While the Sun Is Still in the Sky

by | Jun 2, 1999 | Responsibility

“Hi Nitin, Ain’t you going out to play!”.

I turned back to find a smiling Mukesh, firmly rooted to his chair, trying to strike a conversation with me in his unique and amiable style.

It was recess time, we had just finished with our lunch and there was no one in the classroom except me and Mukesh. All others had already gone to the playground, making merry of every moment available to them before the school bell rings, marking end of the recess.

We must be seven or eight years old then. Mukesh was one of my close friends in the class. He was not amongst top rankers, nor was he an extraordinary child, but I had developed a liking for him. He was very honest, quite type and above all a very sensible child.

I often used to stay back in the class during recess time to be with him. There were times when me, my other class friends would often cajole him to come out and at least be a part of the games the other children played. At times he used to come out with us , but it was difficult for me to really read his mind. I used to wonder what he thought and felt when he found other children enjoy in the field and he remained seated in his chair.

Friends, Mukesh had lost both his legs to the dreaded disease called Polio, when he was not even one. Life after that was a story of courage, understanding and endurance for him. He was barely able to drag himself on the floor, inch by inch, with the help of both his hands.

The adversity had taught him few lessons of life, Mukesh use to take even the curt remarks passed by classmates collectedly and replied these with his charismatic smile, that remained as one of his winning propositions as long as we were together. I was perhaps too young then to fully understand the extent of pain and the feeling of helplessness that was hidden behind his charismatic smile.

But as I remember Mukesh today, tears are rolling down from my eyes !

Mukesh had a very supportive family. All teachers liked Mukesh. Even the other staff of the school like Panchanan, the Peon and Kaushalya Bai, the lady attendant, were always around him when needed. Life was going on as if things were going to be better with each passing day!

Then, one fine day, we heard that Mukesh is not keeping well and may not be coming to school for some time. It was taken by most of us as one of those brief stints of illness that each of us undergoes once in a while and we waited for the day Mukesh returns to school ! Just to be with him once again!

A month passed by ! Mukesh did not return to school. We were all anxious to know his welfare and that when will he be back to school ! Perhaps Mukesh was not so much cared for when he was around as he was now being missed. Children realized his value only after he was gone. He was an inseparable part of our class and school.

One of those days, I visited his house along with Chetan, another very close friend of mine, who use to stay close to him. Mukesh was seated in a special chair made for him. He looked pale, weak and slimmer than what he used to be. But he came back in his elements the moment he saw us & his face lit up with his charismatic smile, which appeared to us at that moment worth a million words.

I discovered a new facet of Mukesh’s personality that day. He had an enviable collection of books at home, which were his faithful companions in the moments of loneliness. Books were the best thing that happened to him during his forced stay at home, he revealed.

I remember having visited him a couple of times more, before I shifted to a school located in the other side of the city. I had borrowed a few books from him which could not be returned to him for long, just because I could not give it the priority it deserved. Mukesh did remind me about them through a common friend who use to study in my new school. But the books some how could not to be returned !

One day, that common friend of ours broke the sad news to me that our beloved friend Mukesh had left for his heavenly abode last evening after fighting a long drawn battle with the disease.

I was stunned! I cursed myself to no end. How careless and irresponsible I was ! the realization that now I will never be able to return those books to Mukesh, started haunting me! Though, I went to his house and returned the books to his sister, I was some how unable to forgive myself, for the lapse on my part.

His sister did tell me that he was remembering me & other school friends in his last days. He just wanted to be with his old friends once again, even if it only lasted for a few moments.

Mixed feelings came over me ! How unfortunate I was to have missed those priceless moments ! How fortunate I was to have had a friend like Mukesh & to have spent a part of my childhood in his company ! howsoever brief it may have been !

My only solace since then was the moment when I imagined myself talking to Mukesh, apologizing for the delay in returning the books. & I felt, he said nothing but flashed his charismatic and disarming smile which said it all. “It’s okay with me dear but if you want to grow in life & have no such regrets ever again, be a responsible person, learn to return favours in life, in time & while the sun is still in the sky and shining above you !”

Mukesh , I love you ! & some where deep down inside I miss you !!!

In gratitude,

Love & Prayers,

Nitin Kulkarni Nitinkulkarni@nascentdewdrops.com

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