my first hero
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Short Story by: RAJAN V KOKKURI
This short story titled “MY FIRST HERO” is written by a Non-Resident Indian living in Gulf based on few true events happened in his life.
MY FIRST HERO
By Rajan V Kokkuri, Attoor
I awoke early, as often did, just before sunrise to walk by the side of the flower
garden. I felt cold and cool breeze touching my face. I was wondering where this
the place is, slowly I realized we are far away from hometown. I was in deep
sleep.
I thought if I sleep more I may deprive me the chance of seeing this wonderful
place Kohima.
Giri was already awake. He was going through the other side garden along with
Ani. Guards were standing near the gate with guns. Giri was a top Civil Servant
Of Government of India. Guards were very friendly and wished me when I
passed my eye on them.
As I was about to get up driver Limbesh appeared and wished me good morning.
"Sir what is the plan for today" I recollected the reason for my trip all the way
for the Middle East. I was reluctant earlier when my brother called me to visit him.
It was my brother's mention of the significance of this beautiful North
Eastern state of India that gave me the interest to plan the trip. Our dad
served Indian Army in Kohima.
Several years back closer periods of 2nd World War. Indian troops and
British Troops were together. We were so curious to hear the real stories of
Army.
My dad was the first hero in life. He used to narrate the Army stories and it
made the everlasting memory for me. Once by mistake, he had crossed the
border to Pakistan and luckily was able to return to our soil. Sun was about
set, we reached our main destination Army cemetery & memorial site.
There were slight raindrops. We walked inside and saw much stone
memorials. As we
entered we saw a stone board with so many familiar names of our community
with many names ending our surname Nair and was sure my dad's name not
listed. But eyes filled with tears when I read the writing on the big stone in front of
the memory.
"WHEN YOU GO HOME, TELL THEM OF US AND SAY - FOR THEIR
TOMORROW WE GAVE OUR TODAY”
When I saw these words I couldn’t stop thinking of my beloved father.
We reached home. I lied down to relax. Father’s thought was keeping on coming
to me. Sleep did not come to my eyes, I was just lying down. I felt fortunate
being born and lived this life, slowly my eyes embraced sleep. The dream took
me to back to long years. I used to work in Gulf.
It was one early morning on a Friday.
We used to have a holiday on Friday. Telephone calling to India was not easy
those days. Coin phones were away from our accommodation. I walked towards
to telephone booth with a lot of anxiety. It was an early morning without much
traffic. These small calls were some relief from the lonely life. The telephone bell
rang. I expected daddy to attend phone, but mother answered. After a moment
she gave the phone to the father. He was finding difficult to talk to me unlike
in the past. I just wondered what is happening. Is he
suffering more? I couldn't sleep that night. A silent slight pain was going through
my chest. That day was dull. Those days I was working in Saudi and used to go
for vacation once after every year. My inner feeling started worrying will father
survive till I make next vacation. I made up my mind somehow I should leave this
place and go to a place from where I can travel often to India just to see my old
parents often. After a long struggle, that day arrived. I got the final offer for a new
job in Oman. God has heard my prayer a job is offered to me. The long 13 years
Saudi life is going to end soon. Suddenly a fear came to my mind how
to get out of this place with full clearance. I was hopeful that my boss Gopal
will help me. But my ideas went wrong. He threw my resignation and told.
"Absolutely no chance” “You cannot leave” “I cannot accept your resignation," I
thought for a while, it is not the right time to argue with him. Let me give some
time. I thought I can convince him later. Two three days passed. I prayed to god,
he should help me. I pleaded with him and told. "Sir, my father is ill. It is difficult
to reach India in time in an emergency. My parents are old. I have told him I am
not leaving for money.
He used to like me a lot. Maybe due to my sincerely and frankness. He gave me
a lot of room to do a good job with confidence in the past. It is difficult to explain
my state of mind. Maybe he felt sorry for me and my good name and hard work
paid back. With very hard heart I left that Saudi leaving behind a lot of
good memories. It was so nice meeting father. I thanked God. He was not able to
speak well. Poor daddy, I felt. He was coughing too much. I slept side of him on
the wooden cot. Even though I didn't get proper sleep due to his cough, I was
happy I am with him. Mother was very happy and hugged me. "Raja" call
reached my ears. It was so nice. I felt very happy. God helped me to be beside
them during his tough days. It was very hard leaving them behind in Kerala and
left to Bangalore with a lot of pain. I had few days to leave to Oman for a new job.
The formalities went on well. All of a sudden the telephone rang. Mother was
on-line. "Daddy in the hospital” “come fast". I didn't know what to do? It was
difficult to get sudden train tickets.
Ani asked how I can leave. I said 'I have to go". I packed a small bag and hurried
to the bus station and caught the 1st available bus to Coimbatore and reached
Trichur hospital early morning. I felt happy; I reached in time with few Saudi
Riyals in the pocket. I was wondering, short of money in the pocket. My friend
appeared and took Indian Rupees from him in exchange for foreign currencies.
Soon an ambulance was arranged to leave at Trivandrum hospital. My
brother Giri was my strength always and was there to support me. We landed in
the hospital and then I thought it was nice we took him to a better place. I and
mummy stayed in a small hospital room side of dad. I discussed many things
about dad. My mother was a strong person and always stood with us. There
were not many days left for me to leave to Gulf for joining a new job.
One day dad called me by the side of the hospital bed, He was struggling to
speak. "Raja you go”. I didn't understand his words. The mother told me that he
was telling me to leave for a new job without delay. I was worried. I told mummy.
How can I? Leaving him like this? Finally, with hard feelings, I was leaving. I saw
the tears in his eyes. It was telling me whether he will be able to see me again.
Dad was such a nice person didn't want any hardship for anyone. If it is in
the case of children it was much more affection and care. I assured
him I will come back after a month by then, he will be recovered. I knew
that his days are numbered from what I heard from Doctor. He was
suffering from some pancreas disease. I didn't feel the thrill of joining for a
new job. My mind was still with dad in a hospital bed. Then all of a sudden
a telephone call came. Giri told me dad left us. I couldn't do anything for
some time. When came to sense manager offered me to return to India without
delay. The visa formalities were there. But I remembered dad's last words and
his wish. Brother told not travel now. You can come late. Days passed, the
festival time arrived in Gulf. I thought it is time to see mother. Seeing mother
alone at home, it was very hurting for me. We all cried for a long time and
consoled each other.
We had many stories of our hero to narrate. Mother went to the room and
bought me a small Astrology book called Panchangam. I asked her what
that was. She told me just go through. I was turning pages then suddenly
something struck me. "10 Oct 2005" in RED ink. It was the handwriting of
father. I was stunned. It was the date my dad left us from this world. I
couldn't believe my eyes. I always felt father was just wonderful. My eyes
filled with tears. Oh, my God. He knew he was going to die. Even then he
forced me to leave India for the job. I thought what a wonderful dad. Even at
the time of death also, he wished comforts and happiness for children. Can
anyone have such a nice father? I thought “What a rare person he is”
Ani touched my shoulders. "Get up we have to get ready to leave to Airport".
© Copyright 2018 RAJAN V KOKKURI. All rights reserved.
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