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It was a puppy. She was hiding in a corner. Her eyes and ears—were as adorable as ever. Her fur brown in colour. She was wet. And shivering. Nisha moved out of the car and called the puppy.
The puppy saw her and was apprehensive. She didn’t know whether Nisha would pat her or hit her. But there was something about Nisha that drew the puppy towards her.
Nisha patted the puppy gently. What was her story, she wondered. She looked like a usual street dog. Was she abandoned by her mother? Or did she get lost and was unable to find her way back home? Her condition told Nisha that she wasn’t too well.
Nisha picked up the puppy in her lap. She felt a small lump in the puppy’s back. Raj was horrified. He too moved out of the driving seat. He feared for Nisha.
“Nisha, your immune system is compromised. You shouldn’t be picking up stray puppies just like that. They could be carrying so many germs and bacteria. Look this one is not well because it is shivering. It may infect you,” said Raj.
“I don’t care. What I know is that she needs me,” said Nisha.
Raj sighed. He was tired. He didn’t want to start another argument. And he knew that Nisha could behave irrationally—at times.
“I don’t get it. What do you want to say?” confronted Raj.
“I’m sick, Raj. You know that. But at least I have you. This puppy is sick as well. But she doesn’t have anybody to love her,” said Nisha.
“Sounds noble but do you realise the practical problems it may cause. A pet inside a flat. A dog requires as much care as a human child. I mean who will look after the dog?” asked Raj.
“I will,” said Nisha bluntly.
Raj sighed again. He knew he needed to be a little more specific.
“Really? Who will feed the dog?” asked Raj.
“I will,” said Nisha.
“Who will take the dog for a walk?” asked Raj.
“I will,” repeated Nisha. She looked determined.
“Who will bathe the dog?” asked Raj.
“I will,” said Nisha.
“You know dogs inside a house create quite a mess. So who is going to clean up all their pee-pee-poo-poo mess?” asked Raj.
“I will,” said Nisha.
“And will you then potty train the dog as well?” asked Raj.
“Yes, I will,” said Nisha.
Raj held his head with his hands. It had become really difficult to reason with his wife. He’d asked some very specific questions to drill some sense into Nisha. He hoped that she would realise how difficult it is to take care of a pet. But she was totally drowned in her emotions and wasn’t thinking rationally.
“Nisha. You need to rest. As much as possible. It won’t be fair to place an additional burden on you. Plus it may put your life at risk. You may catch really terrible infections. And I can’t let that happen. Why don’t you understand?” asked Raj.
“I can take care of myself, Raj. And I can take care of this pup too. Just the way I am taking care of my career and my social cause. And you. But I want to love. You’ve loved me so much. Without you, Nisha wouldn’t have been possible. I want to love someone else just like you. Please,” said Nisha.
Raj had lost all energy. After that Turkey tour, Nisha had become extremely stubborn. He finally agreed.
“Alright. But don’t expect me to take care of you and the puppy at the same time,” said Raj.
“I won’t. You have my word,” said Nisha.
“Alright,” Raj nodded.
“Let’s take her to a vet,” said Nisha.
“Right now?” asked Raj. He was exhausted.
“Yes, please,” said Nisha.
“Then get inside the car,” said Raj. Nisha soon followed with the puppy in her arms. He drove.
“Have you thought of a name for the puppy?” asked Raj.
“Yes. Julia,” said Nisha.
“Julia. Sounds like a nice name,” said Raj.
They took her to the nearest vet and had her vaccinated. The vet told Nisha something that broke her heart.
“The prognosis is not good, I’m afraid. This dog isn’t going to live long...”
