Rohan lived in Kolkata with his family, old parents, and siblings all financially dependent on him. He was the sole breadwinner of the family and a very dominant personality.
He was not much educated, but carried his business well of readymade clothes near Kolkata port & earned a nice sum to manage his family.
After closing his shop he used to sit with other mates for time pass. Gradually he picked up ill vices of drinking, smoking, and gambling. Many times he felt that he was drifting on wrong track and wished to leave these habits which were making him weak but in friend’s circle, he could not control on his vices nor could he protest.
The man who was known for his dominant personality became the slave of ill vices. His family noticed the changes and even protested silently. They could not raise their voice as they were fed on the earnings of Rohan.
In the meantime, alliance came for Rohan’s marriage.
Rohan parents fixed his marriage as he was of marriageable age and thinking like most Indian parents do that after marriage boy will change after shouldering the responsibility of a wife and his children which is not true in many instances.
On an auspicious day, he was married. Few months of marriage went on smoothly, Rohan was very happy and was enjoying married life with her princess.
Family members were relieved…but it was short lived…again Rohan drifted into bad company and his good sum of earning was been spent on these ill vices. If wife protested he treated her worse than a doormat, so his wife could not do much to control him.
In the meantime he was blessed with two kids …but his habit or behavior did not change much. Years passed, Rohan siblings were married off and all went out to settle independently, parents became weak due to old age and his wife not much educated submitted herself in taking care of her in-laws, kids, and husband.
Gradually, Rohan health started deteriorating and he could not work for late hours. Weakness was gripping him, his wife took him to the hospital for a check-up. He was advised for a total health check-up and to undergo several tests. Blood samples were collected for varied tests, with reports duo visited the doctor.
The doctor told him that he was inflicted with the deadly disease AIDS…the name itself sent shivers to the spine. He could not believe his ears…his wife was totally dumb…with disease AIDS…only one thing comes to minds of many…infidelity with the partner and nothing else… the question of loyalty???
The doctor examined him thoroughly and discussed with him in detail about the disease and how to cope up…at first, Rohan declined of any relationship established with strangers but his face spoke of all his misdeeds…it’s true one can lie to others but can’t lie to oneself. Now the reports spoke of his misdeeds which no one knew before except for a few of his friends, who too were in the bad company….frequent visits to prostitutes for physical satiation & fun.
Rohan had never ever thought of that he will be inflicted with the same any day…today he felt like his world is shattering down in front of his eyes and the noises of it would make him deaf and dumb….for the first time…he felt weak before his wife, who could not utter a single world…his wife stood still in state of shock and disbelief…she had ever cooperated with Rohan to satiate his sexual urges even in times when she did not feel…totally committed and her husband is astray…she did not feel like saying anything….eyes welled up with tears…now these tears were hers…she had to live with it till the last breath of her life…she could not end her life because of responsibilities of in-laws, her innocent kids…and of Rohan. Now she did not feel like accepting him as her hubby or life partner. But still she had to live with him…she was neither well educated nor her parents were financially strong to support her family.
She decided firmly that she will not share this horrid news with anyone…she felt betrayed and low…and the respect for her man vanished…he had played with the strings of faith…trust was no more the most important ingredient of a healthy relationship…she wanted to shout…she wished to run away. Far from the maddening crowds.
Rohan was perplexed…now he felt the pain of his deeds…the sexual urge on which he had pride …now he hated himself for it…but now nothing could be changed…he has to suffer…family will be there by his side but he had to bear the pain of disease as well as curses of all…AIDS patients are not easily accepted…though people are afflicted due to other reasons as well the mindset is that the person is of loose character and is on the wrong path…all know the lanes that lead to the door of prostitutes be it leaders, police or society…all goes under their nose. But no one cares. But the day, one hears about AIDS…whispers and murmurs take the round. He could not think. WHAT NEXT?
Economically he was backward. Sole breadwinner…never taught his wife the business ethics so that she could manage in tough days…his vision blurred…but now nothing could be changed.
Now he did not have the stamina to go out and put his shop…neither he had any such helper who could take care of his business…Old parents were struggling with their own life and this news of their son had shattered them into pieces….broken and helpless…they did not want to share with other siblings as they felt ashamed of it. Gradually he lost much weight and had to be transferred to hospital for the treatment…blood level was alarming…blood transfusion was done. He was reeling under medical observation…his wife was helpless, no funds in hand neither any support on which she could rely…God was testing her patience…continuously she prayed or cursed the God for making her life miserable….the kids were suffering…Her family members supported her financially as much as they could ..they too were not so well off…..but still they cooperated….but no one could share the Rohan’s sufferings…he had to bear the brunt alone…BLUNDER was done by one but the load whole family had to face…..Rohan was in hospital bed…unable to walk…the disease had drained his energy level and his immorality had brought his morale down…he laid on the bed still with eyes gazing the ceiling…blank face…nothing to say….within himself he was fighting…not for his life but for the mistake that he made without ever thinking of the consequence….and his false pride took him to this stage…he lost the battle of LIFE….One fine morning, he breathed his last…he was freed from the suffering but the whole family had to face his wrongdoing ..a dark future laid ahead of Rohan’s wife & kids….and old parents helpless.
Disclaimer: Any person living or dead resembling is just coincidental. It’s a pure fiction though incident is about the issue cropping in our society
