Expectations...and loss...

Ram lay still on the bed. A couple of nurses checking his pulse and confirming whether there is any bleeding. A doctor just went by trying to figure out who is inside the dearranged body. But Ram lay still with his parents at his side, praying for the life of their son.

Just three hours ago, Ram had much against his parents wishes, taken the bike of his uncle to ride to the board center. The moment he came out of the center with pride that he has excelled in his examination, Ram with his friend Anuj started the bike and rode away to glory. He didnt realise what hit him next and only gained senses in the hospital.

All this time as he lay on the bed, his father would stay by his side ready to serve any need he had. Infact his father was so desparate to tend to his need, that anytime the eye blinked , he was ready for action.

Ram recovered. He entered high school and his father would try to extract maximum time of his schedule to see him through. Everytime he faltered, his father though tough, would give him a second chance. Ram would recover and then fall. At every fall, his father stood there and tried to get him back on his legs.

Ram did his bachelors. At around the same time, his father went through a ordeal and was trying to get out of it. Ram fell in love with a girl he would eventually marry.Though his parents had earlier denied the pair a chance, but they eventually gave in. Ram married his beloved. Marrying at such a young age gave the young couple a lot of reasons to fight. Ram's father would always try to make things better.

Ram's father would always ping him for his future plans. He would write him letters to keep him focussed. Ram wanted to do his MBA. Ram's father left no stone unturned to pave way for his son to pursue his goal. Ram and his wife started with this goal. Ram's wife went on to do her MBA. One down. Ram gave his first gmat under difficult conditions at work. He didnt do well. But his father would always call him and motivate him. Ram's wife and his father was his biggest support at that trial of destiny.

Ram's goal was to get into his dream college. He didnt get in. But instead he got an admit into a United States school. Ram had no savings by this time. Ram's father though into semi-retirement brought his spirits back and complemented his scholarship to cover the initial burst of expenses. At every stage he was ready to help him out, be it his tickets, insurance or anything else.. His son has to study. That was his goal.

Two weeks to go. Ram could realise something wrong with his father. But he didnt disclose. Ram's father arranged a party for his son's departure and his grandson's arrival. He did everything under the sun to make it a success and give his son every oppurtunity to cry when he would depart from his motherland.

Ram reached his overseas abode. Started on with the grind. Ram's father was diagnoized with cancer. Ram's father got his tryst with destiny. His lifeline was now defined.

Ram is broken. Ram could remember each phase of life when his father was behind him. Support him at the drop of the hat. Be a shield at worst of times. Would be a sincere advisor. A lot of times, Ram took him wrong. But he could never take Ram wrong.

I hate to be Ram.