Rays Of Hope, Happiness & Life

Rays of Hope, Happiness, and Life: Discover inspiring stories of courage and resilience from cancer patients who have turned their battles into beacons of hope for others.

Blog 5

04/08/2025

A Promise Kept: A Love Story Beyond Cancer

Some stories simply need to be told — they are meant to be shared, remembered, and cherished.

It was during my time at Max Hospital, Patparganj, East Delhi, on a chilly December morning, that I first met Vidhi (name changed to respect privacy). She had travelled nearly 50 kilometres with her mother and fiancé, Naren, to consult me for her radiation therapy for breast cancer. By then, Vidhi had already undergone chemotherapy and surgery.

Vidhi was just 26 when she was diagnosed. A bright young woman, she was engaged to be married to Naren, with the wedding plans already in place. But just a few months before her wedding, she felt a lump in her breast. That self-discovery changed everything.

Both Vidhi and Naren came from humble, middle-class families. They lived in Najafgarh, on the outskirts of Delhi. Naren worked a modest job in a private company in Gurugram.

During our consultation, it was Naren who spoke the most — asking about the treatment plan, possible side effects, costs, and logistics. Vidhi sat quietly, pale and withdrawn, her frailty accentuated by the side effects of treatment: hair loss, dull skin, and a loss of vitality. Her silence spoke volumes — perhaps she was still coming to terms with the shock of such a diagnosis at such a young age.

December in Delhi can be bitterly cold, and their daily commute for radiation therapy would last for four weeks. When I asked how they planned to manage, Naren’s response was instant and resolute. He would bring Vidhi every morning for her treatment, drop her home afterward, and then head to work. He even requested an early morning appointment so it would be easier to manage — something we gladly accommodated.

Vidhi completed her treatment just as she had started — quietly and with grace. Every day, Naren accompanied her. Her mother or other family members never came along. They were a contrasting pair — Vidhi calm and reserved, Naren warm and talkative. Both spoke in their local Haryanvi dialect. By the time she finished her sessions, soft new hair had begun to grow on Vidhi’s head. With a teasing smile, Naren remarked, “Madam ji, Vidhi laage na Dangal ki chhori?” — comparing her to the strong Haryanvi girls from the famous movie Dangal.

After radiation, Vidhi was to begin hormone therapy — a treatment that would mean she could not conceive in the future. It was my moral duty to gently explain this to them. They were set to marry in just a month’s time. As always, Vidhi remained quiet, not asking a single question. But Naren, without missing a beat, smiled and said, “No problem, madam ji. We will adopt a child after our marriage.” His words lifted a weight from my heart.

After that, our paths parted. Vidhi continued her follow-ups closer to home. But I often thought about them — especially about Naren’s steadfast love and optimism.

Seven years later, now working at Fortis Hospital, I saw them again by pure chance. Naren and Vidhi were holding the hand of a beautiful little girl. They were visiting because Vidhi’s father was unwell. My heart filled with joy. Naren had kept his promise. They looked happy, content, and at peace. As always, Naren did most of the talking while Vidhi smiled quietly, holding tightly onto her daughter’s hand.

Life, at that moment, felt wonderfully complete.

I wish for a world with many more Narens — people who love without conditions, who stand steadfast in the face of challenges, and who make the world a kinder, more accepting place.