Footloose & Wild-Spirit

There was still stomping noise in the bedroom upstairs. The discussion in the morning was not forgotten by both Sana and Mrs Jones. Sana losing her patience, came downstairs to confront her mom.

“How could you not consider my dreams? I have been planning on becoming Peripatetic since infancy. How could you just ignore all that?”

Mrs Jones overlooked through Sana and continued her work. Why is she not understanding the sitch? Am I supposed to just stay quiet while she makes the wrong decision? Am I not allowed to be concerned about my daughter anymore?

Sana in the meantime barged in the room with an offer letter in her hand.

“I have been offered a job as a blogger to travel through North America for Fox channel. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me, and I will not let it go. Even if it displeases you. I have worked hard to get here and will not allow anyone to cease this moment in my life.”

A thwack on the windowpane broke Sana’s train of thoughts as it was raining pitchforks outside. Sana always thought about the day she had wrangled with her mom and left her house to chase her dreams. She had moved into a small apartment where she was allowed to do anything she wished. But she deeply missed her mom. She wanted to tell her how much she missed her and all the adventures she had in these six months.

Zenning down her emotions, she sipped through her cup of Cocoa reminiscing about her recent trek to the Bahamas and planning her next trip. The raindrops were now falling on the windowpane like sharp spears from the sky, and it had turned dark more than usual, making Sana feel insecure. Suddenly, she wanted to call her mother very severely feeling that something foreboding is about to happen. She grabbed her phone to dial, but all at once, the screen started getting blurred out. The lights around her began to get dim. Sana was dazed and fell on the floor unconscious.

When she woke up, she was in a hospital bed. A stream of questions flowed in her mind- What had happened to her? Who had brought her here? Her chain of thoughts was interrupted when a Doctor came in. There was a lady along with him, Sana was not able to recognise her due to her blurry vision. She strained her eyes only to realise that it was her mother.

It was her mom who had brought her in. She quickly wanted to hug her and tell her how much had she missed her only to realise she couldn’t even move a muscle. The Doctor sensed her dilemma.

“You just had a STEMI.”

“I had w-what?” wondered Sana with a confused look.

“It is a type of massive heart attack, reducing blood flow to your heart. Your lifestyle as a traveller might have added to the instant paralysis and also degeneration of your vital organs.”

“So, do you mean to say I am dying? How much time do I have left?” asked Sana, unable to digest what she had been told.

There was a stillness in the room.

The Doctor continued “If taken proper measures we can tackle this situation. There is surgery, but it is perilous. After which you would be bedridden due to the severe paralysis that has happened. You may have slight chances of walking.”

Sana quickly caught hold of her mother’s hand and squeezed it tight. She was scared to the core, she wanted to run away and forget everything that had happened in these hours, but how could she. She was stuck in this bed and not able to move an inch too.

The decision of undergoing surgery had to be taken now. But how could Sana make this decision? Undergoing surgery would mean ending her lifelong dream as a traveller and being stuck on a bed her whole life. While the only other option she had of was of Death itself.

Sana gazed at the rain through her hospital wing window trying a way to get out of this situation and going back to travelling places. This had been the most treacherous moment for her.

Suddenly she sensed a known warm touch on her head. She knew her mother’s touch instantly. Mrs Jones couldn’t bear the sight of seeing her daughter suffering.

“I’m sorry for letting you go that day and having an ignorant attitude towards your decision. I was just worried about your future, and that fear made you feel distant from me.” saying this, Mrs Jones broke down.

“It was not only your fault. I should have made you understand that Travelling is my passion and I have dreamt for it my whole life. I’m sorry too.”

Mrs Jones quickly hugged her daughter.

“Sana, it's my fault that you felt like you couldn't talk to me about your dreams and aspirations. Right now, you have to go through with this operation, but I will always be here for you,” said Mrs Jones in a brittle voice.

Sana knew that her mom would fight anyone in the world for her. Still, the sense of losing her lifelong dream, her career and her uphill battle spooked her.

“Whatever small chance there may be of you ever walking again, I will not let to give up on your dream. We will together achieve the goal that you have set. You will become a famous Peripatetic that you always have desired to be.”

The Doctor who had gone out came back with a syringe in his hand. Mrs Jones lovingly brushed Sana’s hair telling it was time for the surgery. On taking the injection and getting ready for operation, Sana’s eyes began to water.

Thinking if she could come back as a Free, Wild-spirited Peripatetic with her camera on one side and her wonderful mom on other, she shut her eyes.