Dedication

This book is dedicated to my parents, my husband Sriram and my children Nakshatra and Surya for their valuable feedback and encouragement.

Contents

Front Matter

1. Chapter - 1

2. Chapter - 2

3. Chapter - 3

4. Chapter - 4

5. Chapter - 5

6. Chapter - 6

7. Chapter - 7

8. Chapter - 8

9. Chapter - 9

10. Chapter - 10

11. Chapter - 11

12. Chapter - 12

13. Chapter - 13

14. Chapter - 14

15. Chapter - 15

GLOSSARY

STUCK 2 GETHER

Back Matter

About the Author

Mehta Family Tree

Chapter - 1

The morning sun spread its rays through the beautiful city of Chennai. It penetrated every road, lane, every house, distributing warmth and brightness.

It penetrated one such house where I lay on the bed. But its warmth or brightness failed to touch me.

I am back from my hotel conference that took place in Mumbai in utter shock and fear. I lie on my back on the bed, staring at the ceiling with tears filling my eyes, and sniffle.

I collect myself with a twisted smile.

Why does it have to happen to me? I am young, I have a life ahead of me. I am good looking by many standards with jet-black eyes, thick eyebrows, a straight nose and thin lips. But to what end? How am I going to face them? There, I have started lamenting again! How will they react? In a few minutes, they will be seated for breakfast. Should I break the news to them then? Or wait till evening? But evening, not all will be present! Will they accept? Will they cry? My family, my loving family. Why should they be miserable because of me? Should I go away? Or should I just cross the room, jump out from the balcony and vanish from the face of earth? Should I be here and savour every moment?

No, killing myself is an act of cowardliness. I pull myself together. No point lying here, I have to face it, might as well as get it done now. My stomach grumbles, making its need felt. I take a shower and go down.

At the breakfast table sits my lovely family. At the head of the table is my uncle (my father’s elder brother) Mr. Raghunath Mehta, tall and stout, with strictness written all over his face. To his right is my father, Mr. Mahendra Mehta, a friendly person who is engaged in a conversation with Kishen (Raghunath’s elder son), the big boss, and a young man with an ever-present look of seriousness. To his left is my other loving uncle (my father’s younger brother) Mr. Narendra Mehta, a friend to all of us and a bridge between the two generations. Other members at the table are Ashish Mehta (Raghunath’s younger son), my best buddy. We are separated only by six months, he being my senior. Vikas Mehta, my younger brother who hero-worships me. Asha and Isha (Narender’s daughters), the darlings of the family. Another darling is Karan (Kishen and Nandini’s 4-year-old son), the little one is charging across the table from his father to his mother, the little daredevil. I laugh and scoop him up in my arms, much to the annoyance of my aunts (Pushpa Raghunath and Meera Narendra), my mother (Jyoti), and Nandini.

There is laughter, food and care.

Nandini takes Karan from my arms and I feel gloom settle in the pit of stomach. I am going to destroy all this!!!

I take my place at the table. My father looks at me. I look down at my plate. How is he going to take it?

"How was the conference, Ranvir? You look tired," my father says.

"Didn’t you shave? You look a mess!!!" says Raghunath.

Ashish catches my eyes and smirks. Will he ever smile after hearing the news, forget smirking?

"Yeah, it was good. We have a lot of opportunities in that segment. Actually…"

"Can we not discuss business at breakfast?" Narendra brings us to order.

"Bhaiya, this style suits you well," Asha pipes in.

I play with my food. I have lost my appetite as fast as I gained it.

"Ranvir!!! You are setting a poor example for the younger ones," my mom complains.

"He always sets a poor example," says Narender, roaring with laughter. I remain silent and it surprises him.

I had to tell them; all this gaiety is destroying me. I clear my throat "I have something important …"

"Even we have," jumps in Pushpa. I shake my head to clear my thoughts. Am I never going to be allowed to say anything?

"We have a marriage proposal for Ashish," says Raghunath.

I look at Ashish, who shrugs, "Nothing decided."

"But you said…" says Pushpa.

"Ma, we can talk about that later. I think Ran has something important to say."

I thank him. All eyes are on me.

Oh, why, why, why!

"I had severe pain in my neck when I reached Mumbai. I went to the doctor there; they took several tests and confirmed that I have lymphoma, cancer."

There, it was out! The cat was out of the bag!! All stop eating, their faces going deathly pale. I close my eyes to shut them out. I hear a sniff, two and three. I open my eyes.

"Please stop crying!!! I don’t want any of you to cry!! I want to live my last days happily. No tears, please."

"Lymphoma is treatable, Bhaiya," says Vikas dutifully. He is in his last year of medicine.

"I don’t want treatment now. Just give me a few months."

"You have the reports!! Which stage are you in?"

"Vikas, please! Just leave me alone!"

"But, Bhaiya!" I get up. I leave the shocked gathering and return to the sanctuary of my room.