An Extract from my Diary

DEATH OF A LOVED ONE...

17^th February 2012

Fridays fly… and so did this one! I woke up late and went to mosque. Soon after Jumma, I met my uncle Dilshad who was worried about his mother (My granny’s sister); I tried to comfort him, walked him home. At around 2pm, his younger brother; Mifrij; returned home from his work in a ship, after what felt like ages. I was so happy to see him. I had lunch at their place and we travelled to Kandy Hospital to visit my granny’s sister; we call her “Saachi”. She was one of the closest and kindest people to me. It had been 2 years since her surgery after diagnosis of cancer. She’d been very ill. After an hour and a half of travelling, we reached the hospital. Her eyes were yellow; she looked very pale and appeared to have lost a lot of weight. She was happy to see us; especially her younger son. I gently massaged her fore head and kissed on it before leaving.

20^th February 2012

It was 4.30 in the morning when we got a call from Mifrij. He was wanted at the hospital. Mom and Dad got ready to accompany him. I was up too; I closed the door after them. It would barely have been 5 minutes after they left; I heard the return of our vehicle. A second call from the hospital had brought the bitter news that Saachi passed away :(. I was shocked at first. I just walked to her place at 5AM. Returned home shortly; punching walls didn’t seem to ease my pain. I didn’t cry much- I just sat there with my back against the wall. They retrieved her from the hospital at around 10.30 in the morning. All our families gathered. We buried her before Asar (i.e. around 4 in the evening). Life sucks when you lose a loved one. This was a new experience to me.

21^st February 2012

A whole day has passed so fast! Everything feels like a dream! We came to know that Saachi passed away just before midnight but for some reason they hadn’t let us know earlier. I spent the whole day at Saachi’s place… well can’t use that name anymore can I? When death strikes someone you love, it really makes you look back and wonder if life is worth it! I did meet many friends and family- a family reunion (such irony). But life has to go on right?

22^nd February 2012

3 days has it been; we all gathered at the funeral house; we recited Quran. I felt so hollow. Had I just known that last Friday was the last time I’d ever get to see her alive, I would’ve stayed a bit longer; spent more time with her :(. But well life is what happens when you are busy making other plans isn’t it? I told myself that I would spend as much time as possible with the people I love.

I learnt many important life lessons during that week. I saw the importance of being socially active, I saw how crucial it is to have friends and family; shoulders to lean on when you are in need. I hope you gained something as well and that something is that you should always find time to spend with your loved ones and lead a regret-free life.