For years, the rocky hillock at Irunilamkode in Mullurkara near Thrissur has been Sruthy's favourite spot. Since childhood, she used to wander there with her cousins and friends, dreamily gaze at the sky, enjoying the beautiful sights around. Little Sruthy dreamt of that day when she, grown up and married, would share the amazing experience at the hillock with the love of her life. Years later, a 23-year-old Sruthy realised her dream as the heavily-panting, skinny young woman scaled the height, guided by her enthusiastic husband Ibraahim Badhshah, who announced to the world through social media, She was sceptic if she could climb. I told her that this was nothing; our next mission is Everest! You are my strength in the journeys to come.
It's a story of resilience and selflessness; a story of boundless, unconditional love. Sruthy and Badhshah were undergraduates when they met in college. Their story starts with a prank when Sruthy asked Badhshah to walk along the college corridors sporting a hibiscus flower and he attempted the dare without any hesitation! The two soon fell for each other, well aware of the hurdles they had to face. Badhshah says, We knew it was a huge risk. Both of us were just 22. Belonging to different religions and social backgrounds, our families might not support us and we might be ostracised. But little did they know of the peril lurking in the corner.
Badhshah dropped out of college to join the Armed Forces, for a better living and to ask Sruthy's dad for her hand in marriage. The families weren't keen at first, but, very much in love, the duo realised that nothing in the world can tear them apart. On November 1, 2017, Sruthy and Badhshah registered their marriage, without the usual wedding fanfare and celebrations. They were in Hyderabad, married for just one month, when Sruthy noticed a swelling in her throat. We consulted a doctor there who diagnosed it as tuberculosis. The treatment went on for six months, but the condition worsened as swelling appeared in various parts of my body. We went to a hospital in Kochi from where a biopsy was conducted and my doctor identified it as Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, Sruthy recalls.
The world collapsed before the couple, but they were soon to gather courage. Badhshah adds, Since we had been under wrong medication for over four months and the diagnosis delayed, it was stage-4. But the doctor said it was a 90 per cent curable disease. Trusting the saying love conquers all', we decided to fight it. And they did, with grace.
The Dementor-like treatment could drain anyone's spirits, but Badhshah took leave from the Army and stood behind Sruthy like a rock, through her mood swings and ill health. He took care of me like a baby. When I couldn't even stand up properly, he bathed me and inspired me to see the light at the end of the tunnel, Sruthy says. When she started losing hair as an effect of chemotherapy, Badhshah didn't think twice before shaving off his hair. Sporting bald heads, the couple smiled at each other showing that they are made for each other.
We decided to grow our hair together after this gets over. Sporting a bald head is a matter of pride too. Why should we be ashamed of baldness, he asks, adding, A lot of donations for hair banks are happening. But what I feel is that cancer patients need support more than hair. Hair can never be like blood. Once lost, it can sprout back; there's no need of any shame in sporting a bald head. If you want to donate happiness, donate blood.
What adds to the happiness of the couple is that the treatment that lasted a year has shown results. Sruthy is completely cured and all medication has ended. Recovering from body pain and fatigue, she says she is grateful to cancer. Both our families united with us and we are all happy. Cancer was our mediator, she laughs. It also made her realise how powerful love can be. I couldn't have fought it out without Badhshah. I am fortunate to have such a loving partner who would never let me go, whatever happens, she says.
This Valentine's Day is very special for the lovely couple. Badhshah says, We have been in love for five years, but this is our first Valentine's Day together. During the course of treatment, we missed out a lot our wedding anniversary, birthdays This time, we are going on a bike trip to Athirappilly and Vazhachal. We will celebrate this special day at the waterfalls.
A lot of journeys are pending; together they would travel places, to explore love in various forms. Sruthy says, The next trip would be to Kannur, to meet our friend's amma, who has been praying for us, waiting for our arrival. Then to meet many of those people who have been remembering us in their prayers. There's nothing we can do to give back their affection other than loving them all back.
