Reflection Of Life

Chapter 7 - Unexpected

Parveen wondered what had happened to her daughter recently. The cheerful, happy-go-lucky teen had retired from life in a way. Just a few days back, Parveen called Fariha several times to help her in the kitchen, but the girl did not respond.

Curious, Parveen slid through Fariha’s bedroom door inaudibly, only to find her seated on the unmade bed, her head tucked between folded arms. Her eyes looked a little swollen, drops of tears streamed down her cheeks.


“Is something wrong? My little lady’s never so down. What made you blue, my child?” Seeing her only child in pain was always heart wrenching for Parveen.


“Oh, Ammu! Why do you always sneak in like a thief?” Fariha’s voice did not have that usual childish tone or softness at all; it was replaced by exasperation, and obviously, grief.

Noticing her wish to be alone, Parveen was about to move away, back to her own bedroom, when suddenly, Fariha just threw herself on her mother’s bosom, bursting in tears. That is when Parveen noticed the bags under her eyes.


“Sweetie, you ok?” Parveen was already in a shock, but did not want the teen to notice it. Her tears already made a circular mark on her mother’s kitchen apron. Parveen just touched Fariha’s hand, she was burning with fever.


The above scenario took place every time Fariha fell sick. She would never tell anyone about any physical ailments except the one who brought her to this world. Also, she would never express her sickness verbally. So, both her parents kept a careful eye on her, and they did understand her nonverbal signals very well.


Still holding her precious daughter close to her chest, Parveen slowly walked towards the untidy bed. She made her daughter sit on one of the sofas beside the bed, and changed the bed sheets and pillow cases. She spotted a bit of cough mixed with blood on one of the pillows. Fariha was already coughing vigorously; her breathing could be seen as her chest moved up and down with every inhale.


“How long has this been going on?” The sniffles and weeping sound brought Monir from his study. He usually did not enter the teen’s room without a light knock on the door, or a light twisting of the hatch, but something told him the case was serious this time.

Fariha was unable to speak. Monir just ran to his daughter’s side, and held her head in a tight grip.

Fariha was a very strong girl from childhood. Seeing her in such a feeble condition was not expected at all. Ever since she was a preschool student, Fariha used to make regular trips to hospitals, no, not as a patient, but as a volunteer pediatric nurse. Parveen had a diploma in nursing, besides being a college teacher. She worked as a part time nurse in a well-known private nursing home, for the love of nursing, not for the remuneration she got from there. Fariha had been accompanying her mother to the hospital since ages. So, the hospital authority gave her permission to work with her mom, as she enjoyed nursing equally.


Fariha worked as the volunteer in the children’s wards and cabins, she was a favorite amongst children of all ages. Many of the hospital staff would watch with a smile as she walked through the glass door, the wooden floor creaking under her high-heeled feet. A comparatively shorter height than the average Bengali teen, led to her love for high heels.


Parveen rang up the hotline of Apollo Clinic, the nursing home previously mentioned.

After about fifteen minutes, Fariha was sitting in front of the physician, a chest specialist. Parveen’s head throbbed, she just hoped nothing was wrong with her precious child. Monir was also in a similar mental situation. They were waiting for Fariha’s X-ray report which was supposed to be delivered within a few minutes.


“What might have happened, doctor?” Monir asked, in a shaky voice.


“I hope it’s nothing bad, Mr. Hasan.” The friendly man in the white lab coat replied. “Just have faith in Allah”.


Soon after, a nurse appeared with a black and white image of Fariha’s chest. There was a white spot in a certain part of her left lung.


“I’m afraid…”began the doctor.
“Cut the suspense now doctor, just tell us.” Worry was taking a toll on Parveen’s patience now.


“Well, sister, your daughter’s got Pulmonary Tuberculosis, and her Bronco- vascular linings are mildly accentuated. See?” The physician pointed to the detailed report accompanying the X-ray film.


“So? Now what do we have to do?” Monir could hardly tolerate the tension now.


“Well, you have to isolate her from all the other healthy family members. Just to prevent infection, it’s contagious you see.”


“Sorry young lady…but…”
“Oh it’s all right doc. I don’t want anyone to be sick because of me.” Fariha managed to stammer.

According to the doctor’s verdict, Fariha kept herself in her own bedroom for most of the time from then on. The tiled floor felt cold under her bare feet. She did not like wearing sandals at home. The walls used to smirk at her.

The only relief came whenever her cell phone rang. It was almost always Shanto or Mr. Raihan at the other side. Shanto often left her lovely bouquets of yellow roses.

Sometimes a get well soon card or a favorite classic novel would accompany the flowers. Obviously, he was not allowed to get inside her room. He just came in for a little talk with her father or a chocolate cake from her mother. He would just leave his gifts with either of her parents, and spend a significant amount of time with her either over phone or through social networking sites.

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