Truly, Madly, Deeply- a Devakshi story.

Courage and Strength

Sonakshi was waiting up for Dev, lying next to Soha, kindle in hand. Dev was very late today; had been coming late since the past few days. He visited his mother after work every day and sometimes it was a while before he could get away as she had viral fever. She padded out quietly as he let himself in with his key. He was disappointed at missing Suhana's bedtime and scolded Sona for waiting up for dinner which he had already had with his mother.

Sona brought out the plate of colorful dessert, the cupcake dessert that Suhana had fixed for him and left in the refrigerator with a note for him to finish it. Suhana had lately bought an icing set, food colors and edible glitter and was elated that food could be made as colorful as her paintings. So every night there was some food adventure on hand, which was always tried on her dad because her mother gagged with the color and sugar. He eyed the decorated plate lashed with whipped cream curlicues, pink fondant rosettes, heart shaped melts and everything sprinkled liberally with edible glitter. He looked at Sonakshi helplessly, grimacing to her laughter and then being the indulgent dad he was, bravely picked up the spoon and tucked into the colorful dessert.

He told Sonakshi that Ishwari's fever had again broken at night and he had left her feeling better. As Sona sat and listened to him while eating her dinner, her sixth sense prickled. She realized that Ishwari's fever was falling into a pattern. She asked Dev a few innocuous questions and confirmed that it was a low grade fever. Ishwari had refused to take any medical advice as she felt it was a simple fever but to Sona it didn't seem simple at all. Not at all. She didn't want to startle Dev unnecessarily, so she casually slipped in consulting their family doctor or Jatin, since Dev liked him. Dev , always ready to go to any lengths for his mother's health agreed immediately.

As she had suspected , Jatin, who had gone with Dev to visit Ishwari casually, also saw the patterns and arranged for certain tests. And so that evening when the intercom buzzed and Jatin asked her to come to his chamber, she knew.

They prepared Dev for what was coming " Cancer? How is that possible?She just has a simple fever for the past twenty days. There is no symptom. Are you sure Jatin? Sona have you examined this again? This is not possible." He was devastated, his forehead breaking into sweat and his fingers shook as Sona came forward to hold his hands. Jatin and Sona, used to dealing with this phase for their patients were now trying to impart some faith and hope to Dev, who hadn't spoken a word since Jatin had confirmed his diagnosis and showed him all the reports.

At home, Dev just locked himself in his study. Suhana had never seen her father separate himself from her and started crying. Sona knew that Dev's condition was only going to get worse as he grappled with his shock and sorrow. She tried to call him out for dinner but there was no response. She didn't want to let Suhana see him devastated and also needed to give him space to grieve and so called up Sourabh da to come and take Suhana home for a couple of days till Dev was able to deal with the new challenge. Then she settled down to wait near his closed door. 

Sometime in the dead of night he opened the door and came out. As she sleepily struggled to sit upright on the floor cushion she was resting on waiting for him, he glanced at her as though she was a stranger and walked off to find his charger for his mobile which had discharged. She followed him and held his arm stopping him. Seeing no reaction from him, she put her arms around his stiff unyielding body and tried to convey her sympathy. First he tried to resist and tried to shake off her arms but she refused to budge and held on to him strongly till he relaxed somewhat.

She led him to the sofa and made him sit and held him strongly to herself till her warmth finally penetrated the chill that was wrapped around him. She kissed him on his forehead with kindness and started to get up to get him some food, but he held her back not willing to let go. He despairingly asked her," What now, Sonakshi? "