My Friend- My Hero

I entered the room, I saw Bunty lying on the bed. He greeted me with a smile. When I approached to shake his hand, he grabbed it firmly. My wrist watch continued its round repeatedly but he still did not allow me take my hand off. I felt emotions were emitting from his touch. The emotions of love, sadness, gratitude and lots of inexpressible messages were being transmitted by him. I could feel these by heart.

Yesterday a man known to Bunty came to me. He  asked me to meet Bunty next day if I had no problem. Problem! Let the universe go to hell, I had no alternative but to meet Bunty without any excuse.  Because the name -Bunty , was sufficient to me. Bunty,-my dear friend confiscated my heart for his peerless simplicity, intelligence, knowledge and day by day became a hero to my eyes. He was on the bed in front of me and at the brink of his life. I was trying my best to hide the tears which again and again spurting in my eyes.

It was nearly five or six years back. One fine morning around 9 or10 AM Bunty suddenly entered my chamber of the clinic with his son which I own.

-Bunty! What a surprise! I yelled in excitement.

Bunty and I when both were mere children he used to come with his father-a priest. Without his father- no rituals could hardly be performed in our family. Because every one of our family was imbued with reverence for him as he had a profound knowledge of religion and philosophy, his sage-like appearance always used to attract everyone. Apart from that, he was our family advisor and the most dependable person to my grandpa and all other members of our large joint family. Bunty, the youngest son of his parent- a lanky stature, very handsome and his very bright large eyes always with fascination noticed everything of our well decorated and gorgeous house-the beautifully placed all costly furniture, statues, dolls, the fountain in the garden, the cars parked in the portico. He used to stare at everything with astonishment and curiosity. Day by day we became the friend to each other and as the time went by we became closer. Both of us grew up with many sweet memories of our childhood and teenage till he left the town to get admission in an engineering college in Kolkata and our regular visits were interrupted. After graduation, he went abroad for higher studies and then back to own country, joined a concern in Delhi- the capital of India. Once or twice a year he used to visit his ancestral house and obviously I believe not only to meet his parents but he also to meet me. Though there was indeed a physical distance between us but friendship and emotions remained the same.

 Last year somehow he failed to make time for visiting his hometown which he loved most. During his stay everyday in the evening we were habituated to pass almost an hour with tea and cigarettes.

-Come in, Come in Bunty, What’s the matter? I was so ecstatic that I could not found a single word to utter. Bunty comfortably occupied the chair in front of me.

          – I like to meet the child specialist for my son right now. He has caught cold and fever since last night.

          – No problem the doctor is in chamber. Though there is a rush yet no problem for you.

I called my assistant and said to him- Fill up the patient particulars and accompany Bunty and  his son to the doctor’s chamber and request the doctor on my behalf to examine Bunty’s son at his earliest. I said to Bunty-I’m going out for about an hour. Please wait till I return. Bunty nodded.

When I came back I saw Bunty was going through the newspaper and awaiting me. After having a cup of tea and while we were enjoying the cigarette suddenly I noticed some striking changes of Bunty. He looked pale and his teeth seemed blackish. With a much hesitation I said to him

-Bunty are you sick?

–Not at all-his prompt reply came. But I was not satisfied with his reply and said

– If you don’t mind I like to draw your blood for a simple test to satisfy curiosity. He raised his brows and said ;

-Why? What’s the matter?

-No…No. It’s just my curiosity. You look pale and your teeth have become blackish.

-Wow! It’s because I smoke a lot you know.

_Yet, let me take the blood for a simple test.

-Do you like to draw right now? He tried to judge my seriousness.

-Yes, Do you have any objection?

-No, but if you yourself draw it I’ve no objection.

I knew his panic for needle.

Immediately I drew the blood and asked my assistant to send the sample to our Kolkata lab with the instruction to mention my request to give much importance at the time of testing the blood sample. It was a simple test of TC(Total Count) and DC(Differential count).  I apprehend the demon carcinoma slowly crawling to grab Bunty. Oh God! Prove me wrong-I silently prayed to Him. I asked Bunty to meet me tomorrow although I knew the report would come in the evening .

In the evening before the report was to arrive to my desk I saw Bunty entered my room with a burning cigarette as usual in his hand. He sat silently on the chair. The report came. I, for a few minutes kept it untouched while finishing our cups of tea. I was a bit nervous. At last, opened the envelope and then looked at it. I can still vividly remember all the letters of the whole report. It was completely an abnormal report so far I have seen in my professional life. The TC which is normally should be within ten thousand, was 1.25 Lac. The DC-Neutrophil was only 4, Lymphocyte – NIL, Monosite- NIL, Eosinophils-NIL.  The conclusion was –Suggested confirmatory test for CML- Chronic myelogenous leukaemia.  Bunty could easily read my mind. He drew the report from my hand. Then he went on reading it again and again. I could feel his mental state – a successful man of only 32 years who struggled a great deal to reach this position, having a beautiful life with his wife and about a six years old son, now most probably drawing an end of everything.

A deep silence was prevailing between us. Then after a long time, Bunty said- Then my dear friend what is next to do?

-Don’t be so much disheartened. We should first complete the CML confirmatory test. And God forbids, if the result comes positive then go to an eminent Hematologist first and follow what he says. I’m writing down the detail of one the best Hematologist in Kolkata and meet him tomorrow. I’m making an appointment for you.

All on a sudden Bunty stood up and without saying anything he left my room.

I got the bad news within a few days –it was a case of confirmed CML and on advanced stage. I had not courage enough to meet Bunty. Though I got information that he already had started treatment and was on leave. After two or three weeks Bunty came and as usual a cigarette in his hand. I scolded -Enough Bunty. For God’s sake please stop smoking.  He smile with rejection.

-You know I love smoking. My days are numbered ,then why should I give up smoking which I relish most?

-But Bunty I do not expect that you surrendered yourself this way. Fight Bunty fight. You have to fight for your wife, your child.

-Who says I have lost courage. I must obey the doctor to the point. But I’m not insane. I know what is what. I’ll live the rest days with more zeal and pleasure. But I know how far I can proceed; I have to make a concrete plan so that my wife and son can survive after my demise. What a rational thinking. My salute to you Bunty-I whispered.

Days went by. It was almost a year Bunty returned to Delhi. Though for the treatment he had to come to Kolkata, we met by this time at best three or four times and that was in the doctor’s chamber. That wasfor only by the courtesy of the doctor who informed me about Bunty’s date of visit After a year he came to  me and informed that he got transferred to his Kolkata office and started residing in an apartment in Kolkata arranged by his office.

Very rarely he could visit his house, his parents which he liked very much and whenever he could come he never missed a day to meet me. Whenever he used to come he never appeared without the cigarette of his favourite brand. We used to gossip. Both of us pretended as if nothing happened in our life and after having tea we both puffed cigarette together. I knew the doctor announced his expected life was barely five years from the day of detection of disease.

One day he came and said – Most probably it’s my last visit. I have no sufficient strength to visit my parent, our house and your house too. I now remember my sweet memories with you at your house. So many evenings-mornings  I passed with you here. You are my true friend. You first noticed my disease and helped me a lot to get proper treatment available here. I expressed my full-hearted gratitude to you- my friend. It’s you who helped me to make proper planning for the survival of my dear wife and my son after my death. He asked me to meet me next month. By this time Bunty touched the last year of his expected life. He was then nearly in his 38 years of his life.

When Bunty went out I could not but stopped sobbing for a long time. Before the month completed I got the message yesterday from that man that Bunty was counting only hours.

So I came to meet my dearest friend Bunty in the early morning of the late winter. After some time he released my hand and asked me to sit by his side.

-Hey my friend. I asked you to come to make a last favor to me. I wish you will sign as a witness.  I could not guess what he wants to mean.

-To sign! Where and what for ?

– Oh, I did not inform you earlier as requested by Maya, my sweetheart. You know Roy?  My junior colleague. He is still by my side from the day I shifted to Kolkata. He is really a good guy and loves, Maya , my dear son Rintu and me.

I requested him to marry Maya after my death. I made a will and today the lawyer is to come shortly. I will informally get them married in front of me. I know in the eye of law it is not valid but in the eye of God it’s not immoral. The marriage register is to come with the lawyer. The marriage notice for the marriage of Maya with my friend and savior Roy will be served today.

I was completely speechless. Is it really going to happen! Is it a stark reality or a nightmare! I could not define it.

Everything happened that day in front of me as Bunty himself arranged. Throught the day I was in an obsession. While I was returning I was in a complete state of bewilderment.

Just after two months- a Sunday morning when I went to the market to purchase some grocery items suddenly I heard somebody was calling me from behind. I turned around and saw Bunty’s father.

-Perhaps you have got the news; It’s a week Bunty passed away. 

For a for a while the bright sunlight and all others  in front of me became blurred.

I got back my sense when the owner of the shop handed over the bill to me and asked -Do you like to pay in cash or to use your card?