - 44

“She is totally exhausted” declared the oncologist when we rushed her to the Oncological Center. We had a scary time on the road in the car when Nammu Aunty suddenly lost consciousness.

Dammu screamed and shook Nammu Aunty quite strongly. We thought Nammu Aunty had left us forever. But may be Dammu’s screams made Nammu Aunty to come out of her deep sleep state. She moved her fingers. Immediately Dammu felt her pulse and hastened the driver to rush to the Oncological Center.

Nammu Aunty was shifted to the Intensive Care Unit. She was breathing normally now.

“Sir, you said she can stay there and be happy for the rest of her life, we found that she is down and out within a week?” Dammu was very indignantly.

“Damayanti Madam! Please understand my point. She is at the critical stage of cancer. She may collapse anyday. So, I suggested that let her be happy at least for a few days when she is alive” the oncologist’s tone was very grave.

Both of us sat in front of the ICU on the chairs. Nammu Aunty did not open her eyes for 4 days. She was responding to the medicine was the only good news we heard.

After three more days, Dammu asked me “Please go to the village Jaaji and tell them that Nammu is not well. And she would not be able to come to take classes for at least two months. I will request her, cajole her, force her.... somehow I will make her stay back. I can’t lose her young man! I don’t want to lose her!” she closed her face with her hands. I could see that she was totally emotional.

I went to the village and broke the news. They were feeling sorry for Nammu Aunty. All the kids made me wait. After an hour I was given a get well soon card and all the kids had signed in the card.

I came back to the hospital. Dammu was not outside ICU. I came to know that she was inside with Nammu Aunty who was awake.

Dammu came out. Her face was dull. I wondered why and went inside. Nammu Aunty was awake. She feebly smiled at me. I handed over the greeting. She peered at it. Then the tears started coming out from the edge of her eyes.

She opened her mouth to say something. But words did not come out. It was as if she could not speak. I was dumbstruck. I could now understand why Dammu had a dull face when she came out of ICU.

I bade goodbye to Nammu Aunty and joined Dammu in meeting with the oncologist.

“Yes, she won’t be able to talk temporarily” he declared and added “hopefully”

“Sir, is she that bad?” asked Dammu with a choking voice.

“Madam, all won’t be lucky even after chemotherapy. You are one of the luckier ones who are living a normal life even after the cancer attacked you quite badly. Probably the cancerous growth has stopped in your cells. But Nammu may not be that lucky” said the oncologist as a matter of fact.

Nammu Aunty was not able to talk. She was showing signals for everything. She was very eager to know whether the kids have been informed about her absence.

The oncologist came in a hurry and told that he had to go out of station for a week. He asked Dammu to be with Nammu Aunty. Of course, not inside the ICU. But outside.

He called me separately and told, “Can you contact her sons? I need to tell them that she is nearing her end”

I was stunned and asked him, “You said she will recover?”

“I think all the efforts of human beings have been completed. Only HE can save her now” said the oncologist.

I had a knotty feeling in my stomach. I could not digest the news.