Today is the birthday of Sweety the little daughter of Kush Rathore. Sister, would you please bless my daughter? Numerous thoughts scrolled down memory lane.
It was 30th June 2006 – Kush, the naturally timid and introvert boy of class VIII came to the office and asked whether I was free to visit his mother who wished to meet me. Immediately I responded saying I would visit her the same day by 4 o’clock. In the evening before 4, I reached his home along with another sister. After ringing the doorbell, straight away, I went into Mrs. Rathore’s room who was under treatment for cancer. Mr. Rathore was not to be seen anywhere as he was sorrow stricken and down with despair. Mrs. Rathore, knowing that she has already reached the final stage, told me the reason for calling me urgently. She said, my days are numbered, and I want to entrust my son into your hands. Please take care of him. She tried to symbolically place his hands in mine, which I amicably averted and caressed him for her consolation. Within a month she passed away.
In 2009 Kush passed class X in the ICSE board and joined another CBSE School for +2. Meanwhile I got a transfer and officially I could not entrust him to anybody, but made sure that our sisters, teachers and friends would help him. 2013 – I saw my Kush on FB page. Working in a ship, one hand with cigarette puffed up to the sky, another with a branded whisky bottle. In the background there were a number of labelled bottles of anyone’s choice. Just below the picture, was the comment box filled by all his friends and classmates in sheer appreciation and wonderment as if he had achieved the President’s award for bravery. Away from mother’s eyes and sight what else can they count ? one or two tears fell from my eyes for not keeping up the promise made to his ailing mother. I looked up to see the beautiful picture of Jesus with so many children around. All of them had the facial expression of my Kush. Once again I refreshed the page and wrote a comment below. “My dear son Kush, I love you still…not forgotten you. Are you happy ? I don’t think so. You look shabby and weak. I want you to be Kush Rathore of yester years. Darling son of Mr. and Mrs. Rathore with chubby cheeks, dimple chin, rosy lips…what not. You are simple, innocent, gentle, trust worthy, sweet son of our soil. Kush, my son, I love you.” Your sister Principal.
Sr Mariella CTC
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