MY CHERISHED MOMENT.

31st January 2008 - 9 pm
I called home as usual and spoke to her. It had been a monologue since she lost her voice...could hear her mumbling in between.

1st February 2008 - 7.30 am
We have a protocol and he never calls apart from the appointed time. The instant the mobile rang, I knew something was wrong. We have been expecting it. A part of me doesn't want to answer the call. I have goose bumps and my throat dry. 

Same day - 10.30 am
At the airport waiting to board the flight which will depart at 11.30 am to Bangalore.
I call dad again to ask how mom is holding up. She hasn't regained her consciousness was all he could say.
That morning, mom, who had been suffering from MND/ALS had complained of breathing difficulty.
By the time she was rushed to the hospital, she had no heartbeat or pulse.
She was revived and put on a ventilator. Unconscious.

2.30 pm
I reach the hospital.
She is still not conscious.
I am pacing to and from the ICU...talking to her occasionally.  
After about an hour, I am by her side talking to her. Pleading her to open her eyes...to give me a chance to say goodbye.   
And then, she opened her eyes, just like waking up from a deep sleep. Yet, refreshed. Her expression on seeing me was one of absolute delight and surprise! A priceless moment for me.
A moment which I will cherish till the time I go senile.

Writing for BlogFEST2012. Angela prompted us to write about "A moment of our life." Glad to have been a part of this blog fest and have completed it successfully.