Vishesh’s breathing was hard. He was trying hard not to break down and wail like a baby.

“I know what you’re suffering from is not easy. But I also know you’re strong. And you have such a supportive family. I’m sure aap bhut jaldi recover kr jaayenge.”

(I’m sure you’ll recover soon.)

He chuckled humourlessly when she lifted the sheets off his body to change the bandages of his legs.

“Suna nhi tha tumne? What the doctor said. I might even be permanently damaged.”

(Did you not hear?)

“Suna tha. Par maine ye bhi suna tha that you will recover with the right schedule.”

(I did. But I also heard that you will recover with the right schedule.)

Vishesh got quiet. She knew he didn’t believe her. He wouldn’t believe anyone right now. In this vulnerable condition.

“Mai jab chhoti thi na…toh meri dadi mujhe ek kahani sunaya krti thi.”

(When I was a child…my grandmother told me a told.)

She started. She couldn’t leave him alone until his parents returned. And if she could do something to ease his mind a little, then she would.

His eyes snapped towards her. She smiled and said.

“Ek aadmi ek baar Bhagwaan ji se mann ki shakti aur vishwaas ke baare mai puchhta hai. Toh Bhagwaan ji usse ek experiment dikhate hai.”

(A man once asks about the power of trust from God. So God shows him an experiment.)

Vishesh listened to her with curiosity.

“Wo do bottles, jinme se ek mai zeher hota hai aur ek mai paani, unke labels change kr dete hai phir apne saamne do logo ko bulate hai. Wo dono logo ko wo bottles dete hai. Jiss aadmi ke paas zeher hota hai, wo usse paani samajh ke pee kr bhi jee jaata hai. Lekin jiss aadmi ke paas paani hota hai, wo apne mann hi mann mai usse zeher samajh ke marr jaata hai.”

(He changes the labels of two bottles, one of which was water and the other poison, and calls two people before him. He gives them the bottles. The man who actually had poison, drinks it thinking of it as water and lives. But the man who actually had water, thinking of it as poison, he dies.)

Vishesh kept on listening to her. She looked into his eyes and said.

“Shayad ye practically possible na ho. Lekin uss din se lekar aaj tak…mujhe ek baat samajh mai aayi. Agar mann mai vishwas ho…toh impossible se impossible cheez ki possible ho jaati hai. Aur agar hum mann mai thaan le…ki ye toh ho hi nhi skta…toh phir asaan se asaan cheez ko karna impossible ho jaata hai.”

(It might not be practically possible. But since that day…I understood one thing. If we have believe…then even the impossible becomes possible. And if we convince ourselves…that something is not possible…then even the easiest things become impossible.)

“So you think that I can ever be fine again? Jaise mai pehle tha?”

(Like I was before?)

He asked, his voice came out as a broken whisper. Nishtha nodded and said.

“Agar aap mann mai thaan le na…ki mai thik hokar rahunga. Toh aap zarur thik honge. Pehle se bhi aur strong. Lekin agar aap pehle hi haar maan jaayenge, toh agar recovery possible bhi ho toh bhi thik nhi ho paayenge.”

(If you believe it…that you will be fine. Then sure. Even stronger than before. But if you give up right now, then recovery will not happen even after being possible.)

She said and Vishesh stared ahead.

“Apne aap ko physically strong krne se pehle aap apne aap ko mentally strong banaiye.”

(Before making yourself physically strong, make yourselves mentally strong.)

His parents entered and Nishtha left shortly after telling them to inform her in case they needed something. Vishesh kept thinking about her words.

His wife had arrived and he was given a change of clothes. His father helped. Vishesh felt his eyes fill with tears seeing his father run around for him.

“Aap logo ka sahara banna chahiye tha mujhe. Lekin aap pr bojh ban gaya hu.”

(I should have been your support. But I have become a burden to you.)

He whispered. His mother gave him a light slap.

“Thappad lagaungi zor se agar khud ko bojh kaha toh.”

(I will slap you hard if you call yourselves a burden.)

His father patted his head and said.

“Tu chinta kyu kr raha hai. Thik hoja ek baar. Achhe se sahara baniyo. Harr chhoti baat ke liye pareshaan krenge phir hum tujhe.”

(Why do you worry. You get well. Then be our support. We will trouble you for every small thing.)

He chuckled amidst his tears and his mother wiped his tears with the end of her saree.

Vishesh looked at his wife. She hadn’t talked to him much since the disclosure of his condition. He felt bad for her. They hadn’t even started their married life properly and she was stuck with a paralyzed man.

Nishtha entered the room after knocking and smiled at them. His parents have become quite amicable with her. She was a sweet girl. 

“I’m sorry but visiting hours khatam ho rahe hai.”

(I’m sorry but visiting hours are over.)

She said with an apologetic smile. His mother shook her head.

“Koi baat nhi beta.”

(Not problem dear.)

Nishtha nodded and left the room. His mother looked at Surekha, his wife, if she wanted to say. But she kept staring at the floor without a word.

“Surekha beta. Tum ghar jaake aaram krlo. Mai ya iske papa ruk jaayenge.”

(You go home and get some rest. I or his father will stay here.)

Surekha nodded without a word and left. Vishesh frowned at her wordless departure. He turned his head towards his parents and said.

“Aap log bhi ghar jaao. Aaram kro thoda. Mai thik hu.”

(You also go home. Get some rest. I am fine.)

“Pagal hai kya? Tujhe akela kaise chhod de?”

(Are you mad? How can will leave you alone?)

“Mummy! Aap dono mai koi bhi yaha rahega toh mera dhyan wahi rahega. Ki aap thik ho ya nhi. Na dhang se aaram kr paaunga aur na aap. Ghar jaao! Aaram kro. Yaha doctors aur nurses hai mere liye.”

(My mind will be on you if you stay here. Whether you’re fine or not. Neither will I be able to rest, nor you. Go home! Get some rest. Doctors and nurses are here for me.)

His mother was reluctant and started denying but his father understood. He needed some time alone. To think about his life.

Nishtha came in after a few hours for a routine checkup. She was surprised to see the room empty. Vishesh was awake and staring at the ceiling.

“Aaj sab chale gye?”

(Everyone left today?)

“Hmmm. Bhej dia maine. Kisi ne aaram nhi kia tha itne dino se.”

(I sent them. Nobody rested since so many days.)

He said and Nishtha nodded. She refilled the IV and turned to him.

“Aapko kuch chahiye?”

(You need something?)

He shook his head and turned to look at her.

“Ek baat puchhu?”

(Can I ask something?)

She nodded and he asked.

“Jab mai hosh mai nhi tha ya uske baad…kya meri wife ek bhi din raat mai ruki mere paas?”

(When I was unconscious or after that…did my wife stay the night with me?)

Nishtha tried recalling. 

“Jabse mujhe aapki duty di hai…tabse toh maine nhi dekha unhe. It’s always either one of your parents.”

(Since I am given your duty…I did not see her.)

Vishesh nodded. Did she feel that he wasn’t worth staying with anymore? Maybe. Anyone would.

“All okay? Koi problem hai kya?”

(Is there some problem?)

Nishtha asked, noticing his expressions. He shook his head.

“Nothing’s going to be ok until I get better. I feel like I am losing everything in life. Mere parents ke upar bojh ban gaya hu. My company might collapse. And I think my wife also doesn’t want me anymore. I don’t blame her. Uski jagah koi bhi yahi krta.”

(I am a burden to my parents….Anyone at her place would have done the same.)

Nishtha was quiet for some time.

“I don’t think so. Maa baap ke liye kabhi bhi apna bacha bojh nhi hota. Chahe wo khud budhe ho jaaye aur unka bachha jawan. Parents ke liye bache hamesha bache hi rehte hai. You will understand it when you become a parent.”

(A child can never be a burden to their parents. Even if they grow old themselves and their child grows up. For parents kids remains kids.)

He closed his eyes, imagining himself. As a parent. A smile formed on his lips. Imagining a mini version of himself. Nishtha smiled seeing his smile. A genuine one.