26 September, 2010.
The morning of September 26, 2010 has been etched in my memory. It all began with a small get-together the previous evening. We had a lot to drink. We had a great time watching Dabang; a laugh riot when you watch it with a bunch of 3 drunk fellows.
The next day started with a hangover. I woke up at 8:30 am with a mild headache. But what followed was worst.
Lately, I have been spending a lot of my time indoors. On 26th, I suddenly felt an urge to get out. I was pleasantly surprised at the weather outside. The weather is difficult to describe. The wind was cool; the perfect temperature, not so cold as to make you curl but just so cold as to make you take it in and cleanse you from the inside. It was very quite outside (as it is usually the case). I lied down on the boundary wall. The surface is rough and I can barely lie down. That day, it was cold; again good cold.
I closed my eyes. My arms hung loosely down the edge. I relaxed. As it happens in the morning, all my senses were automatically heightened. I could hear the distant birds chirping. I could hear the sound of the leaves clapping; enjoying the breeze themselves.
After lying there for an hour, a gang of crow started croaking. I helplessly tried to shoo them away, but it did not help. I with my room-mate set out to the market. As the weather was delightful, we decided to walk. The sunshine was amazing. The warmth of the rays was just perfect. They engulfed me. I felt safe in their protective cover. The touch of the rays was soft. Idling along, enjoying the breeze and sunshine, we reminisced old times. The times when we were younger. The times which were simpler. The times when the biggest challenge outside school was to spend the 2 rupee coin in the best way possible, to buy bubble gum which gave away the best tattoo for free etc. I miss those days.
It was 9:15 am. We concluded that the deserted surrounding reminded us of the time when we went to school. It reminded us of the time when we went to school only to find out that it was a holiday; the joy we felt on a holiday. The breakthrough of our discussions came when we concluded that there is something wrong in the way organizations assign holidays. Around the globe, we hear organizations forced to declare holidays by 'ungodliest' weather conditions. Wouldn't it be wonderful if organizations gave out holidays to its employees just because the day was lovely? The weather was perfect for a holiday. That would be the ultimate HR welfare policy. The rest of the trip resulted in us venturing further into HR policies and old times; mostly unremarkable.
We unlocked our door and got in. My phone was ringing. Usually, I never leave my phone when I go out. But today was different. Before I could pick it up, it went dead. I had 9 missed calls and a message. What could it be, so early in the day.
As I scanned the numbers, I had guessed the news I was about to hear. My heart started pounding. My internals went bizarre. As I dialed the number 'Nanaji', I felt the need to sit down. Someone picked up. It was my naniji. She sounded confused. She gave away the phone to my mamiji. As I remember, she just said "Jaldi bolo jo bolna hai." . I said "I think, mom ne call kara tha mujhe". She replied in a somber voice, "nanaji ab nahi rahe". And I could only muster meekly "oh". That was that. I knew that it would happen sooner or later. In a sense it was a good thing for he was suffering from cancer since last Diwali. It had become worst for the last 2 months. I just remembered the last time I saw him. It was on 12th September. I was just leaving to catch my train. Bidding goodbye, he drew me closer and we hugged awkwardly. He had become thin, fragile and helpless. It was a real battle even to breathe and sit up. Even heavy sedation did not help. Now it was all over. Atleast, he was peaceful now.
As a child, I always looked forward to visiting him because he took us to the park and always handed over some pocket money to buy new clothes. It was his way to bribe us. I still remember running away from him because when we reached home, he always hugged us tightly and kissed us. I ran away because the stubble of his beard always pricked me. I miss that now.
He was a very kind and a loving spirit. He always laughed with us and was never strict. I admire and respect him for the way he made everybody feel at home. I rarely saw him angry and he always had some advice. I will always miss his guidance and love.
