The Immortals

Rohit was busy looking at his papers which he was about to present in a seminar that day. Someone came close to him and was waiting for him to lift his head. Rohit looked up after a moment and exclaimed "Hitesh, what a surprise?? What are you doing here??".

Hitesh and Rohit were classmates and also best buddies. Though Hitesh lived in U.S.A, they both were in touch with each other. Hitesh or Rohit would send emails to each other. Hitesh was equally excited to meet Rohit. "I came yesterday to attend this seminar, I knew you are attending this seminar, So I thought will surprise you." 

Both exchanged handshakes and a warm hug. They spent almost 4 hours together and in the end, Rohit invited Hitesh for lunch the next day. 

Hitesh reached Rohit's home around 11:30 am itself, He was bored at his room and wanted to spend time with his long lost friend.

He rang the doorbell and waited for someone to open the door, it was noisy inside, he felt some kids were laughing loudly and he could also hear Rohit pleading them to stop for a while.

Hitesh was confused and thought to himself, what's going on?? Again he rang the doorbell and this time Rohit opened the door.

Rohit was wearing a t-shirt and pajamas, his hair had ponytails and someone had put powder all over his face and lipstick as well.

Hitesh could not control his laugh and started laughing like a hysteria patient. "Arrey!! Who did this to you?? look at you, you look like a person straight out of a mental hospital". 

Rohit cleaning his face, It's our kids they were playing and I dozed off in between so they made me a joker.

Hitesh was taken back, He looked at Rohit in astonishment and told "Rohit, What are you saying? Last year I had heard about Vihaan and now you are saying our kids. Where is Yashika??

Yashika was busy in the kitchen, Hitesh could hear waves of laughter from the kitchen area as well and it was cute giggles of kids. Rohith took him inside and introduced him to his wife Yashika and kids. " Hitesh this is my wife, Yashika". Yashika and Hitesh exchanged helos and smile. Rohit continued "This is my Daughter Janashi, My elder son Syed and This is my younger son Joy.

Hitesh was amazed, Rohit I am totally confused, can u clear my doubts, please. My head is spinning. As I know you had a son by name Vihaan, he was your only son and ....and ...You ...!!!".

Hitesh could not complete his words. Rohit smiled and gave Hitesh a glass of water.

Yes, Hitesh Vihaan was my beloved son and he was our only son till last year. Vihaan was a very smart and brilliant boy, He was jovial and playful. He always requested me to spend time with him, go cycling and play football. I was soo busy with my schedules that I hardly spent some time with Vihaan. Vihaan dreamt to become an environmentalist once he grows up. He visited nearby parks and made notes of trees, birds, and butterflies that he saw there. One day while he was peddling back home from the park, he was hit by a biker who was performing wheeling on a street. Vihaan lost control and came under the wheels of a truck. He was shifted to a hospital immediately by a passerby. Someone informed me and Yashika. We rushed to the hospital and found our son wrapped in bandages from head to toe laid in an ICU. He was unconscious, was on life support. Yashika brokedown and cursed her fate and almighty for doing this to Vihaan. I was running from pillar to post to save my only son. He was punished for someone else's mistake. Police nabbed the culprits, all were teenagers between 16 to 18-year-old. Their parents were not even aware that their kids do wheeling during college hours. We felt as though our world is shattered and we don't know what to do, trust me Hitesh no one should go through the pain that I and Yashika had suffered. Vihaan was in life support for 3 months, I was next to him all the time, but my son was not in a position to enjoy my company. Dr. Ashok Chandra tried his best to save my son, but not even point one percent of improvement was seen in Vihaan's condition. One day Yashika and I were called to meet Dr. Sharbjit Singh, the senior-most doctor. Dr. Singh explained to us the health condition of Vihaan and said it would be better to pull off the life support as there was no improvement in the Vihaan condition. Yashika and I broke down, we both were inconsolable. Dr.Singh tried to pacify us, He told us "Rohit, your son can be immortal if at all you make a heart to donate his organs and save other kids life. He can be in this world even after his death. Many young kids are waiting for donors. In our country, people hesitate to donate organs they are under a myth that if they donate organs after death, they will be born with deformities in the next incarnation. Please come with me". Yashika looked at me, she was not ready to give up hope. 

We followed Dr.Singh and 3 kids and their parents were waiting for us in his cabin. Janashi had a hole in her heart and she needs a heart transplant. Jacob was a victim of some idiots mistake, some idiot lighted crackers and it hit Jacob's eyes. Syed was suffering from Bone marrow cancer. He can be cured if some donor comes forward for a bone marrow transplant. All 3 kids belong to the same blood group of Vihaan and his organs match with these kids. 

I was still in dilemma, Yashika was not at all convinced. She was shedding tears and was inconsolable. Dr. Ashok Chandra and Dr. Singh somehow managed to convince us. We bid a teary goodbye to Vihaan, for the last time I happened to kiss on his forehead before sending him to heavens. Vihaan's life support was pulled off and his organs were donated. Yashika and I were left with Vihaan's memories. Rohit wiped his tears that were rolling in his cheeks.

I slowly came out of the pain, I started going back to the office. Yashika was sinking to depression, Vihaan was like her soul. Her pain was immeasurable and she was inconsolable. She was Vihaan's friend, philosopher and teacher. They both used to play, hang out and fight with each other. Vihaan's demise had taken away Yashika from me. She was buried alive in the sorrow. 

One fine day Jacob's parents Rita and John had come to see Yashika, Rita was very concerned about Yashika, She wanted to do something to bring Yashika back to life. She spoke to the parents of Janashi and Syed. They came to the conclusion that every weekend all three kids would spend time with us. They address Yashika and Me as Dad and Mom. We have the liberty to take them out, play with them and spend time. I am very Thankful to Rita for this. After kids started coming on weekends, Yashika slowly started her life again. She became a mom again and started taking good care of kids. She quit her high paying job and took up a job as a pre-nursery teacher so that she can be occupied with kids. She eagerly waits for weekends to be with kids. Whenever I Hug Janashi, I could feel Vihaan's heartbeat. Whenever Jacob looks at me, I can Vihaan's lovely eyes looking at me. Whenever Syed hugs me, I feel as if Vihaan hugged me. God was cruel to us by snatching our only son but he was generous again to bless us with 3 kids. 

Now they are my kids, no sorry they are our kids.

Hitesh was very much moved by this, he could not say a word. He looked at Yashika, She was setting table for lunch and kids were lending a helping hand to her. Once they finished all 3 kids gave a warm hug to Yashika.

P.S:

Dedicated to those lovely souls, Who donated their organs and leading an immortal life after death.