Scenes from a Verandah
We all know, that one fine day we will die....not withstanding what you were and are, how you looked, how healthy you were and whatever hell you've been through! But that itself doesn't make it a generalized statement,right? I am sure everyone will agree with me that every life on this earth is precious and everyone has got their own story (or history) to narrate, and it could be an exponential of the number of people to itself! to be frank....there's still beauty and order in this vast disorder!
Such thoughts occur in my mind especially at a very "tightly guarded occasion" in my life which has been going through for almost 4 years since 2008, while standing at a very unlikely place...the verandah of a court room! Where i am one among the "accused" (in technical term) and a "criminal" (in general term). The hours i spent there has made me to switch my thoughts based on observations and eventually to control my inner emotions and redefine the level of patience in me.
"Every tragedy is a pure comedy" said my Physics teacher Mr.Robin, and i was witnessing such where the protege was me and myself only. By virtue of spending a very long and brief moments in such a place i have witnessed so much of negativity and some positive things, pertinent to say that all those remanded guys from the prison knows me and i know them, ranging from local thugs, drug peddlers, murderers .etc. Yes sir, i am a regular stanchion in that place.....the Verandah of Court room no.2!
"there are only two persons who run the show being on an elevated platform: (1). a DJ (2). a Judge. LOL #comedyunderFire" - as tweeted by me on one occassion recently.
It is really an exquisite and an extremely painful phase to witness the apathy and despair of human life standing on that Verandah. Because the person on that elevated platform 'decides' your life. So everyone who comes there is at the pinnacle of their hopes and prayers, since after God Almighty its that person who writes your fate. This event might be exposing me but the story of Salim has to be told and his family deserves a mention in this. Salim was brought to the court in handcuffs, escorted by two constables (its a S.O.P) back in the spring of 2010. On first day Salim introduced himself to me and requested whether he could use my cellphone to ring up somebody. Well, by then i am a regular guy in that place i knew even if somebody want to make a call its gonna be important and the charges are bad debt, and on extremely compassionate grounds. I gave him my phone and he made a call and returned it in a very short while. All I could see was that his eyes, filled up with tears and a weary smile and he turned his head away from me.
After almost a month and half i had to attend again (as usual) and Salim also appeared, once again he walked towards me, with a begging face, which i could'nt deny and i extended my phone, the same thing repeated. But this time i asked him what was he here for? i learned that he was caught for keeping Grass/ganja! and that he was a Cab driver who was specialized in long distance drives and eventually a sneaky plan to make some quick bucks landed him here in this stage. "what's your case sir?" he enquired , i smiled and replied " * * * * * ** ** * * * " . "i dont believe it!" he replied. Well many says so and me too, but still people 'said' so!! We parted once again after the day; him to prison and me to my imaginary prison!
After around 2 months i had one more appearance (should i say "as usual"?) and i reached the place early. I saw a lady and two kids, a girl around 12 and a boy around 8. Both the kids were in a vacant mood, shallow and seemed weary and so is their mother. After a short while Salim appeared in cuffs and cops. the next moment the few people who were there witnessed a heart wrenching scene. Yes, they were Salim's family, the kids ran to him and hugged followed by his wife, tears and happiness and sadness...??? I still dont know, but its an unnamed emotion. Out of that huge crowd, Salim pointed his finger towards me and said something to his wife! and his wife and kids smiled at me, i returned it just a smile.
The same scenes continued till March of this year, and it was time for his judgement! While his case was called up I saw his wife and kids praying hard ....so much of hope on their faces. 'Satyameva jayate" is the motto of Indian Judiciary system, does'nt disappoint many; no matter how much time it takes....and the Judgement turned otherwise. Jail for Salim !! but there was a twist.....since Salim had already completed more than two years and some months, he only had to undergo another 3 more months and he was a free man. I could see Salim with his folded hands standing in the accused-Box was all in tears and told something to court with utmost courtesy and the judge seemed to be impressed. "I assume it was a heartfelt apology to the law and mankind for his silly mistake". In a short while Salim came out of the room....all smiles!! Soon he broke down....like a cloud who was waiting for its moment to rain. Hugged his family like no storm is gonna take them away, no flood is gonna wash them away and full of promises. He was mumbling to them while he was fighting tears that he will be back and will never ever do such foolish things. He spent some more moments with them and then was taken by the cops....this time cuffs were there in his hands but the good cops allowed his children to hold his right and left hands and walk down to the vehicle outside.
Salim reached down, and looked once again to the balcony where i was watching all these with a half smile and full of happiness (at least somebody's free feeling!!) and waved at me.....!! My eyes welled up; it was tears?? or a mere feeling??or a helplessness of somebody who had to see everything from the Ringside?? I still dont know.....all I could whisper at that moment was "thank you Salim, God bless, Insha Allah!!"
"as transient as a fog and cloud.....as unstable as a leaf in the wind....
like an illusion...is life!!"
Today when i quarrel and fight with my near and dear ones, somewhere in the corner of my mind i like to remind myself Salim's story and his family. We still underestimate our own freedom and actions, words and deeds, we try to cause pain to someone knowingly or unknowingly, do a charity for the sake of it or with complete conviction....but remember, Life is precious...you can make it beautiful or you can destroy it!!
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