ALSphere Foundation
Ramesh, a superstitious person was struggling hard to lead a happy and healthy life. He would do any important work only after checking the muhurat, auspicious time, date etc.
Though a very successful person in his career, had left no stone unturned to rise up the ladder in the company he worked for. But this success had come only after paying a heavy price on his health. The stressful life, unhealthy food habits, disturbed sleep patterns, extensive travel across the globe had started weighing heavily on him. He suffered from obesity and fatigue was setting in too.
His wife Ramya, too was a professional but she maintained a good work life balance. She was mentally more stable and took good care of him and the household.
They lived in an apartment on the second floor, surrounded by a lot of greenery. A huge tree in their backyard that was close to the bedroom window, was visible even while lying in the bed.
One day he became breathless and fell on the floor unconscious while getting out of bed. It was diagnosed that he had suffered a heart attack, and it might recur. Hence was advised complete bed rest with medication, until the other parameters come under control. After that a major surgery would be done to save his life.
Autumn season had arrived and the tree had started shedding leaves. Lying on his bed alone he would look at the tree shedding leaves very fast, as the weather was windy. Everyday he would see the barren branches and get more depressed. He somehow started comparing his deteriorating health to the falling leaves. The more the leaves would fall, he felt that he was losing out on his life.
Despite all assurances from his wife, he was unable to overcome this fear. After a few days, there was just one old leaf clinging precariously on the branch that he could see.
The very next day he was to be admitted in the hospital for the major heart surgery. Out of fear and suspicion he did not look out of the window lest the leaf would have fallen, on way to the hospital. He was successfully operated, but it took much longer than usual for recovery as there were a lot of post operative complications. After almost two months he was discharged.
After reaching home, he was very eager to see the last leaf on the tree. He had completely lost the track of time during his arduous treatment.
To his surprise the tree was laden with fresh new leaves as the spring season had arrived. There was no trace of that old leaf but that did not bother him anymore. He heaved a sigh of relief to see a healthy green tree, reassuring himself that he too would remain healthy now.
