The story of a single father with chronic illness

Chapter 3

One morning after the chaos of sending Rey and Miu off to school, Sid retreated to his room, exhaustion weighing heavily on his shoulders. His parents, ever vigilant, were quick to follow, their concern evident in every gesture and word.

Meera entered the room, her expression a mixture of worry and determination as she approached her son.

"Beta, tumne breakfast nahi kiya ab tak?" (Son, you haven't had breakfast yet?) she chided gently, her tone tinged with concern. "Tumhe dawaiyan bhi leni hai. Breakfast karo pehle, phir araam karna."

Sid sighed, his resistance crumbling under his mother's persistent coaxing. With a resigned nod, he reluctantly sat down to eat, his appetite dulled by the weight of his fatigue.

Meera hovered nearby, fussing over him like a mother hen as she made sure he finished every last morsel on his plate. Once he had begrudgingly eaten his fill, she handed him his medications with a stern look.

"Dawaiyan lena mat bhoolna, Sidharth," (Don't forget to take your medicines, Sidharth) she reminded him firmly, her maternal instinct kicking into overdrive.

With a weary nod, Sid swallowed the pills, his gratitude for his mother's care mingling with a sense of guilt for the burden he placed on her shoulders.

As he sank back onto the bed, Meera tucked him in with gentle hands, her touch a soothing balm against the ache that throbbed relentlessly in his bones.

"Rest now, beta," she whispered, brushing a tender kiss against his forehead. "You need to take care of yourself, only then can you be there for your kids."

With a weary smile, Sid closed his eyes, allowing the exhaustion to wash over him like a tide. And as he drifted off into sleep, the soft murmur of his mother's voice echoing in his ears, he couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for the love that surrounded him, even in his darkest moments.

As the day wore on, the relentless ache in Sid's bones intensified, each movement sending waves of agony coursing through his body. With a heavy heart, he resigned himself to the fact that even the simplest tasks would be a struggle.

As evening descended, the pain reached its peak, leaving Sid desperate for some relief. With a frustrated grunt, he attempted to shift on his bed to alleviate the pressure on his aching spine, but his efforts were futile.

"Dad!" he called out, his voice tinged with desperation. "Dad, mujhe madad chahiye!"

Raj, attuned to his son's needs, rushed to Sid's room at the urgency in his voice. Seeing the anguish etched on Sid's face, he wasted no time in lending a helping hand.

"Kya hua, beta?" (What happened, son?) Raj asked, concern lacing his words as he approached Sid's bedside.

Sid winced as he tried to move, the pain searing through him like a white-hot flame. With a sigh of relief, he sank back onto the pillows, grateful for his father's presence.

"Mujhe karhwat badalna hai, Dad," (I need to change sides, Dad) Sid explained, his voice strained with effort. "Mera peeth bohot dard kar raha hai." (My back is hurting a lot.)

Understanding dawned in Raj's eyes as he nodded in sympathy. Without hesitation, he helped Sid change his side and began to gently massage his back, Raj's hands moving with practiced skill as he sought to ease his son's suffering.

Sid let out a soft moan of relief as the tension began to melt away under his father's touch. With a grateful smile, he turned onto his side, exposing his lower back to Raj's ministrations.

"Yahan dabao, Dad," (Press here, Dad) Sid murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he indicated the source of his pain.

Raj nodded, his brow furrowed with concentration as he applied just the right amount of pressure to ease the knots that had formed in Sid's muscles. With each knead, the tension began to dissipate, leaving behind a sense of peace and tranquility.

And as Sid finally succumbed to the soothing embrace of sleep, his father's hands still working tirelessly to ease his pain, he knew that no matter how dark the night may seem, the dawn would always bring with it the promise of a new day, filled with hope and healing.

As Raj's skilled hands work their magic, Sid finds some semblance of relief from the relentless ache in his back. The soothing sensation lulls him into a state of temporary tranquility, but his respite is short-lived.

Just as Sid anticipated, the sound of his children's laughter and chatter fills the air, signaling the end of his brief respite. He braces himself for the inevitable onslaught of noise and chaos that accompanies their return from school.

Sid (sighing): "Mera araam khatam."

Sure enough, Miu and Rey burst into the room, their faces alight with excitement as they rush to their father's side, heedless of his weary state.

Miu (hugging Sid tightly): "Dad, we missed you!"

Rey (joining the hug): "Yeah, Dad, we had so much fun at school today!"

Raj, ever watchful, cautions the children to be mindful of their father's fragile state.

Raj (gently): "Careful, bachas. Don't jump on the bed."

With a nod of gratitude, Sid watches as his father leaves the room, granting them some much-needed privacy.

Sid (to Miu and Rey): "And keep your shoes off the bed, please."

The children obey, slipping off their shoes and settling down beside their father, their faces eager to share the events of their day.

As they talk, Sid listens with a mixture of amusement and exhaustion, his heart swelling with love for his children. Despite his strict demeanor, they know they can always count on him to listen, to comfort, and to support them through life's ups and downs.

And as the evening wears on, father and children bask in the warmth of their bond, knowing that no matter what challenges may come their way, they will always have each other's backs.

If by any chance you happen to stumble upon this book, please do leave feedback and suggestions for improvement, as I am a new writer and this is my first book.