Arranged by Fate

Cancer

Rivan adjusted his stethoscope around his neck as he scanned Mishti’s latest test results. His usually calm face had hardened, his sharp eyes tracing over the reports with growing concern. There was a mass near her abdomen. It could be benign… or something far worse. His fingers lightly tapped against the table as he exhaled, pushing away the heaviness settling in his chest.

Taking a deep breath, he stood up and made his way back to Mishti’s room. The faint smell of antiseptic filled the corridor, mixing with the soft beeping of monitors from nearby patient rooms. When he stepped inside, his eyes immediately found Reem.

She sat beside Mishti’s bed, her hands tightly gripping the little girl’s fingers, as if afraid to let go. Mishti, unaware of the tension in the room, was humming softly to herself, swinging her legs beneath the blanket.

Reem looked up as soon as she noticed him, her hopeful yet fearful eyes searching his face for answers. She stood up instantly, her fingers tightening around the edge of her dupatta.

“Doctor… everything is okay, right?” Her voice was steady, but the slight tremble in it didn’t go unnoticed by Rivan.

He hesitated for just a second before responding, choosing his words carefully.

“The reports show a small mass in Mishti’s abdomen,” he said, keeping his tone gentle. “We need to conduct further tests to confirm what exactly it is.”

Reem’s face paled. She sucked in a sharp breath, clutching the fabric of her kurta.

“A… a mass?” Her voice broke slightly. “You mean… it could be something serious?”

Rivan saw the panic rising in her eyes. He had seen this reaction countless times before—parents who weren’t prepared for the possibility of bad news. He placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder, his grip firm yet comforting.

“I understand this is scary,” he said softly. “But nothing is confirmed yet. Sometimes, these things turn out to be harmless. We just need to be sure.”

Reem’s lips quivered. Her gaze flickered toward Mishti, who was now curiously watching them.

“Mumma?” The little girl’s voice was soft, confused. “Why are you crying?”

Reem quickly turned away, wiping the tears before forcing a smile. “I’m not crying, beta,” she said, her voice slightly shaky. “I just… got a little scared.”

Mishti frowned, tilting her head. “Scared of what?”

Rivan knelt beside her bed, brushing a gentle hand over her forehead.

“Princess,” he said warmly, “we need to do one more little test. Just like a game. Are you ready?”

Mishti’s eyes brightened. “A game?” She giggled. “Then I’ll win for sure!”

Rivan chuckled, admiring the resilience in her. Kids had a way of making even the toughest situations feel lighter.

“Of course, you will,” he agreed. “And if you’re really brave, I have a surprise for you.”

Mishti’s eyes widened. “Chocolate?”

Rivan pretended to think for a moment before shaking his head. “Nope. Something even better.”

She gasped dramatically. “Better than chocolate?”

Reem watched the exchange, her heart swelling with gratitude. Despite the worry gnawing at her, she couldn’t deny the comfort she felt knowing that Mishti was in Rivan’s care.

Rivan straightened up and turned to her. “I’ll make sure she gets the best treatment,” he assured her. “But you need to stay strong for her, too.”

Reem nodded, swallowing hard. “Just… just save my daughter, doctor. Please.”

Rivan’s jaw tightened slightly. He looked at Mishti—her tiny fingers still wrapped around her mother’s hand, her eyes full of innocent trust.

“I won’t just try,” he said firmly. “I will do everything I can. Mishti is a fighter, and she will win this battle.”

With that, he turned and walked out of the room, his resolve stronger than ever.

Later that day

Rivan sat in his office, phone pressed to his ear as he reviewed Mishti’s reports once again. His mind was already working through possible diagnoses, but he needed confirmation from a specialist.

“Hello, Dr. Advait?” he said the moment the call connected. “Are you at the hospital right now?”

A calm yet firm voice answered from the other side.

“Yes, Rivan. What happened? You’re calling early. Everything okay?”

Rivan exhaled, rubbing his temple. “I have an urgent case. A little girl, Mishti. Her reports show an abdominal mass. I’ve ordered further tests, but I need your opinion.”

There was a slight pause. Then, “Send me the reports. I’ll check them immediately. And if needed, I’ll come personally.”

Relief washed over Rivan. He trusted Advait completely. He wasn’t just a friend—he was one of the best pediatric oncologists in the city.

“Thanks, bhai,” Rivan said sincerely. “Check quickly. I need to prepare her mother mentally as well.”

“Don’t worry, Rivan,” Advait assured him. “We’ll do everything we can for her.”

Rivan ended the call and sent the reports immediately. He stood by the window of his office, staring at the slowly setting sun.

Hours later

Rivan’s phone buzzed with a message from Advait. The reports were ready. Without hesitation, he rushed to the hospital lab, where Advait was already waiting.

“Rivan,” Advait said, his tone serious. “I’ve seen the reports… and we need to do more tests.”

Rivan’s stomach twisted slightly. He took the file from Advait’s hands, flipping through the pages.

“What’s your assessment?” he asked. “Could it be cancerous?”

Advait nodded grimly. “There’s a possibility. But to confirm, we need a biopsy.”

Rivan exhaled deeply, gripping the file tightly. His mind flashed back to Mishti’s bright, trusting smile. **She was too young to go through something like this.**

“If the biopsy confirms it?” His voice was quiet.

“Then we start treatment immediately,” Advait answered. “But first… you need to prepare her mother.”

Rivan clenched his jaw. This was always the hardest part—telling a family that their loved one was sick.

He took a deep breath and walked towards the waiting area. Reem sat there, her fingers intertwined, eyes filled with silent prayers. As soon as she saw him, she stood up.

“Doctor… is the report okay?” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

Rivan gestured for her to sit down. She obeyed, her hands trembling.

“I’m sorry, Mrs. Reem,” he said softly. “Mishti has leukemia.”

The world seemed to stop.

Reem stared at him, unblinking, her breath caught in her throat. Then, suddenly, her body trembled.

“No… no, this can’t be,” she whispered. “My Mishti… she was fine… she was fine…”

Tears poured down her face as she covered her mouth, her sobs muffled.

Rivan gently held her hands. “I know this is unbearable,” he said, his voice steady. “But we have time. If we start treatment soon, she can recover completely.”

Reem’s shoulders shook as she sobbed. “She’s just a child… why does she have to suffer?”

Rivan’s own throat tightened, but he remained composed. “I promise you, Mrs. Reem. We will fight for her. But right now, she needs you to be strong.”

Reem wiped her tears, taking shaky breaths. “When… when does treatment start?”

Rivan’s eyes softened. “As soon as possible. I’m arranging everything. You just need to give her strength.”

Reem nodded weakly. And in that moment, Rivan knew—this was a battle he wasn’t going to lose.