A Truth of Life

We have been told this often that in this materialistic world, each and every individual comes and goes on own... Everything from relationships to the different luxuries we have are the earthly pleasures... There is only one honest truth, the truth of life and death ... Everyone has to face it on their own... But still, there are lots of people around the globe, and all possessing different perceptions... Since there is one truth standing, one should experience joys out of these pleasures, because you never know what in the moment lies for you next...


It was just another morning when I was leaving for the office when I received a call from my colleague (also a friend) and I was stunned after listening to what he had to say:


Me: Good Morning brother! How are you?
He: I am fine... I wanted to talk something important & urgent... Let me know if it is the right time...
Me: Yeah! I mean can't we discuss it in office itself?
He: Yes, we can but it is sort of urgent.
Me: Okay! Please proceed. 
He: Do you know why Mira used to get silent on asking about her health?
(Mira and I were one of the closest friends since I joined this organization... We were very similar in our perceptions towards life and shared quite a lovely bond...She used to be a so vivacious person... We were so fond of each other that it was impossible for me to imagine life without her)
Me: I don't get you... what do you mean to say?
He: There is something that she is hiding... and I thought of letting you know since you are very close to her...
Me: Really?? Then what is it that she would be hiding? I don't see any need for doing this honestly...
He: You remember she went for a medical check up because of severe multiple disorders last year... and remained out of office for almost 3-4 days...
Me: Yes, I do remember it.... so what's the link between this and the thing which she is hiding?
He: I am coming to that point... she told us that the tests are to be conducted repeatedly for three months and the final report will be given almost after four months... when we inquired her about the reports after that period got over, she assured us that she is fine and the reports also proved it....
Me: Yeah... I remember it... and since last year she had not been absolutely fine... she is having one or another health problems since last year.... what happened? Tell me honestly, now I am really getting tensed... Is she fine?
He: I am afraid she isn't... Actually, the doctor from whom she took assistance is coincidentally our family doctor too and is also a very good friend of my father... yesterday he came home and was talking about one of his patient... he was telling him that sometimes being a doctor it is difficult even for him to deal with the conditions and he was really sad for the condition of one of his patient... I left the room at that moment but was extremely shocked when my father talked to me about this... He asked me to confirm the name of my colleague (he already knew Mira as she was one of the brightest employee in the office and she was mostly acknowledged in the house)... When I told that her name is Mira srivastava, he informed me about this sad news. He said, "I am really sorry to say this son, but your friend doesn't have a lot of time... As I have been told by our family doctor that he is treating one of his patient with leukemia, which is a type of a cancer and she is at the last stage of it... I am really sorry but have faith in God, he will take care of her"... Try to keep her as happy as you can. I too am in a complete state of shock after hearing this and do not know what to do now?
Me: (silent)........... (The thing which I couldn't imagine and can never thought of even actually became true, I was not ready for this and was thinking desperately about Mira and her family)
There are a lot of things which has been spoken about the relationships, the earthly pleasures; but when it comes to being with your closed ones; if it is a fact even, you never accept that you are not going to have that person for the rest of your lifetime... Even if you understand the reality, it just stays right inside of your heart and you try convincing it that things can change and you will not have to go through the trauma of loss of closed ones but a truth is a truth.... It's the truth of life and death.... He who comes must have to go at some point in life... they put it correctly, that may it come slow or may it come fast, but it is the death which will come at last....but whenever it comes to the person who is very close to your heart, no matter how strong and focused are you, you tends to lose the calm and fight with almost every possibility to see that person alive...
(Conversation continued)
He: are you there??
Me: (teary eyed)... Is it a truth??
He: Yes... You are not in a condition to talk right now, I am also disturbed even... would you be coming today?
Me: hmm...yes... have you talked to Mira?
He: Nopes... I don't have the courage to face her...come soon... I will be waiting for you...
Me: (gathered myself) Yes, I will reach soon...bye for now...
He: Bye...
(Call Disconnected)
There was a lot going through my head... How would I be able to talk? How will I ask her about all that... but I had to do it... thinking about this, I departed from home and reached office while thoughts of her were continuously gripping my heart... I entered, saw her sitting on her seat and lost completely into thoughts... I went to her and greeted but she didn't respond. She was so lost into thoughts that it seemed she was not present there... I could understand her state of mind and was feeling helpless inside but again I pretended to be happy like the rest of the days... I didn't want to let her know that I am aware of what she was going through... I spoke a bit louder and greeted her again....
Me: (louder) Good Morning! How are you?
She: oh! Good Morning! I am fine... Sorry, I was just thinking something... So, how are you?
Me: I am fine... what were you thinking so deeply? Is there anything serious?
She: Noah!! There's nothing serious (she just wanted to hide all her sorrows and wanted to see everyone happy) ... You seems to be pretty much tensed, am I correct? Is that so? (Being very close to each other we could understand each other's emotions but somehow her goodness overshadowed her troubles and I couldn't see her sufferings for long)
Me: (sigh) No, I am fine... there's nothing as such... so you seems to be quiet busy with work? (It was getting very difficult for me to talk to her then, as I was getting nervous and worried... just wanted to end the conversation at that moment)
She: yeah... a bit... need to complete this file today itself... (It seemed as if it was getting difficult for her as well to hide all those things from me, because since we knew each other we have stood by each other in every single phase)
Me: hmm... okay then... complete your work... I want to talk to you, so finish it up soon... don't forget, it's important...
She: yes... for sure...
Me: take care...
And I went to my seat and started working... but it seemed as if she was aware about the things for which I wanted to talk...


After two hours...


I stood up to see if Mira had completed her work.... but to my surprise, she wasn't on the seat... I quickly walked up to her desk to see if she is still there in the office... she was neither on the seat nor was her bag... I tried calling her but she disconnected... When I tried frequently, she switched off her phone... I was really worried as I couldn't talk to her... frustrated in disappointment, I saw an envelope lying on her desk... It was my name written over it... I realized Mira had left it for me.... I opened it and started reading it....

LETTER-

I am really sorry to leave without informing you especially when you wanted to talk... I know the reason behind that behavior of yours in the morning and got to know from my doctor that one of our colleague's father is his friend... he told me that he got surprised to know that his friend knew me... Now since, I know from where you got this information, It was difficult for me to speak to you regarding it... I didn't want to tell this to you because I know already how much you care for me.... and I didn't wanted to see you worried... I don't have strength to face you in this condition when you are aware of the truth... I just can't... I want to face this alone... although I know you are always with me, but still I want to face it on my own... I know there are lots of questions going on which you, want to ask me but I don't have their answers... I just want to say that you mean a lot to me and your position in my heart will always hold the same place... even in the solitude of multiple thoughts, your thoughts would keep my heart reserved... I am not sure how long will I be able to survive but remember one thing, I will always be there with you... and deep down the years, when you will have your kids just give them the same teachings as you used to give me... the things you used to make me understand, the same love which you have for everyone in this world... and also let them know that there is one of your friend who would have loved them so much... just never change for anyone in this world... be the same forever... your support always keeps me going and even in the times when we didn't talk to each other... I don't have more courage to say anything now, but I will gather myself to try to speak to you tomorrow... I am sorry if I have hurt you in any moment of your life and have left you teary eyed... I wish I could have more years to spend with you...

With loads of love,
Yours,
Mira

There were tears in my eyes and it led me to be in a state of depression... On one side she regarded me as someone who is so great for her, and on the other side she couldn't find the courage to tell the truth to the very same person... I was broken after feeling the love... She poured her heart out in that letter... and I was helpless to give her the desired heartbeats... I could never find such an affectionate person whole of my life... Wiped my silent yet loud tears and tried to call her again.... but the phone was switched off... I was shattered and feeling completely helpless... 

I left for home early that day... I was totally disturbed and wanted to calm myself...

Each and every passing moment was making me remember the beautiful moments spent with her and simultaneously making me more worried for her... I was a bit relieved when I received a message from her quoting "see you tomorrow"... It was like a ray of light in the darkness... but when I again tried to call her back, I found the phone to be switched off again.... but I got a bit relaxed after receiving the message and on thinking that I would be able to talk to her tomorrow... 

With these thoughts hovering my heart, I went to bed... As I was completely in split states of mind, I slept early...

I woke up early in the morning and left for office... I was waiting to talk to her... the keenness was surpassing the limits... but the wait was getting longer... She was so punctual that mostly she used to reach earliest.... but this day, all of the official staff had arrived but she was yet to come in... I thought she must have stuck in the traffic jam... but It was only a false satisfaction that I was giving to myself not knowing that this botheration will end soon... I was reading that letter again and I heard a my phone ringing... and I couldn't believe when I saw her name on the phone... I picked the phone up and started speaking without listening who was on the other side... it wasn't Mira, it was her cousin... and what he spoke was enough to bring my life to a standstill...

Conversation:

Me: Hey Mira, you don't know for how long I was waiting to talk to you... I read the letter.... I am really missing you.... I am waiting for you in the office since morning... please come soon...

(I got stopped in between by her friend)

He: I am really sorry if I am hurting your sentiments, Mira herself had asked me to inform you about this...
Me: Inform about what? I need to talk to her. Can you please her to call me back?
He: I am sorry to say but she is no more. She passed away in the morning. In her last breaths, all she asked us was to convey to you that she will always be with you... and she love you very much...

Me: What are you saying? She came to office yesterday... she wasn't looking that much in pain?
He: Yes... I know... but sorry to say, this is true... It happened all of a sudden... Her condition deteriorated in early morning... There are lots of rituals to be conducted... You may join us to adieu her a final time

(Call disconnected)

The news of the loss came as a shock... The biggest of my life... The wait turned out to be a wait forever... I was never this silent before. Loneliness enclosed my world with shades of sadness and with never fulfilling hope that somewhere down the lane she will still be waiting for me to talk to her....with all the tears rolling down the eyes, I was stripped of the happiness and was forced to hug the lifelong voids... and there wasn't much left to believe apart from the fact that there is one truth, "THE TRUTH OF LIFE AND DEATH" which is immortal....

















 

A Lonely Childhood

Childhood can’t be merely expressed in words.... It is an experience that each and every individual have in their lifetime, whether it is joyous or full of disappointments.... but as we say if there is someone to share, your sorrows can decrease..... But it is ironical that some children despite of having a loner childhood also face the hardships of life.....

 ONE FINE DAY.......

I was returning from the office and my family was not at home.... I had to manage the dinner on my own... So I thought it’s better to have dinner outside rather than to make on my own... I went to a nearby restaurant and saw it was not open.... As I was having a fetish for some spicy food that day so I went to a street food vendor to have some lip smacking food... to what I saw there it made me think again....

Although I knew that child labour is practiced but somewhere in the mind I started thinking that due to a lot of awareness these days throughout the world especially regarding this, that it will be in its deteriorating phase... But this too have another perception, sometimes children are not made to practice labour, in fact to earn a daily meal it becomes a necessity for them to work.... it is not right to always blame the person who have not necessarily compelled a child to work.... But if a child works, it definitely reflects the poverty of a nation and its helplessness to raise its children and to give them at least an adequate childhood...

After having the food I stayed there for some more time.... The only reason was to speak to the child working there... As he finished up serving other people, I called him.... Initially he wasn’t willing to come but when I asked again, he came to me.... I assured him that I had taken permission from his owner and now he can interact with me without bothering....

 And we began to converse....

Me: what’s your name?

He: ‘Raman’...

Me: such a nice name.... from where you have inherited this name? Your mother must have given you... Am I right?

He: No, I haven’t seen my mother... I m alone and brought up on the streets.... But I like reading a lot of books... So, I read somewhere about C.V Raman and want to be like him.... Therefore, I gave a name to self....

I was stunned with his answer... A kid who hadn’t seen his parents and works with a street food vendor knows about C.V Raman...

Me: so don’t you feel lonely without your parents or any person whom you can regard as your relative?

He: Initially I used to, but since I have started reading books, I have found everything in them...moreover all the relations are till an individual’s death but wisdom is something which lasts with an individual even after his/her death....

(I was touched with his thoughts of life)

Me: Its good...so how old are you?

He: I don’t know and perhaps I don’t care... you can assume me as a 12 year old boy....

Me: Do you go to school?

He: No... I don’t have enough money to afford school fee, but I like studying very much...

Me: So, how do you study?

He: The money I earn here, I spend all of it on purchasing books...

Me: And what about the food? You don’t eat anything...

He: The owner provides me with the meal...

Me: and where do you stay?

He: In this shop... after finishing the work, the owner locks me in the shop and then leaves for his home...

Me: so for how long are you working with him? Does he compel you to work with him?

He: no, not at all... in fact he is a very good human being.... he stood for me when I was alone, used to roam on the streets in search of food and shelter....Once I got unconscious and fell down... He saw me, took me to the doctor, and provided me food... Then I myself asked him if I can work with him...

Me: hmmm.... don’t you like to play any sport?

He: Yes, I do like... The thing is that I don’t get time for these activities.... but yes, whenever I get time, I play football with my street friends...

Me: So, do you want to work here for the rest of your life?

He: absolutely not... I told you, I want to be like C.V Raman... I m a firm believer of God and is waiting for a person who will guide me in being the same...

Me: Have you eaten something today?

He: yes, a piece of bread in the morning...

Me: just sit here for a while; I will get you something.....

 He was so undernourished that his skeleton was quiet visible on his skinny body... Its mere a coincidence that I get to talk to one of the abandoned kids but there must be so many other kids in the world who are going through the same phase and so many who already have died facing this and some who survived must have been facing the daily trauma.... It’s ironical that to whom we regard as the future of any nation suffers these conditions and don’t even get proper diet for days....

I went to his owner and asked him to provide food for the kid which he makes for the customers, and told him that I will pay for it... I took the food to the kid and resumed the conversation...

Me: hey Raman, this is for you...

He: thanks but I don’t need any favour...

Me: I respect your sentiments but it’s not a favour... today is my birthday... so I just like to give treat to people...

He: thank you for this....

 He began to eat the food... The smile he was having while eating that food was worth preserving... It seemed that he got what he was waiting for a long time... “A proper diet” perhaps.... He finished the food...

Me: did you like it?

He: yes, thanks again... and well I forgot to say, Happy birthday...!!

Me: oh thanks, so sweet of you.... now listen to me... If I will admit you to a school, will you like to study there?

He: see I don’t want any kind of monetary favour from any one... but as I told you can you be a guide to me?

(The kid was such high on his integrity that he didn’t even wanted a penny of help)

Me: I can definitely do it but for that also you need to go to the school...

He: but that certainly means I have to take your help monetarily... Is there a way out if I can pay for my own education?

Me: yes... but for that you have to give the scholarship exam... and for the exam you have to pay the fees... from where will you arrange the money?

He: I will arrange that... but I don’t know from where to buy the form?

Me: don’t worry about all that... I will manage all that stuff for you...

 And again the boy was smiling as he got the world full of happiness... he was excited to hear all which I told him and it seemed that he started imagining all of his dreams... and I was happy to see him realising his dreams....

He: sir, I don’t have words to thank you... I was waiting for a guide... didn’t know that I will get one soon...

Me: don’t need to thank... I am happy to help you... just take it (I gave my cell phone no. to him)... and I will come to you tomorrow... now it’s so late and you go to sleep now... your owner is also going... and if you find any problem, just call me on that number... just go now...

He: (with a smile on face) thank you again....

 And he went to his shop... I too left the place with happiness in my heart so as I will be instrumental in someone’s life... but on the same hand I was feeling how a life can be without a family, without your parents and most importantly without a proper meal of a day... when you don’t have a roof on your head and a path to follow how can you lead your childhood and imagine of a brighter future... this seems pretty easy to be tackled but in the real world, it’s only ‘A LONELY CHILDHOOD’...