The Valley of Storms - A Love Story

Life, death - can we really decide about them?

Sagarika P.O.V.

'Where is Mom?' I asked Samar Pratap on reaching the hospital.

'The doctors are carrying out some tests, She'll be fine, It is just one of her random tiredness attacks, No need to be worried,' he replied codly.

'You will never understand things, will you?' I replied equally indifferent.

'Why is this man here? Sagarika Pratap, don't tell me you are still hanging out with the enmy's son?'

'Samar Pratap, my mother is dying, slowly, painfully. I doubt I have time for your bullshit. Please excuse me,' I said and turned to Prithviraj who was few metres behind me, 'I think you should wait for some time here. I need to be alone with her.'

He nodded and walked back to the car, to avoid any confrontation with Samar Pratap I guess. I walked through the corridor to my mother's room as fast as I could. The room was closed. The doctors were busy around her, I wondered what they were doing, standing, staring through that small window glass, Few minutes later, I felt the presence of a man in my back.

'What is wrong, beti?' I heard, a voice, Samar's voice, saying.

My eyes closed, controlling my emotions, I said, 'She is dying...and thank you for bringing her here.'

'She is my wife, you are my daughter, Stop treating me as a monster, I know I have not been present for you as much as you would have wanted me to be, but I am your father, It hurts. Your indifference hurts, I want you to talk to me,. Tell me what Indu has.'

'I do not want to argue with you right now. Please, leave me alone.'

'Not before I know why you said Indu is dying.'

I took a deep breath and said, 'Mom has been fighting cancer for months now, Alone. You stayed in the same house as her, You did not find it important to see why she was getting tired so quickly. Everything is fake for you. Not every one is you. This lady, we, you and I, took for granted, loved, made our friend when we wished to share certain things, she is dying. She decided to hide all these things to you because she wanted you to continue with your routine, You had faith that your love and concern would win before she dies. She was wrong. I won again, dad. And, this time, I so wished to lose against mom. But, you made me win...' I was still speaking when her room's door opened.

'Sagarika?' the doctor asked. I nodded. He signed me to follow him to his cabinet. I obeyed.

Clearing his throat, he started, 'We are trying our level best. But these can be her last weeks, days or hours. We can keep her here or you can take her home, Nothing much is going to change. We are very sorry.'

'Doctor, can I stay with her, here?' I replied immediately.

He looked at me, shocked. I guess he did not expect my reply and attitude.

'She can go home,' he repeated and added, 'a bed has been added next to her, on her request. She knows everything.'

I gave him a short smile, thanked him and left. Samar Pratap was waiting for me outside. He was listening to our conversation - his eyes were too revealing.

'You were serious! I am sorry. I thought...' he said before I interrupted him, 'Dad, Mom is dying, I want no drama in this hospital. We both know you are least bothered. Somia, that's her name right? Somia must be waiting for you at the club. Go. Or, stay. Do as you wish.'

He started to leave when I added, 'I'll like you to stay. You leave today, forget that you once had a daughter.'

He turned, looked into my eyes, walked towards me and hugged me. I said nothing, I hugged him back for few minutes. It was good. It was different.

We walked together to Mom. She smiled seeing us together. I knew she would like it.

'It feels so good to have both of you together. Do take care of each other,' she said.

'Mom, can you not leave?' I asked, like a stupid kid.

'I'll always stay by your side, baby. Whenever you miss me, close your eyes, think of me, and smile. I'll be guarding it from the sky. You are my angel and always will be. Life, death ...nothing can ever separate us. And don't cry. No tears for me,' she said smiling and holding my hand tight.

'No tears' I repeated.

Samar Pratap was staring without uttering a word. Mom looked at him and he smiled. He was hurt. He was feeling guilty, it was evident.

'It is okay Samar. Life is unpredictable, Do take care of my daughter though. She is all that we have, The wealth, fame, prestige you have is temporary. And Samia, don't bring her in my house,' she said lauging.

'I am not. I did love you. I ...,' he began saying.

'Feelings are not in our control. It is okay,' she said, with much difficulty, to my dismay. She was dying, and I was helpless.

'No, mom! NO!' I shouted.

'I love you, Sagarik..aah' she whispered and all the machines connected to her started beeping.

I kissed her forehead, closed her eyes, hugged her and left the room. I think I saw dad crying in there. I lacked the courage to watch her like this though.

The next day's headlines: INDU PRATAP, WIFE OF SAMAR PRATAP AND MOTHER OF SAGARIKA SINGH PRATAP, THE ACTIVIST IS NO MORE

Her funeral were simple, as she wanted it, She was not burned, but burried. I requested dad and he willingly agreed, to my surprise. Throughout the funerals, he held my hand. Prithviraj was left to the rows behind, with my whole team.

Ah, this was a difficult chapter to write. Hopeful, you liked it. Do tell me about it.

Life is unpredictable. There are some emotions we cannot express. Cancer has taken so many lives and made, making so many stronger.

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More coming soon...yayyy...I am back :D :D

Working on the next chapter xD