A Nightmare

“You are at existence, you are at nightmare.”

Trin… trin. It was just three o’clock in the morning and I alerted myself from a profound sleep on listening the irksome telephone call.

I took the receiver. A female voice guided me. The women requested me to come to the Peoples Hospital. She said that Trishna was waiting for me at ward no. 12, bed no. 204, and then there was off connection.

I was dumbfounded with this information. After a long span of time Trishna had connected me and this was rush moment she called. A cold chill ran through my spine. As she wanted to meet me at the Peoples Hospital, I sensed a horrible accident.

Quickly I dressed up and took my car keys. In no time I embarked in my car to the destiny, Peoples hospital, New Road, ward no. 12, bed no. 204.

***

In my memory lane there recalled the past. It was about twelve years ago, when I was in class nine. I came from a village to the town for the secondary education. I used to live in a rented room near my school and my father used to send me money to arrange for my food, school fees, house rent and accessories. One of my cousins used to accompany me in the room.

I was an introvert boy and was form the village. So none accompanied me in the class. I was alone. But two to three after my first day in class appeared a cheerful, joy-making girl Trishna. She was tall, much taller than me and full grown than me.

When she saw me, at once she came near me and introduced herself. She said she wished to be my friend. I answered positive because she seemed so joyful and was who truly wanted to be my pal.

***

Days passed and we were best friends. She told me everything about her family and I too did. She called me ‘Bhai’ meaning brother and I too respected her as my own elder sister. Thus we had a brother- sister relations.

She had got one problem. She had got two sisters and no brother. She approached many so-called brothers but she was frustrated with them as they acted as brother only to be nearer to her smaller sisters. She hated those ‘Bhais’ but I assured her that I would be a true brother. I promised that I would ever be a brother to her sisters.

Thus we were very- very close like a family. I visited their home timely. In Tihar, I was invited and they put Tika on my forehead and a garland of love. They were very happy to get a new brother. Thus in many ways our relation had grown stronger day by day.

Once it so happened that I had no money to pay for my fees. In the mean time I had to fill up the SLC form. My father hadn’t sent me money because he had been to India. The situation was that, no money wastage of a year and probably wastage of life. But at the mean time my dear sister knew about this and she requested her father to pay for my fees and accessories. He did it. I was very grateful for Trishna and her family.

“ A trouble full of day will make you know about yourself and your friends.”

***

After SLC we had to depart. I was to go to India for my higher studies. Trishna and her family were very sad as I was parting out from their company. Tears rolled down their eyes and when they bid me bye at the airport I couldn’t resist my eyes too.
“ We depart, but our destiny is the same, a mouthful of smile.”

***

At once I landed to the present from the memories of my past. I drove as fast as I could. I was in a rush to reach the hospital.

When I reached the hospital I hastily searched the way for ward no. 12. It was I.C.U. Outside the ward a woman was sobbing. A painful chill again ran through my spine. I entered the ward and saw the bed for which I was there. In the bed, there was Trishna. I approached her and saw her eyes wide open. I felt her forehead. It was extremely cold. I was shocked, she was there dead.

I was shattered. I thought it was just a nightmare but it wasn’t. My dear sister was not in the world. My heart urged me to weep.

Instantly, I heard a child weep and he was put in the bed asides Trishna’s bed. I came out of the room. The sobbing woman handed me a letter written as follows;

Dear brother,
A last farewell toast to you from your grieved sister. Time is very short for me and I have tried to acquaint you in short.

I thought life was cherish, full of fun and enthusiasms. Its true, but for those who can struggle, who can overcome the life and who can segregate the pride. Brother, I tried. I struggled with life but I could not overpower it. It dragged me instead of I to drag the life.

When I married him first, I thought I was to heaven. I got a lot of love and affection from him. He was my choice and he was my love. But it was just instantaneous. Bed of roses has thorns in them. Its true we fade away with love like we fade away with sugar. An acute misunderstanding aroused between us. We didn’t know who did mistake and who was arrogant but we quarreled and quarreled. We didn’t try to solve the misunderstanding, kept on continuing our pride. Finally we estranged.

At the time we divorced, I was pregnant. After six month I came to know that he committed suicide in grief of separation. He wrote me that in his last letter. I was much disturbed with this fact and frustrated with life too. I thought of committing suicide but for the sake of our sign of love, our baby who is in my womb, I dumped the idea. I think I will not live much. I am very weak and have got no enthusiasm for life. I just long for eternity with him. So brother I beg you to look after my baby after my death. I am sure you will keep the words of your poor sister.
Never mind but let not a single drop of tear to roll down your eyes seeing my corpse. I know the selfish world won’t respect it. Adieu.

Yours sister
Trishna

***

Janeharu gaisake, jiuineli sahara deu
Choto cha you jeevan, aaphulie kinara deu. (Read in Nepali)

Let those leave who have gone,
Give support to those who live,
The life is very short,
Bank it.

***

Dedicated to my brothers.


By: Raj Basyal