A Selfless Soul

Life is a gift of God to every creature in the universe. It is the creator who knows the purpose of our existence. Humans are the best of all creatures possessing beauty, emotions, intelligence and other distinct characteristics. Having bestowed with this life, our primary duty is to remember God in all the times. In this transient life, one should always strive to please others by loving everyone around. Our deeds shape the equation with others and our goodness speaks volumes. The crests and troughs of one's life illuminates others, inspires to earn fame. Though we face hurdles, we should strive to achieve equilibrium in all the aspects of life seeking help from the creator. This is a law of enlightened living, in fact a way to please The Almighty.

Humans go through many phases in their life. Being a baby in parent’s care, they grow up to play with siblings strengthening themselves in relationships. Life is a solo journey until a partner comes-in to make it beautiful. Henceforth a person gets identified by his family and children. I used to wonder how a man unknown to a woman spends life together, but, could realize its certainty if the love bonds the relationship. This is the story of a person who obeyed destiny, praised the creator, never stepped back to maintain relations. It is unattainable to narrate his life in a few lines, but my endeavor is to represent his lifetime optimally. His life is an extraordinary tale of responsibilities and hardships but he steered them with unending determination. Caring for his parents, brothers and a loveable sister, he was selfless for any help in and around his family. By the blessings of the Almighty, he got married to my maternal aunt and that was the first time I met him.

After a long time of their marriage, I went to my maternal grandfather’s home at Eluru to spend summer vacation. Those were the days when the mankind was so far to switch on the air conditioners. We used to overcome heat sleeping on the terrace breathing natural air. Looking at the dark sky shining with stars, I used to fall asleep listening stories from grandma. It was a routine to spend time with my grandpa post lunch discussing many topics. One afternoon he said, “Ask your grandma to pack our clothes, we will go to meet Kaami tomorrow”. Kaami is my maternal aunt, wife of Mohammed Aleem, my Khalusab, whose story is being discussed. As decided, my grandpa started by train the next morning from Eluru, carrying baskets of mangoes, variety of sweets and uncountable love for his daughter and his son-in-law. I being a co-traveler, sat with a pack of samosas in hand, peeping out of the train window, passing through the river, lush jasmine fields and the sea sands en route to Chirala.

Traveling was one of my hobbies and the journey of four hours to Chirala, passing four districts had fulfilled my desire to travel long. I could see the train approaching Chirala railway station as the clock struck ten. Walking on the platform Grandpa told me that aunt has arranged a car to pick us home. We boarded a white Ambassador car that was actually arranged by Khalusab, but, in general a father’s love always speaks on behalf of the daughter. After a few minutes of drive, we could see the car honking at a big black gate which was the entry point to enter in the zone of bungalows designated for managers working in ITC Ltd. A security personnel came out of the gate to allow inside, saluting Grandpa. Grandpa was on a higher note grabbing the respect that he deserved. Last night, I heard from granny that aunt’s house is a bungalow and now I could see it in fornt of my eyes as we entered into the compound of tall trees and shrubs surrounding the house, with a lawn and a big swing on either sides of the house. Khalusab was at office and we were expecting him to meet at lunch. Grandpa took rest after breakfast and I went out to swing on the cradle.

Half a day passed, Khalusab informed he would be late for lunch, asking us not to wait for him. The main course was mutton biryani cooked to perfection. Grandpa was all praise to the food commending aunt and countering grandma. I ate quickly and was about to get up, Grandpa whispered “Tumlaga se baithe toh aadha pet khaako uthna rey”. I smirked, sat till grandpa was done and came back into the living room. While aunt and grandpa were in some discussion, I heard the sound of a running engine ascending towards the home, guessing it a vehicle I looked outside and to my expectation it was Chetak 150cc entering into the compound of the bungalow. Stopping the engine, taking off the helmet, I saw Khalusab heading towards the main door. He seemed tough and smart wearing black shoes. I wished him and he replied “Waalaikumussalam, Kab aaye Khaan”. He wished grandpa and asked “achey hai?”. Suddenly, a boy came running towards Khalusab watching him remove shoes. Khalusab said “Addaa, Khaana khaya?”. This boy is Adil, Khalusab’s adorable son who was five years old. The day went on with snacks in the evening followed by dinner. Post dinner, grandpa went in the garden to stroll, Khalusab started to refer the news paper resting on the bed while we heard a baby’s cry. Shifting his focus from the news paper, Khalusab lifted the baby saying “Alima, idhar aao tume”. The baby is Aliya, Khalusab’s lovable daughter of two years old. He started humming lullaby until the baby slept. It was a short trip of two days, Garndpa and I left for Eluru the next afternoon.

Simply portraying the role of a husband doesn’t help life to be great. Leading the life with a partner similes sketching a picture. Consistent co-ordination between the hand and sketch beautifies the art. Similarly, a consistent understandability between a couple flourishes into a blissful life. Contrary to her other sisters, aunt used to go back Chirala within few days of stay in Eluru saying “He is alone”. Wife and children were the two eyes to Khalusab. All of them used to be very close to each other and we at the maternal side used to say “their world is different”. Khalusab used to work as a senior manager in ITC Ltd, Chirala. Being adept in his profession, he has gradually stepped on to the higher positions at work migrating to various units in ITC. After several years, he was assigned to ITC Ltd, Anaparthi. Similar to his residence in Chirala, the home in Anaparthi was also a company-provided bungalow. The workload at the Anaparthi unit was a bit heavier compared to that of the Chirala unit; however, he managed to exercise restraint, alleviating his fatigue by spending quality time with his family. It is often said that with love and dedication, one can achieve the impossible, and this proved to be true in his case as he got promoted within a short time. The office management commended him for his unwavering contributions in the production department. As the years went by, he approached fifty. His name resonated across the departments and units of ITC. While everything was proceeding smoothly, one day in the year 2013, he expressed discomfort in his stomach and sought medical advice. It was uncertain whether this was due to the influence of an evil eye or the impact on his lifestyle due to the intense workload. The doctor identified ulcer in the stomach recommending surgery but we suggested him to seek a second opinion.

Taking the advice from the elders, Khalusab planned to undergo treatment at Hyderabad. Khalusab’s brother Saleem Saahab, Aunt’s brother Khaleel and I consulted the doctor with the reports. The doctor apprised us about the health condition recommending to plan for surgery without a delay. The doctor also instructed to be on a strict diet taking rest for a few months post surgery. Saleem Saahab, Khaleel and I broke into tears coming out of the doctor’s room. Though Khalusab was not present with us, he sensed the severity but stood firm persuading himself. He asked me to brief the status to his boss over the phone. His boss indicated polite acceptance of the condition encouraging us to proceed with the treatment. I saw my aunt choking back tears comforting her husband. The family’s harmony was disrupted but their unwavering belief in god was intact. In addition to the family’s responsibility, serving the guests for more than a week needs a great heart. Though Khalusab’s family is familiar, Khaleel and myself being the guests at Saleem Saahab’s home were very thankful to be treated indigenously with tremendous love. My maternal cousin, Nazir, insisted a lot to stay with him at his room. With Saleem Saahab’s permission, Khaleel and I moved to Nazir’s room to stay further. Nazir has taken utmost care of us in those tough times. We three as a team helped each other to make necessary arrangements related to hospitalisation under the guidance of Saleem Saahab. Siblings of Aunt and Khalusab along with their partners made themselves available on the day of surgery. With a lot of faith in the God, possessing heaps of hope to recover, Khalusab went into the operation theatre on the 11th of December 2013. Salaah and Sadqaa was offered by everyone expressing their gratitude to the Almighty learning the procedure was successful. He got discharged from the hospital after a few days with an advice on diet, medicine and follow-up visits.

Khalusab stayed with his second brother Kaleem Saahab for some days post surgery. Then my maternal uncle, Arif, insisted a lot to stay at his house. Khalusab used to be very comfortable at his home. He returned to Anaparthi with his family after a month. Being at home after a long time makes life serene. As per the doctor’s advice he availed leave to take rest maintaing a healthy diet. He was also regular on the follow-up visits going to Hyderabad. Noticing a lot of stability in the health, the doctor reduced the frequency of consultation fixing it once in a six months and approved him to join the office. Being relieved, he started to regain his strength and habituated to the routine in a short time fulfilling the office targets. It is a known truth that people often prioritise work forgetting their health conditions. Considering his health, he requested for a transfer to the Chirala unit perceiving the work load at Anaparthi, but the transfer process took time due to the unavailability of a vacant position suitable to his grade. Relocating to Chirala brought him solace as it also helped him come nearer to his hometown Chandole. Thereafter, he attained equilibrium in his life and the essence of old days came into effect with the people turning up to the “Corner House”, the name of the bungalow assigned to Khalusab in Chirala. Similar to the bungalow that I had visited with the Grandpa, the Corner House also had the amenities with a lawn and a cradle on either sides of the home. There was also a swimming pool, badminton court and a club house equipped with a party hall and gymnasium near the bungalow. As a rare coincidence, Nazir, Khaleel and myself got an opportunity to work in Chennai staying in a same room. Knowing we are only five hours far from Chirala, Khalusab used to invite us to spend our weekends with him. As we all were together in the hospital post the surgery period, we had built a greater rapport with him. He used to value our time and presence, always encouaraged to excel in the career sharing many examples and experiences.

Few years passed, everything was normal until I heard there was an abrupt change in the health of Khalusab. Though he was punctual taking medicines, he seemed to lose appetite and became thin. As a result of weakness, he faced severe back-pain for which he relied on analgesics. Doctor had noticed structural changes in the cells due to the inflammation in the body and asked him to be cautious at all times. Sensing his health is deteriorating, Khalusab has decided to fulfill the crucial responsibilities of his life. Being a solo bread earner, he understood Adil has time to settle, as he was still pursuing higher education. He ensured his family get the pension requesting the higher authorities to expedite the process. He discussed with his wife the way to share the assets to their children. He approached my second aunt’s family to ask their son’s hand for his daughter. Upon the acceptance, he requested the groom’s family to perform the marriage soon. Both the families picked up the pace to arrange all the necessary stuff for marriage in a short time. The marriage took place in the party hall near to the Corner House with pomp and gaiety. Fulfilling a father’s responsibility by enduring pain and gulping the sorrow, he partcipated in all the marriage activities to send his beloved daughter with Asif blessing them a happier life.

We, the members of the family, gathered at the Corner House after a few weeks of marriage to celebrate the last jumaagi. I noticed the cradle was detached from its hook, placing aside in the gardden, as it was broken due to the heavy load of children swinging on it. Never in the past eighteen years I saw something in that state being unattended. Few people had booked tickets on the same evening to return while few of them stayed back to leave on the next day. Khaleel, Nazir and myself had also started on the same evening telling Khalusab we will meet next time. As we are none infront of the divine decisions, we don’t know that eveneing was the last time to speak with him. In the mid of our journey, we received a call that Khalusab had just closed his eyes forever. As soon as the news entered ino the ear, the eyes produced tears without a second thought. We were asked to reach Chandole to see Khalusab for the last time. We felt the change in the weather having cool breeze all around. Consoling ourselves and jostling in the crowd to give our shoulder, we completed the rituals allowing him to meet the Almighty in the heaven.

Sands of sadness washes away with the tides of joy. Clouds of happiness often melt when the thunders of sorrow strikes. Khalusab worked tirelessly for more than three decades easing the hurdles in his path. He suffered lot of pain but never disclosed it. Caring his family, loving the wife and children was always on top of his list. He reached the pinnacle of success in every momment of his life. As the dawn loses to the dusk, the life dissolves into death. God has always enclosed us in a safe place, Be it a womb where we start our life to the grave where we rest forever, we are always covered. We evolve from the darkness into this world, we learn to face light, we laugh, we cry, we fulfill our responsibilities crossing many phases of life, and finally we diminish from this world into the darkness. This life bestowed to us by the Almighty teaches many chapters but we should definitely focus on the topic to impress the God. I hope Khalusab had passed his test, Inn Sha Allah. I apologise to the family of Khalusab if there is something wrong written here. Right from the beginning I wanted to show how great his life was and shared my part of experience with him. May he enter Jannah and live there peacefully. Aameen.