Thinking about his father, Chirant suddenly woke up in fear and sat up.
“I should ask the doctor right now… when they will discharge me. Dad is alone at home,” he thought to himself and went in search of Tulasi.
When he reached there, he realized that Tulasi was talking to Nidhi about his health. He stopped near the door and began listening to their conversation.
“He has a disease called childhood Alzheimer’s. It’s a memory-related disorder. It occurs in about one out of 77,000 people. Chirant has had this condition for the past five years, but he himself is not aware of it,” Tulasi explained to Nidhi.
“Does that mean he forgets everyone?” Nidhi asked, her voice filled with fear.
“No, dear… the people he loves deeply and those who love him a lot will mostly remain in his memory. But it becomes very difficult for him to remember new people. That’s why he asked who I was,” Tulasi said emotionally.
“Oh mom…! Isn’t there any medicine for this disease? Is there no way to save him?”
“There is no specific cure yet. Looking at his current condition, even with proper diagnosis, he may live only for about two to four more years. There is no other way,” Tulasi said in a heavy tone.
Hearing that Chirant had only a few years left to live, Nidhi stood frozen like a lifeless doll. Even though she had met him only once, she felt an unknown connection towards him. Tears rolled down her cheeks. She hugged her mother and cried like a little child. Tears filled Tulasi’s eyes as well.
Outside, Chirant, who had been listening to everything, was shattered. He collapsed, unable to bear the truth about his condition. At last, he found the answer to the question that had troubled him—why he could never study like Meera. Thinking about his uncertain future, he felt deeply broken.
Thoughts about Meera’s education, her marriage, and his father Prakash’s lonely life flooded his mind. With countless unanswered questions, he slowly got up and walked away in confusion.
Breaking free from her mother’s embrace, Nidhi asked,
“Mom… what should we do now?”
“That’s what I’m thinking, dear. If we tell Meera… she couldn’t even bear a small injury on his head. I’m afraid what might happen if she learns the truth.”
“Then what if we inform his father? Yes, mom… that’s the only option we have.”
“No, dear… how can any father bear the news of his son’s death? It may affect his health too. So we must keep this hidden and start treatment as soon as possible,” Tulasi said.
“But how can we treat him without Meera knowing? She will definitely find out,” Nidhi said.
“Yes… we need to find some way,” Tulasi said, and both fell into deep thought.
After some time, a nurse rushed in anxiously.
“Madam, patient Chirant is missing.”
Hearing this, Tulasi and Nidhi panicked.
“What?! Chirant is missing? What are you saying?” Tulasi asked.
“He just took his tablet and went to sleep. Where could he go so soon? He must be somewhere here,” Nidhi said.
“No, madam… we searched everywhere. That’s why I came to inform you,” the nurse replied.
Looking at Nidhi, Tulasi said,
“Nidhi, it’s very dangerous for Chirant to be alone at this time. We must find him quickly. Come,” and they both rushed out searching.
In the darkness of the night, Chirant walked along an unknown path. After leaving Madikeri town and walking for a couple of kilometers, the effect of the medicine made him drowsy. He reached a nearby temple and fell asleep there.
Meanwhile, Nidhi and Tulasi searched all over Madikeri, but they couldn’t find any trace of him. Even by morning, around 6 AM, there was no sign of Chirant. Tulasi decided to file a police complaint.
“Nidhi, you go home. I’ll go to the police station,” Tulasi said, sending her in an auto and leaving in her car.
On the way home, Nidhi decided to visit a temple to pray for Chirant’s safety.
“Sir, please take a turn towards the Shiva temple a couple of kilometers outside the city,” she told the auto driver.
At around 6 AM, the temple priest arrived and saw Chirant sleeping there.
“Who are you? Why are you sleeping here? Wake up, devotees will arrive soon,” he said, waking him up.
Chirant woke up, confused. Why am I here? he wondered. Slowly recalling the previous night, he remembered everything—Tulasi and Nidhi’s conversation about his illness. He washed his face in the nearby river and walked towards the temple.
Just then, Nidhi arrived there. Seeing Chirant, she felt relieved and happy. She immediately hid and informed Tulasi.
“Stay there, dear. I’ll come right away,” Tulasi said and headed towards the temple.
After washing his face, Chirant folded his hands before God and prayed,
“God… I have never asked you for anything since childhood. But now, after knowing about my health, I want to ask for one thing. Not much… I don’t know when you will take me away, but until then, give me the strength to work hard. Meera’s education, her marriage… it’s difficult for my father to handle everything alone. In his old age, it will be even harder. So, as long as I live, I want to earn and save money to support him. For that, I need your help,” he said, pouring out his heart.
Nidhi, shocked that Chirant already knew about his condition, stood confused. Putting aside her thoughts, she walked up to him and said playfully,
“What, sir… looks like you’re submitting some application to God?”
Chirant, lost in thought, didn’t answer and started walking away. Nidhi stopped him.
“Hey, can’t you hear? Or have you already forgotten who I am?” she teased.
“Please, Nidhi… just leave me alone. I don’t have time. Before I die, I need to earn as much money as possible,” he said.
“Your death is not that close. Come… mom is searching for you. Let’s go back to the hospital.”
“I know my death is very close. I heard everything you and your mother spoke last night. There’s no need to hide it from me anymore,” he said firmly.
Just then, Tulasi arrived.
“It’s actually good that you know about your condition. If you take it positively and accept the treatment we give, your life may become longer than it is now. But for that, we need your support,” she said.
“Madam… right now, I need money more than anything. I don’t want to spend it on my treatment. Please… just let me be,” Chirant said.
“What, Chiru… how did you think I would take money from you? Every year, I treat thousands of unknown patients for free. And you saved my life—can I not treat you? Listen… Nidhi and I have no one else. She is my world, and I am hers. You were just saying about Meera’s education and marriage—I will take care of everything. I will also stand by your father till the end,” Tulasi assured him.
Holding Tulasi’s hands and pressing them to his eyes, Chirant said with tears,
“I don’t know what good deeds I did in my past life to receive such support in the last phase of this life. How will I ever repay you?”
“Don’t think about that now. We must start your treatment as soon as possible. But Meera and your father shouldn’t know about it. Tell me… what should we do?” Tulasi asked.
After thinking for a moment, Chirant found a way.
“Madam… do as I say,” he said and made a call to his father.
When Friendship Never Fades-7 To be continued…..
You can also read this story When Friendship Never Fades-7 in Kannada.
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