Waqt Nahi

Life has a strange way of hitting you hard when you least expect it.

It was 9 past when the telephone rang. I feel a bit nervous when the telephone rings after 9 pm. A uneasy sense of forboding…as if some not so good news is awaiting me at the other end. I said ‘helo’ and an old familiar voice from the other side said “Hi”. Instantly I recognized her, my old friend K . It has been a long time….both of us agreed. How are the kids ? Mother ? We exchanged notes…the usual stuff we talked and all along I was thinking that any moment her husband would snatch the phone from her and will start with his usual gusto and cheer. Teasing me, making fun of me….When I couldn’t wait any longer I asked her “ How is V Sir ?” emphasizing ‘Sir’ in a mocking tone . A moment’s silence….then she asked “Don’t you know…..he passed away on March 8^th .’ I almost fainted. I thought I heard her wrong . What ? Can he die just like that ? I cann’t imagine a world without friends like him. K was naturally surprised that neither I visited nor called her after this terrible tragedy in her life . Then after about six months when she couldn’t bear it any more , she decided to call me to find out if I knew about her loss…And she went on with all the details….how the end came and how she and the children are coping with the loss…I was not actually listening to her. In that instant I died a thousand times .All I wanted was to be alone. I felt cheated that he has gone without even saying good bye .

I want to kick myself for not keeping in touch with such wonderful friends. How we take friendships and people for granted ! As if they are going to be there for ever while we are busy with so many other things . Is it the curse of modern life ? Or is it that as we grow older we become complacent….? As if on queue S sent me this poem …. “Waqt Nahi” , may be an admonition , a warning ?

Har khushi hai logon ke damon mein

Pr ek hansi ke liye waqt nahi

Saare rishton ko to hum maar chuke

Ab unhe dafnane ka bhi waqt nahi.

Saare naam mobile mein hai,

Par dosti ke liye waqt nahi

Gairon ki kya baat Karen

Jab alno ke liye waqt nahi

Tu hi bata e zindagi

Iss zindagi ka kya hoga

Ki har pal marne walon ko

Jeene ke liye bhi waqt nahi.

Now no amount of guilt is going to bring you back to life. Be with the angels….enjoy the life up there as you did down here…. I will miss you ,dear friend !