The room smelt acrid with a pungent odour of medicines. The heart monitor beeped in cadence with the buzzing of the fluorescent lights. The faint drip of the transfusion and the humming of the fan as if all were in harmony.
The silence of the night was disrupted by moving trains announcing that everything was well and life would go on. To the right of the bed was a roof terrace rife with flowers, a bird feeder hanging. To the left of the bed was a radio- equipped with tapes and CD’s. The favourite station was tuned to classical music.
AADI
I took pride in pushing Poorna’s wheelchair and taking care of her while Poorna showed a sign of contentment on her face and she had complete faith in me. We were ever so in love, smiling at each other and there was an aura of understanding around us. I had to travel a great distance and spend a lot of money yet wanted the best treatment for Poorna.
As time passed Poorna became frail and the failing treatment started showing on her health. Doctors were insisting on a medically induced coma but I had second thoughts. Poorna was in pain and I wanted her to rest. Families were playing a vital role in making it difficult for both of us. I was not equipped to handle the situation, especially when the person suffering was Poorna. Everytime she went in, she was diagnosed with something new. She was getting fit attacks and sometimes it felt awful when she couldn’t catch her breath. She was on a respirator to stabilize her vitals and in a medically induced coma. They kept updating me about the routine they followed. I cracked jokes, only to not get a response from Poorna.
I was thinking aloud, ”If she comes out of this I am going to propose marriage for sure,” unaware that Poorna’s mother had already entered the room and overheard my thoughts. “What are you up to? Whatever gave you this idea!” She ground her teeth as she questioned me. I was jolted out of my reverie. Poorna’s mother was glowering and I told her that it was not what she was thinking. That seemed to calm Poorna’s mother and she sat down by her daughter’s bedside as I walked out of the room to catch some air. I was take back to the day Poorna appeared.
“I am sorry” I said, as the nurse, whose leg I had stepped on glared back. I realised that it was a hospital and looked around the lounge. A number of people were catching up on their sleep as they waited for their loved ones. I knew it was going to be a long wait for Poorna to recover but I was going to be there, no matter what.
POORNA
For me it was a never ending dream. I could hear them, my brain could sense it but it was not processing the word ‘respond.’ I ran out of sense of time. In my comatose mind I went back to the time when I first met Aadi. It was a pleasant afternoon, when I walked into the huge bungalow. As I sauntered in, I saw someone sitting by the pool immersed in a book. Not noticing me, the maid was called out for a snack. I went on without paying much heed myself.
By evening, the house was abuzz and Aadi was surprised. Unaware there was a new housemate, Aadi walked in on me decorating the barren walls of the house. Though annoyed, Aadi liked what was happening. Even better, I had found a place in Aadi’s heart. We often had disagreements and differences of opinion, but over time we both had grown close. Even when we weren’t together at home, we remained connected. None of us wanted to miss out on the other and our meeting ground was our phone.
AADI
As sleep set in, I was taken back to those days. After having known Poorna for more than six months now, I knew that she was the one. I had known a lot of people but had never felt for anyone like this. The question was whether Poorna knew how I felt about her and how she would react to what I was going to tell her. I knew the chance had to be taken, else it would never be known.
Everything was arranged at the country resort that we were going to for the weekend. I had booked the entire resort to surprise Poorna. Everyone had been instructed of their roles well in advance. I hoped that it would be the best weekend! As Poorna walked to the dinner table that evening, she was surprised that there was silence around.
POORNA
“Is this place haunted?” I laughed nervously. “No it isn’t, but deserted for the weekend, yes”, Aadi smiled at me. “I have booked out the entire resort for our stay. In case you decide to beat me up after what I have to say, at least there won’t be a crowd jeering”, Aadi added. I was looking around curiously and as soon as I turned around I saw Aadi down on one knee. Tears started streaming down my cheeks and even before Aadi could say anything, I was holding Aadi in my arms.
“What took you so long? I have been waiting for this moment but thought it would never be mine. You have been named apt just for me, you make me complete now,” Aadi replied. I was on cloud nine and I knew that there was never going to be anyone like Aadi for me.
AADI
A year into the relationship, which we had managed to keep hush, it was that fateful night that I saw Poorna in shambles. I woke up with a jolt to a droning noise echoing in the room. As the light came on, I saw Poorna on the far corner of the room cowering and muttering under her breath. As I approached her, Poorna’s muttering became clear. She kept saying, “Leave me alone, leave me alone.” Sitting down beside her, I held her close to comfort her and that took some effort as she resisted. I knew that Poorna needed to be consoled and cared for as she had told of all the horrors of her life. I knew what Poorna was going through as I had been in situations that couldn’t be mentioned and hence no one in my family knew.
I had vowed that Poorna was always going to remain in my life. The love I felt for her made me stronger and happier and no one or nothing was going to take that away. I knew what it was that we were heading into, but that had become my guiding force. As I held on to her, she calmed down and drifted into slumber. Carrying her to bed and tucking her in was something I enjoyed. I sat by Poorna’s side all night so that she would not have to go through anything alone if she did wake up to a nightmare.
“Hey sweetheart, wake up, what are you doing on the chair here?” Poorna was running her fingers through my hair and that was the best way for me to wake up. I knew that Poorna had no memory of what had happened last night.
“I wanted to keep looking at your face as you slept. Didn’t realise when I fell asleep. Let me make you breakfast in bed.” I decided against telling Poorna anything and went about making breakfast and ensuring that she was calm and had rested well. I knew I had to consult someone, to be prepared for any such events henceforth.
POORNA
My parents and Aadi took turns at the hospital. My parents didn’t want us to be together. They didn’t like how Aadi took care of me and managed the home front. They chose to stay at our relative’s place. Daily trips to the hospital were taking a toll on Aadi as well as my parents. Aadi had shared with the visiting nurse about taking care of me at home. Aadi was also running out of money and home would be a better and safer place for me. Aadi knew that my parents would never agree for us to be together but that was something which would never happen. Aadi was determined more than ever to get me out of the condition I was in. Aadi wasn’t one to give up easily.
Aadi made arrangements for my parents to live in another of Aadi’s houses which of course my parents didn’t know about. Aadi wanted to be there for me all the time. Aadi’s love for me was the only thing Aadi lived for right now. It was time that Aadi took a stand on our relationship. Aadi was planning on how to tell my parents about us. Aadi wanted them to understand how we were the best fit for each other, that we have been the happiest ever since we had met. That our union was the only way for my survival was what Aadi wanted my parents to understand.
AADI
I was draining out each day. Poorna’s deteriorating health was bringing with it a real sense of hopelessness, uncertainty and pain. If only I could take away that suffering from her. More than anything we wanted to build a life together. I was cooking tasty food for her, washing, and being there with her to listen to her silence. I ached to feel her kiss, her throwing the blanket over me before she headed for work or snuggled into her arms. I travelled often as an event management professional, wandering forth into various states and no trip was longer than two or three days. This time it was a week and both Poorna and I couldn’t think of being without each other. I returned a day earlier, only to find her ill. Not that she had not been in touch over the video call, Poorna felt uneasy through the night and she couldn’t get out of bed, the next morning.
“How come you are back a day earlier?” Poorna was surprised to see me. Anything for you dear, and you know I can’t do without you. Look at you, I was not here and look at what you have made of yourself!”
POORNA
As I recovered, my parents saw how dedicated Aadi was. I was getting better each day and Aadi ensured that me or my parents were never left wanting for anything. Aadi was working round the clock with all the travel and work that was coming in but was also making time for me. My mother helped Aadi around but it was minimal. They were beginning to thaw and knew that, had it not been for Aadi, they would have lost their daughter. They knew they had to talk to Aadi about what was to be.
“Can we have dinner together tonight? We need to talk to you about certain things.” Aadi knew trouble was knocking as soon as my father said this at the breakfast table but there was no other way. This was the opportunity that Aadi was seeking – time alone with them, with their willingness.
“I will wrap up my meeting and be here by 8:00 PM. I hope it won’t be late for you and I will pick up something to eat on the way, so dinner is sorted.” Aadi wanted as much time to prepare for the evening and knew that it was the only chance to tell them how we felt for each other. “8:00 PM then”, said my mother.
Aadi took their leave and rushed to the office anticipating the dinner meeting. My fervent prayer was for everything to work out. The day seemed to be ending real quick, but there was no escape from whatever was going to come.
“Good evening Aadi. We have been eagerly awaiting your arrival”, father said. Aadi nodded and was stupefied at the scene in the living room. I was there all bedecked at my best, though on the wheelchair. There were decorations and a cake sitting in the middle of the table.
“Sit down Aadi. We would like to make an announcement. It is about Poorna and you”, my father continued. I could see Aadi’s heart sink! I could see the eyes moistening. Aadi had told me earlier in the day that my parents wanted a conversation.
“Poorna told us everything about your relationship and we have seen how dedicated you have been. We are thrilled to have you as our daughter’s life partner”, said my mother.
Aadi broke down. It had turned out better than she had anticipated. She knew that it was going to be a challenge for her to convince my parents, but she also knew that she and I are going to have a wonderful life. All that we had gone through together had brought us to this moment and Aadi’s life was now Poorna.