Love takes courage - Part 17

(This is the seventeenth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

Mr. Karmarkar talked to his family the next morning. He communicated his thought process to them. They all agreed. Rohan told his father that he did not want to get a transplant in this manner. He would not endanger the entire family for this.

Mr. Karmarkar was happy. He headed for Breach Candy Hospital to meet with Dr. Mehta.

When he showed the file to Dr. Mehta, even Dr. Mehta was surprised with the level of detail to which these things are planned these days. Mr. Karmarkar also told him of his family's decision not to go ahead with this.

Dr. Mehta understood entirely. "Let us do this, Mr. Karmarkar. Let us apply for the transplant. Let us ask the committee to hear us out. I will testify myself. Rohan, Kunal and you can also testify. We will plead with them to understand the case. Kunal can explain to them why he is donating. Let us see how they reject this!"

"I totally agree Dr. Mehta!"

Kunal was called in by them and told about the plan. He was not at all convinced. He had heard of many cases with paperwork being rejected. Without the paperwork to prove that Kunal was related, the committee would never approve the donation. Dr. Mehta and Mr. Karmarkar explained to Kunal the extent to which the papers were fabricated. Eventually they prevailed upon him to go with the right approach.

Over the next week, they got all the genuine paperwork ready and submitted it to the committee. The interview date was fixed. On the date of the interview, the trio walked in to the room where the committee was waiting.

After the initial introductions, the committee asked Dr. Mehta about the case. Dr. Mehta explained how he had known Kunal for long now and what a good technician was. He then explained about Rohan, his disease and the reason a transplant would really help him lead a normal life. He explained about Pooja, the fact that they were about to be married when Rohan was suddenly diagnosed with kidney disease. He explained that the family did not have any matching donors and about how Kunal one day walked up to him and told him about his decision.

Rohan went next. He mostly corroborated what Dr. Mehta said about him. He explained how his life would change after a transplant and how thankful he was to Kunal who despite not being related to him or not benefiting from this donation in any way was actually donating a kidney to him.

It was now Kunal's turn. The committee put him a simple question, "Why do you want to donate a kidney to Rohan Karmarkar?"

Kunal began, "Sir, I was born to a farmer in the village of Javkhede. My parents always taught me the importance of doing the right thing. Despite having very little income, my father made sure I was educated. Beyond the fifth standard, there is no school in the village. My father made sure I went to Amalner to complete the rest of my schooling. After my high school, my father sent me to Mumbai were I joined a hospital where my cousin worked as an assistant in the dialysis unit. I slowly learned all about dialysis."

"I soon realized that corruption is a way of life in big hospitals in Mumbai. Everyone from the people who order stock to the ward boys to the managers - everyone is corrupt. People think corruption exists only in Government hospitals. The corruption in private hospitals is on a much higher scale. It is much less acknowledged and talked about. I saw my seniors indulging in all kinds of small corruption. It was easy money. They tried to involve me as well. I resisted at first. But soon, the allure of extra money without doing too much extra work got to me as well."

"I soon grew in my center. I became one of the senior technicians. With increase in my stature, the money I started earning from corrupt practices started increasing. However, every month, I dread the first week. That is when we have just received our salary. Ordinarily, that is a time when we are all very happy. But for me it is a time of dread. The reason is that my father writes a letter to me every month. It usually arrives in the first week. My hands tremble when I read the letter. He extols the virtues of being honest and talks about being grounded despite growing in wealth and position. I read the letter again and again but I am unable to shake off the wrongs I am doing."

"When I first met Rohan Karmarkar, I was very sad that he was undergoing all this at this age. I have seen many dialysis patients in my career. Most of them are fairly old. There are some young as well. The young are either already married and have support in the form of a wife and sometimes, kids. There are other youngsters who are not yet married but they do not have any plans as yet. They are still in college and some even in school. Rohan Karmarkar is in love with Pooja and they were scheduled to get married in a few months. They make such a good couple together. I felt it was horrible that their story was interrupted so harshly by this disease."

"Then I heard from Rohan about how Pooja decided to stay with Rohan no matter what when Rohan asked her to move on. I cried in my room when I heard this. What kind of girl is she? I have seen many people leave their spouses after they get onto dialysis. And here was a girl who was not even married and she continued to stay with this guy! I was really moved by this sacrifice and started thinking of donating my kidney to him. I already knew my blood group matched his. Then one day, Rohan was brought into the hospital in an emergency and had to get dialysis urgently. He suffered really badly that day. That was the day I decided I would donate to him. It would make my father proud. It will at least partly make up for the sins I have committed in the past."

By the end of the testimony, everyone in the room was spellbound. Rohan had tears in his eyes. So did his father. There was silence for a whole minute.

The nephrologist on the panel spoke. "Very good Kunal. I am happy that you all did not resort to the false paperwork we see regularly here."

"Please give us a few days. We will communicate our decision to you", said another member on the panel.

The meeting was concluded.

Love takes courage - Part 16

(This is the sixteenth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

Mr. Karmarkar called Bhatavdekar the next morning and explained to him what they wanted.

"You see, my son is on dialysis. Now, the dialysis technician of the hospital where he goes for dialysis wants to donate a kidney to him. So, we wanted you to help us with the paperwork. Nothing is being paid to him for the kidney."

"Yes of course. Nothing is ever paid for the kidney!" He chuckled.

"No you see, this time really nothing is being paid!"

"Yes, yes, I understand. Good good. Nothing is being paid. Very good!" He chuckled again.

Mr. Karmarkar gave up.

Bhatavdekar asked Mr. Karmarkar to collect a whole lot of details and write it on a piece of paper and keep it ready in a day. Bhatavdekar would come and collect all the information the next day at 10 a.m.

The next day when Bhatavdekar came to their house, Mr. Karmarkar was quite embarrassed to see the guy. He looked disheveled. For once, the face matched the voice and style on the phone. Mr. Karmarkar gave him the paper with the details he needed. Surprisingly, very few details of Kunal were needed. Bhatavdekar told Mr. Karmarkar that he would charge one lakh rupees for the paperwork. Mr. Karmarkar was taken aback but he did not want to take any chances and agreed immediately. He wanted an assurance that the paperwork would all be perfect which Bhatavdekar readily offered.

Mr. Karmarkar did not value an assurance from this thug-like fellow but he had no choice. He was told that the paperwork would all be ready in ten days.

Rohan was going for dialysis as usual. He strictly managed his fluid and diet. There was an extra bounce in his step these days. There was light at the end of the tunnel after all. Pooja and he spent many hours together. Mr. Karmarkar kept Dr. Mehta updated on the progress of the paperwork with Bhatavdekar.

One evening Rohan invited Kunal over for dinner at their home. Kunal refused saying that he did not want to jeopardize the process at this point. If anyone suspected that the Karmarkars were enticing Kunal with any kind of allurements, there could be problems. Rohan understood.

Rohan still couldn't fathom why Kunal was doing this. He asked him again and again. Kunal would just shrug his shoulders and change the topic. Rohan discussed with his family about this as well. No one had any answers.

Rohan brought this topic up with Pooja as well. Pooja would always get a little irritated whenever this topic was brought up. It was as if there was something about Kunal donating his kidney to Rohan, completely altruistically, that she was uncomfortable about. Obviously, she was very happy that Rohan would lead a normal life again. The way it was happening however was something Pooja wasn't totally happy about. She kept visualizing the scene she saw when she entered the dialysis unit when Rohan was breathless and rushed for emergency dialysis with Kunal holding Rohan's hand. What was it with Kunal? Why is he doing this?

She had no clear answers however.

-----

Mr. Karmarkar got a call from Bhatavdekar on the ninth day itself.

"Papers are ready saheb", the voice said on the other side of the phone.

Bhatavdekar was to bring them and come that afternoon. Mr. Karmarkar kept the cash ready.

Mr. Karmarkar waited anxiously for him. When he came, he handed over a file that had a bunch of papers. Mr. Karmarkar handed over the cash to him and led him to the door.

When he got back, Mr. Karmarkar examined the papers in great detail. He was shocked when he realized what was being done.

The papers established that Kunal was a distant relative of the Karmarkars. They showed him as being the son of Mrs. Karmarkar's cousin sister who stayed at a village called Thul, about 1100 kilometers from Mumbai. It had ration cards, photographs, electricity bills - all fake!

Mr. Karmarkar was worried that he had agreed to be a part of such a web of deceit. Mr. Karmarkar had a sleepless night. What if we are caught? What if the police comes to know? Until now, we have not done anything illegal. This is totally illegal. We are not even paying money to Kunal. Why should we indulge in all this? Let us not lie. If God wants Rohan to get the transplant, he will get it. But I will not risk my entire family's life and my life for this.

Love takes courage - Part 15

(This is the fifteenth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

Dr. Mehta scheduled a meeting with Rohan, his father and Kunal. He discussed the entire procedure. He explained to them the process for doing this transplant. The state of Maharashtra requires a panel to approve all such transplants and this panel would include two nominees of the Government. They would have to convince the panel that no money was being exchanged in the process. The panel would interview both parties and then take a decision.

The Karmarkars and Kunal were aware. They understood that the process was complex. The Karmarkars felt really indebted to Kunal. Who would do such a thing these days? Kunal, whom they had known for barely a few weeks! Why should he offer a kidney? Mr. Karmarkar had tears in his eyes  outside Dr. Mehta's room. He hugged Kunal while Rohan looked on. Mr. Karmarkar could not say much.

"You are proof that humanity still exists in the world today!"

Rohan hugged him as well and said, "I don't know why you are doing this Kunal. All I can say is thanks so much. If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask!"

"Don't worry Rohan. Let us just get this approval so that we can go ahead with the transplant!"

------

During the next few weeks, the paperwork was all put in place. The panel would have to be convinced that no money was being exchanged and that this was a genuine case of altruistic donation. In times such as these, this would be a difficult task. Nobody would believe that a dialysis technician would donate a kidney to a patient who is not related to him without any financial consideration.

Dr. Mehta thought about what could be done to make this happen. He discussed this with a few colleagues. Everyone felt it was impossible to pull this off. The panel would never agree. Dr. Mehta read the rules again and again looking for some way he could do this.

The Government had some pretty stringent rules in place. This was done to curb the rise of illegal sale of organs. Many poor people in the state had been tricked by brokers who would promise them lakhs of rupees for a kidney and would be duped after the surgery where much less than the promised amount would be given.

It was not like this had stopped illegal transplants completely. They still happened. Money was still exchanged. It was just that the rules made it more difficult for such genuine one-off cases as well.

Dr. Mehta called a nephrologist who sat on the panel. He told him about the case. Dr. Mehta was a respected nephrologist. He was quite senior and everyone had great regard for him. When the nephrologist heard about the case, he told Dr. Mehta that he believed him 100% but the rest of the panel would highly doubt the genuineness.

"What can be done?"

"Let me think about it and get back to you."

Dr. Mehta followed up with the nephrologist over the next few weeks. Finally, one day, the nephrologist offered a solution.

"Mehta saab, I believe that this is a genuine case but I am very sure that the rest of the panel will not accept it. So, unfortunately you will need to do the regular stuff. I will SMS the number of one fellow called Bhatavdekar and he will help you with whatever needs to be done."

"Thanks so much!", said Dr. Mehta.

Dr. Mehta called the guy, Bhatavdekar. He seemed to be a rough guy. He was talking like he was doing them a favor. Dr. Mehta decided to hand this over to the Karmarkars. He called Mr. Karmarkar and passed on the number and also updated him about his conversation with the nephrologist on the panel.

Love takes courage - Part 14

(This is the fourteenth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

Dr. Mehta was back from Aurangabad in three days. That afternoon, Kunal came to him.

"I want to donate Dr. Mehta. Please make this happen. I badly want to donate my kidney. I want to see Rohan lead a normal life!"

Dr. Mehta sensed a tone of desperation.

"Did you think about it seriously?"

"Yes, Dr. Mehta. The more I think about it, the more I feel I should donate. You keep saying, right Doctor, that God has given all of us two kidneys even though we can easily survive with one and that is why every human being should consider donating a kidney to someone in need! You always say that there is a solution to the shortage of kidneys today! I want to donate Doctor. I really want to donate."

"Ok, ok. We will plan. First let me talk to Rohan's family. They should be willing to take a kidney from you."

"Sure. Thank you so much Doctor."

-------

The next day Mr. Karmarkar came to meet Dr. Mehta at Dr. Mehta's request.

"Mr. Karmarkar, Kunal came to me a few days back and said that he wants to donate a kidney to Rohan!"

"What?"

"Yes, Kunal wants to donate a kidney to Rohan. I wanted to check with you. I am very sorry for asking you this but have you or your son, by any chance, you know...."

"No Dr. Mehta. Not at all. Absolutely not. We would never do such a thing!"

Dr. Mehta could make out that Mr. Karmarkar was not lying. "Can you confirm with Rohan and your family as well? I mean, I know this is awkward but please understand that offering money is illegal and I really don't want to get involved in anything of that sort."

"Dr. Mehta, I assure you. No one in my family including Rohan would do such a thing without checking with me!"

"But still, Mr. Karmarkar. Please check with them. We may be onto something here. I have seen desperate times call for desperate measures!"

"Sure, Doctor. I will check."

-------

That same evening Mr. Karmarkar called Dr. Mehta and assured him that none of his family members including Rohan had offered any money to Kunal for a kidney.

As soon as Rohan got to know about Kunal's intent, he called him on his cell and said, "Kunal, Hi, This is Rohan. My dad just told me. Why do you want to do this Kunal? I mean, I am so thankful to you for even thinking of this. But why, Kunal?"

Kunal did not know what to say. "I am busy in a case Rohan ji, I will call you back."

Rohan immediately called Pooja and said, "You know what? You're not going to believe this. Kunal wants to donate his kidney to me!"

"What? Really? Hmmmm"

"Come home quickly na, we need to talk about this!"

"Yeah sure."

Rohan waited for Kunal to call back as promised but Kunal did not call back. 

Love takes courage - Part 13

(This is the thirteenth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

"Can I donate a kidney to a patient?", asked Kunal the next morning to Dr. Mehta.

"You want to donate your kidney to a patient?"

"Yes, Doctor. What would the procedure be?"

"Who do you want to donate to? And why?"

"I want to donate to Rohan Karmarkar. He is suffering a lot. He has a very good life ahead of him. He was about to get married. I think he deserves a transplant."

"That is all correct Kunal. But we have already registered him for a cadaveric transplant."

"That may take many years Dr. Mehta, based on his blood group. I have the same blood group."

"Hmmmm. Have they offered you any money to donate?"

"Doctor, what are you saying? No doctor, not at all!"

"Hmmmm. Really sorry for asking Kunal but in my many years of experience, I have never seen a technician wanting to donate to a patient! That is why I asked. I am sorry about that!"

"No problem Doctor. The thing is he has a full life ahead of him. I think it is very sad that he has to suffer so much."

"I totally understand Kunal. Have you discussed with your family?"

"Not yet Doctor. I am talking first with you."

"Will your family be ok with this?"

"I will convince them. Don't worry about that Doctor. Please let me know what the procedure is for this."

"Yes, sure. Does Rohan and his family know about this?"

"No Doctor. I was hoping you would tell them."

"Kunal, all this seems too strange. Are you really sure you want to do this?"

"Yes Doctor. I really want to do this!"

"Do one thing. Let us keep this lying for a few days. Let us meet again after I return from the Aurangabad conference. Let us plan after that. Remember, if you change your mind, it is totally ok. Ok?"

"Sure Doctor. I am sure I will not change my mind."

Dr. Mehta was leaving for Aurangabad for a Nephrology conference that evening. He saw Rohan in the dialysis unit on his way out. He was doing fairly well. Dr. Mehta agreed with Kunal that Rohan really deserved a transplant. He was in the prime of youth and would really do well with a transplant.

On his way to the airport, he thought about this whole new development on Kunal wanting to donate to Rohan. He was still at a loss.

Why would Kunal want to donate? Surely, it is not merely altruism at work here! I know technicians only too well. Could the Karmarkars have struck a deal with him? But why him? There are dozens of touts that are roaming the market ever willing to find donors for patients. It is very easy to get a kidney these days! Why Kunal? Why would Kunal want to donate a kidney?

Dr. Mehta could not get over this. He kept coming back to this on and off during the conference as well.

Love takes courage - Part 12

(This is the twelfth part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

When the Karmarkars got back home, they called Pooja and updated her about the happenings. Pooja was shocked and worried. She insisted that she would go immediately to the hospital. After a great deal of convincing by Mrs. Karmarkar, she agreed to wait till the next morning and go and pick up Rohan from Breach Candy and bring him home.

Pooja woke up early, prepared some tea and put it in a flask and drove down to Breach Candy Hospital. She reached there around 4:45. She went straight to the dialysis unit and opened the door. As she went in, she saw Rohan sleeping on the bed, still connected to the dialysis machine. Kunal was sitting on a stool, his head on the bed, sleeping, and his hands were holding Rohan's hands. Discomfited by what she saw, she called out to Kunal.

Kunal awoke with a start. He immediately got up and said, "Good morning Pooja ji!"

Pooja returned the greeting with a smile. Kunal looked at the machine and said, "Almost done! I will close right away and then you can take Rohan home."

"Sure! I will wait outside."

In about fifteen minutes, Rohan emerged from the dialysis unit, looking tired and weak. Pooja held his hand and led him to the car. 

"How are you feeling?"

"Feeling fine, Pooja."

Pooja drove him home and served him a small cup of hot tea. Rohan had the tea and lay on the bed. Pooja sat next to him and gently caressed his forehead. Rohan fell asleep.

That evening, Pooja came home after work and went up to Rohan's room. Rohan was watching television.

"Hi!"

"Hi!"

"Feeling better?"

"Yes, much better!"

Pooja sat next to Rohan on his bed and held his hand.

"Please don't start lecturing me on fluid!"

"Did I even mention it?"

"Yes, so don't even think about it. I learnt my lesson."

"Sure!"

 The two of them spent the rest of the evening in each other's arms watching television.

-------

Kunal went up to Dr. Mehta that evening. He gave him an update on Rohan's case and how the dialysis went. He also enquired from Dr. Mehta on what the long term plan was for him. Dr. Mehta told him about how his family was not a match and he was on the cadaver transplant list.

Kunal couldn't sleep that night. He thought about the enormous suffering dialysis patients have to go through. The sight of Rohan coming into the dialysis unit gasping for breath with a pleading look in his eyes to help him haunted him. 

Was there something I can do? My blood group matches Rohan's after all. Why can't I donate a kidney to Rohan? If I don't donate, he will have to wait for many, many years. What will happen to Pooja ji? She is so amazing to stand by Rohan despite all this. Why can't I help them out? But what if something goes wrong? What if something happens to me? What about my future? What can happen though? I have seen so many transplants happen in this hospital. Has any donor ever been harmed? I know only the initial story however. I have no idea what happened to the donors after many years. If anything could happen to donors, we would definitely know about it. It should be safe!

Kunal kept debating this in his mind and finally went to sleep.

Love takes courage - Part 11

(This is the eleventh part of a short story - Love takes courage) 

Whenever Rohan went for dialysis, Kunal was always there. Kunal had adjusted his duty times with HR so that he would always be there when Rohan would come in for his session. He made sure Rohan got a bed he was comfortable in. He also made it a point to start and close his session and in between his work, he would always come and spend time with Rohan, checking on how he was doing and the progress on the overall plan with Dr. Mehta.

Whenever Rohan had any side effects during dialysis, Kunal would attend to him personally and make sure he recovered quickly.

Rohan became very dependent on Kunal and would be comfortable only when he was there. He wouldn't let anyone else start or close his dialysis session preferring to wait till Kunal returned from an errand he would have to run sometimes for the dialysis unit.

Rohan hated the two day gap between dialysis. Most dialysis patients get dialysis sessions thrice a week. They opt for either Monday-Wednesday-Friday sessions or Tuesday-Thursday-Saturday sessions. So, everyone got two one-day gaps during the week and one two-day gap during the weekend. Since the kidneys of dialysis patients do not work well, the toxins and fluid that kidneys usually remove are removed during the dialysis session. During the week, since there is only one day between the sessions, the build-up of toxins and fluid is not as much and patients usually are able to tolerate the excess amounts in their bodies. However, during the weekend, the build up of toxins and fluids becomes quite difficult for some patients to tolerate and they have to watch their fluid intake and intake of substances that contain large amounts of some of these toxins.

It was an ironic contradiction in his life. He hated dialysis. He was on a Monday-Wednesday-Friday schedule. During the weekend, he would hate the fluid and diet restrictions even more. So much more that he began to yearn for dialysis!

On one such Sunday afternoon, Rohan indulged a little too much. There was this bottle of 'Aam Panna' (a drink that is made out of raw mangoes) that was made and kept in the refrigerator. Rohan took one sip of that in the morning. He began craving for that in the afternoon after lunch. Everyone at home was taking a nap. Pooja was also not there. He went over to the refrigerator and poured himself half a glass of the 'panna'. He sipped it slowly, relishing every sip as it went down his parched and deprived gullet. As he took in every sip, he swished it in his mouth to wet all parts of his mouth and to feel every bit of it. He loved it. The tangy and sweet taste was so good! It also had a pinch of rock salt added. This made it even more tasteful. He poured himself out another half glass. He gulped this down all in one shot. He felt like having more but he knew he would get into trouble. He went back to his room and tried to distract his mind. He started watching television and fell asleep.

That evening, at dinner too, he had a full glass of the 'panna'. His parents told him to be careful. They did not monitor his fluid intake too much because they realized he was a grown up and any such restriction imposed by them would only backfire.

Rohan went to bed at around 10:30. After about an hour, he woke up feeling uncomfortable. He felt like someone was holding a pillow on his nose and not letting him breathe. He was feeling suffocated. He sat up on his bed. The feeling was still there. He went and sat in front of the air-conditioner trying to take in the the air that it was letting out. No respite. He went out on the balcony. Every breath he was trying to take was more and more labored. He was now beginning to panic. He cursed himself for having so much 'panna'.

Rohan came back and in, sat on his bed and called his father on the cell phone. 'Papa, I can't breathe! I can't breathe!" Rohan was gasping as he uttered those words. His father said, "I am coming!"

Mr. Karmarkar was in Rohan's room in less than half a minute. His wife followed. "What happened?" he asked.

Rohan signalled that he was unable to breathe. Mr. Karmarkar immediately called Dr. Mehta on his cell phone. Dr. Mehta understood the symptoms and asked him to go to Breach Candy Hospital and get a session of dialysis immediately. Dr. Mehta said he would call Kunal and make the arrangements.

Mr. Karmarkar helped Rohan to the car and they rushed him to Breach Candy immediately.

Kunal was waiting there very anxiously. He had the machine ready. He held Rohan by his shoulder and helped him onto the weighing machine. 79.4 kgs. Rohan was 6 kgs above his dry weight! Kunal took Rohan to the dialysis machine and made him sit on the bed and raised the backrest of the bed so that Rohan could sit and allow the fluid to flow downwards from his lungs. He started dialysis immediately. He also attached a suction machine that would help pull out the fluid faster. He also put on an oxygen mask on his face which would help him breathe a little easily. He sat next to Rohan.

Rohan was still feeling very bad. Kunal did all he could to help ease the symptoms. Rohan was gasping for every breath. Not due to the dearth of air but due to the fluid that had literally soaked up his lungs.

After about half an hour, they had pulled out about a liter of fluid. Rohan started feeling better. He was very tired. The whole experience had left him totally shaken. While he was getting into the car a couple of hours back, Rohan thought that the end had come. He was gasping for every breath. Every breath he was taking took so much effort and yet offered no relief. Rohan never thought he would make it.

Unable to get over the harrowing experience he had just been through, Rohan couldn't hold back his tears. Kunal comforted him. Rohan was really down. He felt he couldn't take it any more. He said to Kunal, "What is this life, Kunal? I don't want to live, Kunal. Can you please end it for me? Please do me a favor and end it. I know you can do it. Please help me Kunal. I don't want to put my parents through all this. I don't want to put Pooja through all this. Do me a favor, Kunal. Please end it all."

Kunal held his hands and said, "Rohan, this is not the way. This a temporary phase. You have to be strong. Just think of the day when you will get the transplant. After that, all this will be a thing of the past. You will look back at this phase and laugh at yourself! You have to be patient. I am sure you will get a transplant very soon."

Kunal comforted Rohan and slowly diverted his mind. Mr. Karmarkar came in to see how he was doing. By then he had settled down. Kunal told him to go home. He said that the session would be completed by around 5 in the morning. Mr. Karmarkar said they would stay there. Rohan and Kunal both insisted that they go back home. Rohan assured his parents that he was feeling much better.

After Rohan's parents left, Kunal sat next to Rohan's bed on a stool. Rohan fell asleep soon. So did Kunal. The dialysis machine continued to whir as it cleaned Rohan's blood of all the excess fluid.