4 Yrs ago .....
We(Hubby,kids and in-laws family), recently(1st Nov 2010)were on a trip to Thiruvahindirapuram(Cuddalore dist,TN), my hubby'z native place to perform tonsuring on my kids.After nearly 3 yrs, I am revisiting the place.The entire journey rekindled my memories to 28th Oct 2006.
So whats special with this day?? This day made me realize the importance of "every second in our life for a life".27th Nov 2006 was my wedding day.We still had loads of work to be complete before the wedding, the 1st being inviting the groom's family.Hardly 3 weeks to go and my fiance(Anand) kept us away from visiting his parents.All of us were getting very tensed.One fine morning,his mother called up my parents and told that my to-be Fil's health was in a bad condition.
Then we decided to go to Pondicherry, where he was hospitalized.My parents, uncle and myself set out early next morning.I was all in a happy mood to meet my fiance.Driving on the ECR for the 2nd time after my college trip to Pondy.We reached the hospital around 12 pm.I went inside a room to see my B-i-l lying on the bed.He said "hi naan Aravind".Thank God he mentioned it, it was difficult to differentiate Anand and Aravind then. Just then Anand arrived and I learnt that his father was in the ICU.
All of us took turns to have a look.This was not the first time I am seeing somebody in an ICU.But still was a bit apprehensive.I went in.It was just more than shocking, to see him in his death-bed, or rather that was the 1st impression I got when I saw him.It was so surprising that Anand had mentioned his father was not in good health, when things were so serious.Was he not aware of his father's condition ?Lots of questions kept criss-crossing my minds.I tried speaking to my to-be f-i-l, but in vain. He din't respond.He lips and mouth had blisters,cud'nt hear me speaking.His face seemed so distorted in pain.I came out blank.
In the meantime,My uncle had spoken with the Chief Doctor about his condition and learnt that he was deteriorating.It was a quick decision, we decided to shift him to Vijaya hospital, Chennai.Everybody,except Anand, Aravind and myself left for TVPuram. Aravind bought us few fruits for lunch.It was 2pm and we had'nt eaten anything since morning.We dint feel the hunger in us. Anand and I had some spare time to talk free. Soon, all the formalities were over and we were supposed to leave at 6pm in a fully equipped ambulance.We were waiting for the others to arrive as it rained cats and dogs. Every passing minute was like an hour.
As soon as they arrived,we left around 6.30pm.My father accompanied Anand and Aravind in the ambulance while the rest of us with my m-i-l drove by car.The South-west monsoon was unrelenting.I think naming conventions for monsoons started very much later ;-) .
It was a torrential downpour.We chose the ECR.I was counting every second.Prayers kept pouring all through.There was a life battling for life.The road was not visible beyond a few meters.The trees kept swaying.It was a tough drive during the storm.The scenic ECR seemed furious that day.We tried to keep pace with the ambulance.Both the drivers had a tough time maintaining speed. I just kept praying that nothing should go wrong.
Finally, we reached the hospital around 10.30pm.Being a Saturday night the admission procedures took some extra time and he was admitted into the ICU.My father and myself left for Ambattur.We thanked the driver and went inside my house .A received a phone call at 1.00 am from my uncle. I dared to pick-up the call.I could hear the confusion behind in the hospital but nobody spoke to me and cut the call.I prayed in front of Him and reluctantly went to bed.
My f-i-l was in the hospital for a week and I kept visiting him everyday while returning from office.On 4th November at 6.00pm my m-i-l rang us up and wanted to have a quick marriage at the earliest possible.With lot of emotion and commotion, we decided to conduct my wedding the next day, Sunday, the 5th November 2006 in my house premises.
Soon after/during the wedding ceremony my f-i-l passed away, being in the ventilator for some days.I still do not know what exactly happened to him.I knew he died of kidney failure.Till today I have'nt mustered courage to ask anybody what happened to my f-i-l on Nov 5th between 6.00am and 10.00 am.
Yes, one day,this day in my life taught me "LIFE IS PRECIOUS".
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