SS: Darkness in the Fire - Part 2 - Page 16 - Page 6

Originally posted by: DonnaHarvey

Asa! Now we're talking. Preeto hwaiting!

It was seven months ago when we got the news. Seven months ago that marked the beginning of a pain-filled journey.

"The cancer has dispersed to other locations within her body. I'm sorry Mr. Kundra, but Mrs. Kundra's cancer is terminal. We can continue with chemotherapy, but there's no guarantee that she will live longer than a year. In fact, she'd be lucky to survive longer than 6 months, even with chemotherapy treatment."

The words echoed through my mind as I stared silently stunned at the short, stubby doctor in front of me. As the words set in place and I realized what they truly meant, I grabbed the doctor by the collar, angered.

"How dare you say that!? Nothing will happen to my Madhu! You have to save her. If anything happens to her...I'll set this place on fire and all of you and your stupid staff will burn in the flames."

I could feel my eyes burning, but whether it was because of rage or pain, I couldn't tell.

"Mr. Kundra! Please! You have to understand. In some cases even doctors become helpless."

He held onto my hands, which clutched at his collar.

"Mr. Kundra!"

I felt my hands slowly slipping away. I let them fall to my side as Sikander placed a hand on my shoulder. I shrugged his hand away.

"Hey brother, she'll be alr..."

"SHUT UP."

I didn't want to hear another word. I didn't want to hear whether she'd be fine or whether she'd die. I just wanted silence. I needed to be alone.

"Mr. Kundra, we tried our best..."

"You tried NOTHING. You piece of shit. You said she'd be fine! You said she'd be treated! YOU SAID SHE'D LIVE."

"Yes, but the spreading of the cancer was not in our hands!"

"You could have removed it! You could of..."

"But that was a risky procedure, you had stated that you didn't want to go through with it."

He was right. I had told them I didn't want to risk her life. I, myself, had said no to the dangerous surgery, which could have possibly saved my Madhu's life...

I placed my hands on either side of my head and my eyes widened as the realization hit me. I took a step back, as though in a drunk state, and stumbled over. My shoulder hit a wall and I leaned my back against it. I slid down the wall.

"Rishabh..."

I didn't know whose voice it was that called for me. I kept my eyes on the ground as tears formed in my eyes.

"Everyone, get lost. I want to be alone, with her. I don't want any of you here. Go away. Get out of here!"

There was silence for a moment and then the pitter-patter of feet indicated that they had actually left. I stay still on the ground for a moment as I built up the courage to see Madhu again. Knowing that there was little time left just made it that much more difficult to face her.

I quickly stood and pulled out my phone from my back pocket. I put it to my ear after pressing the speed dial for Bittuji.

"Yes Chief?"

"Bittuji, I need you to get me the numbers of North America's top oncologists. As soon as you can!"

"Yes Chief! I'll get on it right away!"

I hung up and took a deep breath. Just because the stupid oncologist here had said there was no chance, that didn't mean I'd give up on her too. I still held onto that ray of hope. For her. For me. For us.

I turned around and looked into the small, round window that looked into her hospital room. She lay still, peacefully, with her eyes closed. She looked pale as a ghost and weaker than I had ever seen her before. Her condition was only deteriorating and it pained me to see her in such a condition.

I placed my hand on the doorknob and my heart stopped as I spun the handle to open it. I held my breath for a moment as I entered her room. I walked towards her, trying not to make a noise, but her eyes began to flicker, trying to open. I went straight to her bedside and placed my hand on top of hers. Her skin had gone cold over the days. It no longer held the same warmth it used to.

"R..."

"Shh. Go to sleep. I'm here Madhu. I'm not going anywhere."

She attempted to open her eyes one last time and then gave up. She kept her eyes closed and drifted into a deep sleep as I held onto her hand. I watched her as she slept. Even in such a condition, she still looked like an angel nonetheless to me.

A tear finally escaped my eye while watching her sleep. It was the first tear I let escape since we had first heard about her cancer. I kept myself strong in front of her, not letting her believe that her illness had broken me from within. A part of me was also in denial, believing that she'd be cured no matter what it took. It was when a tear escaped my eye that reality hit me. It was then that I realized there really was no chance. I was going to lose my life along with hers.

I didn't even realize the tear had fallen onto her arm until her fingers twitched. I slowly wiped the tears from my eyes and kissed away the tear that graced her arm.

"R...K...?"

Her voice had become so weak; I had already begun to miss her.

"Madhu, rest..."

As much as I just wanted her to wake up and wanted to spend time with her, I knew she didn't have the energy.

"B..but..."

"Shh...please, rest. For me."

Her eyes had remained closed the entire time she spoke in a weak, tired voice. It was when she was silent for a minute that I realized she had actually listened to me. As she fell asleep again, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket. I slowly lifted my hand from on top of hers and got off the stool near her bedside. I walked to the corner of the room and answered my cellphone. I spoke in a whisper.

"Hello?"

"Chief? I found a great oncologist."

"His number?"

"I will send you his number."

I hung up the phone and waited for a text message from Bittuji. As soon as I got the number, I left Madhu's room.

If there was any hope left, it was in the hands of that oncologist.