NEVER AGAIN

After days of thinking as to what I should write as my first blog, I decided to write about this incidence. Why this? Well, for three reasons. First of all it happened just a few days back and so is fresh in my memory. Second of all, this will remain inked in my heart forever. But most of all it proved to be a greatest learning experience of my life. One that penetrates to almost any relationship.

Being a firm believer in “giving back to the society”, I always wished to be of some help to the specially abled, the under privileged children or the seniors of our society. And when I had such an opportunity knocking at my door, I decided to grab it with both hands. Some guys of my college had planned to start an NGO that would help the needy (as all the NGOs do) and were seeking helpers. I decided to chip in. Our first activity concerned taking a few people of an old age home based in Gandhinagar on a small tour of nearby temples. I was delighted as not only would I be serving but would also get to see new places. All the students waited in a bus that was hired for the day. As I watched the seniors being brought in the bus I understood what the true meaning of helplessness was. I could read the stories of sadness that hid behind the reluctant smiles plastered on their faces.. Nevertheless the day went by nicely as we gelled well along the way. I was happy as I had made new friends and decided to visit them again ASAP. Following days were as usual wrapped up in the busy schedule of college and events and exams.

But soon I got the chance to meet my new friends during the cultural night of my college when the guys from NGO had decided to bring them to college for the program and dinner. After dinner we had to escort them from the mess to the place where the function was being held. There I met an old lady who was unable to accompany us on the tour due to health issues. On the way as I was helping her to walk, she asked me my name and the program details. I noticed that she had one of her fingers of left foot amputated. Greatly perturbed by the state of her health I inquired the reason and found out that she had severe diabetes and the medication being provided to her was not adequate. Chatting further just to break the ice I asked how she landed in the old age home. With tears flooding her eyes and throat choked with emotions she told me as how her son, settled In Bombay, had left her there. The problem was same as almost every Indian family would have, “clashes between mother and wife”. As I led her to the place I was shocked by the cruel side of humanity which had the nerve to leave the mother that brought him to this beautiful world just so that he would leave her in that god forsaken old age home in the days of her life when she would need him the most. At the same time I became aware of the stark contrast in the way how nature had made a mother and her own son. Every tear rolling down her cheeks told the tale of how insensitive her son was but at the same time her lips could only utter blessings for her son and his family’s well-being. Yes, the same son that had left this mother to the mercy of others. The day ended and we again got busy with the college stuff.

Time flew by and the exams arrived. This time I had decided to work hard and so stayed away from FaceBook. The one time I had opened FaceBook I saw a message from one of my friends from NGO. It said that the lady that I had accompanied on the night of cultural program remembered me by my name and asked how I was. I decided to meet her as soon as I finish off with my exams. It took me almost a month to again find time to visit the old age home. I was thrilled to meet my friends. With a bunch of bananas, smile on my face and a hope in my heart I entered the premises. I saw a lot of familiar faces and instantly broke into conversation with people who I was now meeting for the third time. Moments later I inquired about that lady. I felt foolish when I was asked her name as I couldn’t recall having asked her the same the time we met first. With the following few minutes spent in describing her I finally managed to convey them whom I actually intended to meet. Instantly an air of sadness rose when I got to know that she was no more. She had died few months back owing to her constant bad health. I cursed the time that had been merciless to her. Suddenly I felt a burning sensation in my heart when I realized it was the guilt that blamed me of not taking out time to visit her a bit sooner. That was the day when I realized that if you have anything to share, if you want your loved ones to know something that you hold in your heart for them, do it today, do it now. For, you can never be sure of tomorrow. A word unsaid might become a word unheard. Now is the time because the chance that has come to you now, may come NEVER AGAIN.