What's her mistake ? - 12

I kept quiet for some time. She made the statement about her health problem as if she was mentioning about going to the market.

She kept smiling at my confused state. Then she patted my back and said “Look young man, I ask you to stay with us. There are good number of reasons. First and foremost, Nammu needs you. Especially since she is alone here” Looking at a question which was written on my face, she said, “Yeah, I know. I am there. But at least still she is new here. One more thing. I am sure I can pay you a good amount of salary for being with us. Once .....” she stopped and for the first time I saw her fumbling for words. “The inevitable happens, you can leave. And another thing, I shall get you a good recommendation. You will not have any problem in getting a good job. But...” she held my hand and mentioned, “I require you here. Can I count you in please?”

I was awestruck. Here is a lady who is suffering from cancer. She doesn’t look as if she is bothered by it. Does she have any children? How about her husband? I thought of these two questions because nowhere in the house I could see any photograph of any human being! The whole house’s walls were covered with very good 'nature' paintings which were placed very tastefully.

We went inside and Dammu walked to Nammu Aunty’s room and knocked.

After three minutes both of them came out and we went for lunch.

The dining hall was very different from what I had seen all these years.

There was a long table on which the dishes were placed in a neat manner. Dammu handed over plates to me and Nammu Aunty and took one for her.

“Please serve yourself. I feel this is the best method to avoid wastage of food” said Dammu and we filled our plate with food and sat on chairs which were nearby.

I was watching Nammu Aunty. She was looking fresh and healthy after a good bath and some rest.

Rest is what the elderly parents look out for in this age. There are houses where the kids make the parents dance to their tunes. But is it better than keeping the parents away from them? Especially when they crave to be with their kids?

“Sonny, you are not eating properly. Are you fine?” asked Nammu Aunty. I said I am fine and came out of my thoughts and started concentrating on my eating.

After food, we sat in the hall and a servant served us with sweets.

Nammu Aunty was hesitating to take the sweets.

Dammu smiled at her and said, “Nammu, you are too thin... you should eat well. you remind me of my sister, like I told you earlier”

Nammu Aunty just nodded.

“I don’t know whether I told you. I am not a relative of the oncologist. I am a patient of his” Nammu Aunty looked at Dammu unbelievingly.

“I look healthy. I have breast cancer...” again Dammu declared, this time to Nammu Aunty.

“You are looking at these?” she asked Nammu Aunty pointing to her high breasts.

Nammu Aunty could just looked at her, that’s all.

“I have lost both of them. Thank God for that. So I could get two equal sized artificial ones to wear”

There was absolutely no vulgarity or even compassion. It was just statement of fact.

“Don’t you feel lonely in this big house Dammu?” Nammu Aunty asked.

Dammu just smiled.

“Can I ask you a question?” asked Nammu Aunty.

“Of course, you don’t need permission to ask question!” sternly said Dammu. But her eyes twinkled.

“You said affection. You are so affectionate. Why did you not marry? You could have had a husband’s love and children’s affection”

Dammu laughed loudly. The laughter reverberated in that big hall.

“Did I tell you any time that I did not have children? Or for that matter that I am not married?” she asked seriously.

What's her mistake ? - 11

The house was very big. Unbelievably big! I found some servants silently move and placed a tray on the rosewood teepoy with Belgian glass. The teepoy had 4 legs of elephants carved out of wood. An exotic piece of furniture!

The tray had a very beautiful teapot with 3 cups (it looked costly!). it also had a porcelain plate with variety of biscuits.

We were sitting on the sofa around the teepoy. Dammu served us tea and held the plate of biscuits in fron of us. Each of us took two biscuits and we started enjoying the ambience, the tea, the sweetness of the biscuits.

It was then that Dammu categorically declared “I want you to stay with us, young man!”

I could not understand whether to say yes or no. I have seen this lady since yesterday. She keeps making everything feel light. Is this also a part of the jokes she is carrying out? Is this the one which she is dragging too far?

I did not respond. The statement kept ringing in my ears. I did not get a chance to reply her. Funnily she also did not press it. I felt, ‘ok, she has made one of her regular jokes. But this time on me’.

She took Nammu Aunty by hand and said, “Come, I will show you your room”.

Nammu Aunty followed her. The room was on the ground floor itself.

Dammu explained, “You are already so thin. If I make you stay upstairs, you will become thinner and vanish one day just by coming and going, down and up the stairs.” Nammu Aunty just smiled.

Dammu continued, “Of course, my room is upstairs. The more I walk up and down, there is a remote chance of I becoming as slim as you” she smiled naughtily and took Nammu Aunty by her hand and made her sit on the lovely Queen size bed.

I could see Nammu Aunty squirming. It was clear that she was never comfortable being on such a bed. I had seen her house when she was with Uncle. The beds were thin and hard. She did not mind the bed then at all.

Then she showed the bathroom and how to use all the equipment there.

“You take the shower. There are some clothes in the wardrobe in the room which suit you. I will come and take you for lunch after one hour. Now, let me take this young man to show him his room” said she and we left Nammu Aunty’s room. Dammu pulled the door and closed.

Now only two of us were there. Dammu took me to the porch. There were beautiful roses looking at us smilingly.

The side of the bungalow had a good collection of cactus plants.  

“Madam! You were mentioning that I should stay with you people. For any specific reason?” I asked finally.

“Don’t you love your Nammu Aunty?” she asked looking at my eyes.

I nodded dumbly.

“Then what stops you from staying here? Don’t you like the place?” she asked seriously. “Do you want me to break any portion and rebuild to suit you? If so tell me, I will get it done”

I just stared at her.

“And don’t call me madam. If she is Nammu Aunty,  I am Dammu Aunty” she smiled. “But call me Dammu. I don’t want to be known as aunty. I am not very old” she declared.

“Dammu.. Aa.. Dammu.. you are there to look after Nammu Aunty. You are young also. Can you not do that yourself?” I asked. I was looking at a particular yellow rose, which was so lovely to look at.

“Young man, why do you think I came to the Oncologist?” she held my two arms and turned me towards her.

“You must be a relative to him” I told feeling little uncomfortable. Am I missing something?

“I too am a patient. So, you have two people to look after”

“What problem Dammu?” I asked hesitatingly.

“I am suffering from breast cancer” Dammu declared.

What's her mistake ? - 10

Silence ruled that room for quite some time. No one was ready to break it.

Nammu Aunty was moving in her chair uncomfortably. Dammu Aunty (should I call her aunty? She seems the same age as Nammu Aunty. But still...) was keenly looking at Nammu Aunty.

“Why  me?” Nammu Aunty asked Dammu Aunty directly.

“Because....” She held Nammu Aunty’s right hand with her left hand and started touching Nammu Aunty’s left with her right hand. Nammu Aunty waited for her reply.

I noted one thing. Nammu Aunty never refused Dammu’s offer outright. Does that mean she is craving for some company? If so, if I am asked my opinion, I shall force Nammu Aunty to accept the offer.

Dammu took her time. Nammu Aunty was still looking at her, but never pulled her hand from Dammu’s hand. Finally Dammu let a deep sigh out and then said, “You just look like my elder sister. I lost her when I was very young. When I came to know about you, I came running... please...” she looked at Nammu Aunty with a sad face and continued “Please don’t reject my offer. I will never give you a chance to complain... I will look after like a flower...”.

Nammu Aunty stopped her and asked “The world has so many people. And you have chosen me...”Dammu tried to interrupt her. But Nammu Aunty stopped her by lifting her hand and continued “yeah, I know you told about your dead sister...” Dammu looked horrified...”Hey, when did I tell you that she is dead.. I only told I lost her...”

“What do you mean?”

“She just vanished... whoosh!” Dammu moved her right hand from right side of her body to the left in front of her face.

“I am hoping that she is coming back some day. Till then... please stay with me” she held the hands of Nammu Aunty who was standing now.

Nammu Aunty looked at me beseechingly. I encouraged her by a smile. “Nammu Aunty, say yes. It is good to have a company. Especially if the person is as jovial as Dammu Aunty...” I left the sentence in the middle because Dammu was looking at me with a stern look.

“Young man, do I look like a joker to you?” she asked seriously.

I felt very uncomfortable.

“No....” I was too embarrassed to say any further.

“Ok then. It is settled. You are coming with me and staying with me. No, more questions...” said Dammu. Then she told Nammu Aunty “I implore you to stay with me. In case you feel I have overstepped your privacy, you are free to get out of my home. Is it ok?” Dammu asked.

I nodded and saw that Nammu Aunty nodded. The oncologist looked relieved.

Dammu Aunty gave the address.

We left from there promising that we will come the next day which was a Sunday.

Nammu Aunty was silent throughout the journey back to her house. I asked her why.

“Look Sonny. I am surprised with the turn of events. Just today morning your uncle’s brother’s son spoke with me...” I looked at her questioningly. “I am sorry. My house owner..” she enlightened me.

“Oh” I said.

“What was I saying...? Oh, ok. My house owner today asked me whether I can vacate the house. He is keen to rebuild the house”

“Thank God.. you got one more place to stay!” I exclaimed.

“That is ok. I don’t know anything about her. She is talking about her missing sister. Everything is looking surprising. But ...” she left the sentence unfinished.

I told her “Nammu Aunty, you give a try. If you are not happy, then you can quit”.

But inside my heart, I was thinking, will Nammu Aunty is given chance to rent another house? Somehow it seemed impossible as of now.

When we reached Dammu Aunty’s house, I was stunned by looking at the house.

Dammu Aunty happily welcomed us. We were given a very warm welcome. “ Come Nammu, The house got a new look because of your arrival. I am thankful to you” said Dammu holding both the hands of Nammu Aunty and taking her inside the big house.

Actually, another surprise awaited us.

“There is one more condition” said Dammu. Both of us looked at her.

She categorically declared “I want you to stay with us, young man”

I stood rooted to the ground. Why on earth she want me stay here with them?

What's her mistake ? - 9

Yes, Nammu Aunty is not going to live for long.

“You are asking how many days?” asked the oncologist.

I dumbly nodded.

“It could be anywhere between 8 months to one year” said he.

One year! Only that many days? I have read so many books, heard so many speeches talking about our deed and the resultant. If we are bad in our deeds, the life is longer. If it is the other way round, God loves to take us back to him. If someone dies, in Hindi language they say ‘Bhagvan to pyara ho gaya’. That means the person has become dearer to God.

But Nammu Aunty deserves better than that. Anyway the oncologist has made the sons to pay for their mother’s treatment. This is good news. But if Nammu Aunty comes to know about this, she will reject the help.

The time had come to take her to the hospital. The oncologist talked to her politely and broke the news of her problem. She took it very boldly and gave a sweet smile to the oncologist.

“It’s fine doctor. I had a good life. I have great children. My husband was a great person. Well, I am happy to live in this world as long as He says and ready to leave when the call comes for me to leave this world” her words came out very clearly and without any emotions.

The oncologist was left without a reply. He could not think of a rejoinder to these worlds.

He fumbled for words to continue, but I had observed that he kept watching the door unconsciously. Why is he doing that? I kept wondering.

There was a noise on the door of the consulting room and a gush of air rushed in.

In came along with a middle  aged plump lady with a heavy bosom. She was well dressed and she was the cheeriest woman I had ever seen.

“Sorry Nammu! Am I late? I wanted to come early. But you know these roads? Always full, whatever is the time of the day” she said like this and sat on the chair next to Nammu Aunty.

If Nammu Aunty was as surprised as I was, she did not show it. She looked at the new lady and told, “I know, roads are quite crowded. From where did you come Mrs...?” she stopped. I know she was trying to know her name.

“Dammu!” she declared.

Nammu Aunty looked at her whether to believe her or not. Dammu Aunty(?) in rhyme with Nammu Aunty?

The oncologist now took charge of the situation.

“Sorry Mrs. Nammu. This person is known to me. Her name is ....” he was not allowed to complete the sentence. Dammu opened her mouth and said, “Like your name has been made into Nammu, my beautiful name Damayanthi has been cut short into Dammmu!” There was an artificial angered expression. But her small eyes twinkled from between the chubby cheeks and the thick eyebrows.

Nammu Aunty smiled. Dammu was a real comical character. She looked worried. But her eyes twinkled and the mouth kept trying to talk something or the other.

“I am alone in this world. I have come here. This means what, you know very well” she looked at Nammu Aunty and told, “I checked with this doctor sir. I pleaded with him to get me a companion. He made a mention about you. So, I came running...” she was watching Nammu Aunty’s face which had an expression of disbelief.

“Don’t you believe....? That I came running? You think that I can’t run with this body?” she looked at herself with dismay and said “yeah, I can’t run. But you know?...” her tone became serious. “I wanted to catch you today at any cost”

Nammu Aunty looked at the oncologist who was looking apologetically.

He kept quiet for some time and then turned to Nammu Aunty. “I have a request to make. Damayanthi madam is all alone in this world” Nammu Aunty looked at Dammu. She made a crying face and nodded.

“Since you are alone, I thought that you and Dammu.. I mean Damayanthi could stay together till....” he left the sentence unfinished which I mentally completed “you two leave this world”.

Nammu Aunty looked at the oncologist as if she could not believe her ears. Why pick on me? Was the question I could see on her face.

What's her mistake ? - 8

I decided to contact my classmate, the third son of Nammu Aunty.

The oncologist was very clear. He wanted the eldest son’s contact number.

“I have to talk with him. It is very important” had said he.

I called up the third son who is in Chennai.

It was after a long wait, he came on the line. He was very curt and to the point. He did not bother to reply when I asked how you are and worse, he did not ask about his mother. Do these people have no emotions or are they so stuck up with their own wife and kids that they have forgotten the woman who gave birth to them?

I asked him to give the number of his eldest brother.

“Why do you want it?” was his terse question.

I got angry. I raised my voice and said, “I want it because he needs to sign a document”

“You tell me what it is?” His voice was laced with suspicion.

I had to fib. I thought fast and started telling. The words rolled over each other to come out fast. But my lie was caught by him.

“Sorry, I can’t give you. You are not clearly telling why you want his number” and the line went dead.

I looked at the receiver with dismay and disconnected. It was a cyber-center with computers from where I had made the call.

I now got wild. Does he really think that I can’t get his brother’s number just because he can’t give?

I went inside and logged on to the Internet. Google can throw out information about almost anything!

I went into the Rourkela city and the factory the first son was working. After some jugglery I could find the phone number of the department he was working. I remembered that he had mentioned about it sometime ago.

The HRD of any company would know the names and contact numbers of the employees. So, finally I got the number of Nammu Aunty’s first son.

I called up the Oncologist and he was remembering me! That’s great I thought and gave him Nammu Aunty’s first son’s number.

He told me to come on the fourth day alone. I was supposed to take Nammu Aunty on the sixth day.

So, I went to meet the oncologist the day he asked me to meet with him.

He invited me to the room and I sat in front of him.

“What do these children think? Do they feel they can throw their parents out the moment they are independent?” His voice had an edge.

He was trying to control his emotions. The oncologist’s face was clouded.

I just waited since I could see he was about to speak.

“My mother was diagnosed with blood cancer and I could not save her even with all the modern equipment and I being an oncologist” he was very sad.

I watched him not knowing what to talk. But he had continued talking.

“So, whenever I see a patient I become much attached. I cannot accept the behavior of your Aunty’s children. How callous one can be? So, I decided to teach them a lesson”

I started wondering what he has done.

“My classmate who is also a close friend happens to be the resident doctor in the Rourkela factory where the first son is working. So, I called your Aunty’s son and put a fear in him... so...” He now smiled and showed me a bank statement on his computer screen. “You see, the fear worked and the sons have agreed to shell out money to treat their mother”

“Sir, you said sons?”

“Yes!” he was very triumphant. “Funnily fear works very well with our people. All the three sons have contributed for their mother’s treatment. And they are going to pay for further treatment also” He continued. “I know what I did was not ethical by any standards. But here we have a human life at stake and she deserves better than what she has now”

I just looked at him admiringly. Now, Nammu Aunty can have her treatment without any problem.

I wanted to know the chances of her being better. So I asked the oncologist.

I could not hold my tears back when he told about Nammu Aunty’s present condition.  

What's her mistake ? - 7

The oncologist looked sharply at her. But Nammu Aunty was looking somewhere else. He then looked at me and raised his eyebrows. I could only shrug my shoulders. He took his subscription pad and jotted something and said “Could you give this to my junior who is in the next room?”

I got up and walked out of the room. Nammu Aunty was still looking the blue sky with white clouds which were being seen through the window.

I went to the next room and handed over the sheet to the junior. The junior was a girl of about 24 years. May be she was an intern.

She read the paper and asked “What is this?”

I dumbly looked at her and read the paper given by the oncologist. I had the following words.

‘I want to speak with you alone about your Aunty. You better come back when she is sent for tests’

I grinned at the girl sheepishly and came back.

The Oncologist was giving some instructions to Nammu Aunty. She was listening to him attentively and nodding her head.

“Oh, you have come! Please take her to the lab and get all the tests I have mentioned. Few tests have to be conducted on the empty stomach. I suggest you come tomorrow” he said.

His tone was so firm that I too could only nod.

I took Nammu Aunty to the lab. At the doorstep she asked, “How much for these tests Sonny?”

I had no idea and said so.

“Do you know what I think? I don’t want to undergo all these tests. Whatever the God has destined is going to happen to me. When that is so, why go through these?” Nammu Aunty was mentioning it in a low tone.

“The same God has told that we should put our efforts and then leave the result to the God” the words came from behind us and we saw the oncologist standing there and talking.

Nammu Aunty had no other chance of talking and she went into the lab. The oncologist made me stand there only and he went inside.

After what seemed like an eternity, he came out and asked me “Come!” with such a command in his voice that I just followed him to his room.

He sat in his seat and I sat in the chair opposite.

“What is her relation with you?” He asked.

I said, I know her from my childhood. A kindly soul who used to feed me during my struggling days.

“Where is the family she was mentioning?”

I came out with the whole story. Her sons, the daughters-in-law, the daughter, the son-in-law, the grand children, the untimely sad demise of her husband.

He was listening to the whole thing with rapt attention.

“Ohho, she was telling the truth when she mentioned that she has a big family!” exclaimed the oncologist and then sat thinking for quite some time.

Finally he opened his eyes and said, “I want to you to do something....” he started and went on telling me what he wanted me to carry out.

I was not very comfortable. I still had no idea why the oncologist is asking all these details. But I had a feeling that he meant good of Nammu Aunty.

I went back to the lab. Nammu Aunty was waiting for the last test to be conducted.

After it was done, I took her home in an auto.

She said while getting down, “Do I have to undergo some more tests?”

“Yes Aunty. We have to get it done. You saw how the oncologist made his point clear?”

“All right then. I hope you don’t have problem in taking me tomorrow? If you have a problem, then I will go alone”

I told her that I can’t get leave. She has to go alone. I requested the auto driver to take her in the morning. After fixing the time of departure, I left in the auto to my home which was in the next road.

I told the auto driver not to take money from Aunty and I paid him in advance.

Taken care of that, I now wondered how to take forward the suggestion given by the oncologist.

What's her mistake ? - 6

The Oncological Institute was a huge complex. I entered with Nammu Aunty after two days. I did not tell  her. But I applied leave and took her.

On the way to the hospital she did not speak. Her face was as if it was made of stone. I could not understand what were her thoughts.

Is she feeling bad? Is she feeling sad? Is she regretting that she is not with at least one of her children? Or is she relieved that she is alone and she is not giving any trouble to any of her children?

Somehow I did not dare to ask. There is not much to ask as well.

I think I know Nammu Aunty. When uncle and herself were well enough they did not go to any of the children (or is it because they did not get invitation from any of the children?), I could not imagine that she would try to call one of her sons (daughter is too far, so at least  presently it is ruled out) and go to stay with them?

She has too much self-esteem to reach for her children herself. On the other hand, I never feel that her sons are so ‘bold’ and invite their mother against the wishes of their wives.

We walked along the corridors to reach the consultation room of the Oncologist suggested by the general physician.

I could see many people on the way. Some of them sad, some of them melancholic, some of them very despondent. Oh God! Is this the place where the human beings lose their hopes about life? Is it that cruel, this cancer?

Breast cancer, blood cancer, pancreas cancer, tongue cancer, lung cancer, intestinal cancer.. I do know what other cancers are lurking somewhere to jump on someone and make them lose hope, life in that order?

I stole a glace towards Nammu Aunty. Still there was no expression on her face, even after seeing so many patients, patiently waiting for the doctors (or are they awaiting the ultimate death?).

I tried to touch her right hand which was on the arm rest of the chair next to me. She smiled her the usual affectionate smile and slowly pushed my hand away.

‘Please let me battle with my cancer myself. I don’t need anyone’s compassion’ – is she saying that? I could not help wondering.

Finally our turn came. The oncologist was about 50 years and self-confidence was oozing out of his face. In fact, I somehow started feeling that he is going to cure Nammu Aunty’s cancer and she should be fine very shortly.

When we went inside and sat in front of him, I handed over the reports and the letter from the general physician.

I started building hopes that Nammu Aunty’s case need not be as worse as the general physician made out. After all he is not the authority (with due respects to his education and experience) as far as the cancer severity in Nammu Aunty and the curing process is concerned. After all, here we are, sitting in front of one of the best oncologists of India (this was also told by the general physician), awaiting his opinion about the reports.

In fact, my hopes of Nammu Aunty’s betterment started growing moment by moment. But the ears were all attention to listen to what he was about to say.

After what seemed an eternity, he looked at me and Nammu Aunty.

“Amma, who are all at your home?” was the first question he uttered.

It was a very pleasant voice. I could see Nammu Aunty suddenly being very attentive. It was a hypnotic voice which could make you forget the whole world.  He was even looking very good for his 50 years. Trim body, a frame which was not lean, but not thick too. Kind eyes, long nose, salt and pepper hair... he was a good looking doctor who could make the patient forget about his/her problems.

A very good attribute a doctor should have. Especially when dealing with a fatal disease like cancer.

“I have a big family doctor. I am doing fine” was Nammu Aunty’s reply.

I was stunned.

Why is she saying like that?