Laughter challenge on the roller-coaster of life
Iplanned to take over the world, but I am tired. The changed profile quote of Aman on Facebook surprised me. She was the last person on earth I could imagine getting tired ever. It had only been a couple of months since I saw her in Edmonton.
Meeting her is always a pleasure, an invigorating and rejuvenating experience. During our college days, she used to be the most sought after person. The Jester was what we called her. Always joking, her most endearing quality was her ability to laugh at herself. We stayed in touch after college as both of us lived in Jalandhar but 10 years ago, she relocated to Canada to give her children a better future. Both husband and wife worked hard and never resented the fact that they had to start from a scratch. They took up work that was much less dignified than their jobs in India.
Since we were meeting after years, I found her looking weak and a little lost. She was eager to show me around. Being aware of my love for natural beauty, she took me on long drives to enjoy the sight of the lush mountains and beautiful houses atop hills, lakes with crystal clear water along roads and the magnificent flowers and ferns.
On the third day of my visit, she took me to a gurdwara where she prayed ardently and then winking (her trademark in college too) she said, “Our next destination is going to be a very interesting place. The place looks like a five-star hotel and one doesn’t want to leave it because of the sweet smelling flowers.”
Before my curiosity could kill me, she parked the car in front of a hospital for cancer patients. She almost pulled me out of the car and led me to a spotless white sofa. “Relax! No infections here in Canada,” she laughed and entered a small cabin nearby to emerge within minutes, wearing a hospital robe. She hurried towards the room on which was marked, ‘Chemotherapy’. Smiling and waving at me she said, “It won’t take long...see you.” Before I could gather my thoughts, she was back changing in the cabin.
Ignoring the bewildered look on my face she said, “The last chemo session was for breast cancer. Early detection saved me. It’s all free. Could that have been possible in India?”
Wiping my tears, she held my chin and looked into my eyes to say, “Oh my tragedy queen! Once a Meena Kumari always a Meena Kumari. Who said tears dry up with age?”
She laughed, tilting her head backwards and adjusting the silk scarf I had gifted her. “Oh dear! Stop crying and tell me if I still look like Raj Kapoor’s Nargis in Chori Chori,” she said as we left. I smiled remembering how the two of us had bunked college to watch the film twice.
DURING OUR COLLEGE DAYS, SHE USED TO BE THE MOST SOUGHT AFTER PERSON. ALWAYS JOKING, HER MOST ENDEARING QUALITY WAS ABILITY TO LAUGH AT HERSELF