Some more years later

Main Character's POV:

Years passed. Feelings changed. 

After that incident, Nani and I have come so close to each other. So close that we covered all the lost time. My brotherhood instincts kick in always and protected him, pampered him, and supported him all along. We shifted our house once again to a much more secluded place so that none will bother us and won't be the subject of any kind of abuse.

The bailout process is going on for Maa to come out but still, my grandparents are not withdrawing from the case or giving her any pardon so that she can come out. She is still in there and happy for me that I am doing well.

And I have been staying with them only even after I turned 18. I told HER I would leave the house once I turn 18 but when I did, I didn't have the heart to leave and SHE never asked me to leave. So I continued staying with them only as my institute is in the same city.

I am in my 2nd MBBS year. Fortunately or with my hard work, I cracked my NEET exam on the first attempt itself. Got a seat at the Apollo institute of Medical science and research. I have always hoped to treat patients and not be like my father. 

But never in my wild dreams have I ever thought that one day in the very same hospital SHE will be a patient suffering from cancer. Brain Cancer.

We got to know her disease when she was in stage 3 only. Sometimes people ignore the basic symptoms that occur to them in the initial stages and neglecting those proves to be fatal. That's the case that happened with her. 

Being a doctor herself she couldn't identify them. A month ago she collapsed suddenly holding her head in the kitchen. Thankfully that day was Sunday and Nani and I were present and took her to the hospital where we were blown away because of the revelation. 

The doctors started the treatment immediately but were hesitant in telling us more information. Since I study in the same college I requested my professor, who is also a doctor, to tell us the actual truth about her condition. I talked to the doctors in more person asking them what they were hiding. That's when the doctors revealed that the chances of her survival are very less and the most they can do was to extend her lifespan a few more weeks. Listening to that my whole senses went numb. 

The reason why they didn't tell us all this in the first place is that SHE specifically told them so. Especially to not tell Nani. Listening that I didn't know how I should respond. There's huge anger on one side because she was building a false hope for us that she can live and on the other hand helpless. After all, even if we both knew about this before we couldn't have done much.

Our prayers, the doctor's efforts, and everything slipped from our hands so fast like sand escaping from our fists. Nani broke down so badly upon learning the ultimatum. Anger flooded through his veins and bombarded her for hiding the truth from him. But all the reaction he got was a weak smile from his mother. He cried and cried on her shoulder as she lay down on the hospital bed and I remained a witness to that heart-wrenching visual.

She reached her last moments faster than the doctors has assumed. There was no hair left on her head, bones protruding out, and wires attached to all her body and brain. Her breathing was very light and she is constantly slipping in and out of consciousness.

Nani was sitting beside her all day holding her hand in his. He is afraid to even blink his eye fearing she will close hers. I sat still on the chair outside the room. Feeling guilty. That's the only feeling haunting me for the past few weeks. 

Guilty that I never accepted her as even a close associate, whereas she gave me everything equal to her son. She never made me feel any less important to Nani. 

But I was the one who never accepted her into my heart. I even accepted Nani as my brother but not her and I am regretting it now. Had I put more effort to understand her, and knowing her version maybe I would not be too judgemental as I was. As people say we know the value of things and persons only after we lose them, I am getting that now. 

"Anna."  

Nani's small whisper bought me out of my reverie of thoughts. He was looking so hopeless and drained out. I immediately went up to him and asked him what happened.

"Maa is calling you. She said she wants to talk to you." Saying that he slid against the chair closing his eyes with his hands. 

I entered the room slowly and watched her eyes fluttering trying as hard as possible to keep them open. Upon seeing me she stretched out her wobbly hand trying to reach out to me. I instantly rushed forward and took her hand in mine and held it in a firm grip. 

I couldn't even look up to meet her eyes with mine. Involuntarily I kept brushing her hand slowly in an attempt to soothe her in the final moments. 

"Won't you look up at me even in this last stage," her voice came out so weak and strained. Controlling my tears I looked up trying to act all strong and brave, but from inside I am breaking down. 

"I have a request to ask you. Please don't leave Nani alone. He doesn't have anyone else other than us. Now that I am leaving this world, I am leaving his responsibility to you. I know you are young too but I......"

"He is my brother. My own. He is not a responsibility," I cut her and assured her that I will take care of him irrespective of all odds. A small smile stretched on her lips hearing my response and nodded. 

"Will you listen to my life story?" she asked me after a moment of pause. Is this why she called me in personally? To tell her story? 

I simply nodded and kept looking at her as she took in a deep breath to start her tale. 

"I don't know to whom I was daughter too. My parents left me in the hospital because I was a girl child. Then the nurse who held me first joined me in an orphanage where I grew up and I consider her as my mother. 

Growing up I had very few friends and Ratna nurse. And the remaining time I spend my time only on my studies. Soon Ratna nurse told me the truth about my birth and that's when I firmly decided to become a doctor or at least a nurse like her so that I can educate parents that every child is the same and you can't become a sinner by abandoning your infants. With the help of orphanage funds and government aids, I studied all along.

To my luck, I became a doctor, and that too in a government hospital. I left I have reached the highest peak of achievement in my life. That's when I met him....your father."

She stopped mid-way and closed her eyes with a pained expression. I almost thought that she again slipped into unconsciousness, but then I heard a small whimper which turned into a loud sound of crying. 

"I... I didn't know that he was a married man, son. I didn't know he has a son already. He.. said he doesn't have a family too. I was too blinded by his lies and I..... married him. Until I came to know that he.... he... died, I don't know the truth. 

But even if I knew any of it before I would have done worse than what your mother did. What gave your father the right to play with both of us? What gave the society to only point finger at me and your mother and not your father? Why? Why?...."

Emotions overtook her and her blood pressure shot up and the machines began to beep loudly. She started hyperventilating. I immediately stood up and called for the doctor. 

The doctor rushed into the room and asked me to move out. As I tried to withdraw my hand she refused to let go of me and whispered, "I am sorry, Darsh."

"Maa's don't apologize to their sons. And I don't hate you and will never do that."

I replied and kissed her hand. Despite the pain creeping in her veins she smiled so happily hearing my response and letting me go closing her eyes. Forever. 

After 2 hours she left the world.

Hello everyone.

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year. Hope you will get all the happiness and success in your life this year.

Hope you liked the chapter.

I am trying to finish it fast as things are getting busy for me too. So at most one chapter is left or two. Hope you will like the ending as well.

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Thank you.

Stay Safe.