No words can describe the excruciating pain in saying goodbye to a loved one slipping away. RK stared down at her pale form, his wrinkled hands caressed her gaunt cheeks. His Madhu. His beautiful Biwi laying on the bed like Snow White. Tears gently slid down his cheeks, if only, like in the fairytale, his kiss had the power to wake her up from dreamless state. Gently picking up her limp hand, RK planted a soft kiss, if only he had the power.
For three years, she has suffered. Madhu had beaten cancer once when their kids were still young. It was a miracle RK cherished till the unthinkable happened three years back. The cancer came back with a vengeance and no amount of hardcore treatment deterred its progress.
He stood by her like a devoted husband and watched helplessly as she tried to fight off the deadly disease. RK felt impotent, having watched his Biwi suffer and be in constant pain. Madhu's health deteriorated rapidly and she began to resemble a skeletal she'll of her former beautiful self. Her sparkling eyes which never failed to warm every crevice of his body, had dulled due to the heavy medication and the pain.
RK helplessly watched her heart rate steadily drop in the monitor. He closed his eyes briefly and remembered all the happy, beautiful moments he shared with his Biwi. They had a good life. Together they raised three beautiful children who had turned into wonderful, responsible adults with their own families. He smiled wobbly, RK has always credited Madhu for how well they turned out. It was all due the values she instilled in them which I know they will pass on to our grandchildren.
They shared a wonderful life together despite the many bumps at the beginning. He smiled wobbly, as Madhu liked to always say, it was their shaky beginning that had strengthened their relationship. As he watched the breath almost leave her body, RK took some consolation that his Biwi had met all of their precious grandchildren.
She fought a tough battle and held on tight to remain conscious so she could meet our youngest, Maya's, first child. Madhu was too weak to hold the baby so she just placed her hand on the baby's head and blessed her with a beatific smile. A smile that RK now realized that she had accomplished her life's biggest goal, to see her children well settled and thriving with their own family. Within few hours of our last precious moments with Madhu, she slipped into coma two weeks ago.
As the heart monitor beeped and she flatlined, Madhu was officially declared dead. RK feebly laid his head on her unmoving chest, his shoulders wrecking with uncontrollable sobs. He wailed, it should have been him instead of his Biwi. He had cheated death so many times, it should have been him. He should have been the one to go first.
RK desperately wanted to bring his Biwi back from the dead. But he can't be selfish. His Madhu had suffered enough and in death, she is finally free of the pain. RK picked his head up and gently pecked her lifeless lips and whispered, "Goodbye for now Biwi. Till we meet once again, my love."
Hi all. Sorry I have been MIA. Been quite busy with work and all. Hope this depressing blurb doesn't induce too many tears.
Take care,
Tainar
Cricket
Kumkum Bhagya
Tum Se Tum Tak
Sampoorna
Jhanak
