(Peace be to his soul
Ameen)
March 2011, my cell phone
buzzed. The number of the caller was unknown and not familiar to me. The caller
introduced herself as Shamima, mother of Gauhar Nabi an old student of the
School. She was from Srinagar.
Gauhar Nabi was an indoor
patient in a Srinagar hospital. He had persuaded his mother to arrange his
meeting with me, his teacher. I said that I come to the valley in June during
vacations at Jammu. I promised a meeting, once I am in the valley. I never knew
that any of my students is so much emotionally attached to me.
25th June, 2011 I got a
call from the saved number. It read Gauhar, student. By this time I had
forgotten my beloved Gauhar. I was reminded of my promise. Gauhar was excited to know that I was already
in Srinagar and that too since 12th May 2011 instead of June. He wanted to know
whether it would be convenient for me to have a brief sitting with him.
Within an hour or so, he
along with his mother took me by surprise. Both had rushed to me in an auto
from Hawal. En route they had purchased two packs of high quality almonds and
some sweets from Shakti Sweets as gift. He hugged me tight, but unfortunately
to his dismay I did not recognize him.
Sat in front of me in submission with expectant eyes, he repeatedly
asked me if I recognized him.
I repeatedly said: “No.”
It was a pathetic scene.
Finally, his mother took out three school photographs from her bag and Gauhar
Nabi pointed his finger on the photograph and said: “Sir, I asked my mother to
carry the school photographs along with so that my recognition could be
facilitated. Now tell me did you recognize me now?”
My ‘no’ made his face
gloomier and instantaneously I realized the grim situation and said: “Now I
recognized you.” My four words changed the scenario and a beam of delight on
his face was discernable.
Realizing his love for me
I could not resist and my eyes became wet. His mother had a sigh of relief and
said: “I am relieved. I could finally meet the cherished desire of my ailing
son.” Gauhar used to come to Kanikadal School in School bus from Rehbab
Sahib-Gurgadi Mohalla. He was on the school roll from Nursery to 5th Class in
mid eighties. He had to leave the school as the sixth class was being conducted
at Zainakot.
While parting he prayed
for my blessings and since 26th June he is on my prayer list. He is an employee
of LIC, Regal Chowk.
Silent for ever!
Today the 6th August, 2011
at 7:13 AM Mrs. Rafiq conveyed very sad and shocking news to me. Death being
inevitable, I give little importance to it. But today I shuddered, my hair
bristled and shocking waves gave a tremor to my body from foot to head when I
was told that Gauhar Nabi is no more with us. On 4th in the evening, he had hardly
started his dinner when a massive heart attack made him silent for ever. 5th
August Gauhar was buried.
I had promised Gauhar that
every morning after my prayers I would be praying for his speedy welfare and
also remembering him. Unfortunately today after my prayers I had to pray for
eace to his noble soul.
I may tell Gauhar that he
is only ahead of me in the caravan. The only difference is that he is in the
horizontal position and I am still in the vertical position.
I pray God to give enough
of courage to his parents and other members of the bereaved family to bear the
inevitable.
https://youtu.be/gRV_BsTnxTc
