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In few minutes we arrived to our destination. I and her mother got down from the car. As I looked towards the building I stood there motionless.

“Aunty! This is a hospital? Where have you brought me? I wanted to meet Rohan.” I questioned.

“I know Ishika, I got you here as I want you to meet Rohan.” Said her mother.

“Here? What is he doing here? Alright, I think I have solved this mystery. Rohan is in final year and this might be his project …A research on mentally depressed patients. Isn’t it Aunty?” I asked confidently.

Her mother gave me a blank look and holded my hand and took me inside the lift. In a minute we were standing near a room which read ‘Intensive care unit’ (ICU).

“Aunty why are we here?” I said frightened. “He is inside Ishika” she said with tears in her eyes.

I peeped from the door mirror. The sight scared me. He was lying on the bed with so many machines surrounding him. I couldn’t see his face properly as it was covered with oxygen mask. Just next to him a nurse was sitting. The scene made me cry. I asked her mother, “Aunty, what has happened to him. Is there something serious? Please tell me”.

“Ishika Rohan is fighting from Cancer for the past one year. His condition was stable till last month. But according to the doctors he didn’t adhere to the strict diet rules given to him. He ate something outside after which his condition started deteriorating. You can go and meet him.” She replied.

“Cancer? What type of cancer?” I asked in a slow voice.

“In easy language, stomach cancer. Though its first stage, but risk factor is very high. He should only eat healthy and digestive food. Should take liquid diet. He always keeps this in mind that he shouldn’t eat outside but….don’t know why he ate outside food? Said her mother.

I was feeling like a culprit because it was me who forced him to eat at the restrobar.

“Come, I’ll take you inside” his mother said softly as she opened the door.
I slowly entered in the room. The walk from the door till Rohan seemed so heavy. Each step I took drew me into the flashback of the days I spent with him. The boat ride at Pichola Lake, finding the other side of his personality at the restrobar, the close dance with him at the camp fire. All flashed in front of me. He was suffering from such a big disease but he never let it come on his face. The ever smiling, enthusiastic, confident Rohan, was lying here fighting with cancer. Tears rolled down my cheeks. I wanted to cry out loud but somehow stopped myself.

His mother gently called him. He opened his eyes and looked at her with a smile. She gently rubbed his head and kissed his forehead and asked, “How are you feeling?”

“I am fine. How is everybody at home?” asked Rohan.

“All fine my son. Look! Who has come to meet you?” said her mother pointing towards me.

Rohan turned and looked at me in surprise. His eyes were numb with tear. Then he turned towards his mother as if questioning her that why she told me about him.

Her mother softly replied, “It was required Rohan! Believe me! She should know about you. I didn’t want her to live in a dilemma. Talk to her son.” She said while leaving both of us in the room.
For a moment there was silence in the room. I broke the silence by asking “How are you now?”

“I am absolutely fine. What has happened to me?” he said in his signature style. I couldn’t control myself and started crying, “Please forgive me Rohan. Because of me you are in this situation. I shouldn’t have forced you to eat at the bar and then at the Orphanage as well. I am so sorry.”

“Come on Ishq! Why are you saying sorry? You didn’t even knew about my health problems. Don’t feel sorry. I should have taken care of myself.” He said smiling. I was about to speak when he interrupted in between, “No if and but and no argument over it.” He said in a serious tone.

“Rohan don’t you think you should have at least told me about your health?” I asked

“Ishika I don’t want people to show sympathy towards me. I want to lead a normal life. I don’t want people to hang around me asking about my health and taking care of me or pretending to take care.” He said.

“But there are people who really care for you. For the past 2 weeks I was searching for you madly. All types of bad thoughts crossed my mind.” I said showing concern.

“Madly?” He laughed. “So finally, you searched me. But why were you searching me? Have I stolen something of yours?” He said with a smile.
I looked at him with a long pause and wanted to pour my heart in front of him but couldn’t. “We are friends Rohan, and as a friend I was worried when you didn’t show up for the past two weeks, and that too without informing anyone.” I said in one go.

“Take a deep breathe! Relax! Here have some water.” Said Rohan amusingly.

“Don’t make me laugh Rohan. I am damn serious. I really got worried” I said with concern.

“Okay! I am sorry. My mistake. Now that you have searched me ACP Pradyumn, please don’t reveal about my illness in college. It’s a request.” He said folding his hands.

“Of course Rohan, I won’t. Do you think I am so stupid? Why would I tell about this to anyone?” I said in an annoyed tone.

“I know you are very smart and intelligent”. Rohan Laughed.

“Don’t worry Rohan. You’ll be fine. This is just a phase which will pass away quickly. I know you are a fighter and you’ll fight this battle and succeed.” I said encouraging him.

“Thanks for encouraging me and uplifting my confidence. I know I have to fight this battle. Not just for me but for my parents. They are broken from inside. I know it, they aren’t showing me their pain and agony. I can’t see them like this, that’s why I agreed to go to USA for final treatment.” Said Rohan.

“Going? You are going to US?” I asked shockingly but then I realized what I said and then controlling my emotions I continued, “of course, you should go Rohan. If there you can have a better treatment then why not”.

“You know Ishika, what is the best thing that happened to me during the past one year?” Asked Rohan.

I wanted him to take my name but I knew that I am not the best thing which he is talking about. I thought for a while and said, “I think I know. Your meeting with the children of orphanage. Am I right?”

“Oh my god! I wonder how closely you are observing me. Are you a fan of CID Serial?” He laughed. “Well jokes apart. Yes, you are right. Last to last year I first met them. But since last year I go there every week. Doing small things for them gives me a lot of pleasure. I really want them to get a wonderful life. You know they helped me come out of the shock and depression I was going through after I heard about my ailment. My perception of life changed. I started taking each day of my life as it comes and tried to live that day to the fullest. This made me stay more happy and calm. Every week going to the orphanage was like an icing on the cake for me. I love to be with those innocent and cheerful souls. I’ll miss them a lot. I don’t know I will come back from US or not but they will always remain in my memories forever.” Said Rohan with tears in his eyes.

For a few minutes we both were quiet.

I broke the silence and said, “Rohan I wanted to tell you something. I was searching for you because of some reason. I….. Actually…I wanted
to know ….I mean I wanted to get an answer from you”. I fumbled for words.

“But what’s the question?” Rohan expressed his amazement.

“Actually Rohan, I wanted to know your…” I was trying to search for words when her mother came inside.

“Rohan, doctor is here to examine you. Sorry Ishika, you’ll have to leave now dear. My driver will leave you till your house as its getting dark.” Said her mother.

I looked at Rohan. He extended his hand for a handshake. We both shook hands.
“Bye Rohan. Take care. And get well soon. I know you are a fighter and you will be fine and join us soon.”

Rohan looked at me with his million dollar smile. “All the best for your future Ishq. Good bye”.

I couldn’t say anything more. I came out of the room. I wanted to turn back and see him once more. But I couldn’t.

As said by Rohan’s mother, the driver was waiting for me. I sat in the car and he dropped me home.

I straight away went inside my room and started crying. The journey from hospital till house was the most difficult journey of my life. I was broken and shattered from inside. How can god be so unkind? I wept for hours. Mom came to my room and saw me crying.

“Ishu, what happened? Why are you crying? And where were you? I tried calling you, but your mobile was not reachable.” Asked mom with concern in her voice.
I told her everything. Though she knew Rohan as she once talked to him over phone, but I never told her how Rohan helped me cope up with the new situation I was in when we came to Udaipur. How he helped me during our rehearsals and it’s because of him that I am more confident in my approach now.

I told her about Rohan’s current situation.

“Mom, how can god be so unkind. This is not fair. He is an amazing person, full
of life. At such an early age God has put him in such a bad situation. Why? What was his fault? “

“Control yourself my doll. Don’t cry. I can understand the situation you are in. But you have to be strong. If you’ll be strong then only would you be able to give courage to your friend. Ishu sometimes we have to leave everything on God. I am sure God will certainly help him and heal him as soon as possible. Have faith in the divine power.” said mom.

“But why did God gave him so much pain? He has not done anything wrong. In fact he tries to help everyone.” I asked in a complaining tone.

“Ishu, everybody has to face tough times in life. It’s not possible to have a smooth and steady life throughout. Tough times can come to us in any form, financial, mental or physical. It depends on us how we face these situations in life. I am sure Rohan and his family are strong enough to face the situation God has put them into. And I am sure that they will come out of it.” Explained mom, trying to console me.

“Mom?” I asked petrified, “Will he come back from USA? Will he get proper treatment there?”

“Of course Ishika. Have faith in God. He will definitely come back my child. You are tired now. Come on, take some rest now.” Said mom while making me lie down on bed and covering me with blanket.

“Good night mom!” I said holding her hand. Mom kissed my forehead and switched off the lights.

I wasn’t able to sleep. I was continuously thinking about Rohan. His smiling face was not letting me sleep. I was thinking to myself, ‘ He is going tomorrow. Will I ever see him again? Will I ever be able to tell him my true feelings? I should have told him today only. I have to tell him my feelings. I can’t let him go without knowing about my feelings. And for the last time I want to see him again. I want to bid him adieu for the last time. ‘

I was thinking all this when my phone rang. It was Rohan’s mother. My heart started sinking. Is Rohan fine? Has something bad happened? Why is his mother calling me? Thinking all this I packed up the call.

“Hello, Ishika, I am sorry dear I am calling you at such an odd time. I hope I am not disturbing you?” Asked her mother.

“It’s absolutely fine Aunty. How is Rohan?” I asked with heavy heart.

“Yes he is fine Ishika. We will be leaving tomorrow for US. I thought if you want to come to wish him good luck. I think he’ll be really happy to see you.” Said her mother.

“Of course Aunty, I too wanted to come. Aunty, did Rohan asked you to call me tomorrow?” I asked with hope.

“No Ishika, it was my thought. Actually I wanted to see Rohan smiling while leaving from here. And I saw he was happy and comfortable
when you came to meet him today. So I thought he could meet his good friend before setting off for the treatment. This will boost up his morale. That’s why I called you”

“I would definitely come. At what time is the departure?” I asked.

“Don’t worry I will send the car. You get ready by 10 in the morning.” Said her mother.

Next day I got up early in the morning. Told mom about my plan. She gave her consent and I headed towards my destination. No, not towards the airport. Before going to the airport there was one more important work which I had to complete. So I headed straight towards it.

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Cover Image by Priscilla Du Preez 

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Chapter 8 ‘The Unbelievable Truth‘ of the realistic motivational Novel ‘My Shining Star‘ completes here.
Read Chapter 9 ⬇️⬇️