I had just left the office in the evening when a call came on my mobile from an unknown number, and the caller introduced himself as Mr. Abhijeet Roy, Senior Advocate of Kolkata High court. He told me that it’s an emergency and I must fly down to Kolkata immediately. He also promised to pay for my travel expense in cash on arrival at Kolkata airport. He was repeating his request again and again by saying: “Aapna ke aastei hobe, jaabar aage, aamar Maa apna ke kichu bolte chaiche,” (you have to come by all mean, my mother wants to say something to you in-person before proceeding to her final destination).
I was shocked, tense and worried after getting the call from an advocate. I have never done anything wrong throughout my life; then why all of a sudden this call? I asked him very frankly “Why me Mr. Roy, what have I done to you or your mother?” Although it was an awkward question to ask at this point of time which sounded abnormal as I had no other option.
I don’t know him and he wanted me to come to Kolkata, just to meet with his old-aged ailing mother; was he mad or what, I thought he must be a crazy man. Why should I go to Kolkata in the first place and for what? Neither am I a Doctor nor a Tantarik (Priest) who could solve the problem of this old lady. Were they expecting some sort of miracle from me?
I started praying to my lord for HIS intervention at this crucial very moment, but to be honest, I could not concentrate even on my prayers due to this unexpected turn out of the event. I had indulged in an emotional mess by one strange man, who happened to be an advocate. However, I didn’t want to buy any problem unnecessarily for me or for my family at any cost, that’s it.
But it was easier said then done and in-spite of my repeated denial the situation was getting out of my control, because here someone else was making decision on my behalf, I just could not do anything, I was fully convinced that it’s my destiny which was knocking at my doors; how disgusting and frustrated it sounded, but it’s true. I had no option but to face the situation without asking any more questions.
After getting the late evening flight ticket for Kolkata, I proceeded towards the Airport with one overnight travel bag. I did not say anything about Mr. Roy’s episode to my family, instead I simply told them that I am going to Kolkata for an official tour and will be back within a day, but I was proved totally wrong within next four hours.
I reached Dum-dum airport the same night at 10:20 PM; Mr. Roy was waiting at the arrival gate holding a big placard in his hand on which my name was printed in capital letters. As soon as I approached him, his face lit with a broad smile and he said “Mr. Charan, finally you have made it, I am so happy to see you!” and before I could respond, he simply hugged me, his eyes filled with tears and he started thanking me, for coming at such short notice, with his folded hands.
It was almost mid-night when we entered Grandma’s room (Mr. Roy’s mother), the whole family was in that big room, an old lady with grey-hair lying in the bed, a nurse standing next to her bed, her face was covered with an oxygen mask but as soon as she saw me, she removed her mask but the nurse wanted to stop her in between, but could not be successful. After lot of effort, and with big force, she got up in the bed. With her hands stretched wide open she cried very loudly “Channa, tumi escho baba, khub bhalo, esho” (Charan, you have come, great, come to me). She hugged me and started kissing my hands her eyes filled with tears which were flowing uninterruptedly on her face, not knowing weather they were in happiness or an indication of sorrow.
With great difficulty, we made the old lady sleep only on one condition that I would stay in her house and will meet her again in the morning. I was still in a dilemma, almost lost and not in a position to think anything concrete, meaningful and positive. Whatever was happening to me was strange and unpredictable. What was I doing here tonight at Kolkata that too far away from my family spending the night with an unknown family?
Next morning, after a long nightmare, it was revealed to me that Grandma was a disciple of my late father. It came as a big shock to me. My father’s black and white photo-frame was hanging on the wall of that old lady's bedroom and everyone addressed my father as “Bapuji,” I being his son was looked upon by the family in the same spirit with lot of love, affection and respect.
On 92nd birthday of Grandma, all of a sudden, she fell sick and then she realized that she had got only few more days to live and must complete all her pending work within next few days, as she was told by my father long time back that, “You will be successfully completing 92 years of your life and you will leave behind your big family with your children, grand children and great grand children and that your family will live happily ever after and all of them will be blessed by the God Almighty, you be rest assured”.
On falling sick suddenly she remembered me and had started asking for me, because she knew that my father was no more and I being his eldest son must be contacted immediately, so that she could convey her feelings, gratitude, love, regard and thanks to “Bapuji”, through me. Mr. Roy, with great difficulty got my contact number, and here I was sitting in her house wondering and imagining the whole situation from beginning to the end.
That night, I was feeling so low, down and sad and I didn’t know when I started crying and remembering my beloved father, whom I loved the most but I did nothing significant which could make him feel happy and proud of me as his son; whereas, see what my father had done to me. Even after his death, I get so much of attention, care and love from his friends and disciples, beyond my imagination. Once again it was proved by my Lord that life was not just learning and teaching management (subjects), it’s much more than that.
With Prayers
Gurcharan
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