Point

he wall. I kept replaying Raghav's collapse in my head-the way his eyes rolled back, the sound of h

d to the hospital before

My voice was low, shaky, but firm. "I can't afford the surgery. Not even close. But... if ther

s behind square glasses-looked at

ering his voice. "But I spoke to the pharmacy. There are a few medications that c

weaken. "Thank y

cost myself. It's not much, but... I have a daugh

ed the bag of medication he handed

r brother," he replied

the mattress, his body still weak, his eyes fluttering open and s

hands trembling as I stroked his hair ba

mumbled, hi

ickly, leaning in. "I

ny nod, then dr

hours, watching his chest rise and f

ithin weeks. Maybe less. That the drugs cou

entire world now-those pills that stood

ipt. A slip of paper wi

d, two hund

g I had left after pay

ue in a few days. I hadn't shown up for any of my jobs since Raghav collapsed. My pho

ome rice and lentils. I sat beside Raghav

ust a few s

ad, turning awa

rength. Plea

ll, his face pale, but there was a fli

l aside and took his hand in mi

idn't g

You didn't choose this, Raghav. And I... I'm your

Then he whispered, "I don

ghtened. "I'

said softly, al

nto my lips. "Okay.

The stars were hidden behind clouds, and the air smelled like rain. I could hear a

ormal... and yet my wo

ying loads, running errands-how many back-breaking, humiliating jo

dn't b

done everything I can. I've begged, I've worked, I've broken myself

ilently. I didn'

have the

l sleeping, and I sat by his side, counting the pills left.

job-all of them. I didn't have the lux

Raghav n

y hair into a bun. My reflection in the mirror looked like someone I bar

't afford to

to kee

aghav's forehead gently.

dn't open his eye

a smile.

ht, clutching my empty purse and a mind f

, Even if it broke me. I w

. My heart ached with every thought of Raghav

ried the weight of his life on my shoulde