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HIV tales from my diary- Tale 2. 

This shade of grey was new to my city’s weather. The Sun spread a layer of hot white everywhere but roses were bent upon adding pink and add the fragrance of love all around. Nidhi ( name changed) had just recovered from the heat of a deadly disease and fallen in the frozen sea of love. The life for her had become a Rubik cube like puzzle. It was only the other day when she was praying to her Gods for survival, after all the doctors had labeled her disease as non Hodgkin lymphoma , a cancer. Chemotherapy did not deter her determination to fight on despite its side effects being at their best. There was no dearth of well wishers of the strong girl too. When blood was needed, the blood transfusion officers has to politely refuse quite a few. The fight took a decisive turn. Nidhi was stamped ” CURED”. 

The fate did not stop smiling on her, she got a job and the broad shoulders of Aniket ( name changed) to rest for life time , too. The hot June was like a return of ” spring” to her. Dating was taking shape of a great ” Romeo Juliet ” proportions, when Aniket’s family suddenly became villainous . How could they accept a bride with history of cancer for their only son ??. The determination of Aniket, knowledge by family well wishers and love for only son conspired to win over the resistance of the renowned family of bridegroom. The marriage fixed. Ceremonies were in full swing , cards distributed. The health of weather was in it’s best of pink , when Nidhi stated looking pale and feverish. Return to doctors was imminent. Return of devil was not expected, however. Yet the unexpected does play a part. Nidhi was found to be HIV positive few days before the marriage ceremony. Time to pray returned in full swing. 

The news shattered two families. The effect was more on Aniket’s parents. Their determination to not allow the nuptial knot was only getting deterred by fear of ignominy and love of their child. Despite their wishes Aniket married HIV positive ,survivor of NHL , Nidhi. 

Aniket’s father could not bear the shock , some button in his heart got pressed by the stress and within a fortnight of Aniket’s marriage he became a past tense for the world. 

Aniket’ s mother had a double shock. She was now in a stage where no mother can even think to be in. She became an enemy of her own. The life for Nidhi was becoming vegetative till she came across an HIV physician ,that is me. Although , the science by now had made more progress than Nidhi’s grief, yet it needed some human face and angle to give shape to Nidhi’s future. Loads of counseling of the direct and indirect victims of the deadly virus , start of antiretroviral therapy to the victim started bringing the derailed to tracks. 

Aniket n Nidhi became sort of example amongst couples of their age and circle. The happiness quotient eclipsed the dark inner side of the story. Aniket’s widowed mother who used to assign her widowhood to his marriage accepted the reality of life. But the acceptance did not come without a price. She wanted to see grandson replacing her husband. Mother’s desires rubbed young couples shoulders. 

The desires took wings. 

HIV physician came to help their flight of dreams once again. Gynecologist friend and advances in modern medicine , the changed vision of looking at HIV management all pooled the resources of knowledge and lo behold the dreams of Aniket’s family became a treasure ( Nidhi means treasure ) of reality. 

Grandmother was blessed with a grandson and granddaughter at one go and that too without the virus traveling to either her son or grandchildren. 

Nidhi’s presence in my chamber always reminds me of my own dreams of being a doctor with happiness of others surrounding my cup of feeling of fulfillment. 

I have started believing in miracles now , miracles of science. 

Rakesh Bharti