This is an incident or phase which happened in my childhood when I was in high school in Hyderabad, I was about 14 or 15 years old. When we go back at those times most probably we get all those fond memories which we wish to come back. There are lot of people you met that time whom you want to meet again and just say “hi! how are things going on for you?”
One such person I knew was Jose, a dark colored catholic guy, with super shining teeth which will spark in the dark and make him so recognizable. He had a yellow eyes and a hefty build. As I described he was not very known for his appearance but his personality was so catchy almost influencing the atmosphere with lot of fun, thrill and excitement. He was very bubbly, the moment the school bell rung for recess he was the first person to let us all out and start playing on the playground. He had amazing sense of humor if not that then his unique style of laughing was so spontaneous and influencing, it made me smile, giggle or guffaw sometimes. I loved his quality of being so sensitive for his friends including me, I couldn’t have imagine a boy at that age would think beyond his own feelings and needs. He was well known for been extremely helpful among all my friends. I still remember my pen was left with no ink at the time of exam and he offered me his own even when he did not have an extra one. He gave his pen to me and managed to get ball pen refill for himself and wrote the whole paper with that damn refill having unexplainable filthy grip. I insisted him to take it back but he would never listen. He was also short tempered he couldn’t take it when someone is extremely unfair to his friends. He was very content with himself and would not ask more from his life and God.
One day, when we both were alone and talking about life. I was shocked and very touched to know he was into drugs for a time. He got involved with under friends in school until the school authorities caught them. It really disturbed me to know this considering the age and mindset we have that time. He told me about his family and how invisible he felt he was for them. I remember him telling me that when he use to knock his door no one bothered to answer it. I didn’t dare to ask him more but I consoled him and told to have hope and faith. It was amazing for me to understand how much faith he actually had in God and thus he left all those toxic stuff behind. My respect and love for him grew more since that day.
Christmas was around, I thought it was great opportunity to give Jose a Christmas gift. I didn’t want to cheer him up as such as he is geared up all the time however I just wanted to tell him how much I respect him and he really means someone for me. I had some pocket money saved, I went down to a gift shop on Sunday and got a gift card. A small size with blue cover picturing beautiful huge candles, with Christmas tree decorated by lights, stars, colored balls and cotton pugs symbolizing snow, when you open the card it would read “Merry Christmas”. that’s about it. At that time I thought it was fantastic. All set! On Monday at School, I took a pen and scrapped. “Hi Jose, Merry Christmas to you!”| I walked towards him and handed over the card which he accepted with a surprise. He said thanks, I smiled and begin normal conversation with other friends around who were also surprised. I saw him again, he was quite, his eyes were glued to the card but his mind was somewhere else, thinking. This was for almost 5 minutes then I saw tears rolling down his smiling cheeks. That was one of the most touching moment of my life. He said no one in his life has ever gifted him and it was very nice of me to gift him. He thanked me whole day, continuously, time after time. I could not believe I could give someone so much of appreciation and happiness just by buying a 5 rupee card and wishing him Merry Christmas.
I left Hyderabad 10 years back. It happened so suddenly I did not get an opportunity to bid goodbye to my good old friends. I met few of them afterwards, doing well, settled down in Europe however I, till now couldn’t get in touch with him. I hope he is well and doing fine. I miss him a lot. His sparkling teeth, yellow eyes and big smile of his dark charming face still resides in my head and gives me immense peace and reminisce all the amazing moments of friendship I spent with him along with others.
I don’t believe people struggle so much for money or whatever they might be looking for. At the end of the day, I feel they just want someone… anyone to listen to them and show little bit of appreciation for them for coming so far in life. Because it was not that easy, it will not be.
