The One Without A Name - Part 2

‘ I have been wanting to tell you this for a while now.. You remember I had undergone a complete medical checkup last month, the reports came out a few days ago.. I have  Hodgkin’s disease, a certain type of cancer.’ – said Samarth.

‘The doctor’s clinic is shut, but don’t worry mom, I’ll call him from his house and don’t worry nothing will happen to dad.’  - said Samarth frantically.

He ran to the doctor’s house and pleaded him to come home and take a look at his father, the person he loved the most, the person who loved him the most. 

‘I’m sorry Samarth, he’s no more.’  -the doctor said. Samarth couldn’t believe his ears. Then and there a part of him had died with his father.. the part that was jovial, the part that was carefree.

His father had died of cancer. He fought with it bravely for 3 and a half years, often being hospitalized during the battle, but coming back strongly and never losing hope. Samarth would often be surprised at his dad’s will power and sense of humor, he would crack jokes at the hospital bed!  He had been there besides his dad through the tumultuous journey. He had hoped his father would get the better of the damn disease, he was optimistic throughout, something which he hated at that moment. 

Samarth was to battle the disease he had lost his father to. This thought came up in Akriti’s mind after a long numbness that followed Samarth’s declaration. For her Samarth was the pillar of strength, he was emotional but had proved himself to be emotionally strong in extreme conditions, a combination which was quite rare, something that invoked more love and respect for Samarth in Akriti’s mind.

‘I have seen my father’s struggle with this disease, I have seen him get frustrated at us and we couldn't even blame him. Things will get worse with time and you know I love you way too much to hurt you. There is still time for you to settle down,  it would be better for us if we part ways today.  – the freedom from the initial hesitation resulted in a storm of thoughts converting into words that Samarth told Akriti.

What did you just say?! I feel like slapping you! You think I would leave you because you have cancer? I would want to spend every moment with you and how did you just assume cancer will get the better of you? You have been a fighter all this while and this is one of your biggest battles! You can’t give in to this. You have to take revenge of your dad’s death no! You only told me once  that if one doesn’t believe in miracles, one should just wait for one! We’ll go to the best doctors in the city and with time you will be ok.  – said Akriti. She wanted to believe the last few words she had said. She had to.

As time passed, all the symptoms that the disease brings in could be seen in Samarth. At time, he would wail in pain and would curse his luck, but he knew he had to be strong, for the ones that loved him, for Akriti.  The hair that he was proud, had depleted steadily. He didn't want to look into the mirror. Akriti made him look in her eyes instead. The very eyes that he loved the most.  The eyes that motivated him to battle with greater force.  A lot of chemotherapy and radiation sessions followed. He hated them, but Akriti was there by him every time, making the pain seem bearable.

After  8 long months, every cancerous cell in Samarth’s body was destroyed. Destroyed by the faith in God, in the doctors, and in Samarth’s strength that Akriti had.  

There was a chance of a relapse, but this was a moment to celebrate.

‘Nothing can cause harm to you Samarth, especially to your heart, which is the purest thing I have ever come across. God will have to wait a long time to have you. You are only mine till then.’  - said the love of Samarth’s life, Akriti.

The One Without A Name - Part 1

‘It’s been a while since you texted me on your own, your replies to my messages are short and evidently blunt. Have I done something I shouldn't have?  I don’t mean to pressurize you further but I think I deserve an answer.’ – said Akriti.

Akriti, a cute girl who wasn't too tall or too short, a girl who was jovial and caring and loved to spend time at NGOs, a girl who  loved to love and loved to be loved, the girl with whom Samarth had fallen in love with.

Samarth,  a decently looking tall guy who wasn't materialistic but wanted to be successful, a guy who had a lot of will power and had a great sense of humor, a guy who  was a firm believer in love, the guy with whom  Akriti had fallen in love with.

Samarth didn't have the answers to the questions Akriti had just asked him. They had met after two weeks; they were sitting at one of the few Baristas left in the city.  He could barely look into her eyes...the very eyes that ‘made’ him fall in love with her.  He had lost count of the poems he had written just on her eyes and was disappointed that such a time had come that he couldn't look into them.

The minute I saw your eyes,

I saw how time flies,

And you made me realize

That you are my prize

If you are a burger

I’m a plate of fries!

 These were the lines written on a piece of paper that Samarth gave Akriti at a Chinese restaurant.  Though he knew the poem was a little cheesy, he also knew Akriti would love it.

It was only their 4^th date, but the connection that they had was mind boggling. They were drawn to one another like a moth to a flame. Endless talks on the phone, constant whatsapping and discovering common likes and dislikes had brought them close.  That night, Samarth confessed his love to Akriti, to his joy, she reciprocated too! Samarth’s happiness knew no bounds, his heart was broken earlier, broken real bad and he had not expected someone to mend the wounds completely…but that was the wonder of Akriti.

They had met at a big MNC where Akriti worked in the Payroll department and Samarth was a part of the team of auditors of that MNC.  Samarth had never imagined he would meet someone at a client place! The day their eyes had met was the day Samarth realized he was capable of falling in love again.

Samarth had to co ordinate with Akriti for data relating to Payroll and in no time they exchanged phone numbers and became friends.

Samarth was a shy person and he always had a difficulty in communicating with the girl he had a crush on, but this wasn't just some crush.. He got the intuition that this could turn into something serious and he somehow mustered some courage to ask her out on a date. After the first date itself, he knew she was the one.

It had been 2 years since then and all these memories were floating in Samarth’s head. There was another thought which was running in his mind, a thought which he wanted to share with Akriti immediately but didn't know how to put it across, a thought that was probably the answer to her questions. Akriti held his hand as she saw a tear drop on his palm.. she had never seen him like this, he never hid anything from her, Samarth loved her too much  to hurt her, but he knew he shouldn't hide this from Akriti anymore. He just had to tell her.

To be Continued..

Her Story

'I'm sorry..you are still medically unfit.' said the principal of a reputed South Bombay school.

She had heard the sentence in all the possible ways in the past 4 months.. Disgruntled and heartbroken she would come back home to her son who just couldn't see her struggle anymore. He withheld the tears in his eyes. He had to be strong. For him she had always been a pillar of strength..not just for him..for the entire family. But today she was sitting in disbelief..uncertain about her future.

'You shouldn't keep your hopes up too high.. I don't think she has much time.' said the doctor. Her son couldn't believe his ears..he was an optimistic person..always brought out the positive from every situation..but his mind went numb after listening to those words. Two weeks had passed since she was in a coma,everyday he would pray to God for some respite, hopeful for a small body movement. He couldn't afford to lose his mother. But these words came as a sudden hit. Meningitis is a life threatening disease alright but it couldn't end like this. Even after he listened to what the doctor said, he still had faith, this unnerving faith would irritate him at times and an internal conflict would arise :- Faith v/s Practicality. He just wanted his mother back. He needed a miracle. 

The next day,while sitting next to his mother,he saw some movement in her finger, he thought it was an illusion, his relatives agreed with him. But somewhere deep down inside,he knew it was for real. He couldn't believe it ; his mother was out of coma and out of danger! His happiness knew no bounds, though many doubts about the future came into his head, he didn't pay much heed to those.. he knew this was a time to just be thankful to the Almighty. 

From being into a coma to recovering slowly after a lot of physiotherapy sessions..she didn't lose hope. She wanted to get back to what she loved the most- teaching children hindi! He would keep telling her that she would make a comeback pretty soon..but deep down inside, he didn't know if or when that would happen.

Gathering up all the possible courage from within and leaving all the tears behind, she decided to get ready to go to school once again. 

'I hate saying no to you again and again,but you leave me with no choice.' said the principal.

'You should see the improvement in me sir, I don't want to be selected out of pity. Join me for a class, take me back only if you think I am competent enough to teach in this school again.'  she said.

Surprised by her determination, he decided to give it a try. The half an hour class ended, with all the students giving her a standing ovation,which was initiated by the principal himself. Every day the entire school would pray for her in the morning assembly, the prayers had worked and how!!

She is Savita Kulkarni ; He is me. and this is her story. :)