life captured in radhanpur

"WTINKLING STAR"

Twinkle twinkle little star, How I wonder what you are, Up above the world so high, Like a diamond in the sky.

“How pleasant it is to be here on the terrace, so fresh and cool air, the open sky, Rahul, my brother, I want to be like that star .Its so bright that attracts everyone’s attention. So bright that provides light and earns praises hence everyone strives to be like it.” “Rohit, I wish I could see that star. The star you wanna be. You have a sky full of twinkling stars. But mine full of darkness, no star, no moon and no light.” Rohit and Rahul are twin brothers born to Mitesh and Monna. Mitesh is a software engineer in a huge computer producing firm, NELL. Monna was a higher secondary teacher in JnanaVidyalaya. She had left the job soon after Rohit and Rahul were born. She had to do so, so that she could give full attention, care and love specially to Rahul. Rohit was born healthy but Rahul, who would never reralise what a light is. What a shining is. What a twinkling is. “Mitesh , now we should seriously think of putting Rahul in Andhjan Manav Mandal. There he will learn Braille and will communicate and correspond effectively…” “No… never say it again.’ Mitesh reacted angrily . “why? He can’t study with other boys, during the exams he can always have a scribe.’ “Mitesh, Mitesh… Please try to understand. Now both have come to 5th standard. And the study is becoming harder and harder. How long Rohit will remain with him. Rohit has to think about his study and career.” “Mummy…Mummy… I wana go to my friends house. I will be back within an hour.” O.K. but Rohit, take your brother along...” No mum. The roads are too busy and its almost impossible to cross the roads. So please let him be in the house. I will surely come back within an hour. I am just going to bring my math’s book.” “O.K. go and listen, come soon …..” “Thanks mommy” [After fifteen minutes a phone rings] “Hello…” “Hello...is Miteshbai at home?” “yes, Mitesh speaking.” “Mitesh, I am dr.Mankand Speaking. Please come to the Sterling Hospital as soon as possible.” “why? What happened? “please… you just come to the hospital.” [Emergency ward. The hospital.] Dr. Mankand: “Are you parents of Rohit?” Parents: “Yes, What happened to Rohit? Where is he doctor?” Dr. Mankand : “Rohit has met with an accident. He is seriously injured. We have kept him in the emergency ward. He has got severe head injury.” [They are taken into an emergency ward. Rohit’s head is bandaged and he is on ventilator.] Monna : Rohit, my son what happened. (Holding him closer to her chest.) Rohit : “Papa, mommy, I have a request to make.” Parents (together) : “Don’t worry , nothing will happen, yes you want anything…” (befor they could complete Rohit spoke) Rohit : “I wanna donate my eyes to my brother, Rahul.” [With these last words he dies. He is taken in to the operation theater.] [After few months. Rahul is on the bed in the hospital.] Dr. Mankand : “Rahul, whom would you like to see first?” Rohit : “The star, The brightest star. The twinkling star. Momm and Dad, please take me on the terrace. I would like to see that star. My brother. The brightest star among all the star.” [he is taken on the terrace. The bandage is removed from his eyes. Rohit slowly opens his eyes and sees the star and sings] “Twinkle twinkle little star…” Mital and Mitesh hugs him tightly and cries.
 Parmar Navneet.