When Life Tests You, True Friends Stand With You

There are moments in life that arrive unannounced, shake you at your core, and leave lasting imprints on your heart. One such moment came recently when I received a call from home—my 89-year-old father had suffered internal bleeding in the brain and was paralyzed on his right side. Over the phone, he said something I’ll never forget: *“My time has come.”*

I was thousands of miles away, living and working abroad. Without a second thought,I immediately flew back from abroad. My arrival not only gave me a chance to be with my ailing father but also allowed my brother to fully focus on the wedding preparations of his daughter. With both of our brothers-in-law supporting him, he could make the family function successful without having to worry about our father's critical condition. Had I not taken on this responsibility, the entire situation might have become emotionally and logistically disastrous.

The moment I landed, I rushed straight to the hospital. By some stroke of grace, that same day he managed to take in a few sips of liquid food. The next day, he moved to semi-solid. Doctors decided to discharge him—partly due to upcoming wedding arrangements in the family. But taking him home, bedridden, in the dead of night by ambulance, was a challenge I had to face alone.

Caring for him, setting up 24x7 support, managing medicines, hygiene, food—it was overwhelming. I felt completely alone. And in that vulnerability, I kept informed about the situation to all those who I know and consider them as most dear ones. Many responded with well-meaning wishes, and prayed for me from whatsapp message which really gave me cheer..but somehow I was in need of some one who can physically come to me for help...Offcourse all have their committments in their life and already stuck with their busy life so no one turned up for me irrespective of their being in same city or in neighbouring state. Forget about visit no phone calls from any one. Somehow it pinches me Because in those moments, words alone don’t help—you crave presence but I understand its ok.

However, one friend from my school who is doctor called me to check and she did provide good inputs after refering to dads reports which helped me a lot. Also, another doctor friend who also provided some additional medicines which actually controlled falling BP of my father..These two aids helped me a lot and genuine support during critical time care which gave me gave me strength.

But what truly restored my faith were my current my project team members. My offshore counterpart along with another team member visited me and spent some time which boosted my confidence. Additionally, two team members who have travelled from eastern part of India spending more than 30 hours in train came to me be with me and give support to me was unbelievable. With all these some more local team members also visited, So totally Eleven of them were there with me physically and stayed with mefor the entire day. Where we had some nice food and we all along with my father enjoyed.

However three team member decided to stay with for more days and stayed for three full days. They didn’t ask for anything—they just did what needed to be done. They helped to groceries that helped cooking, helped around the house, set up a desktop to be enabled for vc kind of thing so in future when i go back to london any one can call whatsapp and we can have video call with my father, chatted with my father, and made the space feel human again. We even took time to step out together, talk, shop a little, and breathe.

*This experience taught me a powerful truth: it's not those who speak the loudest, but those who quietly stand beside you and share your burden who are your true friends.*

To those three souls—you gave me strength when I was weakest, and for that, I’ll always be grateful.

Now my brother is back in guard of support and my father is doing well and he is progressing day by day and also my mother is stable with my elder sister in Belgaum so all is looking plain and normal. 

God is really kind to us and making the life normal again. Big thanks to GOD...

Just felt to pen for the mighty people in my life and this bond will go strong day by day.