I moved not Him.- Part 3

21^st May 2008.

Two years had gone by since my father left us but there wasn’t a single day which passed without me remembering him. My sister got married after few months of his death & was happily settled, but my mother, she became quieter than ever before and spoke rarely. I stopped going to temple ever since I had that conversation with God. But somehow this question came to my mind again & again that what God told me if that was true? Why did my father choose death for himself in this way? It was really stupid of me that I didn’t ask Him the reason behind this. I was so perturbed by what he said that I didn’t even bother to listen to him completely & simply asked him to leave. It’s not that I regretted for what I said to Him that night or I broke my relation with Him. I still believed I was right but yes I made a mistake of not listening to Him. And I had to bear for this forever because I knew that this question would continue to haunt me for the whole of my life.

But yes, in this roller coaster life with ups and downs there was one person who used to bring smile on my face whenever she was around. You all have guessed it right, she was my sweetheart, my life & everything for me. Her name was Priyanka and with love I used to call her Peehu as it was her sweet & soft voice which spelled magic on me when I first met her. We worked together in the same office as colleagues and she was aware of all that I went through in the past. We both were in love but the only difference of opinions we had were that she prayed to God every morning & I didn’t. She was of the view that “Everyday God brings us with new colors of life which are sometimes bright and sometimes little dull but both are equally important to us. Until we don’t face black we’ll not be able to enjoy the white to its fullest which has all the seven colors of spectrum. And it’s none other than God who can absorb all the darkness from our lives and take us to the path of divine light, His divine light”.

She didn’t force me to continue to have faith in almighty when I stopped believing in Him, but used to say that one day I’ll change my mind again and that will be the day when two best friends will reunite. I used to laugh at this and say that you continue to keep hope as there is no harm in it.

Days went by and life seemed little smoother when suddenly one day it took a 360 degree turn for me. Here came news which sent shivers down my spine.

29 July 2008.

I was in a similar position as I was when my father died. I was feeling helpless. Peehu was in a hospital. She was diagnosed with tumor in brain which was in its early stage and had to be operated. Doctors had asked for Rs five lakh for the operation but till now I could arrange for just three lakhs out of five. I didn’t know what to do? Every time why did this happen to me only I thought. Earlier I lost my father whom I loved dearly & now Peehu...

I came to Peehu’s room in the hospital and sat beside her, holding her hands in mine. She asked me in anxiety what the Doctors had mentioned. What had happened to her? Whether she would get fine or not? I could see a lot of uneasiness on her face. I smiled & said calm down dear nothing to worry, everything will be fine, but within inside, my heart was sinking. Neither did she know of her condition nor did I have the courage to tell her. In last two years I had not remembered God even once but now all of a sudden these words came out of my mouth ‘Oh God please help’. Peehu looked at me in surprise. "What did you say" she asked? You called God, wow! She smiled – I am happy that after years once again you have remembered your friend. Now I am sure all will be well she said and closed her eyes as if she had sensed it all. She knew well whatever happen may happen but I’ll never call God and if these words had come out of my mouth unexpectedly it was something serious to worry about. Even I was surprised. How did I ask God for help? Anyone but not Him I said to myself and moved out of the room.

I had to go to meet one of my colleagues; he had said that he’ll try to make some arrangement for the money required for the operation through one of his friends. As I was about to leave the hospital gates, one of the doctors came to me and said they were ready for the operation and will perform it very soon as all the payments have been made. All the payments have been made? I asked in bafflement. But I still have to pay another two lakhs Dr.The required amount has been paid by that gentleman Dr. said and pointed his finger towards a person standing near the reception. I looked towards the reception & was surprised to see Mr. Ghai standing there. He was one of my father’s friends. I went to him. “How are you uncle” I asked? I am fine my son, how are you? I am fine too uncle. Before I could ask anything he himself said I came to know about Priyanka’s illness and that you needed some money too for the treatment, that’s why I am here. But uncle who informed you about peehu and that she was not keeping well? Your mother did. Today I went to your home to meet…. father I said cutting short his sentence. Sorry to inform you uncle but my father is …. I know that. Did mother tell you? No I knew it before hand. You knew about his death before hand and then also you didn’t come to meet us even once. It’s been two years uncle. You had always been a part of his bad and good times, then why not this time when he left this world? He was quiet for a while and I was almost in tears.

Mr. Ghai was like a family member and used to visit us quiet often with his granddaughter when father was there. Seeing him after such a long time today reminded me of father and all those good days spent together. May be this was the reason that I couldn’t control my emotions.

We’ll talk about all this later on said Mr. Ghai. Now you concentrate on Priyanka’s health, she needs you in this hour of dismay. Yes Uncle, I nodded my head and “thanks a lot for helping me in this situation”, I said with a grateful look on my face. I’ll return your money as soon as possible. Don’t worry about that he said and went away.

The operation date was decided for next day at 9: am in the morning. I was with Peehu for whole night and morning till she was taken in for Operation Theater. At 10: 30 am the doctors came out of Operation Theater and I was informed that operation was successful. My happiness saw no boundaries when I heard the news. I immediately called up my mother and even she was too happy to know that Peehu was fine now. She said she was going to temple to thank God for this as her prayers had been answered. Otherwise very quiet even mother also seemed very excited and rejoiced on phone with the news. All this left me wondering whether it was Mr. Ghai’s financial help and Drs’ efforts which helped Peehu get well or my mother’s prayers to God? And the answer to the above was very soon in front of me.