So many times I mentioned jokingly to my husband that I
would like to die of some “high profile” disease and to my utter surprise, the
wish was partially granted recently! I say partially because in these days with
so much of advancement in medical science, hardly any one dies out of a high
profile disease like “breast cancer”!!
Having said that, since there is still not enough proof that
medical science has been able to invent a cure for the disease “cancer” of any
form; phone calls, smses, bbm messages etc.
started pouring in from all places. The most difficult part was to disclose the
news to parents and Ma-in-law (Do parents really follow logic, statistics or
rationale when their child falls sick?)
……and a period of trial and tribulation started.
I agree that it would not be counted as a blessing to have
been diagnosed with breast cancer but it was certainly an occasion to
revalidate the strength of so many relationships that I share with so many
people around me .....
Even though there was no doubt that the small world of my
husband and my children revolve around me, it is quite evident from their acts
and gestures, that their world has been hit by massive turbulence, whether they
show it on their faces or not.
The two angels and the “big man” have suddenly grown up to
give me constant reassurance and feeling of relief that they will be able to
take care of themselves when I will not be “too well to take care of them”.
The parents and Ma-in-law are probably bleeding from inside
but they are trying real hard to put up a brave front so I do not fall short of
courage and strength.
My girls’ gang from (my very own) Greater Noida is extremely
worried and concerned for the well- being of their group’s most humorous
member! They have always stood by me whenever I needed any support from any one
of them - when I used to struggle with two small kids, a job and an always-on-tour
husband. This time around, they are doing their best in terms of sending their
best wishes and prayers and are continuously in touch with me as if to
compensate for the fact that they could not be here to be with me during this
slightly difficult time!
During these three years of stay in Dubai, we have been
fortunate enough to know few wonderful souls, our guardian angels– my Fatafati
friends. Each one of them extended their support in whatever way we required and
notwithstanding their daily routine of “wear and tear”, they have almost built
a safety ring around me and all are on a “phone call away” for anything at any
time!
Even though at the start slightly unwillingly and by
default, one fine evening I happened to meet few “malt men and their lovely
wives” and after three get-togethers, I completely fell in love with each one
of them. My bunch of adorable malt men and the lovely ladies are praying for me
with their fingers crossed and as expected, are on “high alert “ , just in case
we need them …….
My JBR bestie is reliving the agonizing days when she had to
lose her dad to cancer few years ago, ever since I mentioned this to her and
she will be agonizingly waiting for me to come home strong and healthy from the
hospital.
A nephew in faraway America sends his best wishes and
asserts that everything will be fine and friends from Sydney, Kolkata and
Mumbai have already done their bit of research just to convince me that it is
not life-threatening!
So what if we have met only few times, but Benu did not
forget to call and wish me luck and speedy recovery before proceeding to
Kolkata for a few days!
Although I was a brand new employee of an organization here,
Tracy (HR Head) and Salman (Finance Director) found time from their “busy as
crazy” schedule to check with me every alternate day as to how I have been
coping with this “menace” and extended support which I did not expect and hope
for.
Could there be anything as assuring and overwhelming when
the two of them unanimously declared that the door of that office would always
remain open for me!!
Prayers have the strength to move mountains and when so many
of these wonderful souls have been praying for me , I am more than convinced
that I am well protected by these God’s angels . I only do not understand how
and when I acquired so many precious gems in my life’s journey.
If I survive (I know for sure, I will), it will be my
second-life as had it been detected at a later stage, I would have been
counting my days, by now and I owe my second life to each one of you !
Not for once, did I complain and ask my favorite goddess,
“why me?”. Do I have enough ground to complain when I am actually blessed to
have these people around me? Aren’t these the real wealth, we hope to
accumulate in our respective lives?
I consider myself truly blessed and fortunate and will bear this
little pain as a side effect of being so wealthy.
As if, all these were not enough, God has been kind enough
to identify a handsome surgeon too!! After a trip to the parlor this afternoon,
I am ready for the D-day with shining skin, a pedicure and manicure! Seldom do
we get a second chance to impress, right?
Hence, I promise to all my FFS friends that I will be back
soon and will continue to remain the Finance Controller for many more Durga
pujas, Lakshmi pujas, Diwali and Saraswati pujas ….
I promise, on behalf of FFS, to Benu that he will be the
permanent “purohit” for all FFS pujas and we will celebrate to formalize the
agreement once he comes back from Kolkata…..
I promise to Ma-baba and the other Ma, that no matter how far
we are from each other, I will be by your side when you need me….
I promise to my gang of girls in Greater Noida that I will
come to see you all in July/August and will re-live the laughter filled days…..
I promise to Bumba, Indrani and Surabhi that I will be
alright soon and will plan to meet when destiny permits….
I promise to Sanjukta that we will again meet for our coffee
mornings and will pour our heart out to each other…..
I promise to my malt men and the ladies that I will be back
for the next get-together, all decked- up and Tabarak must make pegs of
Margarita for me (I am addicted to that, I must confess) and I intend to be the
bargirl for the next Malt sessions.
I promise to Dubari that I must come to her city for few
days and will go back to our working-women hostel day…..
I promise to Tracy and Salman that once I am back on my
feet, I will join in any project that you wish me to contribute,
notwithstanding my qualification and experience. ……and Sahrish, I will be back
soon to share those loud laughs and plenty of gossip in that special cabin of
AR…..
…..and I finally promise to my husband and children that I
will control your lives till my last breath, whether you like it or not (escape
from that seems difficult!)
Amidst all chaos around our lives now, I became aunt of a
gorgeous boy called Krishnaditya Bose-Nandy and I am little sad that I have to
wait for some days before I could hold him and kiss him!
Thank you each one of you for making me battle-ready and I
already see a winner in me. Probirda, the Iron-lady is ready!!!
