IF ONLY HE HAD….

“If only he had…” his mother sobbed.
Yes! This is a phrase we often use to shift the responsibility of our actions. But now it was more than that. It was not merely shifting the responsibility, but rather a cry of grief. He was the only boy, who bore all the hopes of his family. He was good; extremely talented, energetic and a pillar of hope and optimism. He came first in anything he ventured into. Many could not understand his ideology. Some criticized him. A few appreciated him. But none could really understand what and who he was. It is a fate of life that some are not understood as they deserve and some are more understood than what they deserve. Life is not always fair, so be it.
He was an idol for many to worship. Many wished if they could be him. He was second to none in whatever he ventured into. At college, he was involved in almost all the clubs. He was the best player in his hockey and football teams. He was a sprinter who left his fellow competitors meters behind him. He bagged first in state level javelin and discus throw…. Well, we will need a lot more time to talk about his abilities.
The tragedy happened when he decided to buy a motorcycle. He used to go for part-time jobs even during his school days and so he had money from which he also funded his education as he hailed from a poor family. He bought his first bike with his savings. He was thrilled, though it was a used one. He tried to prove his expertise on it. He never wore a helmet because he never thought he can ever get into an accident. He was coming home after his part-time job. He hit the vehicle in front and was thrown away. His head hit the ground first and he succumbed to his head injuries. ‘If only he had worn his helmet he would be alive now.’
A family lost its future. He was the only son and they looked upon him for their life. But he failed them by not wearing a helmet. We all go through different walks of life. We come across different situations in life ‘if only we give primary importance for our safety and that of others around us’, life can be longer, happier, and fuller.
Life is like jigsaw puzzle and we are all pieces in it. If we destroy ourselves by being careless, we lose our life and that of those around us. Do you love your family and your loved ones?
Then BE SAFE and ACT SAFE.

Life

“Are you ready?” came a loud cry from the room.
“Yes”, replied I.
This was not my first time; still I am a bit nervous.
“Let’s go then.” Anto patted on my shoulder. I got up and went with him. We took the city bus and got down at the General Hospital. He guided me to the room. It was a room with three beds. Near each bed there were equipments to draw blood. A young lady came and smiled at me.
“Please lie down there.”
I chose the middle bed. As lied down, she came near me with a plastic bag to collect my blood. My vein was pocked and blood started to flow out of my body to the plastic bag through the pipe which connected me and the bag. She placed the bag on an equipment which started to rock. My blood started to fill the bag. After a few minutes, the bag was full of my life liquid. I got up and suddenly felt a little dizy.
“Don’t get up now. Rest a while.” She suggested.
“I am alright.” I replied.
Once I was out of the room, I could see a man with a tender coconut. He offered it to me, “Please drink it.” I took a sip from it. “It is for his daughter.” Anto introduced him to me. I smiled at him and drank the coconut water.
“She is in the ward.” The man said and showed the way. I was not interested to visit, but I followed. In the ward, I saw a 9-year-old girl who is very tired and weary. She smiled at me. “So she is the one who will receive my blood.” I thought to myself. There was something angelic about the girl. She was from a poor family but that did not determine who she is. She brightened wherever she was. The innocent smile had many things to tell. I could feel my heart filled with something I cannot express. It was later I understood that it was the blessing of God for helping his angel to preserve a valuable life.
I have given many things to many people in my life. But that was the day my giving gave me more than I gave.

Thread of Love

“You have changed a lot. You don’t show me the kind of love you had earlier” was her complaint recently. “Yes I don’t show you. But that doesn't mean I don’t love you.” I said to myself. I know, I am not showing her any affection recently. I am at war-a war waged inside me - a war between me and me.

We had a lovely life in the beginning. We started our life in a small house which had only one room. I love her more than anything and I did tell her that and showed it all the way possible. Money was a problem, but she was very understanding as is now. She never complained about anything, except not being with her. We spent hours together which in turn built our life in a strong foundation.

As soon as my work was over, I would be hurrying home. I could never buy anything for her though I wanted to. Love cannot buy everything, need money for that. But she never complained. To increase our joy our first baby came in. I was worried, very much worried though I did not show it. But I knew she knows everything. Our hearts had become one. So it was neither possible to cover up my heart from her nor hers from me. We had a strong thread of love uniting us.

We had quarrels. Though not very often, we would get angry and shout at each other. Even when we were at the highest point of anger we never used words to intentionally hurt the other. Because I knew I am not hurting her but myself, so did her. Every night we would talk, say sorry to each other if we quarreled and would hug and kiss each other before sleep.

My financial crisis shook my mind and I was most of the time worried calculating and thinking over and over. It took most space of my mind and I forgot to spent time with her sometimes even to talk to her. It was worrying me how to take care of the family with the little income I get as a driver. I always wanted to buy a car for myself, but never did.

I felt a warm hand on my forehead and I opened my eyes. “I am sorry I didn't mean to hurt you. I was angry with the children and I just poured it out on you. I didn't think it would hurt you this much. I am sorry. I am so sorry.” I looked at her and asked, “Do you know that I love you more than anything in this world?” She hugged me tightly and said, “I know I am the person whom you love most. But I would like to hear it often.” Our tears became one like our hearts. Our son came and hugged us both and there we went back to the small one-room-house in the beginning.

Love is not love if it is not expressed.