Their love story had had a clichéd beginning, the usual first sight thing. And now their love story was going to have a clichéd ending too. He was dying.
She sat all by herself in the vinyl chair outside his hospital room. The doctor had just been around. The others who had been with her, had followed the doctor to his chamber, talking incessantly about things that could still be done.
She sat all by herself in the vinyl chair outside his hospital room. The doctor had just been around. The others who had been with her, had followed the doctor to his chamber, talking incessantly about things that could still be done.
“Why don’t we try that new medicine in market”
“What about further chemotherapy?”
“We think, we’d like a second opinion”
“We think, we’d like a second opinion”
And on and on it went.
He’d contracted one of the most popular diseases of the time. Cancer. All of them could talk and plan and ask, but she knew there was nothing more left to do for him. Just as she knew in her heart that his day was fast coming to an end.
What was she going to do, she thought dully. Follow after him? Or go with him maybe, together. A whole and healthy life was spread ahead in front of her, and she couldn’t bear the thought of it.
May be the people she had detested, those who took away their own lives, were after all not the gutless she had judged them to be. And even if they were, she didn’t mind belonging to that group of people. At least the pain would be less. But it wasn’t an option for her.
Her eyes were painfully dry as she stared unseeingly at the opposite stark, white hospital walls.
He had known. She hadn’t. He had secretly braved through the diagnosis and the initial treatment alone. And then he had known there was no hope. His eyes had revealed the end of their story when he had finally told her. No more words had been necessary. She hadn’t shed a single tear. It was as if something inside her had shrivelled up and died.
And now she was the one who had to be brave. And alone.
She didn’t know how long she had been sitting like that, when she heard Mark call out to her softly, “Clara!”
She broke out of her trance and hurried inside his room.
“Hey! You are awake! The doctor’s just been around.” She smiled softly into his eyes, laying a hand on his chest, as she went and perched on his bed. “Are you hungry, darling? We can have pizza, if you like, with lots of olives…”
Mark kept smiling faintly, and didn’t say anything as she kept talking.
“…Or may be you again want me to cook, you always do that! Just because it gives you a chance to laugh at my culinary skills…”
“Clara…”, Mark spoke softly.
“…Or may be you want those greasy fries you love so much. Or may be I’ll ask your Aunt to do the cooking, everything boiled, it would serve you so right…”
“Clara!”, Mark interrupted again, forcefully this time, touching her flushed cheek with his unfettered hand and bringing her babble to an abrupt halt.
“I’m sorry”, he said, “I am so very sorry, darling.”
She breathed deeply, forgetting that she had to be brave, she turned away her face and nodded, not trusting her voice, afraid of what was in her eyes.
“Look at me, Clara. Look. At. Me.”
She looked at that once-handsome face, now gaunt and wasted from the rigorous treatments but still so beloved, and unconsciously tried to memorise every plane and every line.
“You have a whole life ahead of you, make it beautiful, live it wholly, marry again. Don’t shut yourself from the world, love.”
She shook her head, not angry but tired.
Mark, however, retorted angrily in his weak voice, “Dammit, Clara! You’ll do just as I say. If you can’t listen to me, at least, honour a dying man’s last request!”
She looked at him, smiling sadly, her eyes full of love, for several endless moments.
“How can I marry again when I still have you? How can you die when you are alive in me?”
Tears spilled over from the corners of his eyes, “Clara…”
Clara shook her head and placed a finger on his lips. She took a deep breath, smiled vibrantly and said, “I have something to tell you.”
She lifted his hand, held it next to her heart and then placed it lightly, palms-down on her abdomen.
They looked at each other, in that interminable moment of time, in silence, with increasing wonder, and endless love. And together they started laughing and crying all at once. In joy, this one last time.
“Hey! You are awake! The doctor’s just been around.” She smiled softly into his eyes, laying a hand on his chest, as she went and perched on his bed. “Are you hungry, darling? We can have pizza, if you like, with lots of olives…”
Mark kept smiling faintly, and didn’t say anything as she kept talking.
“…Or may be you again want me to cook, you always do that! Just because it gives you a chance to laugh at my culinary skills…”
“Clara…”, Mark spoke softly.
“…Or may be you want those greasy fries you love so much. Or may be I’ll ask your Aunt to do the cooking, everything boiled, it would serve you so right…”
“Clara!”, Mark interrupted again, forcefully this time, touching her flushed cheek with his unfettered hand and bringing her babble to an abrupt halt.
“I’m sorry”, he said, “I am so very sorry, darling.”
She breathed deeply, forgetting that she had to be brave, she turned away her face and nodded, not trusting her voice, afraid of what was in her eyes.
“Look at me, Clara. Look. At. Me.”
She looked at that once-handsome face, now gaunt and wasted from the rigorous treatments but still so beloved, and unconsciously tried to memorise every plane and every line.
“You have a whole life ahead of you, make it beautiful, live it wholly, marry again. Don’t shut yourself from the world, love.”
She shook her head, not angry but tired.
Mark, however, retorted angrily in his weak voice, “Dammit, Clara! You’ll do just as I say. If you can’t listen to me, at least, honour a dying man’s last request!”
She looked at him, smiling sadly, her eyes full of love, for several endless moments.
“How can I marry again when I still have you? How can you die when you are alive in me?”
Tears spilled over from the corners of his eyes, “Clara…”
Clara shook her head and placed a finger on his lips. She took a deep breath, smiled vibrantly and said, “I have something to tell you.”
She lifted his hand, held it next to her heart and then placed it lightly, palms-down on her abdomen.
They looked at each other, in that interminable moment of time, in silence, with increasing wonder, and endless love. And together they started laughing and crying all at once. In joy, this one last time.
Maverick Misfit 
A very nice story… guria.. good one…
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good one girl.. though I kinda guessed the ending, the narration was too good.. you are too good at writing stories.. write more stories plz 😀
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Gr8 one.. 🙂
So moving love story .. Quintessence of “Love”
Touched the heart 🙂
I was overwhelmed by reading these lines.. 🙂
“How can I marry again when I still have you? How can you die when you are alive in me?”
Cheers!!
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Beautiful story. She was pregnent and 'he was alive in her…'Wow!
shilpa
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wow…what a narration, what emotions, what metaphors, n above all, what a climax…you captured all emotions in less than 1000 words…loved it…one of ur best works…awesome, fantastic, fabulous, mind blowing…anything else i m missing out?
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Nice dear!
Keep it up
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cancer had took away at least 2 of my close relatives… it is a sad state where the end is kind of fixed, and rest depends on how you manage the short time, beautifully.
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hey…that was a lovelyy post..touched me in the deeper thoughts..
I admire the way u present urself.. the last paragraph was soo soo sensational..
keep up the good work my dear…
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nice story, i really liked the happy ending though… 🙂
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There is nothing cliched about this ending nice one.
http://cricoholic.blogspot.com/2009/10/3-days-2-nights-and-one-love-story.html
hey i have written one story take a look at this one.
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it is better for her to marry again…it will be bad to live alone,be it man or woman..
if i get cancer means,i will not go thru this chemo shit and all..just live happily and die soon..he he!;)
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nice narration, shreya! luvd da line….genuine problems of life translated into words….beautiful! luvd it! 🙂
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The new look is cool guria… But comment form is little bit confusing… I mean no separation between comments..
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Hi Shankar
Thanks for enjoying the story! 🙂
actually I just found out about the comments, but I really like this template… I don't wanna change it… 😛
But still tell me if its problematic, okk? 🙂
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since you have a separate pop up window for comments its not a problem….good template…
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good ending … very well written.. cant imagine how one might feel in such a situation .. but it will definitely be something like this story
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Hey the word cancer and chemo brought down shivers!
But still, the story was too good!
Gud luck to u!
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Hey new template is so cool..its actually better than old one,that used to take a lot of time to load.
🙂
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Gifted writing. The line-“you live inside me” is a winner!
By the way-why did you choose 'Clara' as her name? Any specific reason?
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Hi Ashwini
I hope you guessed it only when she said that she'd something to tell him 😀
And how can I not write more stories, when you ask me so nicely 🙂
Thanks… 🙂
Hey Amit
I really like seeing this great blogger's words in here. And when they are praising, I am happier!
Thanks! 🙂
Hiya Shilpa
Thanks so much, dear! 🙂
Neha
You already know how much your words mean to me 🙂
But still… another humble thank you! 🙂
Hi Makk
Welcome (with music and all) to MM and rhanks for the follow 🙂
And really hope to see you around.
Hope you enjoyed the post 🙂
Hi rocksea
I am honoured to have you here.
What you said is so true yet so difficult to achieve…
I hope you enjoyed the post…
See you around 🙂
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A good tale!! Very touching too!
I read it with bated breath!!
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Hi Pramoda
Thanks so much dear! 🙂
That I could make you feel through my words is my achievement 🙂
Hiya Schrei
It is always good to see your comments here 🙂
'cause whenever I see one I know the post has been good 🙂
Am I right?
I am glad you liked the happy ending, so did I! 😀
Hey Venky
I have read yours, will put my comment there soon. Glad you enjoyed! 🙂
Hi Srivatsan
That's a good one! But it is easier said than done, isn't it?? 🙂
Hey Maverick- my namesake
Long time! Welcome back, Sir Poet!
Thanks for the effusive words of praises! 😀
Hi Naveen
I am glad you liked it…
yeah, something bittersweet! 🙂
Hey Shruti
Good luck for what? You only got the shivers? 😀
Glad you enjoyed, dear!
Hi Aditya
Thanks Adi! No I always want to use Indian names but some ask 'why this name, why that name' so I used English ones, just randomly!
Now why did you ask?!:)
Hello Shilpa-ji
I feel so happy whenever I see your comment!!
I hope you liked the ending, I feel there are not enough of true happiness and hope around so, just a small attempt at it. 🙂
Lotsa love, Guria 🙂
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Cancer is closely associated with me! I know how horrible it is! I know the pains of chemo! I have witnessed all those with my eyes!!
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I am really sorry to hear that, Shruti! That's why I wrote a story where death and sufferings cannot rule man's zeal to live, isn't it? 🙂
Love, G. 🙂
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I think most of the things have been said
i add 1 more
you have the most immaculate english of all the bloggers i know
new template?
Let us see my mobile doesn't allow me 2 see them
and i think i shal display post too whatsay?
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Hey Sreya.. those first two lines gave an interesting start.. once we knew wats cuming, it was interesting 2 c how it ends. shud i say cliched?? naah, I can't as u take away tht right by those two lines of urs.. very clever.. lol
Must say, perfect selection of words and expressions to weave a beautiful story.. cheers:)
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Loved the new template girl!!! 🙂
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Thanks Shankar, Shilpa and Ashwini…
I am glad you enjoyed the new tamplate, thanks! 🙂
Heyy Rahul,
You are busy, still you take out time to read, thank you! Yes, it's new template, possibly for keeps, at least for some time.
And yes, I am very finicky about using perfect language 😛
Thanks yaar! 🙂
Hi Vipul
Well about time some body noticed that. Actually everyone wants a twist that they did not guess. 😛
So I used those lines most consciously to put them off track 🙂
You are right, and thanks! 🙂
Cheers, Guria 🙂
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oh, I get the sentiment, but how I wish she was not pregnant…to live on through her heart not the little being growing inside… good write
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you have dealt with emotion so well… withut making it too dramatic… its a lovely story… very beautifully narrated…
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Totally reminded me of Erich Segal's Love Story.Though I'd say your story was much better. 🙂
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Nice post Guria… My dear Grandma had cancer as well… yur story touched the emotional cords!
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Aaww.. is there any chance the guy can be alive to see his kid grow :(. You have written the story so well. The emotions were just right with not a huge drama. I loved it!
Btw… Happy Diwali :).
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Man… this is…amazing… y am I feeling this emotions…awesoome!!!
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Hi Kay
Thanks 🙂
But maybe she would live through her heart, just as she said, “he was alive in her”… just maybe 🙂
Hey Raji
Thanks so much, dear! 🙂
Hi Sammy
Whoa! What a compliment yaar! I am embarrassed… 😛
Thanks! 🙂
Hiya Hary
I understand… 🙂
And thanks! 🙂
Hi Harini
Maybe he will, at least see his child being born…
Thanks dear! 🙂
Hey Sid
What an achievement for me… 😛
Thanks. Really! 🙂
Lotsa love, Guria 🙂
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HAPPY DIWALI to ONE and ALL!!!
With happiness, smiles and love,
the Maverick MisFit, Guria 🙂
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Nice story. But there was the sense of deja-vu with the likeness to 'love story' and the last scene in that. but i liked the somewhat happy ending. there is hope in this worls after all. happy diwali. 🙂
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Hey AJai
I am glad you enjoyed the story! But honestly, I thought nothing about Love Story till a buddy compared to it. Except for a spouse's dying part, I don't think there is any similarity… 😛
And the last scene is absolutely different, isn't it? 🙂
Happy Diwali… 🙂
P.S. Thanks for the comment. See ya' around. 🙂
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I liked the story and I bookmarked it on my blog. Hope you don't mind 🙂
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Hey Sojo!
Thanks! I am honoured! 🙂
And I read “Your Thoughts” on it, I am gratified. Nothing's more satisfying than engaging your reader and making him feel… 🙂
See you around!
Cheers, Guria 🙂
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wow…soo touching moment u have captured dear:)..lovely story:)
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Hey Nan!
I am so glad you enjoyed this one…
Take care 🙂
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Mark Twain once said, “Never say the obvious.” In spite being an ardent admirer of Mark Twain, I'm going to contradict him and say the very obvious thing: BRILLIANTLY NARRATED.:-)
Though I very well knew what was going to happen in the end, your amazing style of writing made a tremendous difference. Thoroughly enjoyed reading. Kudos! 🙂
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that was a wonderful piece of story telling.. realy loved each n every word of it..
keep writing..
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Wow, you write really well. :O
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amazing….unlike others who come up with a sad twist u show hope! great narration as always..i wish ur stories get catered to more and more ppl!
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Hey Karthik
So effusive praises!! Thank you 🙂
Narration is the real thing isn't it? That's the only thing that guarantees Enjoyment! After all every story is not supposed to be thriller! 🙂
Thanks again 🙂
Hi Amal
Welcome to MM 🙂
I am glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for your words…
Hope to see you around! 🙂
Hey Anamika
First time, right? So, Welcome to MM! 😀
What's with the “:O”… you write really well too (I checked ;))
See you around okay…
And a heartfelt Thanks to you 🙂
Love, G. 🙂
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Tirtha,
…….
…….
…….
What can I say?
You know Everything
…….
Love.
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Oh dear!! It brilliant!! The emotions….at its peak. It cant get any better lady!! 🙂
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Hey! i loved this one…i could almost visualize the scene as i myself had been through this but the characters were different this side it was me and my dad.
Lotsa love
Rashmi 🙂
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