Miracle at Mount Mary

Janet Coelho’s recovery from heartbreak and a scooter accident are nothing short of a miracle. Or was her grit and determination to lose weight the miracle with spectacular results?

Janet Coelho, personal trainer to movie stars, cricket players, and other celebrities, stood at the cross outside Mount Mary. Two-wheelers whizzed by, autos puttered along, people, dogs, and cars moved past the impassive cross which stood silent, unmoved by the hustle, bustle, beeping, and chatter all around it.

Everything seemed so familiar, so right; the sights, sounds, and smells had been a part of Janet’s life, all her life. She had grown up not far from here on D’Monte street. She had studied at St. Joseph’s convent, she and her friends had giggled at the boys from St. Andrew’s, she had bunked class for pani-puri at Elco, she had watched the sunset on Carter road, she had worked out at the Pali gym. Her world was a perfect little bubble between the ocean, Chuim village, and Linking road.

Being fat had been a part of her growing up. People teased her, but they were not unkind. She was quite content to be what she was until she saw Melvin Mathias. He was tall, slim, with a shock of hair that flowed across his forehead almost up to the bright eyes that never stopped smiling. Muscles rippled when he walked. Heads turned when he flew across the football field, leading the St. Andrew’s school team.

Dieting did not help so doctor Gomes suggested she try playing some sport, swim, or just work out to lose weight. Being seen in public in a swimsuit was a frightening prospect, the thought of running around on a tennis, badminton, or squash court was daunting. Then one fateful evening Melvin laughed and walked away in the rain when she offered him a lift and invited him to go to the jam session with her.

It had been raining hard all day and was getting dark as she made her way home, her scooter struggling through the water on the road. Tears burned her eyes with humiliation and her heart ached to make the world go away. She heard the roar of cars racing down Perry road. She saw a red Porsche Cayenne SUV speeding toward her followed closely a black Range Rover SUV. Neither car slowed down. Instead, they sent two big waves of water crashing into her as they sped by.

Janet awoke in the Holy Family ICU with no memory of what happened that night after Melvin walked away from her. Six months later she sat in a wheelchair at the cross outside Mount Mary, surrounded by crowds milling around the stalls at Bandra Fair. The only miracle she wished for was to be able to walk again.

She began by just standing on the treadmill at the gym until the pain sent tears streaming down her cheeks. Standing led to walking. Walking led to jogging. Jogging led to running. Running led to hill climbing and other challenge routines. The towels kept getting soaked with the sweat and tears.

And here she was today. At the cross outside Mount Mary. Five years had gone by since the waves of water sent her scooter crashing into the footpath leaving her confined to a wheelchair. Now she was training for the Mumbai marathon.

Doctor Gomes swore he had never seen a recovery like hers. She had become the most sought after personal trainer in Bandra. Her professional calendar was full for the next six months with people who heard of her miraculous recovery and spectacular weight loss. Heads turned and necks craned wherever she went.

“Hey gorgeous! Don’t stand in the middle of the road!” called a voice behind her. She turned to see Vikram the star opening bowler for Khar gym on his Bullet. “Be careful, Janet!” he said with a smile lighting up his adoring eyes before he continued on his way, “don’t break more hearts.”

As a flustered Janet turned away both pleased and embarrassed, she caught sight of a bright red object on the other side of the road. It was Doreen Mathias with a red umbrella walking with a beaming Father Francis toward a balding Melvin who was standing with his head bowed, his hands folded in thanks. Sister Cecelia and Mother Agnes were fawning over Doreen while Father John stood behind smiling his broad smile, clearly pleased with the way things were progressing.

Two nuns stood at the Mount Mary gates. One of them whispered to the other, “that is Doreen Mathias with Father Francis. She is blessed. All the doctors said she could not be a mother. Look at her now! She is glowing! I can’t wait to see what happens when everyone finds out.”

“It is a miracle,” said the other nun as they crossed the road to join in the fuss being made of Doreen Mathias.

Janet stood unnoticed at the cross whispering a heartfelt prayer of thanks for her miracle at Mount Mary.