The Unending

“Children, please take out your textbooks - Chapter 7- Life is Beautiful, Page 54... okay, who  would start reading… no Siddharth not you, Shreya you want to start today? Come on… a few  lines… start… louder Shreya… children settle down fast...” and soon came running to the office  staff almost breathless and lacking clarity in his speech. I stopped reading to hear him out but  not all my classmates have similar mannerism. Only 3-4 broken words hit my ear drums – attack… bombing…city closed. Annoyed, I looked at Miss Natasha, who was already packing  her handbag and stormed out of class with a shout – school closed, run home everyone! 

With a mixed feeling of happiness and confusion, we packed our bags. Outside it was  unbearably chaotic. I could relate it to Ghuma mandi where mom took me last weekend  forcefully to ‘experience what she goes through every week’. Everyone was running in the direction of the main gate, where buses were ready to leave the school, helpers were pushing  kids inside buses shouting, “Board any bus... fast.” I could see many parents’ cars outside the school gate to pick their wards. Just one thing in common – All were scared and heavily  sweating. I knew my working parents won’t be outside so the bus is my only resort. Hurriedly I  found my bus no. 12 which was taxiing slowly out of the school gate.  

The scene inside the bus was unusual. It was exceptionally loaded with a lot of new faces  including teaching and admin staff. I was wondering if they know where the bus is heading  to...? As the bus gained speed, teachers started to settle down and children recalled their  etiquette to offer seats to them. I had nothing to offer anything to anyone. My mind was  too engaged in gathering courage to utter two words – What’s wrong...?  

Suddenly I heard the thunderous ear-piercing noise and experienced a blowy jolting  sensation. The inertia of motion pushed me forward in the bus and I was on the floor. As if I was  dreaming, I leaped in the air like a leaf and had a freefall on damp ground. Ouch!! It hurt. I could  hear terrifying screeches from all directions. Lastly, I saw fire flames, inhaled some smoke and  then I slept... guess stage four sleep... no dreams.  

(News Update: January 24, 2025: China caught India unprepared two days before its 76th  Republic Day and launched its attack from all possible modes – Air, Water and Land. It had  taken Indian intelligence by surprise and shock as some of the key war resources were parked  in Delhi for republic day preparations. India’s response time was delayed but successful. Chinese  military aircraft bombarded over various India metropolitan cities causing death of more than  5,000 people, over 20,000 injured and huge destruction all around...) 

I woke up by afternoon with excruciating and agonizing pain, too weak to move an inch. Ma  was right there standing next to the Doctor. She was looking pale and weak. I opened my dry  mouth, “Ma… water!” Mom grabbed some water in a disposable glass.... that won’t be  enough ma...I thought... but the nurse intervened, “Ma’am, slowly... with a spoon.”  

Doctor and Ma were having serious discussions near the exit. I realized that my body had become  unmovable and I was wrapped like a gift box under medical bandages. I wanted Ma and after  a desperate wait of five minutes, she came to me. She bent down to kiss my face with  motherly tears and started thanking God. I had many questions in mind but thought of  prioritizing... courtesy my dry throat.  

“Ma, I am not able to feel my body. What’s wrong?” “It’s all under medical dressing beta –  from your shoulders to thighs, it was all burnt.” Nurse was busy with the intravenous (IV) tube 

on my right foot and Ma started telling me an action-packed tale with my lead role. “China,  our neighboring country, attacked India. Our city had an airstrike and your school bus was hit  badly on that fateful day. You were spotted by some God's soul lying off the street and were  admitted in hospital. By God’s grace, the school Id-card was hanging around the neck, so we  were informed.”  

“OMG!!! Is this happening for real – a war ... is it over now?” The machine next to my  bed started beeping. Nurse was alerted. Ma replied, “Take it easy, calm down. Life is coming  back to normal now. I am on child care leave from the office. You see, papa was at the office and now  on his way to the hospital to see you.”  

Reunion with papa was tearful and thereafter, days in hospital were full of medicines,  machines, soups, juices and little food. Although I was enjoying my time with ma and papa  around, my botheration was numbness and dressing on the complete upper portion of  the body. Poor me! I had to take help from my parents for lifting food to my mouth and even for  using the washroom!  

Days passed in the hospital and on a usual morning, Ma gave me the good news of discharge.  Suddenly I started missing my room at home, my soft comfy bed, my Harry Potter  collection and my colorful clothes. While ma and papa were busy with discharge formalities,  my mind was engrossed in what I would do first after reaching home! The nurse disturbed my  thoughts for some medicine doses and I enquired on removal of my body dressing and IV.  Diligently measuring the doses, she replied – “Shreya, you are only going home but treatment  is not yet over, dressing would stay for a few more days, IV antibiotics course is for another five  days, and then it will be removed at home.” Heartbroken but happy!!  

Papa lovingly lifted me to the back seat of our car and Ma sat next to me. We reached home,  and papa helped me into the elevator. As the elevator’s door opened, I was pleasantly  surprised to see my both set of grandparents. They had travelled from far to see me. In the  midst of their tears of joy, I was staring at Ma, hinting at her to help me use the restroom.  

Life was at ease. IV was removed and I was on my feet once again at home. My family was  giving me light food, medicines and a heavy dose of love and care with each passing day. Soon,  this easy going became monotonous and memories of my friend-less class and heartless  school returned. Ma brutally ignored my questions for going back to school, so I thought of  taking up the matter in my hands with my soft target – Papa.  

Papa returned from work in the evening and I urged him to take me out after many  days. We went to a nearby ice-cream parlor and he was feeding me the scoops of chocolate  ice-cream. I got into a discussion with him during my school session... final exams around the  corner... etc. and he was listening keenly, when suddenly my eyes fell on the Ganesha calendar hanging on the wall which showed the month as May 202...6!

What? Last time when I was at school, it was a chilly winter. I closed my eyes to think hard  on the date we were writing in notebooks... Oh, it was Jan 2025. I yelled in distress, again and  yet again. Papa lifted me hastily and brought me home. I was crying hysterically and then he  opened up, “Beta, you were severely injured in the blast, many people lost their lives, many  got separated from their families but we were fortunate to get you back. You were in a coma  for 15 months and 12 days. This is your rebirth; you are a fighter and we are so proud  of you!”  

I felt as if a movie reel was running in front of my eyes and that sinking sad feeling pushed me  back to sleep. 

My eyes were struggling to open in bright daylight. Someone in a blue dress was dangling  around. Oh! He was the hospital nurse. “Wait?! Again a coma?” I thought to myself. I asked  him the complete date and to me utter relief he replied, “May 28... 2026!” Phew... I  sighed! My nervous system instructed my hands to wipe off the sweat on my forehead but  that elicited no response.  

I looked down at my body, and the medical dressing was removed. I was dressed in a bright yellow hospital  shirt, with its full arm sleeves hanging loose... just lying on the bed, with no mass inside.  

Out came a scary loud scream. I tried to get up from bed but no luck... can this be true? I kept  on trying hard.. harder .. aimless... clueless... confused...SCARED... and right there, Ma caught  my shivering body. I passed out in the warmth of her hands wrapped around me. I clearly heard  her saying, “All is well now Shreya, our WAR is over, there is PEACE now, you will be fine, my strong little girl.”  

Sanvi Raheja