Cancer, one of the deadliest disease mankind is always afraid of, chose to teach me a lesson last year. The “ultimate horror” chose my father as its chosen game last year. I wound not have believed how Cancer spreads if I had not witnessed my father’s slow death spreading over a time of eight months approximately. It was not that Cancer gripped him all of a sudden, but rather I would say, my father invited cancer by being over cautious about his health. It all started with a tooth in the lower jaw which was bidding good bye to this old but healthy 75 year old exercise freak, extremely health conscious gentle man. My father couldn’t accept the fact that he was growing old. Some pricks here and there, heavy brushing for four times a day and the old tooth and the equally old gum started bleeding profusely. My father was panicked, he self doctored himself with strong doses of painkillers and then gave up all hopes when finally my mom convinced him to see a doctor. The after- treatment period was even more irritating for the old couple and my father accidentally pulled out the “stitches”. The cancerous eclipse begun as a result of partly side effects of the strong painkillers he used to take for a long time and partly because those pricks and pins he kept on doing to his gum , cheeks and tooth. The whole family tried to convince him to visit a doctor and not to do self medication.. But he was even more panicked. He listened to none Finally there was no other way than to forcefully shift him to the Cancer hospital .I would never forget that morning….. the healthy 75 year old had become pretty fragile by that time and I was surprised to find that I, the “weak”, “fragile” and “darling” baby of my parents was literally able to command my Police- man father to lie on my lap like a little baby while his attendants carried him to his cabin in the hospital. Thanks to the constant care of the doctors and the nurses , I saw him a little better than the day I “carried” him in the hospital . Every day I used to visit him, but he used to grow impatient, rude and angry and even provoked me to shout equally loud asking him to stop. I didn’t know what was happening to him psychologically. I knew he was eccentric at certain times, but his aristocrat blood never allowed him to loose temper in public before. I contacted the hospital psychiatrist who, later I learnt ,was a specialist in handling cancerous patient’s psychology. After having a glimpse at my father , his expert eyes understood the situation. But he immediately understood that I was neither ready to believe that the beginning of the end has begun. He gave me no hope and told me you must be stronger enough to see the worst psychological out pours. I didn’t understand…….. The doctor left leaving me searching for the reason of his statement.
After a gap of exactly a week when I came back to see my father who was under constant supervision of doctors with my mother patiently taking his verbal brickbats , I felt a sigh of relief as I saw that the blood red swollen lips are healing up . Just a few days back my mother informed me that Chemo therapy has started and my father is co operating with the therapists. I was over joyed, I went to visit my father to the hospital. He was half asleep. I told him dad, “do u know? My name has appeared in the newspapers as I gave a speech on cyber bullying …” he extended his hand pierced with needles and said “show me the report”. I jumped and said “you come home; I will read it to you”. But he was over excited; he asked me which law did you speak about? How correctly he pointed out legal provisions that he has lost touch with, a decade ago…..I felt every thing is going to be fine like before. He has regained his interest …… in his chosen topics. I ran down the stairs, reached home flying in joy and left for meeting a family friend. My dad is coming back to normal life. After the brief meeting, I forced my mother to sit beside the river. But she became stiff suddenly; she insisted we better go to the hospital immediately rather than sitting beside the river. I was hesitant.. After a long time I had seen my dad becoming normal, can’t my mother deserve a little rest? Nah, our Fate decided to tell us the truth now. The phone call came from the hospital, my dad has developed breathing problem. We rushed. I climbed the 5 stories in 5 minutes and a chill went through my spine as I found my dad literally panting for breath even with the Oxygen mask. I CANT BELIVE MY EYES. Minutes after , I couldn’t believe my ears as well, as the duty doctor asked me to sign a bond …… A BOND FOR UNDERSTANDING THAT MY DAD IS GOING TO BE WITH US FOR A FEW HOURS FOR NOW.I was trembling in disbelieve. Hey, come on, in the morning he was telling me the laws…. this can’t happen. The doctors were experienced in handling relatives like me . They politely asked my mom to go home and asked me stay back as long as any male attendant comes to relive me. The hospital was very strict in not allowing women relatives to stay after 12 in the night. I left in the midnight and came back early next morning. The reception desk told me, dad was in the same condition in the ICU. Some how after an hour or so , my soul started praying to the GOD to relive my dad from all pains. I felt strange……... it was not me, but some one else within me who was praying for DEATH. Mother and me forcefully had a chat about a funny incidence but none could smile. I checked my dad.. his left portion started bloating up. The nurse on -duty nonchalantly said “this happens madam , it would be allright”. She witnessed thousand deaths like this and knew the symptoms. BUT I DIDN’T. I ran to the pathological click for some test results and when I came back with a strange uncanny feeling ,I found he has GONE just two minute ago. My mother, as strong as never before, took me to my dad and started rubbing her forehead into my father’s foot. Was she crying? Perhaps……….. but she didn’t want to show me .. my brave mother….
That night I performed my last duty as my father’s daughter with my twin’s photo in my hand . The crematorium ground was calm and serene and I did the last rites . The priest said “you can now leave the mortal remains of your father to the sacred fire”. I was perplexed , I held my father’s feet with my two hands, my twin’s photo still inside my hands and murmured BABA BYE BYE…… my dad’s favorite words that he loved to hear from his twin daughters whenever he went out…………. It was tough, very tough to really say DAD BYE BYE … because this sentence would never be accompanied by another sentence “ SEE YOU AGAIN”. ,
