A story of different love ❤️

2 years ago

Mikky

@MidnightLibrary

A story of different love ❤️

Vaishali Shastri is a 50 years old woman and high school teacher. She lost her husband, Ashok three years back; he died of dengue. 

She knew she would soon die. 

Her hair loss became faster than before, there were patches on her skin. She felt often more tired, had no energy left in her body, felt dizzy and lightheaded, Headaches. She had lost most of her flesh in her tissue and was losing strength in her muscles.. She had fevers and night sweats for a long time. 

She peeked out through the window and saw people going through the road. Small children were laughing and giggling while holding the hands of their parents.

She too once had a happy complete family. But that house of cards breaks down in a blink. She remembers the day when she had to leave her house 6 months ago and was sent into this lonely, old apartment. 

Vaishali returned from her school. And the first thing she noticed were two big Trolley bags placed outside the door of the house.

She saw her daughter-in-law

" Bahu, are you going somewhere because I saw the luggage bags outside"

" Yes, Mammiji… how could I stay here ?? Can't you let us be at peace?? Stay with your ladla beta here in the house. My little son and I are leaving right now. "

" But why Sudeshna, Has anything happened?? Vaishali sound stunned 

" No Mammiji,.. you revealed last night you have been diagnosed with AIDS, you are HIV positive in spite of that how could you expect us to live with you in this house with this deadly disease ??.. in fact, how could I going to say if anyone asks me why you leave the house as because my mother-in-law is an HIV positive in her 50s ..and she is a widow..chi..chi..chii!!   " Sudeshna let out with disgust

" B.. bhau… I didn't bring the disease intentionally.. I am even unaware of this fact .. don't blame me, I think I got the disease when I visited a blood transfusion 6 months ago .. please don't leave.. please don't take my grandson away from me  "

" Mamiji doesn't think I'm rude, tell me one thing… If I was your daughter would you say the same thing to me?? . "

In between the conversation Alock had arrived.

" What happened?? Are you going somewhere? ""

" Yes, and don't ask me as if you didn't know anything. In this house, I and my son will live only when this deadly disease will be gone "

"Sudeshna .. Don't go, I found a house today for …"  Alock  shifted his arrows from his wife to his mother" Maa … " he bow down his head 

Vaishali paused. She holds the door as support. Her heart was getting heavier, with a broken voice she said

" .. B… Be.. ta. You found a house for your mother, don't even have time to inform her ?.. was I alive only to watch this day in my eyes..??"

" Maa I can understand but try to think about it. Akash is just 6 years old and he didn't know how dangerous the disease is.  So it will be better to live away from us. Don't worry we will soon come to meet you every week "

Vaishali without asking any questions packed her stuff, her little grandson came to her, and tears were propelled in the corner of her eyes, she was going to kiss her grandson one last time. But Sudhesha dragged her son away from Vaishali.

Vaishali heard the sound of a tight slap and a sobbing voice .

She came out of the house. With heavy feet, Vaishali took small steps. Suddenly she heard a familiar voice, as soon as she turned her back and saw her little grandson was standing in the window. Those small soft hands were hugging the iron rod grill, his soft cheeks were red, and he was weeping continuously. 

Vaishali returned from her thoughts, she removed her spectacles and wiped her eyes in the anchal of her saree. Within these six months, she never had permission, not even by coincidence, she met her grandson. 

Alock used to come before on weekends but gradually he dismissed his visit to her mother too. 

Vaishali had to quit her job, she was an English teacher in a government school. In school, she could spend most of the day but now she hardly spends any time. In the school, there was a teacher, Malini Gupta, who was a junior biology teacher.

She was in contact with Vaishali.

Vaishali enjoys her company nowadays as there wasn't any friend in her life except Malini. 

Malini is a 26 years old lady. She is very soft and kind-hearted. Vaishali used to wonder why Malini was doing everything.  why she frequently visited her place when her womb son abandoned her.

She learned the truth of life and death within these six months. She was worried that when she would die, who would perform her last rites?? Again she asked herself whether it mattered when nothing of her would remain in the world after she had gone, only an empty body would be left. As she grew older superstitions gradually gathered in her mind. She often wondered how her soul could get peace without proper rituals. She will wander here and there in search of peace. 

How unlucky she was, Why was God so cruel to her ?? What was her fault?? She was doing a good service to society then why did she get that life-threatening disease ?? 

Doctor told her HIV can show symptoms within 1 month, maybe within 6 months , 3 years or 8-10 years It depends upon how much anyone's body responds against the virus. It's viral load in urine is very low. And almost absent in saliva so there is no problem in normal hugging or kissing your grandson in cheeks. You have to just be careful and take awareness that nobody will get infected by chance cut in your hands. 

She under medication of drugs of HIV , Zidovudine , Lamividine and Lopinavir-rotinavir. Zidovudine is given not to develop resistance to other drugs. 

Remembering those incidents how the local people taunted her after knowing she was an HIV-positive woman and a widow in her 50s. She heard even in school how other teachers gossiped behind her back as if she was a characterless woman. 

Vaishali thought why does everyone presume in the first place every HIV-positive person has been infected because of sexual involvement? There are many other ways people can get infected by this virus. But the narrow-minded society has the right to have their judgment. 

Suddenly the calling bell of the room buzzed out. Vaishali checked the wall clock. It was 7 in the evening.

She opened the door, and found Malini but this time she saw a boy of age around 10-11 years by her side.

" Malini, come inside ?"

She closed the door behind her.

" How are you doing Mam?"

" We met just two days ago and you are asking me how I'm doing!" Vaishali chuckled

Malini grins a little and takes a seat in the bed.

" It's necessary, we are human beings our Mood up and down due to our  hormones"

Vaishali laughs, she knows Malini is a funny girl. And this girl knew how to make laughed others even though she could easily make laughed the angry principal at school and also a crying little kid 

"Who is this boy, my girl?"

" Mam it's Ayush, My nephew"

" High Aayush, how are you? ""

" I'm a fine granny. How are you ??"

Vaishali's heart omitted a beat when Ayush addressed her as granny. she smile gently

"I'm absolutely fine my boy "

Ayush smiled. 

Malini said " I thought to take him with you. I came. Here to invite you to the upcoming Diwali event at our charity trust. We will celebrate Diwali together "

Vaishali halted and she recollected those happy holi events which she used to spend with her family. 

" Malini, why me?  you did know everything again then why? 

" Mam, if you will come with us we will be glad. When the whole city will be bathing under bright light here you will be engulfed in darkness. No Mam you have to come with us. Trust me it will give you another experience .please Mam come at least sake of mine  "

" Ok sure I'll come "

Malini gave a vanilla smile

" Okay you people wait here I'll bring the tea"

" No Mam, When I came how could I leave that opportunity.. You and Ayush talk. I'm just going and I am bringing tea."

" Malini, you..

" I'm not your guest.." Malini said tough then a smile crept on her lips 

Vaishali accepts her defeat. She wondered how Malini sometimes gave her the vibes as if she was her own daughter. What humor of life where our blood departs us , makes us helpless, and smiles at our worst circumstances. On the other hand, those who had no blood relation still feel more connected to them and they make us realise our worth to us.

She was sitting in bed when Ayush was staying mute.

Vaishali shift her gaze from the way Malini had left 

" So, Ayush, how many shirts and pants have you got for the upcoming Diwali??"

" Umm.. two no. Three Aunty brought me everything "

" What are the colours ?  "Vaishali asked in her grandmother-like tone 

" Aunty said it was a white T-shirt, blue and lemon green and with blue jeans and a black "

Vaishali creased Ayush Hairs

" Which one do you love the most??"

" I love all . All are similar to me as I can't see .. because I'm a blind boy "

Vaishali's smiling face vanished, and she suddenly missed a skip. 

" Yes Mam, Ayush can't see  " Malini came and kept the tray on the small table . She gave one cup of tea to Vaishali, another one to Ayush, and the last one she took of herself. She took a seat beside Ayush

" Why didn't you consult a doctor?"

" Mam, Ayush was born blind that's why. At first we didn't notice it but gradually when he was 2 or 3 years we observed then consulted a doctor who said it was because he has bilateral optic nerve  damaged and he has no other anatomical defect in eyes . Due to nerve defects it can't be surgically curable . Due to regular practice he got used to it but his other sense organs work more . If anyone observes him carefully they can understand but unless he is the same as us  "

" I'm sorry " Vaishali kept her hand on Malini's lap

" It's alright Mam. That's why I didn't want to get married . After the death of Didi, I am taking care of him the day his father gets to know he is blind he abandons his own son"

Vaishali goes silent. It reminds her own story of how his own son left her alone.

Malini continues " Leaving Ayush, I can't move on. My paternal Aunt informed me she found a suitable boy for me but when I asked her if was he ready to accept Ayush too.. that suitable boy turned into a demanding boy. I won't blame him, we all have our own priorities, have our own desires . Own thoughts . I understand no man will accept me with Ayush so I dropped the idea of marriage. "

Vaishali heard her attentively" You have a big heart, Malini. You are doing a great job, you are sacrificing your happiness for ..

Malini interrupts Vaishali " No Mam, who said that I'm sacrificing? Instead, I'm gaining more than I am giving. Ayush never demanded anything from me, not even claiming that he loved me unconditionally. With any selfishness, we are all seeking a partner because we want to fill our happiness with them. But real happiness comes from inside. I'm happy to take care of Ayush. I came to meet you here not because I'm showing any sympathy for you, but because your company makes me happy. I don't have my own mother. Mom and Dad both died of cancer . 

Many more people die of cancer, somewhere by accident, somewhere from AIDS, where somewhere even a natural death.  Death is the same for all living beings. Isn't it? ""

Vaishali looked at Malini with moistened eyes. Nobody gives and describes those life-threatening diseases the way Malini explains as if they did not matter at all. How much she endured still she has the strength to keep aside all those negativity and take forward with a positive mindset. 

Many years have passed Vaishali now taking her last breath, she was lying in a hospital bed. This time she made her last wishes to see her daughter.

Vaishali smiled " don't bid me bye with watery eyes, my angel. I want to see you and Ayush happy. It's your mother's last wish. The love, respect, and support which I didn't get from my blood I get from you two beyond my expectations. 

Malini came to her mother and kissed her forehead " Maa don't say like that ..what will happen to us …" tears drop from her eyes she tried hard to control herself

" Who said that I'm leaving you two? Perhaps my body will be burnt into the heat of the furnace but my soul won't leave. Before I leave, promise me one last time , you will always remain like this. You are a pure diamond. GOD has given heart to everyone, but I'm the luckiest as I get a jewel like you  I love you my angel "

" Maa… " Malini squeezed her fingers with Vaishali

Ayush heard everything and his heart was pounding, warm Salty water following down his cheeks, he came towards Vaishali and gave a peek on her both cheeks " Granny…granny .." he said with his sobbing voice " You promise me once you will never leave us like Mamma leave little Ayush"

"  Who said that granny is leaving her little Ayush!! I'll always be with you . I'll always be with you, despite nobody can't see me but you can always feel me in the cold breezes, when the sun will rise and birds will be chippering I'll be there for you in those melodious songs of Birds. When the sunny lights fall on your skin you can feel me there too. I'll be the first drop of rain of years, I'll be there, I'll be everywhere around you. '' Vaishali smiled and kissed both cheeks of little Ayush.

And this is how Vaishali closed her eyes, for so long. 

THE END 

Disclaimer:-

  If anyone requires further details or has queries then go and check Google or Microbiology book of Mike Lenz or Lippincott or Apurba S Sastry anything you like, for HIV and KD tripathi for drugs management.