Some persons, some places and some incidents will always live in one’s memory. Be it the first love or be it a witness to a gory accident or be it getting some awards for excellence or see your first child. Etc.,
Unfortunately, nothing like that kicked me from my bed or perplexed and blissed my memories but some personal relationship from my Mumbai angel that will live ever in my memory.
A sweet girl, friend of yours, with 18 years old, suffering from a disease, and disappearing slowly is the saddest part of your life. Of course, no one could console/heal the wounds of the parents of that little Rose but my relationship was different.
As a normal employee of Zee Telefilms Ltd., I did not expect anything except a disciplined professional atmosphere and boss-staff-friends relationship with normal holidays and a “lovely” train journey from worli to New Mumbai till I met Raji.
Raji was an Accountant along with Hema and Seshadri, Rajagopal, as the Company Secretary and Maliwal as my boss, Raji was a very soft and outspoken, a typical Mumbaiwallah who initially tried to rag me, Slowly, may be my attitude must have made the change, the entire group moved very closely. All our friends liked each other and shared memories. One day Raji was telling about her sister Padma who had got some problem and could not go to school.
I was so moved by that because someone is telling me her problem without knowing the other person fully. I was also willing to meet that girl. By the time, I took Raji into confidence and we went together to her house.
I saw that smile, of Padma, which was conveying that she wanted to share her love for someone. I could not believe that she had some problem and her smile would even defeat “Lord of Death” or subjugate any evil thinking. So tender. I made it a point to meet her more often to give my affection and deepest love.
Slowly, we built a wonderful “Rose Garden” where we were only allowed to share. It was beyond any relationship the World has seen/experienced so far. The touch of her hand has conveyed 1000 words which no Poet could put it in pen.
I could realize after I met her that that love was to come within, unbiased and do not expect anything return except the reciprocal love and sympathy is not love. You can fall in love with anyone but getting the love of Padma was very difficult. She was so clear in her thoughts. She was very tough and adamant like a Child.
Few times I had made and given her coffee/tea and medicines. She sometimes, slept in my lap like a small cuckoo.
I had been observing her, shunted between hospital and house owing to continuous cough and other heart-related issues. I am not going to discuss further about the problems. Surprisingly, she wanted to see me at least once in a day and even in hospital, where I could see her in full pain, smiling at me. I had not given anything to her in my life except being with her sometimes.
She was holding my hands and saw her eyes telling me that she would go very soon. I did not have any words to answer. Within a week, she passed away. I was inconsolable that whole night and prayed God to give her the same love and affection given by me.
It has been more than a decade I saw Padma confined to flames. I could not see her face after her death as I was late for the funeral. For Padma, life is short. But, within the shorter period, she created an indelible mark in my heart and still whispers “Ramki”. This whisper is for me, for me and FOR ME ONLY.
Recently, her brother has been blessed with a baby girl, Sahana. I can say, certainly, that she has been born again to that family, who still could not reconcile the untimely demise of Padma. At least, the new arrival would heal the wounds to a large extent. Ironically, Padma’s sisters have got sons where brother has got the first daughter. Is this not God’s wish ?
If God is asking me for a wish, I would ask only one thing. Never create any person like Padma and if you create, also create a person like Ramki to be with her life throughout.
