He was the silver line of my cloud
In April 1990 when I came to Jammu during the mass migration from Kashmir in view of the sudden abrupt eruption of the militancy which had been simmering for quite sometime and had reached the threshold of triggering the bullet, it was all cloudy for the all the Kashmiris who migrated and so was also full of dark clouds for me; ready to rain away all what was built up in my life. In this maladious gloom of my life so far, he just appeared as the brightest silver line in my darkest cloud.
He was one of the trio: Sunil,Brij Mohan and "Ravinder Sumbli". They in short called him Sumbli, but he was not as short as they shortened his name. He was a tall and handsome, fair,radiant and bright with glow with an aura of positive vibes. He was as strong at his mind as muscular his physique was. Brij was setting in US and Sunil a Jammuite both good friends of his.
While I reached in Jammu after migration having settled in a one room rented accommodation alongwith parents,a bro and a sis;I managed to get permission to do the unfinished portion of my mandatory compulsory internship necessary to get the MBBS degree from GMC Jammu and its associated hospitals. I remember that during my internship either in ophthalmology or ENT ,I met this boyish man an year younger to me and it seemed that I got a "God brother".I had to look up to see his face being half a foot shorter than him, he being a more than a six footer alrounder in academics, sports and everything. We seemed to be familiar with each other for times innumerable. He took me to his home, I had meals with his family and we visited his friends and relations. Then we were posted for our rural posting to Kot Bhalwal for 6 weeks where we had to reside in the hostel together and got to know each other better and more. To me he looked compassionate,different, easy friend, empathetic,sympathetic,philanthropist, social, easily getting along with everyone but a staunch rebillion and punisher to those who made him unnecessarily and avoidably interupted,interfered, ired and irritated. All the boys wanted to talk to and befriend him and girls were fond of him.
One thing that was peculiar about him was that his face always shined with a never lasting smile, his blushing and ballooning cheeks and a serene speaking silence while he pondered about anything needing a solution.
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Our last bilateral conversation when he responded to a good morning picture sent by me on WhatsApp on 20 july 2020
[20/07, 11:08 am] Sumbli Delhi: Good morning. BMT done but still in hospital. May be discharged next week. Next 6 months are crucial and will require close monitoring frequent visits to hospital almost every alternate day. Hope God is merciful this time.🙏
[20/07, 11:25 am] Dr. Dhruv Raina: He will be. Congratulations on Sanna's result
[20/07, 11:54 am] Sumbli Delhi: Thanks. Mubarak to your family too for Rithdhi success
[20/07, 12:01 pm] Dr. Dhruv Raina: Thanks and God bless you dear 💐
My last messages sent to him on WhatsApp after he had walked away and I was not ready to believe:
[06/08, 1:12 am] Dr. Dhruv Raina: Dear friend, you had not much time but you had a lot of impact on my life. You shaped to a large extent what I am today. You will never be far from me. God give you peace!💐
[06/08, 7:47 am] Dr. Dhruv Raina: I wish you be my friend in all my births to come
Om Shanti!
He was ,no doubt a light house ,a silver lining for all of us . His absence will be a lingering sadness , the loss is unspeakable and indescribable. But his cherishing memories will help to pull through and go on!! You were his veritable friend, he could trust and relate emotionally!
ReplyDeleteVery true Sister!
DeleteHis charmistic personality and ever smiling face, nodoubt was been ignored by anyone,still remember his first look, was hard to believe that six feet handsome guy was going to be my bro-in law.I was so amused with his personality, used to envy my sis.
DeleteReally he was a gentleman in real sense, he will ever be missed.
This is so beautifully written and yes, not a single day goes by when we don't think of him.. can't wait to read the second part of this series
ReplyDeleteThanks and God bless you!
DeleteThese captivating memories
ReplyDeletetug at my heart strings. How accurately you have depicted his persona,yes his angelic smile and the radiance on his face could never be ignored.
His last msg to you is indicative of his optimism and positivity. He was too hopeful to return back to his robust health and vitality and had limitless belief in the Almighty. But
God turned deaf like a post to our laments and prayers, was not Clement enough.
Though was happy to know about Sanas result of 95 pc and I saw him silently wiping his mirthful tears,yet was sad ,for not being with her.
He always treasured your friendship and there was an endearing smile and happiness on his face whenever I found him conversing with you!
Dear Sister, you have to be strong enough to fulfil what his plans were. I was tearful while doing the final update to the post. I will feel obliged to God if He gives me opportunity and capacity to be able to do something for my friend who shall never be an inch far from me because he is an inspirer for me from very little things to the biggest decisions in my life, may be purchase of which grocery and which car and AC, how to design my house and where, when and what,even very secretive and confidential ones which I would not involve in my nearest ones!!!!!
DeleteGod give him peace and give you courage and strength to bear this uncoverable deprivation.