Us

It was early mornings of February, dark, foggy and chill all around Delhi. Ramchandra was getting ready for his morning rituals, an old man, Brahmin, never betrayed his routine of worship, even though asthmatic. He heard a shriek, faint but now louder as if, the horror was happening next to him. He heard about Communal riots happening, around his area, but never thought it would happen next to him. He ran out and saw Rahim. Rahim, lived in the neighborhood and respected Ramachandra, who used to teach him Maths back then. Ramachandra, saw Rahim all bruised and panting, fighting with 2 other Muslims, his own community. Ramachandra, came back to his senses, when Rahim, shouted at top of his lungs, asking him to duck.

Luckily, Ramachandra, ducked at the moment and was saved from getting hurt. Recollecting his conscious, he saw a sharp knife, falling on the ground, making loud noise. He also saw, lights flickering in his house, and people coming. Being outnumbered, the other 2 people fighting Rahim ran away, shouting curses, swearing that Rahim is an outcast now. Rahim was shattered, all he wanted was to save a life of Ramachandra, an elder, of his father's age. He questioned himself, if he was wrong in saving his teacher, how would he face the wrath of his community and others. He was now an outcast, and life would be difficult from now on. Rahim looked at Ramachandra, confirmed that he was well, started to move, but he found that something wrong with him. everything was turning black and his body was making weird movements.

Ramachandra, was baffled at what he witnessed. He knew about the ugly truth of community riots and poisoned minds of people, sowed by the politicians for their own benefit. Experience and age told him, that people go blind when it comes to protecting their community. He witnessed gruesome incidents, but never thought, he would see it live. Slowly coming back to reality, he found that his family surrounded him, enquiring about his condition and what happened, some ready to call Police. His granddaughter of 10 years old, ran near Rahim, who fell on the ground, she looked at him with concern and looked questioningly at her family. Her mother came running to her, pulled her from the scene, scolding her, Ramachandra could not stand it anymore. He got up quickly, he walked to her grandchild, spoke to her softly, to not worry. He also assured that, Rahim would be hospitalized and would be taken care of. His Granddaughter felt very happy and planted a kiss on his cheek and ran away. His family was not happy with his decision, Sons giving him warnings and his wife telling him to leave the matter, as these community riots can be very ugly. But Ramachandra paid no heed. He called Abdul, his friend from School and narrated the whole situation, Abdul immediately came along with few, thanked Ramachandra, and took Rahim to hospital.

Ramachandra, along with his granddaughter paid frequent visits to the hospital, bringing him and his family supplies. They became very close to each other, and both would talk about everything on this earth whenever they met. Ramachandra's granddaughter, used to pitch in few times and would contribute her share of knowledge. She was wise and intelligent enough to understand the problem and had learnt something much about the issue. Days passed, aged Ramachandra demised. Rahim, was all alone now without a guru, a friend and a companion.

Cut to present day situation, Rahim now an affluent person of society, was flabbergasted with the National Emergency and Pandemic situation. He like many Indians, went quarantine, but he never stopped helping people in need and distress. Rahim always thought about the little girl, he lost contact with them and moved to another place. Rahim's grandson, Suhail was having fever, cough and cold. Suhail was asthmatic too. His condition was worsening day by day, and the medical supplies slowly diminishing, the whole family was under deep sorrow and distress. Rahim's affluence did not come to his aid. He was wondering how to take care of Suhail, as the doctors had advised them not to bring Suhail out, as he may contract the disease.

Radha, was on duty that day, along with few army officials, her medical staff and equipments, Radha, at a very young age, was a well known doctor, she volunteered during this situation, wherein most of her friends did not. She was highly influenced by few, her past and her experience shaped her and moulded her to be what she was today. Radha was doing the rounds, when she saw an old man, along with few others, carried a young child, unconscious in arms, and running on the road. Radha, asked the officers to travel towards them. Army officials declined that it was not as per schedule, there would be another team, coming along, they would take care. Tasha could not believe her own ears. She shouted at the top of her voice to stop the car. She ran to them hurling the necessary medical equipment and rushed to the spot.

Rahim was helpless, he knew money could not bring back his grandchild. His son and daughter in law, were battered, he was the only one in the family now who had to be strong for them. He took the decision to take Suhail to the hospital, at least now he could face Allah, that he did his best. Suhail was his knot grandchild, and Rahim did not want to fail him. While with the help of his son and his cousin, he took Suhail out, tried go put him in car, he heard a screech sound of an Emergency Jeep, all turned their focus towards that jeep now. He saw a young doctor running towards them. Rahim was in tears, he did not believe his luck. Doctor was shouting to move Suhail inside, though her words were muffled due to the mark covering her mouth, her actions spoke louder. They immediately took Suhail inside, laid him on a cot. Radha joined them, gave him an injection, followed by her medical procedure. It took Suhail an hour to come back to consciousness. Radha was relieved to see young Suhail back to normal. She gave the family, few instructions and medicines, told them how to go with Suhaaail and diet too.

Radha gets a call from her superior, stating that she had violated the rule and protocol and hence strict action would be taken against her. Radha was not deterred by this. She had faced it several times, but never went against her Principle. Rahim was observing all this, he spoke to her, "Bitiya, why did u risk your life and save my grandchild? " Radha smiled affectionately and told him, "uncle it is my duty as a doctor to save life, I havd not done any great thing. I just did my duty. " Rahim thanked her, and told her that her parents are blessed to have a daughter like her. Radha smiled and informed him, it was not her laments but her Grandfather's young friend, Rahim chacha who influenced her to come into this profession, his words before her grandfather's demise will remain with her forever: " we are blessed to have emotions, but dew use it for violence, revenge and hurt, it is up to us to channel those emotions and bring out the best. Let us strive to help others, known of unknown, we all are human at the end, we are no different, we are one, it is US.. "

Rahim could not believe and was ready eyed.. before he could say anything further, a jeep arrived, Radha boarded it and went away.