Request

“Life is very short but is long enough if you live with all your heart—go on and break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, and never regret anything that made you smile.”(Movie, Guzaarish)

The story is about Ethan Mascarenhas: a magician who was once the greatest in his town.  Caught by jealousy, his used-to-be best friend set up an accident and let him fail in one of his magic tricks.  He survived, but was paralyzed for life.  He could talk yet could neither move his whole body nor could feel anything, not even feeling if he pees or pass stools.

Sometimes, he reminisces his magic acts before the tragedy.  It was heaven.  His imagination takes him to the time when everyone claps at him.  However, this imagination makes him realize that he can never go back to the one he loved the most: magic.

He was not alone then.  He has Sofia D’Souza, his nurse, who devoted her time caring for Ethan not because of money but of love.  Sofia has been the most important person in Ethan's life. Ethan has Dr. Nayak who never gave up for him for fourteen years, and Devyani, his lawyer best friend whom he asked favor for an unexpected request.  And Omar, a stranger, who came and asked Ethan to teach him magic.  He turns out to be the son of his jealous best friend Yasser.  Ethan knew before Omar told him the truth, but Ethan taught him still for he already forgave Yasser long before and he also does not want his magic to die with him.

Ethan fought valiantly.  Within years passed, he made a radio program and a book that inspires everyone in town.

On the fourteenth anniversary of his accident, he wanted to file a petition to die by euthanasia and asked his friend to fight for his request in the court.  The court dismissed his plea but then he used his radio program and let his listeners make a vote if they allow him to die.  After days of survey, almost all said no to euthanasia.  He re-appeals to the court but final judgment again forbids him.

 If you are in his case, would you want to die?