"There are moments which mark your life. Moments, when you realise that nothing will be the same and time is divided into two parts - before this and after this"

~ Unknown~

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Aabha nodded at his words, unable to say anything further, she knew that he knew her well and though his words should have comforted her, she still could not get rid of her sneaking doubts. However, not wanting to spoil the day with what she felt were her irrational fears, she smiled and threw herself into his arms.

The final surprise that Shaurya had for her, however, had them get into an argument. He pulled out a sealed cover and gave it to Aabha who almost ripped the cover open in her haste to find out the contents. But when she read the single sheet of paper, she was stunned and a little miffed. It was the printout of the online application for PhD admission in the field of Operations Research. She did remember Shaurya showing an unusual amount of interest in the field she wanted to do her PhD in, and had enthusiastically discussed her interests and the available options. They had finally decided that Operations Research would be the most suitable considering the many freelance consultancy opportunities that field presented. But when Aabha fell in love and started to dream of a life with Shaurya she was not too sure if they could find enough space for her educational dreams.

Shaurya, however, had never lost sight of her dreams; he believed that just as he could pursue all his professional goals, she should be free to follow her dreams. And any argument that she now put forward fell on deaf ears and she finally admitted that she was scared, unsure if she could do justice to her studies and her personal commitments. Further, once married into a conservative Marwari family as Shaurya's, there would be few chances of putting her professional qualifications into good use.

Pinning her in his arms from behind, he pulled her close and said, "Aabha, as long as I am with you, you need not fear. Further, my family is not as conservative as you think and they would actually not mind if you pursue your studies after we get married. In case they do, we will get married after you obtain your doctorate. And lastly, I was a little selfish when I pressed the advantages of this specific field; we could do with an expert in that area. We would be on acquisition mode for the next couple of years and then the next step would have to be an organisation restructuring, so it is like you already have a role waiting for you. But keeping all that aside, do not underestimate yourself, you will balance everything splendidly, I have faith in you."

Aabha nodded and tightening her hold on his arms, she sank into him. Closing her eyes she marvelled at the fact that Shaurya always knew her feelings, there were times when his words almost anticipated what she would feel. Sensing her relief and acquiescence, he dropped his lips on to her shoulder and leaving a trail of feather-soft kisses all long her silky soft column of her neck that left her weak at the knees, he asked, "Maybe I can tempt my soon to be doctor wife into a last kiss before we leave for home?"

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The next few weeks passed in a blur for Aabha and Ishaani, both lost in the haze of dreams for their lives and elaborate plans for the weddings. Aabha and Shaurya continued to meet in the coffee shop, though their focus was now more on Aabha and her admission process. It had not been too difficult to convince their families about Aabha intending to study for her doctorate; once Shaurya's Bade Papa gave his blessing, none dare to raise any objection, though his mom did grumble a bit. But when Aabha's acceptance letter arrived, Supriya was the happiest, intent on announcing to the whole world as to how smart her daughter in law was. Seeing the pride on all the faces and basking in the love of her new extended family, Aabha once again felt blissfully happy and thoroughly content with her life.

This time her happiness lasted a full week before the fates tripped her a second time.

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Shaurya had woken up late; he had been working long hours for the past three days and had fallen asleep only in the wee hours of the day. He knew he was late when he noted that Reyansh was already half-way through the breakfast; at his mother's insistence he grabbed a couple of slices of toast and was rushing out when he tripped on his way up the stairs. Bracing against the banister and assuring everyone that he would be careful, he bent down, pretended to retie his shoelace and hurried out, trying not to pay much heed to the slight dizziness he felt.

Shaurya knew that he had not tripped over the shoelace, but had lost his footing on account of that dizziness, which persisted throughout the day and unable to ignore it any longer, he asked Reyansh to drive him home. That had Reyansh worried who promptly informed the family members and the family doctor was almost conjured up in response to their call. The only saving grace Shaurya had was that the Doctor literally kicked everyone out of the room as he conducted his routine inquiry though his expression changed from jovial mirth to a slight worry.

After he was done, he assured Shaurya that the dizziness in itself was not worrying, as it was most probably on account of the stress and strain, but as Shaurya himself admitted that he was no stranger to long hours and irregular meals but had never complained of dizziness, he preferred to err on the side of caution and he insisted Shaurya undergo a battery of tests so that what he suspected could be ruled out.

The names of the tests prescribed would have scared most of the people and learning of the process would have daunted the rest. Shaurya decided only to let Reyansh and Aabha know about the details of the tests he had to undergo, the families could be told if the need arose. He had to tell Reyansh as he needed someone to drive him and Aabha was taken into confidence because he had promised her that there would be no secrets between them. To their credit, both took the news in their stride, though the implications of what the tests could mean frightened them.

When the laboratory screening tests of blood and routine X-rays came normal, their hopes rose till the MRI scan result came inconclusive. The doctor then had an angiogram carried out which finally allowed him to reach a conclusion. But rather than summarise the details, he referred him to Dr Amitabh Bhattacharya, one of the city's leading neurosurgeons.

Uncaring of the anxious, irked or impatient expressions of Aabha, Shaurya and Reyansh, he took his time to state both the diagnosis and the prognosis. Looking at Shaurya, he said, "We had to take all these tests to see if we could rule out the standard suspect of brain tumour. The first one cleared that doubt, the subsequent ones were to confirm what was suspected from the initial scan. You have a medium-sized aneurysm, which is what is called a blood clot, in one of the major arteries leading to the frontal lobe of the brain.

Now, please, before all of you start worrying, let me complete. All clots are not life-threatening unless they rupture and most people with such congenital aneurysms live their entire lives without even knowing that they have one. But now that we have identified one, we have two options, simply leave it as it is, hoping it does not grow in size and rupture which would lead to other complications or have the same surgically removed.

I will spare you the medical facts, for now, all I can say is that I will give every assistance I can, to help you make your decision as to whether you chose to be operated or not. It is not an easy one, and irrespective of the decision you chose, there would have to be certain lifestyle changes and specific medication which could have to be taken for considerable periods. I will let you know that after you decide your course."

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Aabha was with Shaurya when his family had to be told the news, now extended to include hers as well. She sat beside him, in the spacious hall of his home, staring at the chandelier that had been hung in a place of pride in the grandiose hallway many years ago, even before the mortar of the bricks had fully dried. It must have seen so many events in their lives, she thought, the twinkling lights must have been witness to the joys and sorrows of this house, birthday parties, engagements, death and now the grim news. And yet there was no change in the way the crystals sparkled, unaffected by the emotions that seem to surround them, in fact, Aabha felt that those lights were mocking her.

The reactions of his family members were exactly as Shaurya had predicted them to be, his father and Bada Papa stayed stoic; his mother had launched into a slightly hysterical outburst and the rest of the members had varying expressions of shock and empathy. Aabha was grateful that her family members had simply gathered around them and expressed their support in a very silent manner; even her normally temperamental Dadi had just hugged her hard and asked her not to worry,assuring her that their 'Khatu Shyamji' see that everything would soon be fine. She looked at them and nodded, hoping that they were right.

Shaurya decided to seek a second opinion before weighing the options and deciding what had to be done. This time he had resigned himself to the battery of tests needed and when the second doctor also confirmed the presence of the aneurysm and presented the very same options, he shifted his focus on what had to be done. Despite the gravity of the situation and the implications of the same, Shaurya never let it affect him or his routine. 

For him, the blood clot had been present all his life, and the newly discovered knowledge must empower him rather than serve as an excuse to be afraid and hide behind that fact. He refused to change anything in his routine, his excise regime, his work schedules and his jovial outlook towards life, nothing altered, even as he mulled over the choice presented to him. In fact, his demeanour almost had everyone believing that everything was fine. 

Only Aabha knew how difficult it was for him to maintain that air of nonchalance.

Now though, this update cuts out the sweetness and add a tinge of bitterness, but it is only temporary. So do not worry too much, nothing serious would happen. Meanwhile do let me know your thoughts about this update.

love,
Nyna