Destiny

22. Friend In Need, Is A Friend Indeed

One day, Dolly did not come to office. As she was engaged and was emigrating to Australia after marriage, Anupama thought that she was perhaps busy with her preparations for the wedding.

But when she called up her house, she was told that Dolly had met with an accident and that she had been hospitalized.

Anupama immediately applied for leave and rushed to the hospital. Outside the hospital room, Dolly's ageing mother, Mary, sat crying, surrounded by a few friends.

Most of her family was in Goa, and Dolly was her only daughter.

When Anupama met the doctor to find out if anything was required, he said, 'Your friend needs blood. These days the incidence of AIDS is so high that we prefer blood from a known person. Perhaps one of the relatives can help? Dolly has lost a lot of blood; she needs a transfusion as soon as possible.'

The moment they heard that blood was needed, Dolly's visitors quietly melted away. Anupama told the doctor, 'Doctor, if my blood group is compatible with
hers, I am ready to give my blood.' She hesitated for a moment, 'I suffer from leukoderma-will it affect her in any way?'

'Of course not! Leukoderma cannot be passed on through blood transfusions.'
Anupama belonged to the same blood group as Dolly. After giving the blood, she went and met Dolly's mother and persuaded her to go home, promising to stay with Dolly through the night. She did not say anything about having donated her blood.

Until Dolly left the hospital, Anupama stayed with her every night to help her.
Dolly was overwhelmed with gratitude. Holding Anupama's hand, she said, 'Anu, how can I ever thank you for all that you've done for me?'

Anupama interrupted her, 'Don't talk as though I've done something great.
You needed some blood and I was able to give it to you. That's all.'