"How long do you expect me to support you, Mayank?!" Nupur had yelled at me, clearly frustrated. "Are you ever going to figure out what you want to do with your life?" Then, she had dropped down onto the recliner, putting her face in her hands and trying to calm down.
I remember rolling my eyes as I took the remote control from the coffee table and switched off the television. "Look, I'm trying to get a job. Is it my fault that things aren't working out?"
"No, everything is my fault! I should never have married so young. And that too to a college dropout whose life is directionless! I'm already managing a job and full-time classes. What more do you expect me to do?"
I had lost interest in the conversation. Sighing, I turned on the television once again, returning my attention to the Knicks versus Lakers basketball game I had been watching.
"I can't believe you!" Nupur had shrieked, before running into the bedroom and slamming the door behind her.
The memories of that night six months ago were still fresh in my mind as I sat by her bedside, holding her hand in mine. How could I have been so selfish? Why did I always take her for granted?
As a soft moan left Nupur's lips and she opened her eyes, I looked up at her pale face. She had lost so much weight over the past two months. Her eyes had lost their usual light and her lips were dry and slowly turning a dark shade of purple. She had pulled a hat over her head to hide the fact that she had lost most of her hair, but couldn't keep any of her other symptoms concealed. The cancer had really taken a toll on her body.
Only one day earlier, the doctor said those fateful words, "I'm sorry Mayank, but she only has a month to live." I could barely comprehend what this meant. One month? How could it only be a month? There was still so much she needed to do in life, so much I wanted to learn about her, so much we needed to experience together. All those desires would never become a reality.
Nupur glanced into my eyes. Then squeezing my hand, she closed her eyes once again. I pulled her hand to my face and pressed my lips to it as tears began pouring down my face. The girl who had desired all her life to be a doctor so that she could do something for those with terminal diseases was dying from one such disease herself. Life had never seemed more unfair. And the fact that I had caused her so much stress and pain during our one year of marriage made me feel ten times worse. Was there anything I could do to make things better?
My eyes widened as the answer came to me. There was something I could do. I could return to college, this time motivated and focused, and do everything in my power to get into medical school. Then, I could work with cancer patients and try to save lives. Maybe if I just played a role in preventing one person from succumbing to the disease, Nupur would be able to forgive me. Yes, that's what I had to do.
Leaning over her bed, I whispered in Nupur's ear. "You always wanted me to find a purpose in my life, didn't you? Well, I'm going to fulfill your dream. I'm going to be a doctor." Her eyes remained closed, but a faint smile appeared on her lips. Relief washed over me as I kissed her forehead. Nupur had always wanted to touch the lives of others. Even in a shortened life, she was able to accomplish this.
Edited by SuhanaSafar - 14 years ago
Arjun
13