All around life seemed to be dying. The tree she often spent hours watching fall graceful yellow and red leaves were at the same fate. They now took on the color of burnt clay. Most were to be trampled on by passerbys or be rustled through by scavenging animals. But few remained, they were scattered on the ashy branches, limply hanging on. The frigid wind blowing from the north battered them. Allowing them to tortuously twist and turn every which way by their frail twig. Though the leaves outnumbered the one force in magnitude its power was incomparable.
It was like life. You have people all around, wanting to help, desperate for help themselves. But in the direst circumstances no matter how much support one has it is still not enough. Certain forces are too strong and withstanding it is inconceivable. They are able to break the strongest of people. They destroy the hopes people have shared for so long in an instant. The once glorious dreams created together are shattered by only one outcome, making even reality then a nightmare.
The setting sun reminded her it was time to go home. She didn't want to though. She couldn't see what had become of the man she loved so much. Pondering in his eyes used to be a delightful task. One she would make excuses for. But now it was hard to even glance at him, because that alone was enough for her to know all of his pain and his agony torn her to pieces. It was an unbearable feeling and one that she didn't want to go give him also. That was inconceivable though and she knew it. He felt her pain too. Their souls were intertwined in happiness and in joy, through the best and worst of things.
In their marriage they endured many things. Nevertheless, they made it out of the bitterest of storms together, stronger than before. This time it was different though. The force of this storm was beyond them both. And for the first time in their relationship it seemed as if they weren't going to make it out together.
Two Days Ago
"Adi you take care of the D'Souza project. It's out of town and will take a few days to cover all the bases with the contractors." Maan said while flipping through the files.
"Don't worry Maan, I'll take care of it."
"I know you will Adi. And if you need extra help take along pinky." Maan teased.
Adi rolled his eyes shaking his head. "Very funny but I'm sure that won't be necessary."
Maan's cell began to ring and seeing the name he muttered an expletive. He knew there was going to be trouble for him. "Hello Sweetheart. I know I'm late but I'm almost there, just walking inside."
"Maan don't lie to me. I know you. You probably haven't even left the office. I just called to let you know the appointment is delayed. So now you have no excuse to be late. Understood Mr.Khurana?"
"Loud and clear sweetheart, I'll see you in a bit." He hung up and saw and gleeful Adi. "What's so funny Adi?"
"I never said anything was funny Maan." He continued to grin.
"Yeah, the look on your face says otherwise."
He laughed. "It's not every day you see the great MSK being so obliging to demands. But then again it is your wife."
Maan smiled. "You're right Adi. I'd only be this way for Geet. Plus lately I've realized never to upset a pregnant woman. The other day I didn't hear something she said and she cried for two hours saying I didn't love her and was ignoring her."
"That's what they call pregnancy hormones."
He nodded. "Well I should go before I get another whipping because of it. Call me if you have any questions."
"Don't worry anything Maan, just take care of Geet."
Geet was sitting in the doctor's office gazing at the adorable baby portraits hanging on the walls. She planned on having one of their baby right next to her and Maan's wedding picture. This whole experience was so exciting and scary for both of them. It was a difficult road getting to this point but after two years and a couple of treatments here they were, expecting baby number one. Geet was so ecstatic when they found out that she immediately started buying baby toys and getting the nursery set up. She had always been able to accomplish whatever she set her mind too. She felt fulfilled in all areas of her life except this one, being a mother. And now that it was coming true her joy knew no bounds.
"I'm sorry I'm late Geet. I was talking to Adi about a project and lost track of time completely." He hastily walked over to her and placed at kiss on her cheek before sitting next to her.
Geet scrunched her nose at him. "What's new Mr. Khurana? You better do some apologizing later for this."
There was a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Whatever you like Mrs. Khurana, your wish is my command tonight." He said with a wink.
Maan said that a little too loudly allowing the receptionist to slightly blush at the comment. Geet shook her head hearing this. "What a shameless husband I have. Do have to talk like that all the time?"
"Please Geet you wouldn't have it any other way." He smirked.
She slapped his hand this time. "Maan we're in public! Can you for the sake of my embarrassment not talk as if this is our bedroom?"
Maan continued to grin. Then the door opened with a nurse calling to them. She led them through the corridors to the ultrasound room. She handed Geet a gown which she changed into and settled on the examining table. "So how are you doing Mrs. Khurana?"
"I'm very well. A few aches and pains which are expected so aside from that I'm pretty normal."
"Have you been eating well?"
"Of course nurse. My Geet always ate well even before she was pregnant, right sweetheart?"
Geet glared at him. "What are you implying Maan?"
He mentally slapped his brain. Maan realized how that could have come out and tried to salvage the situation before she started crying or even worse started yelling. "Nothing sweetheart I just meant that you are doing everything for the baby to be healthy."
The nurse smiled at them. Geet wasn't convinced but let it go since there was a knock at the door. It was Geet's doctor. She was a middle aged woman, very sweet and one whose bright cheery nature was always prevalent on her face. Except for today and Maan instantly noticed that. He had been gifted with reading people and at times like this he wished he wasn't. The usual stack of papers she came in with was larger today and he figured it must have to do with the lab reports they had done last week. He was worried now.
"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Khurana. How are we doing today?" Geet cheerfully replied they were good while Maan only nodded.
"Alright let's start with the ultrasound. You are almost 19 weeks along and the baby seems to be very healthy." She scanned around Geet's stomach while Maan and Geet looked at the screen mesmerized. Geet wasn't able to contain herself and pointed at the screen. "Oh are those his hands! They are so tiny...he's absolutely precious."
"Excuse me Geet, I think you are mistaken. It's going to be a girl." Maan said in a matter of fact tone.
"No Maan, I know it's a boy, right doctor? Can you tell what the baby's gender is this time?"
"Oh I think we can, Mrs. Khurana." She scanned around a bit more since the baby's position was awkward. "There we go, well Mr. Khurana you were right, it's a girl!"
Maan looked at Geet smugly. "I told you Geet. I know my baby well." Geet stuck her tongue at him.
The doctor looked at them with a sad smile. She knew they will be wiped away in a matter of seconds with what she was about to tell them. After Geet was cleaned up and settled again the doctor pulled out the lab reports.
"We've gotten the results back for the body checkups we did. Everything seemed to be normal'except for one thing. In the blood work we noticed abnormalities in your leukocytes. We analyzed and reanalyzed everything just to be sure it wasn't a false alarm. But the results are the same each time...I'm sorry to say this...you have leukemia."
The doctor paused for a moment giving them time to let it sink in since this was only the first ton of bricks that was going to hit them. There was unnerving silence afterwards. Geet turned ice cold and numbing pain resounded through her. Maan realized his instincts were right again but this time that wasn't a good thing. He squeezed Geet's hand tighter and looked at her helplessly not knowing what to expect next.
"The decision you will have to make is very difficult I know but whatever it maybe I will do my best for you. In this situation it means you can either chose the life of the baby or the mother. We can start chemotherapy treatment immediately to fight the cancer. This is undoubtedly harmful for the baby. Organ deformation and physical bodily defects are likely to the extent to which the baby could die even after birth if it were to survive. So abortion would have to take place in the choice of chemotherapy. However, if you were to wait on chemotherapy the baby would be healthy whereas you wouldn't. Delaying treatment until the baby is born would accelerate cancer cell growth and chances of survival would be greatly reduced. I know the options are few and unfair but believe me if I were able to offer anything better I would. But the fact is there just isn't much we can do. I'm sorry."
Tears instantly began to stream for Geet while Maan sat stone like with all energy drained. This was the last thing they expected to hear when coming today for a mere ultrasound. They were so individually lost in their grief for one another and the life of their unborn child that they didn't even hear the door shut after the doctor left to give them some time alone. It was only when Maan heard a loud gut wrenching cry from Geet did he snap of it. Realizing Geet needed nothing but the little comfort he could possibly provide Maan cocooned her in his arms. Geet dug into his chest and fearfully cried. She was mourning not at the fact that she might die but that the fact that her daughter would have to grow up without her mother.
With Geet relentlessly crying in his arms it was difficult for Maan to not cry also or even scream in rage but he realized one of them needed to be strong. The thought of choosing either their baby or Geet was intolerable to him. Maan knew how attached Geet had become to this baby. He loved the baby also but for Geet it was beyond that. She dreamt night and day about finally becoming a mother for so long. And now to have that dream almost be fulfilled but then cruelly snatched away was unbearable. With each whimper Geet made the more his heart ached knowing there was nothing he could practically do to ease her pain. He would go the ends of the world to make Geet happy but here Maan knew even that would do nothing to salvage the situation.
Next part coming tomorrow & comments appreciated :)
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