Kalyani was our neighbour. When I was 7, we moved to southern part of Salem. South Salem is really calm and quiet. Its dotted with gardens and the rare peepal tree that you can come across.Mostly I used to go to a garden after my school hours to play. The game will continue till the evening sun makes way and a curtain of darkness is pulled by the night. Soaked with dust, I used to go back to my house. Kalyani never came for playing.
I saw Kalyani last week. As you know, I take off weekends to learn about myself. In this software job, thats the only time where you can find something meaningful.
The long walk to the hospital had made my legs pain. Note that, I preferred to walk rather than to drive so that I could think about myself. I buy time out of the world.
Kalyani yelled "Ah, Japan. You have come at last. " as she saw me.
No one calls me 'Japan' but for Kalyani. I remember she christened me with that name when I was 10. I had/ have a small nose and tough hairstyle which makes me japanese look-alike. I didnt like the name then. I have a weird reason for that. It sounded like 'chappani' which translates to 'dumb guy' in Tamil. But she kept calling me 'Japan' [spelt as 'Chapan']. It was irritating. I had slapped her once and had thrashed her with my school belt one more time in connection with this issue.
Last week when she pronounced 'Japan' correctly,I was surprised. She wont give up things easily. .
"You havent got me anything during this visit.?" she asked.
"Ya. I have. will give you later" I said.
Again this was her childhood habit. She always looks for some new things to be brought in every meeting. If you dont take any gift, she will speak with a disappointment in her voice. But that will only be for a couple of minutes. I used to wonder how a small gift can make this girl`s world so bright.
"What have you brought.?" she asked.
"I wont tell you"
Regular chemotherapy had made her bald. Cruel. She had hair that was jet black before getting this cancer. She was looking like a 80 year old. She was just 26. And she had knocked the gates of heaven 5 times already. Life is a cruel design.
"Tell me what have you brought" She ordered and then broke to a chain of cough.
I dont want to describe Kalyani in this part of her life. She was beautiful for me, no matter what people claim for the definition of beauty.
"Something special and its suspense" I said.
I never thought that a person like Kalyani could die so young. Yesterday she died. I got a SMS from her brother about the same!
After that, I walked all the way to hospital.
During my walk,I thought about the fitting present that I gave her a week back. I will miss her.
