Six months later, Simon was back at work after his surgery. His surgery went well, he took time off to recover and his family continued their visits. He was back to normal almost, except for a few occasions when he felt anger unnecessarily. It was a normal reaction, said the doctors. ‘Just be supportive, and don’t lose interest in him, now that he is recovering, he still has a long way to go both mentally and physically.’ Deb was there to hear all this and mentally took it on herself to take care of Simon
Without cosseting him, she made sure his workload was light, he was well fed with nutritious food and he went for regular scans and check-ups. She also enrolled him and herself in a meditation class, to give him the calmness he needed. They went on small tours around the city and with the doctors permission they booked their tickets to Tanzania.
Deb’s mother was happy for Simon, she made him welcome in her house at any time, but lately she could be heard muttering and chewing nails when she thought she was being unnoticed. Deb, was quick to catch on this, and one week before she left to Tanzania, sat with her mother, as she did her packing, and said “ok mom, come out with it, what is bothering you? Are you not happy I am going? Are you scared of being on your own? Or is it something else?’ “Of course not her mother replied, well actually, there is something if you want to know, which is bothering me, you know I am very proud of you, your friendship with Simon and all the things you did for him this last six months, it makes me feel very proud, but it is this neighbours gossip which gets to me, why are they are so jealous or petty minded, why can’t they accept a friendship at its face value, rather than read deep into it’ . ‘If only’ she mumbled and quietened down.
‘If only what mom?’Deb asked. ‘Nothing dear, just a wishful thinking, oh I just wish he would propose to you and you get married to him, I will be so happy’. Deb was shocked, ‘mom you are joking, are you ok for me to marry an English man, you know such a thought has never entered our minds, we are only friends’. ‘Yes dear, but is it wrong for a mother to dream, I am not dreaming of a prince to come and ride away with you in his white horse, but our Simon is so sweet and understanding, you would make a perfect couple and I can die in peace. Though, of course, it will be a hard decision because of his health situation. Hopefully he has recovered completely, but it is a big responsibility, to marry someone with cancer, coz you need to be supportive and fight this demon with him. It takes guts you know.’
‘MOM!!! I never thought you were a romantic. Oh dear, you scare me. Please don’t have any romantic liaisons while I am away and get married to the retired professor, living opposite our house.’ ‘Hush child, how you ramble on, remember I was young once too’ replied her mother, and took over the folding of clothes and packing it in. ‘You do realise, right, that not everybody are broadminded like me, your trip with Simon will not exactly be called an official trip, you are off on a safari, though to check out the resorts and facilities. Not many will understand, or choose to understand your trip. To them, it will be like you taking off with Simon to a remote place unchaperoned’.
Deb was silent, but her mind was furiously at work. She could not believe what her mother was saying, at this age too, she thought, but finally she could appreciate her mother’s dilemma. The next week, went in preparations, vaccination shots, last minute shopping for camera lenses and sorting out their work. They were going to be away for 10 days, so they had enough to hand over to their sub-ordinates before they could leave.
Tanzania lived up to their expectations. The wild-life, walks, cruises in the lush green rivers, game reserves. The call of the lions and the many unusual nocturnal sounds sent shivers up their spine and thrilled them at the same time. The colourful birds were caught on their cameras and hearts. The last two days were like an extended holiday for them. They spent it in a freshwater lake, swimming, snorkelling and fishing and finally buying local gifts from the artisans there for people back at work and home.
Though tired, they returned to work with a lot of enthusiasm and laughed at the long faces, who envied them their trip, though, there were some who felt both Simon and Deb needed a break after what Simon went through and Deb because she did more than necessary to help Simon. Deb’s mother was very happy to see her daughter back and cheerful. She could even see a happy shine in her daughters face, but failed to understand its significance.
Two days later, Simon came to Debs house for dinner. After a very delicious dinner, over lots of laughter and regaling her mother with sights they saw in Tanzania, Deb went to make tea, which Simon, an Englishman core to his heart, could not do without. Debs mother started putting away the dishes, but Simon caught her hand and asked her sit with him in the sofa. Surprised, she sat, a little wary at his unusual act. “Mom dear, can I call you that’ he checked with her and when she silently nodded her head, said, ‘First I would like to thank you for being such a support to me these last few months, I did not miss my mother, because you were always there, sending food and prayers for me, secondly thanks for sharing your daughter with me too, she is the best thing that could have happened to me, without her, I might have died of depression, I think’. ‘Hush, my boy, please don’t say such things, I did not do anything out of ordinary, it is unfair god played a trick on you and gave you a hard time, but he is considerate and with all the goodness in your heart, you have been a brave soldier’.
Simon, overcome by her affection, gave her huge hug, to her surprise (and embarrassment), she not used to physical signs of affection from outsiders. ‘You did not let me finish, what I was saying’, he continued. ‘Your daughter has kindly consented to be my wife and we need your blessings to be married’ he said softly. Deb, meanwhile had come out with the tea, and was waiting near the door to see her mother’s reaction. For a minute, there was no reaction from her mother, then suddenly she stood up, gave Simon a hug and kissed his forehead and said, ‘finally, you both have opened your eyes, I am the happiest person today’ she gushed and ran to her daughter and gave her a big hug with eyes full of tears.
Simon left them, after giving them a hug again and left with a wink at Deb. ‘How can I say no to him, mom, when I know I have your blessings. I know what he went through the last few months fighting against cancer. I am prepared to support him all through and even if he lives only a few years, I know he and I have been happy together and I will have no regrets. Do you know where he proposed to me? At the bottom of the lake while we were snorkelling. He gave me an oyster and asked me to open it, and inside it was this beautiful antique pearl ring, belonging to his mother and said “will you marry me”. ‘How he managed to squeeze the ring in the oyster, I am not sure but it was so perfect’ she said with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Twelve months later, happily married Deb and Simon took her mother to England on a holiday. The family reunion was special as they were expecting their child, from the adoption centre in Calcutta and Simon learnt to live with the many faces of cancer. They knew they were given a chance to live happily and they decided to grab it with both hands!!!
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I dedicate the last two parts to two of my friends who are currently fighting their battle against cancer - one has brain tumour and the other breast cancer.
Close
hanks, shobs
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That was a tear-jerker eventhough theend was happy. Good writing Nidhana.
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Hey Uma, No such luck, yet. I mean visiting Tanzania. I am a big fan of Wilbur Smith, so got inspiration for Tanzania from there
Thank you so much for your encouragement, recommendation and good wishes. 
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Hey Usha, Mushy, was it? Pl. dont tell me it sounded like M&B type
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sweet story.. loved it
and sigh! such a romantic ending
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What a nice ending to a touching story, Nidhana. You do write with a lot of feeling.and btw from the way you have described Tanzania, it looks like you have visited the place. This is also to wish both your friends a quick and early recovery. ..Uma
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Thank you so much Bina for both your comments. Hopefully, one day I will venture into poetry writing too. You have been one good source of inspiration for me
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nidhana
v. beautifully tackled subject
loved the simple narrative
it touched my heart
god bless u
n good luck to yr friends
love
bina
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Hey Nidhana,
I'm no stranger to your blogs, that was mean :-( and I just managed to see the Twilight Zone somewhere and I thought Nidhana has written a story and that too a nice long one, let me check them out.
Sorry if I was late
- Sudha
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Hello stranger, good to see you again
I am so touched you sat and read the 3 parts in one go. Thanks for your patience and appreciation and the recommendation ofcourse. I have always enjoyed your stories, and now I am pleased I managed to write one too, and get your appreciation!!
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