Short Story:Are you afraid to die?


"Are you afraid to die,mom?"

"Why should I be afraid?I'm just worried I'll never since know who takes care of you dear. You're mommy's darling!"

"Yes, I hope you'll never die..."

"That hope's beautiful-like a fantasy.I just hope you're always happy,doing things right, living life rightly and...I dream for someone to take care of you."

"I have you !And mom,you have me .This is forever. This is wonderful.We are perfect.."

"Yes we are. How I wish it was eternal..."

And she meant it as she peered into the 3 year old   pair of eyes staring into space, pondering over things beyond her...

            ***

"1000 people die today,of the novel coronavirus infection,as death toll in the country touches an alarming 10000. 5000 new cases reported today. Massive shortage of hospital beds and medical staff. Treatments to be based on chances of recovery. The PM will address the nation today."

Duty calls. She had to set out for work. She wanted to,needed to visit her mom,hug her for a long time... but couldn't. A nameless,faceles,young,experienced doctor,working for her country- She was a responsible citizen. Still,the day her mother tested positive,her world turned negative-of hope ,joy and positivity.She could not see her mom nor channel her efforts into treating her like her mom did,years back, all alone,into educating her. She had to work for her country ,isolating her mother at home with absolutely no one to take care of her ....because while battling for the improbable recovery of her own mother,she might be missing the chance to a presumptively possible recovery for the youth of the nation who has to build it up.

The other side,however was devoid of reasons or light.What if? What if that care could have saved her?

But she was ninety nine. Statistics deemed her to put duty before affection.

And,fate was yet again the ultimate player now.


The last time she saw her ,a fortnight ago before setting out for duties her mother in good health ,was worried for her daughter's life but was adamant that she had to work because the world relied upon her....Because she mattered. Her mother wanted her to execute her responsibility. Like she always taught her:Do things right!



********



Wrapped up in the PPE ,completely covered ,she stood at the window of her own house,looking at the prisoner inside (or was she the captive?),Her guardian,her only relation....

Her mother came nearer. There was despair in her eyes,but passion and love brimmed there.

Her lips form the words,"You're doing the right thing, darling," as a tear trickled down.

The outfit or the weight of the situation ..... she didn't know which was more suffocation....as that protective layer of garment coiled around...Like a snake.


Words unsaid ,emotions blaring.

They stood like that for a long time.

The glass in between magnified the inches to miles. She knew. Just knew that it was the last time they'll ever see...At least in this world. But she had long forsaken the art of crying....

As she left the captive inside to God's mercy , and set out to her calling ,to save lives, she wondered ,just wondered ,if her question was visible through the goggles , the protective gear that masked her moist eyes....it was sunset,

"Are you afraid to die,mom?"

The reply didn't matter.

Comments

  1. AnonymousSeptember 4, 2020 at 4:17 AM

    I was reminded of Hazel(FIOS) after reading this beautiful story.Hazel never feared oblivion,she was afraid about how her parents were going to survive after she was gone.Though a reverse cycle where mother,as obvious cares for her child's future.I loved it how you opted for the simplest of words to express the simple yet complicated feelings of a mother daughter duo...As they say one thing i didn't like was the fact that it ended

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