Chandana
Vishwas visits only on weekends. Those three days we become a real family. But the Sunday night is always tough on all three of us. We were in Chandana’s room, tucking her in bed. A full-day outing and lots of her favourite food were making her drowsy. "Dad, are you leaving tomorrow?" "Yes." "Supreet’s dad also comes on Thursday and leaves on Monday. But he’ll not leave this Monday. Supreet is getting operated on Tuesday." I flinched. But she was absorbed in the thought. "So cool, na? He’ll get ten days off from school! So nice, na?" "Those ten days won’t be fun, Chandana. He’ll be lying in the hospital." "Yes! But Mom, he’ll get a huge TV with all his favourite cartoons and a games console, too! He can play any time he wants!" She clearly remembered. "Dad, will they cut him? Will there be blood?" "It’s time for bed! You got an early football practice tomorrow!" VIshwas was swift to chan...