I'll Never Fade Away!

He was filling up his glass of water when the nurse came in and said, "Let the patient rest. Your visiting hours are over.", to which Purab sighed, "Alright! I'll wait outside." It has been thirty eight years since we met, he was my senior at college and I was a fresher just admitted to B.Com. We came across each other in the cafeteria, while an introduction session was in progress amongst the batches. His eyes stuck on me the whole time and I felt a bit embarrassed as Purab kept on going me for full half an hour. He approached me the next evening after class for coffee, and I refused straightaway. No, it wasn't love at first sight. I watched him talk to his peers often in the cafeteria, followed him a few times riding my bicycle, and it was after a month I asked him back for lunch this time. We went out and it was quite a simple evening, just food and chit chat about studies, friendships, family. It did feel like love, if not anything it was special. 

Two years passed by, and we kept on meeting each other. Going to movies together, discovering the city on his motorcycle, dining out, and time flew as he was about to graduate now. I was a bit upset as would it be the end of us? Took a bold decision to make out with him and propose to him for marriage. It happened, and when I told him he was literally in tears. Apparently he felt the same way about me and wanted a life long commitment. We made love in a classroom and it was something I had been waiting for to happen, a special feeling, first time is always special. He got a job in a nearby city, and we decided to marry as soon as I got my degree, which was an year away!

Next year, we were husband and wife, and our families were pretty cool about it. They tried to gel along! Anyway, we were working in neighbouring offices, and had rented a small apartment to ourselves. A couple of months later, I was pregnant! We wanted tthe child, I was more excited than him to be honest. As I got five months pregnant, I quit my job and focused on keeping up my health. Whatever Purab earned was enough for us to meet neccesities. Again, it was spring of '84 and it was a boy! We named him Sudeshna! Despite the responsibility of a child, our love didn't fade! We still went out to movies, enjoyed the city on Purab's motorcycle, he had a new one by now, and went out to dine as well. 

Sudeshna turned five and I was looking for a job again. Expenses were hardly met as we had to bear the school fee and were a family of three! Purab was supportive back in the day, and helped me through my mock interviews and approached whatever contacts he had, apart from managing Sudeshna! He was attached to the boy as well, though I was his top priority, as he put it. So, it was winter of '89 and got a job for myself. A decent pay, good office environment and my life was busier than ever! Picking up Sudeshna from school, managing office timings, cooking a meal everything was on my plate! Purab didn't fail to surprise me this time as well. Early morning walks were full of laughter, unplanned dinners once in a while, our favourite movies on a VCR player, he tried to keep my happy and light headed as much as he could, at all times! This made sure that I was always in the right head space for my work. 

A few years later, Purab lost his parents and it was up to me to keep him smiling and fresh. He got addicted to drinking for a while and I had to manage to take his focus off it! It was majorly sex that acted as therapy for him, apart from a few friendly gatherings and his work. This went on for a long three years, and we werehaving a baby again! This time it was a girl. Autumn '95 and we had Prakriti as our only daughter! The same chores again, and Sudeshna was old enough now to understand the responsibilty and take care of his sister as well. So, the four of us managed our lives, relied on each other and it went on! Me and Purab, well we got the odd days completely to ourselves and discussed our soaring days as lovers! It was funny how time had passed and what all we had done. 

Winter '05, Sudeshna managed a scholarship and went to London for his graduation. We were a bit hearbroken as our Son would no longer be a part of our monotonous lives now, but had to be happy for his success! Prakriti spent most of her time with school friends and it was me and Purab who after a long time were to ourselves. Purab managed picnics and stuff for me from time to time. He also had turned a bit romantic and bought me all sorts of silly gifts, and I had started to adore him like never before. Nothing lasts like love, and our love was beginning to last!

 A decade went by and things were mostly the same. Prakriti follwed my footsteps and married a guy from her college! A good looking guy with decnet wages and a respectable family, well Purab was crying the whole time on how his daughter had grown up to become a woman now! I was preoccupied with fighting health, and was happy for my daughter! It was lije the eighties again, Purab and me all to ourselves. I loved it, and a couple of years later, the doctor broke it to him that I had been diagnosed with Cancer and would require immediate attention from specialists. He was immediately to tears! It has been an year and I am on my deathbed. Purab hasn't left my sight for one day now, and I feel bad for his sake that he has had to suffer like this just because of me. Anyway, he never complains, always manages to put on a smile, and has been managing finances like a supreme money manager for sometime now! 

"Mr. Purab, your wife needs to see you." the nurse called out. "Juhi! Juhi! How are you now? Slept well? What happened?", he came in panting. "Relax! I am fine. You ate something?" I asked. "Yes, I had some packed food outside.", he answered. "Any news from Sudeshna?", "He has left us to ourselves!", he started crying, "And you, you'll levae me alone soon enough!" he added, still crying. I reached out and grabeed his t-shirt bringing him closer, kissing him on the lips, saying "I'll never fade away!"