Breaking Point
Earlier this year in April
She was practicing for the interschool basketball tournament, a hefty scholarship at stake, something that was the key to her hopes and aspirations, she remembered the persistent, nagging pain on her chest. It pressed down on her heart like a heavy weight threatening to shatter her dreams. , yet she pushed it aside, convinced it was merely a consequence of her daily 6-hour practice.
That day near the end of the practice session she stopped to catch her breath and deal with her pain, panting heavily.
Anita, the team captain , noticed Priya slacking mid game from the other side of the court . "Ugh, seriously, Priya? Where's your focus? Are you paying attention to the game?" she said as she approached her
Priya looked up and replied, "Yes, it's okay."
Her heavy breathing and hand on her chest showed otherwise. She looked down to avoid Anita's gaze and added, "Just a minor chest pain."
Anita rolled her eyes, putting her hand on Priya's shoulder and bringing her head close. "It's alright, you don't have to work so hard. We'll find a way to help you with the scholarship," before kissing her on the head and patting her back.
The game resumed after a brief break
Priya was running like crazy , dribbling the ball as her legs propelled her ,her eyes set on the hoop
The squeaking of shoes on the court , the adrenaline coursing through her veins , Her opponents closing in . She knew she had to give it her all , but her body refused ,her legs begin to give up , her heart pounding harder & the nagging pain pressing harder on her chest up by the second
"atleast not this time" as she dashed forward , her as the nearing opponents blurred in to stick figures ,
she thought as she leapt in to the sky with every last bit of her energy , her peripheral vision blinding to a great white and
"SLAAAMMM " her palm hit the ball like thunder as she was about to dunk But suddenly, her body gave up, and the pain took over. She fell to the ground, all passed out .
Ms Lida , the bio teacher & first aider rushed to the scene, asking everyone to step aside the she loosened her clothes
Priya was rushed to hospital
She finally gained consciousness to Anita hugging her her eyes fluttered open to Anita's worried face marked with streaks of dry tears .
Natasha sitting on the blue chair in the corner , her glasses askew , her lips trembling & her eyes wide open with horror
Priya asked for other visitors , the Nurse assistant Chotu , a former kid from Priya's orphanage, pointed to the doctors chamber
Priya walked to the chamber to see Heisenberg , who was shouting at the doctor , slamming on his wrist on the table
and the tears of horror on his face as the doctor whispered
"PRIYA HAS BREAST CANCER "
"STAGE 2 INOPERABLE"
Priya sat on the bench, lost in her thoughts, the memories of that game haunted her
The breaking point of her dreams .