HER LAST WISH

EPISODE 1

There are three kinds of teachers in this world:- those who teach what they feel like teaching; those who teach what students want them to teach and those who intend to teach,

but never really do. I happen to fall in the third category.

My salary slip stated my designation as assistant professor, but throughout the year, I was busy invigilating exams,

assisting in placements, cultural and technical festivals, counselling students, addressing RTl notice writing false stories to be published in the college's yearly magazine and

making arrangements for a professional tour for students. If I had some time left, I would teach.

I am, in fact, an ad hoc faculty; I am only required to fill in for faculties on leave. Most of my students love me, perhaps because I am a jack of all trades, but essentially, master or none.

Tuesday, June 2010

I disembarked the Goa express at Hazrat Nizamuddin railway

station in Delhi after a long journey of thirty-two hours, though I didn't look even half as tired. Delhi was boiling at

this time of the year, as if the sun was taking revenge from the Delhiites. Clouds were giving a false ray of hope for rain, by making the air humid. The roads were jam packed with commuters. I managed to hire an auto tor Malviya Nagar and after another thirty minutes, just when I was about to press the doorbell of flat no. 65 of block L, the most amazing laay

of my life opened the door.

"Good morni..." Even before I could finish, she jumped forward and kissed me. I wasn t surprised because l know she can even climb up the Qutub Minar to exhibit her emotions.

I couldn't reciprocate, more concerned about a free show

for the oldies doing yoga in the society garden. So I barged

inside the house, holding her and needless to mention, we kissed. This time I reciprocated deeply and passionately. I had explored that a long time gap in two kisses increases its importance manifold.

"I missed you darling!" she whispered in a nasal tone, perhaps because of her cold. I smiled at her and after a

few minutes of silent hugging and kissing, murmured slowly, 'Missed you too' . She was elated, because I am not very verbal with my feelings otherwise.

We cuddled in silence for a while. Sometimes, silence speaks a lot and that was the best language known to me. I had been away for more than twenty days for the first time after marriage.

"How was the trip?" she asked, caressing my face,

"I was on duty."

"Okay! I know what that means. It was a trip for the

students and not for me."She always understood what I meant, and had the audacity to speak for me. I smiled but

chose not to speak.

She rose to her feet and said, "Listen, there is poha in the sauce pan and juice in the fridge. Please have your breaktast."

"Where are you going?" I asked instinctively.

"Just in case you have forgotten, I work with Axis bank."

"Why not take the day off, sweetheart? You still have a bad cold," I finally managed to speak my heart. The truth behind me asking her to stay back was that I had missed her

badly in the past twenty days. Too add to that the fact that she had the same symptoms when I had left Delhi and she wasn't okay as yet. But Astha rejected my request.

"No," she replied as she brushed her hair. "My probation due next week and I don't want to give the manager a chance to pull me down. Don't worry, it's just a common cold."

Astha was a career oriented woman, and wanted to make

it big in her job. She had a terrible boss, but our financial condition made her stick to the job. I am just an adhoc

faculty at Sri Ram College of Art, Science and Commerce. I walked her to the parking lot and helped her get the Activa out. She was about to drive off when I said, "Do call me before leaving office. I may go to see Papa.

"You usually meet Papa on Saturdays it is just Tuesday"

"I was away for almost a month."

"I know, I know. You are a son too," she taunted and I smiled.

I was exhilarated to be home. It hardly matters whether we stay in a five star hotel or are on a leisure tour, nothing can be compared to the comfort of one's home. I finished my morning chores and was planning to take a short nap, unaware that the very next moment would change the course of my life. It was the moment of truth for me. I wish I could go back in time and never receive that call.

It was an unknown landline number.

"Hello," I said.

"Hello, we are calling from Rotary Club blood bank. May

I speak with Mrs Astha please?"

"Astha is at work. I am her husband. You may leave your message with me."

"May I know your name, sir ?" the lady on the other side sounded serious.

"Vijay Sharma. What is the matter? Is everything okay?"

An awkward silence tollowed. The lady on the call sighed, giVing me an intuition of some bad news.

"Mr Vijay,"she finally said, "since you are her husband and our record confirm your name as her famiiy member, please understan that it is not our duty to inform you and that we maybe incorrect in our understanding. " A long pause followed. "What is the matter Flease come to the point." I was getting restless.

Your wife had donated blood during a blood donation camp at her office and as per Our Standard procedure

we conducted some basic tests such as IV, p24 antigen and rapid tests. I am extremely sorry to inform you that

Mrs Astha Sharma's blood has been diagnosed positive for HIV."

Did she actually say HIV?

It took me a while to register what I had heard. I gathered my wits and said, this Is this some Kind of prank call, end it right away!"

I was about to disconnect the call when she said, "This is

not a prank call, Mr Vijay. Sir, we are not a hundred percent

sure about our diagnosis and would suggest that your wite

get the Western Blot test done."

I went numb and lost my voice. Soon I realized that this was happening for real. The word HIV heavily echoed

in my head.

"Mr. Vijay, are you there?" she prodded as I was lost in my agony and hadn't t spoken a single word.

I managed to utter, "HIV... meaning AIDS?"