This post of mine happens to be my first for the month of August. And I wish I never were to write this. It’s acquired a tragic connotation after what happened yesterday.
Life and Death are the two sides of the same coin or so I’m told. But, it was only over the last 24 hours that I began to fathom that death could kiss the feet of anybody, anytime.
My mood is somber and I’m filled with a sense of deep anguish. On the evening of Saturday, the 26th of August, I came to know of the earth-shattering news of the demise of a good friend and my classmate. For all the people who knew him, Rahul Ahlawat was the quintessential guy who always managed to bring smiles amongst people thanks to his great sense of humour. The same person has broken the hearts of not only his beloved parents but also all of us because of his extreme step. Dude, why didn’t you tell us what you were going through? We were your friends, goddamnit!!! Rahul was not only popular but was also a great guy. During the one-year that we’ve known him, I can’t think of a single person, whose heart has been left untouched. I would remember him as someone who would come up to me and would address me as “Mr. Diplomat” in his mocking voice. I’ll never forget that debate we had at the library on the reservation issue. Always to the point and bristling with passion, he made his argument with such conviction, that I couldn’t help but to falter in my counter-argument. His boundless energy is usually only matched by his crazy antics in class, which often drove the teachers crazy! But, deep inside, he had a heart of gold and was a highly sensitive person. As the news of his untimely death percolates, and as all of us try to grapple with the enormity of the crisis, I can only hope and pray that, we, his friends, stand united in grief and are strong.
Rahul, though I’d just stop short of calling you weak-minded, I will make it amply clear that what you have done isn’t quite setting the right example and something that we never expected from you. I guess, you never imagined what repercussions this would have especially on your parents.
Though our dear friend is no more, and I know, for fact, that going to college would never be the same, we must realize that life goes on. He would still want to see smiles on our faces and hope that his parents are well looked after. Dude, wherever you are now, let me tell you that we are angry with what you have done, but we nevertheless hope and pray in earnest that your soul rests in peace.
And well, it goes without saying that you will be missed big time by one and all of us.
1 comment:
Good Morning Pratyush,
I really don't know what to say. Today 'finally' when I happen to read your blog I got to see an article on Rahul. I am touched.
I am myself too shocked to believe that our jovial and chirpy Rahul, who was so respectful towards all of us, could decide to call it off. I sincerely wish that I could help him.
I believe that God gives us only that much of sorrows which we are capable of handling. And in those times if we let the god help us by just putting our faith in him, we will surely see the sunrise.
You rightly said life has to go on. On this note I am sharing with you the words of Khalil Gibran nn Death:-
Than Almitra spoke, saying, "We would ask now of Death."
And he said:
You would know the secret of death.
But how shall you find it unless you seek it in the heart of life?
The owl whose night-bound eyes are blind unto the day cannot unveil the mystery of light.
If you would indeed behold the spirit of death, open your heart wide unto the body of life.
For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.
In the depth of your hopes and desires lies your silent knowledge of the beyond;
And like seeds dreaming beneath the snow your heart dreams of spring.
Trust the dreams, for in them is hidden the gate to eternity.
Your fear of death is but the trembling of the shepherd when he stands before the king whose hand is to be laid upon him in honour.
Is the sheered not joyful beneath his trembling, that he shall wear the mark of the king?
Yet is he not more mindful of his trembling?
For what is it to die but to stand naked in the wind and to melt into the sun?
And what is to cease breathing, but to free the breath from its restless tides, that it may rise and expand and seek God unencumbered?
Only when you drink from the river of silence shall you indeed sing.
And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.
And when the earth shall claim your limbs, then shall you truly dance.
Prachi Chandola
Post a Comment