HER LAST WISH

Part 38

I can sense that he still loved Astha. I hesitated to his request to meet Astha. But I wanted this meeting to happen. One, he was the first love of her life and
second, Daniel’s name was mentioned in her wish list. I would do anything to fulfil Astha’s wishes, even if it meant for her to meet her ex-boyfriend. After dropping him with her, I left the room, but could not go away. I occupied the seat closest to the door and tried to overhear the conversation. I had heard a
little conversation, which an inferior husband in love can understand. I know I am a selfish man, but there is nothing wrong in being a selfish person. And this could be a chance to know something more about Astha.
Daniel came out of the room after some time; he wasn’t looking the same. I waited for some time before I went inside to see Astha. I didn’t want to see tears in her eyes. Astha was almost asleep. I did not disturb her. I took a seat and just
kept looking at her. It was satisfying to see her sleep peacefully. I was thinking, she will yell at me once she wakes up and will demand an answer as to why I went to meet Daniel. All kind of thoughts had started to come to my mind when
she opened her eyes.
“Why are you staring at me like that”? Astha asked.
“You were sleeping, I thought.”
“No, I was awake. You were staring at me and thinking about something. What was that? ”
“Thinking about our baby and the lovely future with you by my side.” She smiled and extended her arms to hug me. I hugged her. In a few moments,
I found myself kissing her until I felt some warm droplets on my hand. Her eyes were all moist.
Before I could start to console her she, demanded, “I want to meet Sargam.”
She did not mention Daniel or his visit, despite knowing the fact that I was aware about their meeting at the hospital. It was a strange call, but I didn’t want
to argue with her. It was a surprise that she wanted to meet Sargam at this time, but I didn’t say anything and called her. I felt good to have someone else around her. Sargam was there in an hour. I updated her on the situation. She could be
called for the operation anytime now. Sargam nodded. I went outside for some fresh air. Select Citywalk mall was nearby, and I decided to get lost somewhere
in the crowd. There was a big chaos outside a shop, and I was amazed by the power of the drink. It was a common site outside a government liquor shop. Many daily worshippers of the great nectar were standing outside. I failed to understand why there was such a huge rush. My close observation answered me, half of them were drinking also. The government made rules, but failed to control the consumption of liquor at public places. On the contrary, the
government is involved by taking the charge of the distribution. A police staff
was there. His presence was futile; he himself soaked under the nectar.
“One bottle of Signature,” I asked.
“Khambha?” asked the seller.
“No… half,” I said.
I paid three hundred rupees and headed home to Malviya Nagar. I had tried liquor only once before and hadn’t liked the taste. But today, I needed something to lighten me up, because this pain in my head… in my heart… my life… it was getting unbearable.
I reached home and crumbled on the sofa. I poured myself an extra-large drink out of the half and mixed it with the semi-frozen Coke from the refrigerator. I was a novice at making a drink. I pushed down half of it in one go. It tasted
horrible. I emptied another glass after a few minutes. My mind started receiving the little swing for which I had invested three hundred bucks.
I felt better with the booze inside me. I was amazed at how drinking can give strength to face people. Why Astha had always craved for this. Why my mother protested when she found Astha drinking at home. Meanwhile I had finished one
more peg. I started to feel like I was in a garden. I closed my eyes and allowed my head to follow the train of thoughts.
What next? What next after Astha? What if the baby is also diagnosed positive with the disease? How this room was lively with her smile. I thought about her crazy wishes. Why did Astha want to marry a hero? I looked at the mirror. Do I
look like a hero? No, this face belong to a zero. Yes, I know this zero. I think alcohol had started fulfiling its duty. I looked at my reflection in the mirror and saw a person who had lost a battle.
After some time, I passed out on the sofa. The metallic ringtone of my cell welcomed a new day of struggle. It was Sargam.
“Hello, Sargam. What happened?”
“Vijay, I need to leave, something important has come up. How much time will you need to get here?”
“You can leave, Sargam. I’ll be there in ten minutes.”
I disconnected the call and dressed in a hurry, and popped in a mouth-freshener
and soaked myself with a deodorant . I was about to move to the hospital when I looked at the bottle. It was like the bottle was telling me not to leave it behind. It was her favourite, after all. I packed that half-filled bottle and thanked my mind. It was still working perfectly. I started my car and headed towards the hospital.
By the time I reached there, Sargam had already left.
When I reached her room, I found Astha in pain.
“Astha! What happened? Are you alright?”
“I think the time has come.”
I nodded. I was blank. I didn’t know how to react to her answer, but she asked another question.
“Are you drunk?”
“Yes, I tried a few sips; it tasted horrible. How do you like—”
I was cut short by a sudden surge of pain. “Call the doctor now, Vijay!”
I rushed to call the doctor. A junior doctor was on shift and examined Astha. He told us that she would need to be operated upon within an hour. He left the
room after performing some medical procedures. A nurse came with a green apron dress and said, “She has to wear this.”
“Okay.” I nodded.
After ten minutes, the nurse came out and told me that Astha was not allowed to eat anything. She asked important questions from the operation checklist like
the blood arrangement, etc.
Before leaving, the nurse said, “You have half an hour.”
I could not feel anything when the nurse said that. She meant after half an hour, I would lose my love…my life. I started shivering at the thought. I went
outside and stood there for quite some time. I felt that I could not see anything because my eyes were swollen up with tears. I tried to calm do wn and splashed some chilled water from the water cooler over my face. I couldn’t waste the next
half an hour crying – the most precious thirty minutes of my life. I looked into the mirror and
forced a smile. Astha was dressed in green and her hair was clipped. I closed the door from inside.
“Hey, can you feel the baby?” I asked holding her hand.
“Yes.” She was gasping in pain.
“You know, we will have the best news of our life in just a couple of hours.”
She didn’t say a word and just smiled. I lifted her bed with the help of the automatic pullers. She was now sitting at an angle.
“Let’s have a party.” I placed the hospital glass on the table and took out a liquor bottle from my bag. I served a large peg for myself and half a glass of
water for her. “You can have whiskey. I’ll just stick to water. Remember everything has
changed.”
“But you won’t act like Vijay,” I said.
I added five drops of whiskey to her glass. I was ready for the last party of my life.
“Why so little whiskey in my glass? You have just added five drops,” she asked softly. I had added just five drops because my score was five and it was
the only reason to celebrate.
“You are not allowed to drink. Five drops to give colour to your peg. No more discussion. Cheers.”
“No, please add two more drops,” she said in pain. I didn’t want to argue with her and added two drops without much fuss.
I made her the last peg and said, “You are the winner, Astha. ”
“No, we are the winners. Cheers to the winners.”
“Cheers.” I emptied the glass of whiskey. She only tasted the last peg of the colored liquid.
I came close to her and softly placed a gentle kiss on her cheeks and then someone knocked at the door.
“Two minutes,” I screamed.
“Okay sir.” I heard a nurse reply. I looked deep into her eyes. Her face had a smile of a winner and on the contrary, I had tears in my eyes.
“How are you feeling?”
“Finally, I have found my inner peace. I am happy, but I want a promise Vijay.” Her tears told me she was lying.
“Yeah, tell me?”
“This is the last time we drink. We won’t drink after this day; it’s not good for anything.”
“It’s a promise.” I considered asking why, but I didn’t.
I could sense her urge to live more. She wanted to enjoy life, but we were helpless. The worst thing that can happen to anyone is knowing that your loved
one is dying with each passing second and you can do nothing about it. You cannot change their destiny. You cannot change the truth. Her labour pain grew
to an unbearable level. I managed to hide the liquor bottle quickly before opening the door. I went near her, kissed her forehead, and cried silently. I was flooded with emotions and wanted to say a million things, but said, “Love you,
and you are the best wife.”
She summoned her courage and said, “Love you too, and you are the best husband."