"I'm sorry, but the cancer has spread throughout her body. No surgery is possible, and chemotherapy also won't help."
Dr. Menon's gently voiced out harsh truth, did nothing to calm the storm of pain and sadness that was swirling inside Sujoy Majumdar. Unshed tears glistened in his eyes, and his blurry vision caught sight of his mother, who was sitting in a wheelchair in the waiting area. His wife Swati was holding her hand and they were both talking. In spite of the dreary situation, half a smile curled around his lips to see the mutual affection of the two most important women in his life.
Swati didn't have parents and Sujoy didn't have siblings. Ever since he'd got married, Swati and his mom had bonded like real mother and daughter. Both had filled the vacuum of the other with immense love and affection, so much so, that sometimes Sujoy felt totally neglected.
Taking a deep sigh, he turned his attention back to Dr. Menon. His voice didn't support him as emotions clogged his throat and he could only whisper his next question.
"How much time does my mother have?"
"Savitri Devi has max, three months."
What? Only three months?!?
Tears finally streamed down his face, as he stood up, clutching the reports and prescription. Wiping his face and schooling his expressions, he slowly walked outside, preparing himself to say some convincing lies to his dying mother.
"What did the doctor say?"
Savitri Devi asked him as soon as Sujoy came out. He camouflaged his grief with a big smile and said cheerfully,
"As usual mom, a long list of antibiotics and diet. What else do these docs know!"
But that night, when he was alone with Swati, the floodgates burst open.
"After losing dad to heart attack, I can't bear to see mom depart with so much suffering and that too so soon. Only three months Swati! I just can't believe this!"
Swati pulled him in her arms and they both cried together. But she soon gained her composure and said determinedly,
"Don't despair and let's stick to hope. We'll go in for a second opinion and look into other types of medication. There are plenty, homeopathy, ayurvedic, holistic approach. Moreover Sujoy, they don't have any side effects also."
Sujoy sniffed and looked at his wife hopefully.
"Yes. I'm gonna do some research and look into it first thing in the morning. Swati, let's keep a full time nurse for mom, and complete bed rest. Okay?"
"Of course. We'll do everything possible to stretch her life as much as we can."
Swati had something on her mind and after a while, she said softly,
"Sujoy, I want to tell you two things. I'm sure one will make you happy but for the other aspect, maybe the timing is wrong."
Sujoy's eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"What is it?"
"I've resigned from my job. Mom has been sick for a while, but now she needs me more than ever before. I want to spend as much time with her as possible."
Sujoy was filled with renewed love for his wife. He laced his hands with hers and said adoringly,
"Thanks a ton darling! I was going to suggest, but didn't know if you'd be okay with it."
"Don't be silly! No thanks and by the way, she's my mom too."
"Swati, what was the other thing you were talking about?"
She lowered her eyes and hesitated before saying gingerly,
"I'm expecting."
She glanced up to see her husband quiet and wondered if he was going to show his disapproval. But a smile crossed his face and he said,
"We'll have to be extra careful dear, but this news is going to make mom very happy. She's been waiting for it."
The journey from there on was strenuous and tiresome. Both Sujoy and Swati were at the beck and call of their mom. Her room was reorganized to suit all her needs. A special diet plan was made for her and was strictly followed.
In spite of a full time nurse, Swati preferred to do most of the work for mom all by herself.
"Swati, you need rest dear. Let the nurse feed me."
But Swati would shake her head and whisper in her ears,
"Mom, I add extra love in each of your morsel which the nurse won't."
This invariably brought a smile on mom's face.
Mom was fond of bhajan kirtan and thus every week they invited a few ladies from the neighbourhood and had a small session at home. Refreshments were served later and all this only added to Swati's workload. Looking at her condition, mom would protest, but Swati would just smile and say,
"Mom, our baby is becoming religious from now itself. He or she is being blessed every week, isn't it!"
Sujoy rescheduled his office hours so he could spend more time at home. Mornings he would read funny stories to mom, they'd have breakfast together and enjoy a serial on the television. Evenings he'd release Swati to go have rest and take over all her duties towards mom.
The ceaseless efforts, care, love and affection of the couple created wonders which surprised the doctors as well.
"Mr. Majumdar, this is a miracle and I will not take the credit for it. It's completely because of you and your wife."
Sujoy's mother went on to live for three years and also relished the happiness of playing with her granddaughter.
Shamim Merchant, Mumbai______________________________________
Shades of Simplicity
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