“HOL-12- IN YOUR MEMORIES”
Year 2005 December, I abruptly shifted to Alleppey from Cochin due to the second terrible attack of hamstring injury.Infact I was really on bed rest but wanted to attend the office.So, as per doctor’s advice, I commuted between Cochin and Alleppey only by train and postponed all other tours for 3 months.It was in one of the train journies, in January, I met him - Mr. Upendra.Being a clerk with a construction company at Cochin,he regularly commuted between Cochin and Cherthallai- a small town between Cochin and Alleppey.Aged around 40, Upendra looked older than of his actual age.A lean fellow with a beard, he manifested the portrait of poverty.In short span of time,we became good friends.
Upendra and his wife Nirmala belonged to Cherthala.Continuous attack of diabetic and asthma worsened the condition of Nirmala’s health.Along with,she had been under the treatment for infertility which further made a big dent in the family’s finances.But years of suffering finally reached the end when she delivered a girl which made the whole of their life blessed.His daughter was of 5 yrs age and Upendra was a very happy dad.He loved her more than him and always shared her naughtiness with me. Whenever I met him, he either carried snacks or toffees for her.He knew that his little baby was waiting over there, in home.
Upendra was a tremendous singer of Hindi songs.But his fascination towards my long travels was surprising. He wanted to know every thing in details ie wherever all I had traveled, rooms I stayed, foods I had and functions I had attended etc.Most of times I described everything in detail.Whenever I brief to him,I could see his face’s subtle nuances in wonder and joy.. But sometimes I did conclude everything in a smile and he exactly understood about my change in mood at those times.
Three months went past with my description about the previous travels and with his Hindi songs.When my physical condition improved during the initial week of April 2006, I resumed my tour for 10 days.Came back by 12 th only.I met him again in the evening Dhanbad Express to Alleppey.
“Aditya ..great to c u again..After almost two weeks.” with a big smile, Upendra entered the compartment and sat opposite to me..
“ Infact I was quiet eager to see u and hear about your travel….now anyway I have met you na…feeling happy”Upendra continued.
I responded with a smile.
“ Adi..describe in detail, what happened in all along your travel?again U visited Delhi ? from there Mumbai or Calcutta…returned bk via Chennai?”…
Time was 6.30 evening…. train slowly moved……. My narration too…..
As usual, Upendra’s face filled with emotions upon my description.Before concluding my travel story,he told me
“ Aditya, day after is Vishu Festival. Since U were brought up outside Kerala, I am not sure whether u know about the custom prevails over here.Normally,Elderly people present a coin during this time as Vishu kaineettam to the younger ones for prosperity.Since you are much younger to me, I wish to present a coin to you.”
He took a rupee coin from his purse, wrote something on a piece of paper, packed both well in another piece of paper and presented to me.Without opening, I kept it safe in my purse.
Train reached Cherthallai station by 7.30 night.…
“ Aditya…I bought some snacks for my kid but forget to take it from the shop..ookey...I need some clarifications about your travel..Can we meet tomorrow? Or will u leave by car?”
“ Depends” I replied..
Upendra rushed to get out.Train further moved to reach the final destination, Alleppey.
The next day, we continued with our discussions…Hindi songs etc…
Again time went fast.In between, I slowly cut down my travel by train and preferred car.
From May to August, I did not travel by train at all. Increase in work and odd timings compelled me to continue with my commutation by car only.But I knew that my good friend Upendra had been waiting for me to hear all my travel stories.
It was during last September,On an unexpected journey by Dhanbad Express to Alleppey,I met him again, but accompanied by another guy.They both entered the coach and as usual sat against me.Upendra looked very much different and seemed out of sorts.I presented a big smile.But he did not respond.Instead, he gazed at me and laid down on the seat.Became curious, I enquired to his companion.
“ Sir, I am Unni, younger brother of Upendra’s wife. I believe that you are Aditya, if yes, I heard about u from him months back…”
“ Yes..but what happened to him why he is not responding?..I am meeting him after a long gap of 4 months”
“ His daughter passed away during the month of May.It was initially viral fever but later developed to Chikungunya.U know, that Cherthallai was the epic center of Chikungunya in the country .Here itself almost two hundred people died. Forty Thousand people were affected…Though she too was admitted in the local hospital, they could not save her life.Upendra could not manage the incident.One day,loosing the mental stability, he tried to dig the grave yard of his baby to see her.Since we were there, we could managed to stop him.Now, every day, he gets up early, rush to the grave yard, lay there as if his daughter is sleeping alone…From last week onwards he does it in the night too.He was on continuous leave for 3 months due to psychic problems.Last week onwards he resumed the work.I had a small grocery shop in my place at Kottayam.But now it is closed.For the time being,his boss has arranged me the job of an office boy so that I can accompany him.My sister’s condition is better compared to him.”
That was a real shock.I looked at Upendra who was in a different world.Train reached Cherthallai again.I didn’t know whether he had recognized me or not.They both went out ….Train moved again….
It was really heartrending….After a prolonged 10 years of treatment for infertility….ie too with a mother who was diabetic and asthmatic….How difficult the condition was?….
Due to my hectic assignments, tours, and erratic timings to conclude the daily work,I made it a habit to commute by car and avoided train fully.But Upendra was very much alive in my heart.
It was last February 18th evening..I was quiet busy with my next day’s travel to Delhi.My secretary Mrs. Ann informed about a visitor.It was Mr. Unni.Inviting him to my cabin , I asked him.
“ Long gap isn’t it? How is Upendra?”
Unni’s eyes filled....lips quivered…and in chocked voice he replied…….
“ Sir…Upendra died on Jan 31st.He was admitted to hospital on 30th due to high BP and with in 24 hours died due to cerebral Haemorrhage.Incidentally he enquired about you 3-4 days back before the death..He had started recognizing you and many others.We too thought that he was improving.I came here last week to inform but you were out of station.Now his wife is admitted in the Medical Trust hospital administered with sleeping pills.”
I sat down on the chair.All seemed like a drama.But the man who stood in front of me in flesh and blood continuously reminded the truth.I closed my eyes.
The telephone rang without any end….
“ Sir..it is a Delhi call for you” Mrs. Ann informed from outside.
It was from the Senior Brand Manager of our life style division…She asked me something but nothing was clear….
“ Mom..am not all well…can we meet tomorrow by 12 noon?..I will be there…”
Requesting Unni to wait outside, I locked the cabin door, opened the purse and took the “ Vishu Kaineetam “ that Upendra had presented me during last April.…Opened it for the first time….and it was written like this….
“ To my dearest friend Aditya Das Menon,
If somebody asks me to narrate 3 incidents that make me happy, one of my replies would be of my meetings with you…..Dearest friend,May the GOD continue the blessings throughout the years”
With lot of love – Upendra ”
I closed it and again kept in the purse...
Giving necessary instructions to Mrs. Ann, I left the office with Unni…Drove to Canara Bank ATM and withdrew some money..
“No sir I don’t want it..” Unni politely denied.
“ Mr. Unni, I have an indebtness to Upendra.You have to accept it and whenever you feel that you can return , somebody, who would be in need of money, will for sure reach to you.Just hand over it.”….
Tears gushed out of the eyes of him.I kept the cash in his pocket.
“ What is your plan”?..
“ Decided to go back to Kottayam with sister.I want to open my shop again.I am already married and blessed with two kids.…”
“ Contact me if needed..” Giving my visiting card, I dropped him at Medical Trust Hospital…
He rushed inside.I called my brother Bharath over cell.
“ Bhai..am planning to go by train today ”
“ Why Sanju..U have to arrange the baggages…have u cancelled the Delhi trip for tomorrow?’
“ No, I just wish to…I will be reaching at Vytiila Junction in 10 minutes time..pls drop me in Railway station”
As discussed, Bharath dropped me in the railway station….I entered the Dhanbad Express after a period of 5 months…Sat alone in the same compartment and,seat, behind the pantry car.None was there to sit opposite to me.The lean man, who carried the bundles of poverty with a big smile , sang Hindi songs beautifully and loved his daughter more than his life…had gone for ever…
I heard a song raising from the back..It was from a little girl…begging money .She directing the way to an old and blind man who was playing an instrument like violin.….
“ Door jake bhi mujh se…..Tum meri yaadon mein rehna..”
Her song reached the peak..I stood up from the seat..moved to the entrance of the compartment….and looked outside..The sun was almost sank in the sea…Train moved fast…
Repeating the same lines again, they both passed me.I came back and sat.
”Dearest friend,I have come back again after a long journey..Don’t u want to hear where all I went? Don’t you want to hear where all I stayed? Don’t you want to know which all food I had taken, whom all I had met?......I know, that your journey is over for ever…I realize,how much you are happy with your daughter coz now U can continuously share the sweet kisses and warm hugs with your baby and you don’t have to fear that she is alone in the grave yard".
Train once again reached the Chertallai station.People rushed to get out.Finally the little girl with the old man too.For a while,he stopped,tried to concentrate in something...and somewhere…..Took the instrument and started playing the song again.
“ Door jake bhi mujh se…..Tum meri yaadon mein rehna..”
With a long whistle train moved again….and increased the speed…but the old man did not notice at all.His heart was diluted in the song….and hand moved in tune with the heart…I was quiet sure, that he too was trying to relive the memories…… memories of a golden time that he shared with someone close to his heart……
“ Door jake bhi mujh se…..Tum meri yaadon mein rehna..”
aditya das menon…………
098462-43536
44 Comment(s)
