A happy home
My
name is Harish. I have one sister. I was born in a middle class urban family.
My father had a two-bed room flat on the first floor of an apartment in East
Delhi. We were having ancestral business of garments.
One
day while my parents were out on the shop, my sister, Usha, had serious injury
in her left leg. She had collided with a three-wheeler while crossing the road.
The condition of my sister was deteriorating fast. Lot of blood came out from
her body. The hospital was about two kilometres away. But nobody was helping
her.
Two
college girls while returning from their college saw Usha crying on the road.
They picked up the mobile lying on the road. They telephoned the local police
and also informed several persons in the contact list of the mobile. My father received
the message and rushed towards the site of the accident.
By
the time my father reached there, the police had already taken away my sister and
admitted her to a nearby government hospital. On learning this, my father immediately
rushed to the hospital. There he was told about the serious condition of Usha.
The
doctors were trying their best. Lot of blood loss had made her condition critical.
She was operated upon. The operation continued for four hours. The doctors were
happy because Usha was saved but her left leg had to be imputed. This was
absolutely essential to save her life. My father heard this announcement with
heavy heart. In the meantime, my mother, too, had arrived. Other family members
were also rushing towards the hospital.
This
incident changed the life of Usha entirely. She was now dependent on others.
However, she did not lose heart. She continued to go to the school regularly
and secured good position. In fact, she became a source of inspiration for her fellow
students.
My
parents were busy with their business and had little time to take care of other
issues. I was studying in class eleven in the school. I was aware with the
difficulties of my parents which was compounded further by the recent incident.
I focussed on my studies. I stood first in my school examination and was
promoted to the class twelve. I worked very hard for the board examination. My
hard work paid me. I got 96 percent marks in the board examination.
I
did well in the IIT entrance examination and got admission into IIT Delhi. I
got scholarship which included free food and lodging. That saved my father from
lot of botheration. I concentrated on my studies and always secured excellent
results.
One
day while I was walking with my friends, I got phone calls on my mobile from Usha.
My father had a heart attack and he died instantly. No medical care could be
provided as there was hardly any time to respond. This was as ever blow for my
entire family. I immediately rushed to my house.
By
the time I reached there it was 8PM in the night. Everybody was looking sad. My
mother was fainting again and again. Many friends and relatives gathered around
the dead body of my father. My sister was unable to adjust with the situation
and fell ill. The death of my father had put me in a very difficult situation. I
had to manage my mother and the sister. The ancestral business was in bad shape.
One
day while I was sitting alone in the hostel I got a registered letter. It was
an offer of my appointment as a project engineer in a MNC at Seattle in the
USA. It offered annual package of two crores besides other facilities. I was
extremely delighted. I immediately informed my mother about this. She was very
happy to know that I got a job but she did not like the news of my posting abroad.
I
thanked God for this timely help and started preparing for my departure. I took
help from a travel agent in getting my passport, visa etc. He charged some
money no doubt but everything was done smoothly. I still had about one-month
time for departure. I thought it proper to spend this time with my mother and
sister who were yet to recover from the trauma caused by the sudden death of my
father.
My
mother was delighted to see me back at home. She immediately called Usha. All
of us sat together to discuss the future planning. It was in fact a memorable
time for us. I was now in a position to save it from financial hardship.
But
my mother was worried She asked:
Can
not you get a suitable job in our country?
I
understood her anxiety and consoled her:
“Mother,
you do not worry. I shall always keep in touch. The World is now like a family
and no place is far away.”
She
ultimately agreed and wished me good luck.
My
mother saw me off at the airport with her eyes wet. She kept waiving her hands
till I became invisible. Usha, too, was there looking straight at me. I do not
know when and how they could return.
I
reached my destination next day evening. In between I had a break at Dubai
airport but I could not do anything and kept sitting in the plane. On reaching
at Seattle airport, I reported to the immigration counter for clearance and
security check. I got the formalities done in an hour or so and came out of the
airport through the exit gate.
I
saw a staff of the company outside the exit gate with placard containing my
name. I went along with him. A private car was waiting outside in the lane. We
got into it and left for the company guest house.
On
reaching the guest house I found extremely friendly environment. I was welcome
by [p1]
the CEO of the Company and was given assistance throughout. I joined the office
next day. I was surprised to see the beautiful office campus. I joined my duty
and completed office formalities in an hour or so. Thereafter, I was introduced
to the Officers of my project. The entire day passed away in formalities. I
never had imagined that I would have such a smooth transition from Delhi to
Seattle.
I
called my mother over WhatsApp in the evening. The phone was picked by Usha.
She was extremely happy to talk to me . My mother was in kitchen. On hearing
about my phone call, she rushed and picked up phone from Usha. She started
weeping on hearing my voice. I consoled her. She asked so many questions about
the arrangements there and was quite satisfied to learn that I was comfortable.
I
settled very fast in Seattle. I was getting a handsome salary. After a few
months, I bought a house there. My mother and Usha were very happy to see the
palatial building which I had purchased. I requested them to come and stay with
me but my mother was not willing. She had lot of attachment with her flat in
Delhi and wanted to continue there. However, I was quite worried about them. I
wanted to give higher education to Usha. Besides, I wanted to give a fresh try
to her leg problem.
I
consulted the surgeons in the USA. They went through the records and agreed to
conduct fresh operation of Usha. According to them there was fifty-fifty chance
of her recovery. I decided to take the risk and go ahead with the operation. I
was able to get medical visa for Usha and mother, too, was allowed to accompany
her.
I
had personally gone to receive mother and Usha at the airport. They were very
happy to find themselves in an entirely new environment. It took them one or
two days to adjust with the new timings but ultimately, they started feeling
comfortable.
After
two days we went to the famous surgeon of Seattle. He was immensely happy to
see Usha and was very much confident about positive outcome. The surgery was
conducted next day. It lasted for six hours. The team of doctors came out
smiling after the successful surgery. I was told that they would be required to
stay there for about two weeks after which monthly check up would be required
for subsequent two months.
After
successful operation, Usha was given physiotherapy for two months. She
responded miraculously and started walking without any aid. However,
physiotherapy was continued for two more weeks as a precautionary measure. The
doctors who had conducted surgery were extremely happy to see Usha walking on
her own. My mother, too, was extremely happy.
I
had never thought that Usha would ever be able to walk on her own. She, in fact,
had got new lease of life. She started her studies with double vigour. She was
admitted to the post-graduation in Science and completed it within a year. She
did very well and was provided scholarship for PHD course. The University was
bearing her entire expenditure.
Usha
did remarkably well. She completed her PHD course before schedule and got a teaching
job with lucrative salary package in the same University. The employers helped
her to get the green card.
The
doctor attending upon Usha was an NRI Indian. He belonged to a small village in
Kerala. During the process of treatment, he had developed liking for Usha. Even
after the treatment was over he continued to be in touch with her. Usha also
had the same feeling towards him. The doctor was a saviour for her.
One
day while I was talking to my mother, both Usha and the doctor revealed their
plan to marry. My mother was initially reluctant because she wanted to marry Usha
in her own community but she also ultimately agreed. The marriage of Usha and
Dr Pillai was held with great pomp and show in Seattle itself. Next day they
left for Honeymoon at Switzerland.
One
day while all the family members were chit chatting, mother expressed her
desire to return to Delhi. She wanted to spend her remaining days in Delhi flat.
In fact, Dr Pillai and Usha also wanted to return to India and open a hospital
for the especially abled children. So, the proposal of my mother was endorsed
by them instantly. I also liked the idea to return to Delhi and to set up my
own factory.
As
planned, they returned to Delhi after a month. Usha opened a rehabilitation
centre for the especially abled children. Her husband Dr Pillai dedicated his
entire resources for the welfare of such children and also started working
there on full time basis. I opened my own company of electronic goods. This
gave employment to a large number of youths.
My
mother was very much satisfied. She always blessed us. She would always say:
“God
should bless everybody with such children!”
Years
have passed away since my mother died. She did not give us any indication. She
was just taking her dinner. Before anybody could guess anything, she fell down
and left us for ever…….
We
always miss her but have a satisfaction that I served my mother well. That she
could go peacefully leaving a happy home
behind.