Faithful spirit

Rajalakshmi adjusted the intravenous poles as a routine though she knew the old man was sinking fast and may not survive the day.The doctors had given up hope and he was administered medicines only to ease his pain.He was in a coma .She nevertheless took care of him as if he would survive this ordeal.The old man in his Eighties was oblivious to the surroundings, the very short life that lay ahead of him, the presence of his dutiful wife who spent wakeful hours at his bedside praying for his recovery all the time.

Rajalaksmi turned to the old lady who appeared a few years younger than the old man.She was small built, draped in nine yards and looked fresh after her bath in the early morning with a big bindi and ash mark on her forehead.She held in her hand prayer books.

“How is he today?” she had asked the nurse Rajalakshmi

What could she tell the old woman who pinned her hopes on her Goddess and her prayers? The old lady was quietly aware of the critical condition of her husband.

Rajlaksmi said “There is no change, grandma.His condition remains the same and not good.Doctors are trying their best”

“It has happened many times before virtually taking him to his end but he always recovered miraculously. My Godess will not let me down, I am sure, this time also” said the lady.

“Grandma, don’t you have children? I see nobody here.You are here all the 24 hours without rest or sleep” asked the nurse

“I have one daughter in Australia.But her husband ever since her marriage would not permit her to come to our house due to some misunderstanding.She is a good girl with two kids of her own.What can the poor thing do when her husband is stubborn and insensitive.Only the neighbours helped in bringing grandpa here. But I don’t want to disturb them”

“How long are you married?” asked the nurse

“I don’t know.I was thirteen then and I must be seventy eight now.You work out yourself.I am not good in arithmetic” the lady replied.

“ Wow!! Sixtyfive years both of you have been together. Have you taken any food? You don’t seem to go out at all” asked the nurse

“How can I leave him alone? In case he opens his eyes and calls Chellamma what will he think if there is no response:” she asked. ”The ward boy gets me plantains and idly from the canteen.” she added

Rajalakshmi turned her face away to hide her tears. “Okay grandma, you can be by his side holdng his hands.No one will come today being Sunday. But you must take a short nap as grandpa is sleeping comfortably. I will come now and then.I have my night duty also today.Don’t worry.I will be there for you. Please ring the bell if you need me” she said softly resting her hand on the old lady’s shoulder. When she left the room after noting down some data on the chart, she saw the old lady caressing the old man’s face muttering something about her faith in Goddess and his recovery.

Rajalakshmi was busy with other patients one of whom was on ventilator and another needed close monitoring.She had tough time and was on continuous duty for two shifts. It was around 4 am that she had finally got some rest. She came to the room and found the old lady asleep with her head on the bed and one hand holding the hand of her husband while the other on his forehead.The prayer books were on the bed.

She went near the old man only to find that he had passed away.He was still warm.Though professionally trained, she could not hold back her tears and shuddered at the prospect of breaking the sad news to the wife who steadfastly trusted her Goddess's power to healShe came around the bed to the old lady and put her hand on her shoulders telling “Grand ma, wake up.Please wake up.” When she did not respond she nudged her liitle harder only to find the faithful spirit had also flown away with her husband

Sanjay's first day in school

GR Sir as he was known was writing feverishly with chalk on the blackboard some formulae in algebra.He saw a shadow pass across the door.He found the Head Master with a puny boy entering the class.
“GR”, the HM called him in a friendly tone and said “This is Sanjay, a new student.I have admitted him in your class as I felt he needs your care and attention. I will discuss more during lunch time.”
The HM had left and boy was still standing at the door with a bag clutched in his hands waiting for the teacher’s permission to enter the class.He was wearing a much worn cotton shirt along with shorts that were a shade small for his size..There was a safety pin pinned askew securing the shirt as there were no buttons.He looked emaciated with bony legs, sunken eyes and unspoken sadness writ large on his well defined and charming face..

The teacher called him by his side.As he came limping with his polio affected leg, he put his arm around him and asked him softly “What is your name, young boy? I forget Sanjiv or some such thing. Where are you from?”

“I am Sanjay, Sir, and have come from Alwar” the boy replied in a voice that was hardly audible

“Good, Welcome to the class Sanjay.. Is there anyone among the boys wanting to have Sanjay by his side? “asked the teacher.There was a deafening silence for a couple of minutes till Partha stood up.Ravi nudged him in his leg and whispered “You fool, He looks skinny and lame.”

Partha turned around and saw his mates.Raj made an ugly grimace. A few others were not amused by Partha’s gesture.It appeared they didn’t like the new entrant.

“.Go and sit by the side of Partha” said the teacher.

All eyes were on the little boy as he ambled along towards Partha.Partha moved to his left and gave him the aisle seat to enable the boy sit without having to wade his way through the chairs.Shilpa a girl of Parthas age did not fail to notice the thoughtfulness of her friend .There was a touch of pride in her eyes.

GR Sir asked after he wrote (a+b-c)2 on the board “”Can any one expand this ?

There was a long silence.The teacher asked “Sanjay, do you know the answer?”

The boy stood up and gave the right answer.”Why were you waiting for me to ask?” asked the teacher.

“Sorry Sir.I was waiting for others to respond” he replied.There was instant jealousy amongst the students when the teacher exclaimed”Sabash, well done”

When the bell rang for lunch, all the boys and girls scampered to the door.Partha also had run but turned to see behind.He saw Sanjay sitting on the bench alone.A sense of guilt pricked the little boy even as he came to Sanjay. Soon Shilpa joined them.

Partha asked “Have you brought any lunch? Come on; let us eat outside under the tree.” The three of them sat together and shared what they had. Shilpa said “Sanjay, don’t feel bad.The other boys and girls will soon become your friends.They are not wicked”

Even as she was saying this Ravi and Raj came to Sanjay and pulled his collar.

”Are you trying to show off that you know better than us? Can you have a bout of boxing with me? I can give you a black eye that your mom won’t be able to recognise you” said Raj.

When Ravi pushed the boy who fell down, Partha yelled at them “ You chicken hearted bullies.Come on, let us have the bout of boxing and let me find out whose mom fails to recognise whom” and lunged forward at Ravi and Raj.Partha was a big built boy with strong muscles and the two ran away unwilling to put up a fight.Shilpa helped Sanjay sit up and dusted the sand from his face and arms.

“Thank you both” said Sanjay even as he smiled. I can sing for you like Sonu Nigam, if you wish to hear”.The two were thrilled to hear Sanjay sing very much like the famous singer. Soon all the boys and girls surrounded them and were enthralled by the melodious singing. The boy mesmerised his class mates with his beautiful rendering in his wonderful voice that matched the great singer. When he had finished the song ,each one of them went up to Sanjay and gave him a warm hug and a word of praise.Ravi and Raj were not far behind when they sheepishly came to say”Sorry, Sanjay,we behaved badly.Please accept us as your friends.”

Sanjay standing between Partha and Shilpa smiled at them and said “I am happy to be with you all.True, I cannot run a race or join a bout of boxing but I have many tricks up my sleeves.I shall entertain you whenever the opportunity presents itself.I am happy to get you all as my buddies but I value the friendship of Partha and Shilpa extended to me whole heartedly when they had seen only my handicap and were not aware of my singing ability.”

The bell rang and the three walked arm in arm towards the class.