The Last Kiss!

8th Dec 2023

"You are the king of my heart and a master of so many other skills, But cake making is an art you will never be able to learn", said Kavita in a low tone with a chortle as she coughed. "Why should I? You are there, you bake that yummness always so why should I learn? I am very honest skill-wise you see, I do not try to experiment with something that does not belong to my expertise! And who will tolerate the criticism coming from the grandchildren?" "You are too selfish Suresh!" Kavita interrupted! "Do you remember in 1998 Christmas? I kept on eating the non-alcoholic cake and then the kids had to eat the rum one. They had one piece each and slept to their content! We on the other hand had our little secret wine-and-dine program; The kind of dates we only went to when we were young college-going students!" The coughing and smiling Kavita says, "I am surprised to hear that a dementia patient remembers a 25-year-old incident!"
"I remember every moment of my life that I have spent with you! And 25 years is a long time, we did not go on a date after that. So after your discharge from the hospital that is the first thing we will be doing!" Suresh cheekily teases her. Kavita, who blushes like an 18-year-old with apple cheeks replies, "You still are hopelessly hopeful Suresh. I don't think I will live anymore. And you should better be prepared to live without me instead of planning romantic dates with me." There is silence.

"Do not mix up the pairs of socks. Take medicines on time, and set reminders on the phone, if needed. Do not overpamper and favor Kriti and Lakshya, let Aman and Priya handle them. After all, we are grandparents. Eat less sweets, I know the wooden box of precious things in your cupboard has chocolates sent by Divya from the US. Oh Suresh, how will you live without me? I think my spirit will keep hovering at home, on your head to see if you doing things rightly." Kavita continued.
"I am not saying anything that does not mean I am agreeing to everything you say. I also do not know what I would do without you. But this time, the time that we are spending together right now, we have to make sure we make it count, make it memorable. "I know how to do that. Please get an ice cream for me, will you? Please..." says Kavita quickly. "Let me remind you, you are in the last stage of lung cancer, wheezing badly and short of breath. I can't, I am sorry." Suresh warns Kavita strictly. Kavita in a somber tone says, "This would probably be my last ice cream." She looks at Suresh to judge if he is convinced. She further adds, "It's 11.45 pm. The duty of nurses has just changed. You can easily sneak in ice cream before sister Rakhi comes for her night duty. You already know my favorite flavor also. Go quickly, get it!"
"I don't believe I am doing this." Suresh gives up on her 74-year-old wife who is throwing tantrums like a 7.5-year-old, steps out, and gets two scoops of Butterscotch flavor ice cream from a store nearby. They both lick their scoops from the cones as they hold each other's hand and take a nostalgic walk down memory lane. There are incidents they remember, each other's signature reactions to situations that they mimic and laugh their hearts out and Suresh grabs a stool to hold Kavita's hand as she sleeps. That night, even the nurse does not disturb them! For some time Suresh kept looking at Kavita's charming face as she slept, questioning himself, how did he get so lucky to get the privilege of spending his life with her? After some time, he also dozes.



The next morning, Suresh woke up to the loud beeping of the equipment around. Confused, he rushed to call the doctor. Suresh was asked to stand out as doctors treated Kavita. After some time, the whole team came out and said, "Sir, she wants to talk to you in private." Suresh steps inside goes close to her, and holds her hand. "What happened? Are you feeling better?", asked Suresh. Kavita, who is short of breath, still manages to speak, "I know you planned a surprise trip to Kashmir for my 75th birthday in January next year, I heard you talking to Aman while making the bookings. Honestly, I don't think I will be able to make it. And I won't be able to bake your favorite rum cake this Christmas either. Can I ask you for a kiss? Probably the last one?" Teary Suresh bends, his wrinkled palms caress her cheeks and their lips meet. After 10-15 seconds, Suresh senses Kavita is immobile. And then with a mourning screech kisses her a little harder.

This post is a part of Jingle Bell Blog Hop hosted by Sukaina Majeed and Manali Desai .