17. BEGINNING OF A NEW?

I was flipping the calendar and realized that the day was nearing!
August 13th, 2030.
Day of Raksha Bandhan!
It was 3 days to the festival. It was always a big festival for us.
A pompous occasion!
Amma and her brother, Appa and his sisters, other relatives, Mishti and I, and other cousins would gather and have a good time
Entire family would gather and celebrate in a joyous way.
We were millennials and in truest sense. Mishti was close to acting like one than me. As I told earlier, I was a little old school.
She was more tech savvy than I. A little self-centred. But along with this, social service was also her motto.
(flashback to 2021)
It was 1st week of August 2021 already!
Your niece is eagerly waiting to meet you it has already been a month. July 16th it was!
I have got back to work since a week as of now.
First wave was through. Phased unlock was carried out. United States was a wave ahead from India.
The international flights were open. I was gearing up to visit India.
Called up Mishti for a quick update talk.
“Golu, it has been 6 months since you called up. Where were you all this while?
Things got better by end of September. People got back to work.
Mask on. Work mode on.
Corona had somehow become an integral part of our lives. Cases were still there but in dormant state.
But just as we thought its over, the ghost was back.
We were just recovering from first wave, booooom…… Second wave was around the corner.
After constant efforts and juggling by researches and adequate support from us, clinicians, they were able to develop vaccine for the virus.
Now we have two vaccines in the country– Covisheild and Covaxin. But people were sceptical to take it initially.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged off a nationwide vaccination drive in the second largest populous country on 16th January 2021.
It was open for health care workers and people aged above 60 years.
Now by this time, almost 35-40% of citizens are vaccinated as of now.
Covid have evolved considerably. And so are our lives! Engrained into our lives!”
I thought twice before revealing why I was not on call with her for such a long time.
But, as a sister, it was her right to know!
“It feels so good that we are heading to the positive side, with everyone being negative on the reports.
I have a news to break to you! I was in the ICU for a week because of COVID. I have won the battle of life. Rather to meet my wonderful niece.
Now that international flights are running, I am off to meet you in 3 days.
Are you excited?”
There was a deep pause from her end. I expected this.
It was her weeping silently, and then gradually she asked, -
“Why wouldn’t anyone of you tell me? At least Bhabhi? And that too so serious?
Why? Why?
We have always shared smallest of things, and you hid such a big thing from me?
What if I would have lost…. Oh Gosh! I cannot even imagine that.
We have lost our parents already. I do not want to lose you too.” And she wept unconsolably.
Over the years even though we were busy in our own lives and work, the bond just grew stronger and stronger.
“I am all good now. Not to worry.
It was continuous work for about a month. Attending patients on one-to-one and teleconsultations to counselling patients I was getting exhausted early than usual.
I neglected it for a while. There were some issues with breathing sometimes.
Little did I realize that it was COVID! I had caught it. And it was a little late than early.
There was a low incline in my respiratory rate and then landed in the ICU.
But now, all is well. Your Brother is all well and working too.
While I was on the hospital bed, there were multiple instances where many patients crossed my mind.
Patients who were the bread runners of the family.
Patients who were health workers.
Patients who were rich, yet fighting for life.
Everything crossed over. Covid has definitely affected everyone on a personal level!
Meet you soon, Puta!”
I was on my toes, waiting for brother and sister-in-law’s arrival.
And the day was here!
20th August 2030. Roop Anna was here to meet his niece.
We decided to name her Pihu.
Relatives were extremely elated that both me and my brother worked relentlessly and served for the society as per our mother’s wish.
My brother was ecstatic that I was chosen to speak as a TedX speaker at Mumbai.
But the sad part was that I had to leave on 22nd, the day of Raksha Bandhan.
I was so dubious to tell Golu that I had to leave on the day of the festival. He was here after about 5 years. With this excuse, he would definitely be very angry.
Golu and tiny Pihu already had a great bond. The way she holds his hand and plays with him is absolutely adorable.
He loved her more than his son. He was my aakhon ka taara! And now Pihu is his!
I gathered all guts and spoke to him.
“Anna, I have good news and a bad news for you!”
“What is it, Putakka? What’s the hiccup with me?”, he asked.
“Bhai, I have been selected as TedX speaker at Mumbai!”
“Wow! That’s wonderful news, Mishti. Congratulations. When i….”
Before he could finish, I interrupted and told him, - “Yes, the event is on 22nd. On the day of Raksha Bandhan” and slyly ran from there.
He allowed me to go one condition, that I would finish all the rituals, tying Rakhi and being with him for a while.
I told, - “Ok, I promise!”
The entire family enjoyed for the next two days. All of us needed that relaxation and space for ourselves after the two waves of the virus.
The day arrived – 22nd August, a bright Sunny day, a Sunday!
It was the joyous event. Rakhi thread, Tilak, sweets, Aarthi plate everything was ready. I was so excited to tie Rakhi to Golu after 5 years. And it was the first time to Rohan, my nephew and Pihu.
To my surprise, my brother tied a Rakhi to me too. That was too cute and lovely!
We celebrated and then the entire family, Pihu, my brother, Bhabhi and Rohan were at the airport to see me off to Mumbai.
I was also excited to tick off another accomplishment from my bucket list.
My brother was teary eyed as he was at the airport.
I told him, - “We shall be back within a day. Don’t worry!”
Pihu was holding my hand so tight; it was close to impossible to take it off. I told her that Mumma would be back soon.
And I sat in all joy and enthusiasm in my seat and…. off to Mumbai! With my Husband!
(Golu’s point of view)
We returned to the house after seeing Mishti off. Bangalore traffic was still the same as its infamous past. Or rather a little better.
It was so good to see Rohan and Pihu bond over. Just like reliving our childhood all over again.
We had our lunch and were having a casual conversation. I was packing Mishti’s gift and holding it my hand.
Mishti had finished her fabulous talk, ticking off her list. The topic was – If I can do it, so can you!”
After that she called and spoke, - “Golu, everyone loved the talk. Are you proud of me yet?”
I was extremely proud of her. She was a rockstar in true sense.
And they were ready to board back to Bengaluru by evening.
It was not even an hour that the airplane had taken off.
My wife suddenly screamed, -
“Roop…. The plane has had a crash. I just got a call over the landline from the Airlines company.
Please have a look at the news. And then get it confirmed again. I’m getting scared.”
I was all shattered.
I collapsed onto the ground!
We rushed to the airport on our toes to fact check the news.
Alas! It was true! There were families like us at the airport sobbing and weeping.
The airplane had a crash on its way from Mumbai to Bengaluru at Dharwad because of heavy turbulence.
Pilot lost his control and the crash happened.
I cursed God to the Tee.
How could he do this? How could this happen on Raksha Bandhan?
We were told that the families would receive the corpses within 2 hours after all the formality.
I was numb, totally. I was still holding her gift, a book as always.
But this time it was a series, the Ramachandra series, from her favourite author, Amish!
I was devastated!
No one could ever heal that pain!
The loss of parents. And now, loss of my dearest sister. Salt on the wound was that it was on Raksha Bandhan!
Thread on my hand was as sacrosanct as our relationship.
Pihu was our only hope! She would never feel alone, not an orphan!
(Reality to 2030)
The day finally arrived – Raksha Bandhan, August 13th, 2030.
I was standing in front of her photo, and recollected all happy and sad moments.
Mishti used to always tell, - “Sometimes we’ll never realise the importance of a moment until it becomes a memory!”
How true it was? She has been living in our memories in the last 9 years in our memories, in our lives in the form of Pihu.
She always wanted to do great things. She always had an itch towards the kind of health policies we had in the country, and aspired to change them one day.
But God had other plans!
While I was immersed in my own thoughts, Pihu ran and came to me, and showed me a handmade Rakhi she had made.
That was likewise to Mishti. She also loved handmade and personalized items. Pihu was a total reflection to Mishti. A mirror image.
She never used to make me miss my sister. What a cute little human!
Along with that the health care infrastructure is getting better. Wish that my little one was here to witness the renaissance.
Or probably she is with me, in the form of Pihu!
Life must go on! Service to mankind shall continue!