‘Death is the nighttime of life’. I had once read it in the accounts of a man battling cancer who was nearing his end. The phrase stuck cord with me, not because it reflects the universal truth, but because of what we were going through as a family at that point of time. My maternal grandmother bravely fought the disease for eight long years and on the 8th of April, 2026 she crossed the rainbow bridge.

Today I am here writing this blog not only to honor her presence and her profound impact in my life, but also to share our journey as family in the years following her diagnosis.

REMEMBERING HER

I am who I am because of my grandmother. With both my parents working, she took it upon herself to play multiple roles in my life — a mother, a teacher and a friend. As far as I can remember, I have never returned to an empty house. She was always there for me, in good health and even through her sickness. She was the one I first called ‘Ma’ and for the longest time I believed she truly was my mother, as I knew no one else in that role.

I remember trying to imitate her a child, in the smallest of ways– how she spoke, how she read the newspaper, how she moved around in the house. If I ever have to think of a role model, it would always be her. She embodied the kind of feminine energy that a writer would describe with admiration– financially independent, strong willed, opinionated, lived life in her own terms, knew how to change with time and yet immensely kind and encouraging. Today when someone says that I look like her or share her qualities, it fills me with an immense sense of pride.

THE ‘C’ DIAGNOSIS

It amazes me to think how incredible our bodies are. It keeps sending us signals long before it collapses.

In my grandmother’s case, it all began with depleting blood counts and unexplained weight loss. She was in her late seventies, and her primary physician did not find that alarming (I wish he did though). He flagged it as a probable case of iron deficiency and sent her back home. For almost a year she continued taking iron tablets, but her counts showed no improvement. Then, in January 2018 she started experiencing a dull pain in her back — a kind which was nagging and difficult to explain. I remember my mother taking her to an orthopedic. He diagnosed her with hairline fractures in her tailbone and rib cage. Things did not look concerning since she had a fall at home the previous year. Despite adequate rest her pain worsened and she soon started limping. We consulted a physiotherapist. That did give her some kind of relief. Meanwhile her blood counts started plummeting. Before we even had the chance of taking her to a hematologist, she contracted pneumonia. What followed was a grueling month-long hospital stay, two cardiac arrests, a near possibility of death and finally the ‘C’ diagnosis — a case of high-risk multiple myeloma (a form of blood cancer).

THE JOURNEY THAT FOLLOWED

Soon after diagnosis the evident question that followed was ‘how much time she has’? The doctor gave her two years to live. The downside of her age was that she could not be put on any sort of aggressive treatment. She was put on oral chemotherapy, and we focused on ensuring that her immunity does not get compromised and her food has adequate amount of nutrition. Thankfully the targeted line of treatment worked wonderfully for her, and she regained back her health in no time.

Throughout this eight-year journey there were some good moments and some scary ones. The covid period was a tough one. She had a fall at the dead of the night in August 2020. When my mother found her in the morning, she was there lying on the floor in a pool of blood. The scenery haunts me till date. Alternatively, when she crossed the two-year mark, her doctor felt she is doing exceptionally great, almost like a miracle.

One thing I will always regret is not spending enough time with her during this period. I was freshly out of school when she was diagnosed. College, new friends, academic pressure, building a career became my priority. Everything outside of the house looked interesting. I wanted to explore more, meet new people. Now when I look back, I feel a pang in my heart knowing that those years were my golden chance to give her the love, care and attention that she deserved and maybe I failed.

THE LAST FEW MONTHS

We all are perishable and that’s the ultimate truth of life. Yet we are rarely prepared to watch either ourselves or those we love cross over to the other side. We knew from the very inception that my grandmother’s chances of survival were bleak. Yet the last seven years made us hopeful that perhaps we might have a few more years with her.

However, hope is the reason of misery for a lot of people. We were no exception!

In April 2025 she fell from her bed one morning. The fall was dramatic and it left her completely bedridden. In August she had a bout of pneumonia. Thereafter her blood counts against started spiraling downwards. The doctor reworked her treatment plan, but nothing seemed to work. Between November 2025 and April 2026, she had four separate events of hospitalization because of recurring infections and the need for blood transfusions. Each time her count would rise briefly only to fall back in the very next lab work. Every single inch of her body seemed to be in pain. Her last few days at the hospital were traumatic — specially for us as a family. Seeing her lying on the hospital bed lifeless was a sight I will carry till my grave. And yet in death, there was a profound peace on her face — the kind that arrives when the pain has ended and one has slipped into a deep slumber.

THE ROLE OF MY MOTHER

Daughters are the greatest blessings of their parents, and my mother proved this verse to the tee. From the day of my grandmother’s diagnosis until the very last day of her life, my mother remained constantly by her side. Caregiving for a terminally ill person while managing a full-time teaching job is not easy. Yet Ma did it all — endless tests, hospital appointments, making difficult decisions, ensuring her comfort, and carrying the emotional weight of watching someone she loves suffer. She did a job for eight long years that would overwhelm many, without a single break and, without complaint. She will always be the hero in my life. I don’t think without her my grandmother would have made this far.

I HAVE NOT SEEN GOD, BUT I HAVE SEEN A DOCTOR

We were incredibly lucky to have met such a wonderful oncologist who guided us with compassion and honesty till the very end of my grandmother’s journey. He gave us hope when we had none and his constant presence made this unbearably painful journey an easier one. I remember towards the end when the medicines were not working and the hospital wanted us to shift my grandmother to the intensive care unit, he stepped in and counselled us to put her into palliative care to protect her from further pain. He did not only treat her illness, but he held her through life and death. He affectionately called her ‘mom’.

We as a family will forever be grateful to him for the rest of our lives.

BEFORE I CONCLUDE….

Before I end this blog, I want to make a sincere appeal to everyone who has come across this writeup. If you know anyone who is battling cancer, please be kind not only to the patient but also to their family. Do not forget to check in on them because the disease affects far more than the patient. The family suffers along — both emotionally and financially. Your little act of compassion can mean the world to someone.

My house and heart both feel empty. My life will never be the same again. It took me more than three months to write this blog, at one go, without breaking down. But I smile every time I realize that my grandmother has lived a good life. She knew she was being loved and cared for and now she is in a much better place, free from all sufferings. What a privilege we had of calling her ours. And the best part — she never knew she had cancer. We never let her know that. She may not be physically with us. But her presence remains through us.

Seeing my loved one suffer from the disease has taught be some of the greatest lessons of life. I feel forever humbled because I got to experience the joys of life and sorrows of death so closely. Those hospital corridors taught me more about faith and love than any temple or book ever could.

If you have made this far, thank you from the bottom of my heart for reading her story. I earnestly request you to not leave this page without saying a prayer for my beautiful fairy.

Love, loss and Letting Go was originally published in ILLUMINATION on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

This piece is for my lovely audience.

There was a time when I was a regular on this platform — reading your wonderful articles and creating some of my own. Then life happened and somewhere along the way I lost touch with content creation. What I once did with passion, slowly became a choice. Every month I would tell myself, “Today I will post something,” but that day never arrived.

On the eve of the New Year, I have promised myself that I will be more consistent with my writing. But without you, my dear readers, this journey wouldn’t be possible.

As I return to Medium after one and a half years, lost and clueless, I look forward to your support. I promise my content won’t disappoint you.

Happy New Year you all.

Returning to Medium After One And A Half Years was originally published in The Shortform on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Work hard lest you will not be successful — A sentence I have often heard since childhood.

But as I continue to grow older, I find myself questioning the definition of this very term.

A Little Preface

I am a lawyer based in India. After finishing my undergrad, l wanted to do my postgraduation. For the past year, I studied hard to get into one of the government law colleges in my country, known as National Law Universities (NLUs) and was thankfully able to secure a seat. However, I felt unhappy. Because it was a lower-ranked university. People said that if I didn’t get into one of the top ones, I wouldn’t be ‘successful’.

A lot of anxiousness and stress, followed by a little retrospection, made me write this blog today.

What is success?

Most people will define it based on parameters that are set by the society which are driven by certain preconceived notions.

For example:

1) If you get into an Ivy League College, then you are successful.

2) If you can secure a high-paying job for yourself in a top-notch company by the age of 25, then you are successful.

3) If you have a penthouse and swanky cars, then you are successful.

4) If you are popular, then you are successful.

But why do we have to be successful?

To be happy and be regarded in the society.

Ironically not all ‘successful’ people are happy or admired by others. There are a lot of famous people alive who have battled or are battling depression. Similarly, several well-known folks around the world are despised by many.

Happiness is a state of mind while respect that people have for others, is a very subjective and sensitive notion that differs from person to person based on their values and beliefs.

Hence, it’s time that we change the perception of success.

Life in its entirety is a gamble of hits and misses. No matter how much we try, we will all miss out on something. Not everyone can do things as per society’s dictations, to be termed as ‘successful’. You might have carved a solid career for yourself by the age of thirty, but your personal life is a dud or vice versa. Amusingly this is life, and this is how it works.

We must stop looking at success from the superficial level and redefine it in a way that allows us to sustain ourselves in the long run without being burned out.

In a highly competitive era, the only success that we should aim for is to be able to have mental peace and tranquility, something I find most people, including myself, lacking. Acceptance of circumstances as they are and liberation from unnecessary worry is the key. Interestingly the day we wholeheartedly embrace our life situations and try to make the most out of it is the day we will be successful in its real sense. Inner peace and serenity will automatically make way for greater things like:

1)Better decision making

2)Harmonious relationships and

3)Greater enjoyment of life

Here are ways in which you can cultivate inner peace:

Work on yourself — Instead of comparing yourself with others, try honing your skills and overcoming your flaws. Look at your fellow beings as inspirations and not as competition.

Do not take advice from people — Most of the time, you will end up getting confused and anxious.

Turn a deaf ear to what others have to say — Your life, your rules, and your way.

Pay attention to your health — Try cutting off junk food and sugar and keep yourself hydrated. Try exercising and going for walks.

Remember:

Success is not the cue to happiness. It’s always the other way round.

Before ending, I want to let you all know that my mother has been a major inspiration behind writing today’s blog. She teaches English in a local school and has been in this profession for the last twenty-one years. Every time I asked her why she never tried for the best educational institutions in the city that have better pay and recognition, she always had one answer — ‘This place gives me peace and I am content with my life’. I never understood her reasoning before, but perhaps now I do.

Redefining Success was originally published in New Writers Welcome on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Break-ups are always tough no matter what. We invest a lot of time and energy in building a relationship and when things go downhill, it hurts. Some people handle them better while many aren’t as lucky. So, for those who find it difficult to move on, here’s a little guide — try tweaking your minds.

Our brains are like machines — just as reconfiguring a small part of a machine can make it work better, changing how you see break-ups can help you get over them easier.

A Little Story Time -

A few days back, while cleaning my closet, I stumbled upon a dress I hadn’t worn in years. Realizing it no longer served my purpose, I decided to pass it on to someone who could appreciate it more.

Now here comes the fun part.

This dress that I referred to was once my favorite. I distinctly remember, begging my mother to buy it for me in the first year of college. I used to adore it so much that I would wear it to almost all the events I went to.

But how can this help you in getting over heartbreaks?

Consider this dress to be your relationship. When you started seeing the concerned person, you adored them. You both had created a universe of your own where you together made lots of good memories. But over the months/ years, things started drifting apart. Maybe because -

You both have different goals in life.

You guys don’t connect like before.

Your outlook towards life has changed.

Either of you met someone else.

Whatever it be, the relationship doesn’t serve your purpose anymore.

So instead of being sad about it, try telling yourself every day (till you no longer have to) that sometimes it’s better to end things when they no longer add value to your life, in the anticipation that you will find someone better who would appreciate you more.

Remember: Getting over heartbreaks doesn’t happen overnight, no matter what the tenure of the relationship is. The idea is not to get over things quickly but slowly and practically, to the extent that you don’t have to look back. So, take your time and train your mind accordingly because life’s too short to cry over crappy coffee and cold dates.

How To Get Over Heartbreaks? was originally published in Writers’ Blokke on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

You must have heard numerous tales of the revered male friendship, often dubbed as the popular bro-code.

But today, let me tell you about how amazing female friendships are!

While I made many friends in my twenty-four years of life, the most amazing ones have been with my best friends, all of whom were females — two while in school and two while in college.

Although I met them at different points in life, and my equation with each of them has been distinct, there is something that remained common with all — a feeling of being at home.

Yes, that is what girlfriends make you feel like.

So, what is it about female friendships that makes them so extraordinary?

Sisterhood — Your female friends are your sisters from another mother. They empower you, listen to you, support you, and fiercely protect you through thick and thin. They are also your advisors in multiple departments clubbed into one — be it life in general, relationships, or fashion.

Laughter and joy — Spend a day with your female friends and I bet you will not feel one moment of boredom. I met my current best friend in college. We have been inseparable since then. Although we don’t get to see each other often nowadays, when we do, it is us against the whole world.

Closest confidants — What you cannot share with your family, you can share with them, and they will protect it with unwavering fidelity.

Upholder - They are your biggest cheerleaders in life irrespective of what you do, where you are, and how negligible your achievements are.

In short, they are the Monica to your Rachel!

And while I speak of female friendships, there are two other people who I cannot leave from the list — my mother and grandmother.

Old folks say that a mother is her daughter’s first friend. But in my narrative, it was my grandmother who assumed the mantle. With both my parents working, she was the one who stepped in and brought me up, becoming both my mother and confidante. I still remember coming back from school and excitedly recounting how my day went while she patiently listened to my banter with a smiling face. She has been sick and infirm for a couple of years now and I miss those good old days.

Interestingly, when my grandmother started taking a back seat in my life, my mother organically replaced her. As a child, I was always afraid of her. But when I started University, our equation changed from being mother daughter to being best friends. Today, we are each other’s biggest support system, companion, partner in crime, travel buddy, and gossip sharer. We disagree over things; we fight, yet the next moment, we are back to being one solid team. Our camaraderie is cute and unique.

Before I end, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the lovely women out there a very Happy Women’s Day. Regardless of who you are, what you do, whatever your shape, size, or ethnicity be– you are amazing. Your existence makes this world a livable one not only for men but for your fellow species as well. May you keep thriving and smiling through life.

Female Friendships Are The Best was originally published in Modern Women on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

As the clock struck 12 on the 1st of January, I giddily asked a friend about his resolutions for the newly minted year. His reply was curt and clear — “I just want to try and stick around for the next one”. Although it sounded a little unusual because that is not how most people respond, I eventually realized we are all a part of this shared endeavor. In the garb of experiencing everyday life — its joys and sorrows, professional and personal ups and downs, we are somehow trying to endure, persist, and extend our presence long enough to truly savor and embrace the spirit of ‘life’.

So, while you skim through the twenty-fourth chapter of the twenty-first century, here are a few things you must strive to keep on your to-do list:

Do that one thing that brings you peace:

You must have heard people telling you a countless number of times to pursue something that makes you happy. However, the recipe for the former erupts from being at peace — with oneself and with one’s circumstances.

As Thich Nhat Hanh (Vietnamese Monastic and peace activist) rightfully preached — “Many people think excitement is happiness. But when you are excited, you are not peaceful. True happiness is based on peace”.

So, this year attempt to do something that puts your mind at ease because it deserves such repose. It can be as simple as:

1. Exploring or reigniting a hobby you have always loved.

2. Embarking on a vacation you have been withholding for long.

3. Reconnecting with that one special friend you have not spoken to in a while.

4. Removing a toxic individual from your life.

5. Leaving the job, you hate and restarting all over again.

Try to dedicate some time to reading:

Reading maketh a full man — How subtly and accurately Francis Bacon had once pointed out the significance of reading in a man’s life!

In the daily grind, scrolling mindlessly through our phone screens often becomes the preferred mode of unwinding for most of us. While this might be the contemporary approach towards relaxation, I would instead request you to try and dedicate that time to reading something material out of your preferred genre. I assure you, it will make you feel more relaxed, confident, and knowledgeable at the same time.

Smile a lot more than you usually do:

Why not? Our teeth are not going to be here with us lifelong. So, while you have them, flash them as much as you can.

Now you might ask how smiling can contribute to a fulfilling year. Studies have shown that smiling releases endorphins, other natural painkillers, and serotonin. Together, these brain chemicals make us feel good from head to toe, elevate our mood, reduce physical pain, relieve stress, and most importantly help us appear attractive. Aren’t these reasons enough?

I know a relative of mine who we never saw smiling. As kids, we were always scared of him because he used to sit with that look of an angry old man ready to shout at whoever goes near him. Even when he passed away, I never heard any elders of the house speaking fondly of him, except his wife, who remembered him as a funny and caring man. It is ironic how a possibly pleasant individual was probably misunderstood by all because ‘no one ever saw him smiling’.

Above all, remember, life was always meant to be a journey. It is we humans who have made it a race. So, enjoy yourself while you are here.

I hope each one of you have a very joyous, healthy, and pleasant 2024.

Belated Happy New Year to all

3 Things You Must Do In 2024 was originally published in New Writers Welcome on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Let’s try to make a difference together.

In a family of three, the patriarch passed away suddenly, and his wife did not shed a drop of tear. Reason? She wanted to be the strength of her teenage daughter. But people saw that differently. Soon, there were rumors that she did not love her husband, was relieved to see him dead, and was probably having an affair.

Now tell me, isn’t criticism the easiest thing in the world?

Isn’t this something that instinctively flows within all of us? — spitting opinions about someone without even knowing the entire story.

But how about changing the approach?

The next time you feel like condemning someone, pause for a moment and repeat — Live and Let Live.

Remember — Constructive criticism is acceptable. But it’s not okay to cross the line and make personal attacks for it’s easy to vilify someone but it’s way harder to be understanding and forgiving.

The Easiest Thing In The World — To Criticize Someone was originally published in The Shortform on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

Ever heard of the term ‘timeless classic’? That’s what analog watches are for me.

Let me explain to you the reasons.

1. They go with all occasions —

Unlike smart watches that look smart only for casual setups, analog watches are a pro at jamming with all kinds of occasions and attires.

2. They help you to stand out in the crowd —

Someone complimented my watch at a gathering a couple of days back.

Her reason?

It’s a rare find these days since people are more into smart watches and my old watch ‘caught her attention’.

3. They are a testament to the fact that not everything in life needs to be super complicated —

Smart watches are mini cell phones.

But do we really need that?

The primary function of a watch is to see time.

So why complicate our already entangled lives with such over-dramatized discoveries?

4. We don’t have to charge them —

Analog watches are such a blessing in this regard.

They do require a change of battery at certain intervals, but I find that much more convenient than having to charge them every other day.

The only time I invested in a smartwatch, I would inadvertently forget to charge it and somehow always ended up wearing a dead watch. Now it’s lying lifeless in my cupboard.

But again, to each his own. This was just a fun blog and completely based on my own perspective, not in any way criticizing anyone’s personal choices and preferences.

See you all soon:)

This question has been topping my Google searches for the last two months. I have never been a skincare enthusiast, but a sudden urge made me want to devote a little time to it.

Inevitably I ran to ‘miss know it all’ — the internet and received scores of advice, product recommendations, and a dedicated three-time beauty regime. But I neither have the time, money, or energy to immerse myself in this newfound pursuit.

So, I accumulated all the sermons and found an easier route, that can help anyone looking for an answer to a flawless skin but with fewer hassles.

Now let’s simplify the ritual by dividing it into two parts:

Internal Care: Our skin is the largest organ of our body. Hence, caring for the same cannot happen only through external means. Its outward radiance is the mirror of our inner well-being. Therefore, what we consume does matter a lot. Following a healthy diet loaded with nutrients, avoiding junk, and drinking adequate amounts of water coupled with good sleeping habits is always the first and foremost step towards maintaining good skin health.

External Care: A sequel to the saga of inner care, this part unfurls with a religious cleansing, toning, moisturizing routine, and application of a generous amount of sunscreen on the exposed areas of the skin. Besides, a weekly exfoliating regime can also help us to get rid of the excess tan. It will hardly take fifteen minutes of your day and trust me you are good to go.

Rest assured, the intensity with which our skin ages, whether we have dark circles or not, those pigmentations and fine lines — all depend on our genetics, the amount of pollution we expose ourselves to, the part of the world we stay in, and the amount of stress we bear in our day-to-day life.

My advice to anyone reading this would be, to kindly not go on the internet searching for skincare tips and then wrecking your head over what to do, just like I have done before. If you are someone who gets inspired by those beauty influencers, remember that it’s their job to look a certain way which is why they can afford to invest all their time, energy, and resources behind it. Besides, no skin can look 100 percent flawless. The majority of the time it is the magic of filters.

A gentle reminder: Your skin looks much better when left to breathe on its own. Piling unnecessary products on it would never help. Try to strive for the minimal and seek professional help when required.

Also, this article is applicable to both genders since women are not the only ones who need a skincare regime. Men, you need it too!

How To Get Flawless Skin was originally published in New Writers Welcome on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.

A few days back a friend casually asked me why I am not dating someone and that I should put myself out there as this is the age to ‘explore’.

Maybe she is right.

But the world of modern dating makes me think twice about taking a chance. I might be a Gen Z, but my mindset aligns more with traditional values. I often yearn for the good old love stories from centuries ago, hoping I belonged to the times when people made genuine efforts to be with someone. But with the current dating trends, that’s a far-fetched luxury.

As far as my understanding goes, every relationship passes through the following four stages of dating:

• Attraction
• Showing interest in one another
• Getting to know each other
• Commitment

If either of the stages doesn’t work, we call it quits and move on.

But just like our lives, we, the millennial generation, have managed to complicate this aspect as well. Each time I venture into the realm of dating and meet new people, I am introduced to an array of unfamiliar ‘ships’, some of which elude my comprehension:

Situationship

This is almost like a pseudo-relationship. You get all the perks of being in a relationship, but it’s never defined. It means you can walk out of it whenever you like with no explanations and no questions asked. Other times you might even involve other people in the scenario.

While some of you might describe it as ‘liberating’, I feel relationships of this kind are nothing but toxic since sooner or later one of the two does catch a feeling. We are humans after all made to feel emotions, which sets us apart from other species. Imagine behaving like a couple every day while knowing that it’s all superficial and at the end of the day you will anyway be lonely, without any emotional stability, left to fend for yourself.

That’s brutal, right?

Textationship

‘I have been texting a guy back and forth for a few months now. It feels great. I feel ready to take this to the next level’ — a cousin confessed to me once. When I enquired whether she knows this guy, she revealed that they met on an online dating platform a while back. A few months later, when I saw her again, she looked visibly depressed. Apparently, the guy used to communicate with her only through texts and occasional calls with no plans of an in-person meet-up. When she insisted on catching up, he ghosted her.

What you read just now is a classic example of a textationship. They can be addictive because you get to fantasize about a mysterious person without knowing much about them. So, you make up a picture of that person in your mind, based on your desired perception. Ultimately your sole source of excitement lies in a solitary text from them. Should that text fail to materialize, it often leads to anxiety and emotional distress.

Rebound relationship

Breakups can be painful. Hence it is always recommended to first heal and take out time for yourself before venturing into another relationship. But everyone wants the feeling of being with someone. So, to get over the previous one, some people seek solace in rebound relationships. They are also known as reactionary relationships since they are formed on the unresolved emotional wounds of the past because the person concerned did not know how to deal with the anger, hurt, or guilt experienced from their previous breakup.

Typically, these relationships are fast paced, based on or around sexual relations, and are short-lived. To summarize, they only like you because of the attention you give them as it satisfies their bruised vices.

So, here’s the catch -

Life’s too short and we have countless tales to weave before we sleep. So why squander our invaluable time entangled in an undefined and unsatisfying bond? Let us not mistake dating for a game where we must fill the scoreboard.

Kindly jump on the bandwagon when you feel ready to commit to someone.

Remember — love isn’t complicated, people are.

Modern Relationship Trends I Cannot Wrap My Head Around was originally published in Writers’ Blokke on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.