‘Ashray, let them work,’ Rishi said gently. I stood up and stepped out of the way. Rishi led me into the living room. The voices from down the passage seemed garbled, I couldn’t make out what they were saying. The room felt like it was spinning, closing in. Another set of paramedics entered the apartment with a stretcher. I put my head in my hands, convincing myself that they wouldn’t take a deceased person out on a stretcher.

‘How will they get her down the stairs?’ I asked Rishi.

‘They know how to do these things, Ashray. Let’s just let them do what they do best.’ A woman in uniform kneeled down in front of me.

‘I need to ask you a few questions,’ she began. She was so compassionate, I couldn’t help but think of Sakshi and her training.

‘What is her name?’

‘Akshita,’ I said, not wanting to make eye contact with her. Worried that by somehow locking eyes with the woman who was trying to save my Maa, I would be told a truth I wasn’t ready for.

‘Is she your mother?’

I nodded.

‘Your name?’

‘Ashray.’

‘Ashray, we can’t be certain, but it looks like your mother has had a heart attack. We have got her back, but I need you to understand that—’ I didn’t allow her to finish.

‘She’s alive?’

‘Technically, yes, but Ashray …’ Nothing else she said was important. My Maa was alive. Her heart was beating again, everything else I could deal with.

‘We will take her to the hospital by ambulance. Will you both come with us to the hospital?’

Rishi shook his head.

‘I will stay here and clean up.’ He looked at me. ‘I will take a bus there when I’m done.’ I was grateful that my friend wanted to spare me from the mess he knew would be left behind. They wheeled her past me, a bag valve mask on her to help her breathe.

In the ambulance, she squeezed my hand lightly; I was sure of it. I put her hand to my cheek. ‘Life is fleeting, it is temporary, and it should be spent loving the people you choose to let into your life. Everyone who enters your life must leave it eventually. How you choose to spend your time with them is entirely up to you.’ I repeated those words over and over again on the way to the hospital. Willing our fleeting moment to be extended.

23. JHANVI

23

JHANVI