And the heart bleeds

                    A stethoscope around her neck. Kindness filled in her eyes. While her lips said something, her eyes connected with those of the child's at a much deeper level. The child invariably trusted her. A prick, he winced, but he didn't stop looking at her while the nurse went on with her proceeding. The child rushed off to the play area. "Don't worry, he will be fine, 2 years from now, he will be like any other healthy child." The lady's eyes were filled with tears of gratefulness. She could just hold the hands of the noble doctor and not thank enough. A wonderful husband, an angelic child, a noble profession. She was living a life of heaven.

She went out of her cabin to take her usual rounds.She entered the room. First patient. His mother seemed to have cried the whole day. She walked towards her and held her hand and said some comforting words. Her voice did the job.The mother already looked hopeful. The doctor saw his reports. Saw his name, saw his face. He looked really old for his age. She continued with her usual routine when he opened his eyes. He had an oxygen mask around his mouth. He tried to get up but she stopped him. Tears welled up in his eyes. He couldn't speak a word. He didn't need to. She understood, everything, everything he wished to say.

Her past came back to her.

There was emptiness all around. Yet, emotions choked her throat. She could never forget all those years of companionship. Tears usually came very easy to her. But today, it just wouldn't. The child she cuddled every day on her way to college looked at her expectantly. But she didn't notice. Even if she had noticed, she could barely have smiled. The road was too reminiscent of those memories. She was doing what she loved doing, today not feeling the same. The trees didn't seem to sway in happiness anymore. She had always feared this day would come. But never this soon.

She had invariably taken the wrong step. She should not have trusted so easily. Or maybe, she didn't. She just chose to ignore the fact that trust wasn't existent. She deceived herself constantly for those days of her life. He was the boy who everyone wanted to know. But he had eyes only for her. That's what he made every girl think, she thought. There was something about his boyish charm...But the more dangerous it is, the more attractive it seems. She just walked like a corpse having nothing to say more.

The reports were wet. Wet where those tears had fallen. He had no way out. He had no life left either,  it seems. He had to take the invariable step. He had to let her down. Those were promises which are to be kept for life, the ones he had to break. He would have gone against all odds to keep them, but when it wasn't in his destiny, he had to let go. It was hard. But he had made his heart into that of stone and did it, never to meet her again.


Fate is strange, does things you would never expect it to. That wasn't the final goodbye, that was not what was destined, she thought now. That night, it rained, hiding the tears in her eyes. Life was harsh, too harsh for words, but at least it didn't leave bitter memories. He had said his final goodbye and she had too. They went on to live in heaven, albeit different  ones in their own respect.