DR[MAJOR]NALINI JANARDHANAN
“I
am so tired. I can’t walk any more. Let us go back to our home” – Indu told
Mohan. Mohan held her close to his body. She is pale and weak. It is as if her
fragile body is like a feather drifting along the wind. He felt very sad to see
his wife. Indu is in the advanced stage of Cancer. The doctor told him that
Indu has only few days to live. A very thin and weak thread is holding her to
this world. Any day, any time she would die! Tears flowed down the cheeks of
Mohan. They were in love in college days. It was a love marriage arranged with
full consent of their parents. They have two children well settled down with
their own families abroad. Only Indu and Mohan are here in the huge house to
share their intimate moments. Nowadays Indu is more sentimental, Mohan thought.
She breaks down like a small child. Even for small things she gets irritated
and later apologizes for the same. It is as if she is clinging to the thin
thread of her life with an intense desire to live.
“Mohan,
I have one last desire in life. Could
you ….. could you take me to Kanyakumari? I want to see the sunset along with
you”. – Mohan felt a sudden pain engulfing his heart.
‘I
must take her to Kanyakumari. It is her last wish. I don’t know how many days
are left for her in this world. She should not die with unfulfilled desires’ –
Mohan thought and made plans to go
35
to Kanyakumari.
“Oh
Mohan, see the waves lashing against the seashore – How beautiful! Just like
the hide and seek game played by children, the tiny waves are coming to touch
the seashore and going back. And just see the sunset! The sun is looking so
beautiful. The evening sky is blushing like a bride, isn’t it? See, crimson,
pink, orange, red – so many colours – This sunset is so lovely. I can’t forget
this” – Indu kept on talking like a child. She was so happy to watch the sunset
at Kanyakumari.
A
sweet smile was glimpsed on her pretty face. That joyful moment must have
reminded her of our honeymoon days at Kanyakumari. He remembered how they lost
themselves in each other’s company. This beautiful sunset once again rekindled
fond memories. Memories of love, passion and devotion for each other. Memories
lingering in the mind with nostalgia. Fond memories gathered years after years
like sands on the seashore, fighting the test of time. It is true …. Time flies
but memories remain…
“Mohan,
I am feeling giddy – please take me to the room” – suddenly Indu’s voice
brought him back from the past. He tenderly took her hands and led her to the
hotel room.
Indu
felt so weak and her breathing increased. Cold sweat started forming on
her forehead. She
felt as if
her legs are
not
36
existing. Suddenly she felt dizzy.
Mohan carried her and made her lie on the bed. He placed her gently but firmly
on the bed.
Indu
shut her eyes and smiled. Her eyelids were trembling softly. But there was an
enigmatic smile on her lips.
‘Are
you feeling any pain?’ Mohan asked
“No
Mohan, I’m all right ……. I am so happy, you know? I am so happy …….” Her words
revived his feelings for her – those feelings so pleasantly warm and dear…. He
put his head down and kissed her lightly on the closed eye lids. They were warm
and slightly wet.
“Now
please take rest Indu, you are so tired. Try to sleep now… I am sitting here
near you. Don’t worry…. Relax and go to sleep” – Mohan whispered in her
ears. He caressed her hairs with his
fingers.
Slowly
Indu fell asleep. Mohan watched her sleeping peacefully. When she sleeps her
face becomes so gentle and graceful like a small child – He thought. A tear or
two were left on her closed eyelids. But her lips were adorned with a lovely
smile. From somewhere far off came the sound of waves beating against the
shore.
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Mohan looked out through the window.
The night was dark with no stars in the sky. So dull and monotonous like my
life without Indu – How can I live without Indu? Mohan shuddered at the
thought.
‘No,
God is not so cruel. My Indu will recover. Once again we will share our fond
memories and live happily in our home’ – Mohan reassured himself. But somewhere
inside his mind he could see a glimpse of fear – Fear of separation
- Fear of death!
He
turned away from the window and looked at Indu’s face. Love is a pleasant
feeling. He realized when he touched her lips softly with his lips. Suddenly he
noticed that those lips were cold – Her face is cold . He frantically searched
for pulse in her hands . ‘No, please
don’t leave me, Indu!’ He sobbed like a child.
He could hear the sound of waves beating against the
seashore- The sound that held both past and future! – The sound of waves
engraved in his heart like the bitter truth
of death!
