by Rajiv Bakshi
All weekends were booked for site seeing in and around Montreal. The family visited so many Malls, a few temples and even one or two Gurdwara’s. Manik and Preeti had taken a few days off from their hectic schedules to show Niagara Falls to their parents. It was heavenly to visit one of the seven wonders of the world. The atmosphere of Niagara Falls can only be felt.
Manik had made it a point to touch his parent’s feet whenever he went out for work early in the morning. Almost three months had passed. Manik’s parents were so delighted to see the progress made by his son and daughter in law. Bipan Jha had been in contact with his friends and relatives in India telling them about the places visited and the difference in culture of the two countries.
It was like another day in August. Manik took leave of his parents and bowed in reverence to his parents. He had left the home early at 7 am. Almost one hour after Manik left his home; his wife Preeti received a call from a hospital in Montreal that Manik had suffered a heart attack. No one could imagine that Manik could suffer heart attack at the young age of thirty six. Manik had not been a chain smoker nor a heavy drunkard, except for a few drinks in the office party.
Preeti with her eyes swelling with tears told her in laws about the condition of Manik. All of them immediately rushed to the hospital. The doctors told the family about the condition of young Manik. The family prayed for ten days till Manik was in the hospital. He was kept in a ventilator for the entire ten days.
In spite of the best efforts of the doctors Manik could not be saved. The world of Bipan Jha, Savitri and Preeti was shattered. They, who had decided to stay in Canada for six months were devastated by the sudden development. They could neither stay in Montreal in the house of his son nor could they leave their beloved daughter in law Preeti.
They were in Hamlets dilemma whether to stay back in Montreal or go back to Guwahati. They could not afford to see Preeti in so much grief. Nor could they stay in this beautiful house always looking at the empty rooms and walls. They had no one to fall who could understand their native language. Finally a bold decision was taken by the Jhas.
Bipan Jha and Savitri embarked on plane back to Guwahati after a few days. They could not bear to see Preeti in grief. On the return journey from Montreal to Guwahati they continued to remember THE LAST RIDE TOGETHER which they had taken with Manik two days before. Preeti continues to wait for her in laws when they will come back to Montreal!!!
PS: Life is uncertain, do not take anyone for granted – express your love and care for your loved ones often, you never know when will be their last…
It's easy to give up life
Life's lesson stay strong
Its easy to get lost
Life's lesson find your way
It's easy to loose hope
Life's lesson have faith
It's easy to get bogged down
Life's lesson have patience
It's easy to hate life
Life's lesson spread love
It's easy to fight
Life's lesson fall in love
It's easy to fall
Life's lesson keep moving
It's easy to feel depressed
Life's lesson believe in yourself
Life is not a bed of roses, we know it for long
Every moment is a challenge, lets move along
Gear up buddy, for life is short
Make your every move as if your last….
Thanks to Chhavi Bakshi for penning these beautiful lines.
About the Author
Author Rajiv Bakshi, 62 served Punjab & Sind Bank for 35 years travelling from Guwahati (being his first Branch in 1976) & Machhiwara District Ludhiana which was his last Branch from which he retired in February 2012. A proud alumnus of the prestigious Sainik School Kapurthala and DAV College Jallandhar where he got the college colour for the Best Speaker in English. In his wife Mrinalini a Post Graduate in Hindi literature he found a life partner full of life ,an avid reader and an all rounder who has been managing his life and family efficiently and has been instrumental to an extent in writing of his memoirs.