I will share the story of Dr. Aslam, a dentist from Malappuram. My wife told me about him when I visited her in Mangalore while she was doing her PG in Medical College there. Aslam was an old student in the same college and had visited there once, a few days before my visit. He was my wife’s classmate in school; an energetic and charming personality who had a lot of fans from both sexes in school.
We couldn’t meet, but spoke over phone with a hope to meet soon. Soon after, I left for UAE in 2008 (for the shortest pravasi life of any one amongst us). Aslam was already there, working in Sharjah, near National Paints R/O. He called me once and offered help for the newcomer. Still we never met, but thanks to ETISALAT, we became so close, our interests were quite common, our thinking were similar…and naturally, a strong bond developed between us. But, still we never met.
Later, when I got a few days off together before my departure from UAE, I decided to meet him, but his phone was switched off (He was on a short vacation in Kerala). I left UAE without meeting Aslam. While I was settling down in Kannur, I got a call from him saying he too had quit UAE for good and was planning to start his own practice near Malapuram. A few weeks back he invited me for the inauguration of his clinic. I cudn’t make it as I was tied up with some personal commitments and I promised to meet him next time when I visit Malappuram. But unfortunately, I couldn’t keep my promise during my next visit to Malappuram on EID. It was a short visit and he was not in station too.
And today, 25th October 2009, I was away from home to attend a conference, reached home by 7 pm. And immediately after reaching home I received a call from my in law to give me the news “ASLAM MET WITH AN ACCIDENT & ON THE SPOT….”
A guy who had many visions, unfinished dreams…left everything behind … I never met him…and I will never meet him again. I could have visited his home…but decided not to. There was a picture of him I framed in my mind, though I never met him. I don’t want to superimpose his mutilated face over it…
Really sad !
ReplyDeletePrayers with Aslam and his bereaving family!
Nobody knows what is in store for him tomorrow. Nobody knows in which land he will die - Quran
It's a tragedy!
ReplyDeleteOur prayers are with Aslam's family.
Death is an irreversible reality that instills tremendous fear in each and every one of us.
ReplyDeleteI agree to our friend Day Dreamer (former Vazhipokkan) - observation (my obsession ?) is one of my virtues right from my childhood.
I have observed people dying ... And I have observed that whatever the age of the person - be it a 10 year old or a 95 year old - or however courageous the person is - the fear of death is evident in each one's face during the last gasps... at a stage when they finally realize that they don't have much time left... and that they have no other options... and that they are going to die...
The only thing we can do is to be always ready and prepared for the encounter - throughout our life. Be it next week, tommorrow, today, or even the next second - we should expect it, and be ready for the KAALA PAASHAM to embrace our neck.
Let us reflect what immediately crosses our mind when the Police asks us to stop - for a routine checking... Is my Driving Licence with me...? Did I forget to take my RC Book...? Do I have an unexpired Polution Control Certificate...?
Similarly, be ready and prepared at all times for an encounter so that at least whoever we leave behind us do not suffer...
May His Soul Rest in Peace.. He was from my hometown and also my senior in school.
ReplyDelete