A marvel of a meeting

It had rained heavily the night before and our road as usual was a big  stream of dirty water. In keeping with the Chennai norms the platform was absent in many places. And what little was left of the platform was made use by the  apartments making a dugout  for the convenience of taking out their vehicles and for their part the Chennai Corporation had constructed umpteen number of manholes in the name of service to the citizens. And depending on our fate, they might either be left open or closed. The construction people  too had their share to add to the pedestrian misery by disposing building debris.  Hence the platform was usually avoided  by the pedestrians and with that evacuation by the pedestrians, all the vehicles ingeniously used the road for more manoeuvrability.

On this day of my experience, it was further impossible to use any part of the road since it was flowing with murky waters and using the platform became inevitable.  It was heartening that the motorists were considerate that morning and reduced their speed lest the walkers would be drenched to the core.  I was coming back from my walk and as I was getting ready to amble around the debris on the precarious gap of a platform I saw an old  lady trying to do the same from the opposite side. I stopped and waited till she came over to my side.  Wearing a cotton sari and a big bindi on the forehead, with sparkling ear stud and matching nose ring  she accosted me with a benign smile and said “The old time culture is built in us…..Today’s youngsters do not bother. Even if you are standing in the bus young girls look the other way (as if we are the road side beggars at the traffic signals).  That way boys are better and they do give their seats to elders.”

“It is indeed true” I said

“ Are you a Christian?” she enquired to which my reply was positive. ”I too studied in a Christian school and I know many songs.”  I beamed brightly with a nod and was ready to proceed further on my way but she would have none of it. She told me that she had her heart surgery a few months back and it was indeed a very critical one.

"Come closer" she said and opening her blouse she exhibited the stitches as if I was her intimate friend or a dear relative. She continued “Before the operation my sugar was 400, my potassium was down and my creatinine level was high and the doctors kept their fingers crossed when they decided to operate on me.  My husband  had to  sign the papers  acquitting the doctors from all responsibilities. 

After the operation I was lying in the ICU unconscious  for several days The ordeal came to an end after three months and I was back home. I went to the hospital for my first check up As sitting in the chair was a effort I lay down on the row of four chairs which were empty.

A  gentle touch woke me up and I thought my husband who had gone for his coffee had come back. I was wrong. The chief surgeon, who operated on me, was helping me to get up and led me into his room.  Other patients in front of me were still waiting 

I was worried ; Something must have gone wrong  with the whole operation. “Amma” he said “we have done a thorough check up of all your parameters. Are you happy to know that all your parameters are  normal?” I couldn’t believe my ears! He is indeed a miracle man! I thanked him profusely.

“ Now let us come to a very important point.” He said and crossing his legs he sat relaxed

“ What doctor….? I was worried about the bad news he was going to deliver after the good one.

“Amma whenever I came to the ICU to check on you I found you singing softly. I am curious….. I would like to listen to those songs. Can you do it for me?

“I was enthralled and went on from one song to the other and that busy doctor was enjoying my show all through…”

“ Would you like to listen to those songs now?”she said turning to me.

I was reminded of the singer Krishna who took the Carnatic music songs from the elite platform of sabhas to the slums of Chennai.

In the middle of the road I was about to listen to songs…..! Am I dreaming…….? Am I crazy……?

Yet I replied to her “Why not…..?”

 She sung……. Held my hands…… Kept  the rhythm on my chest…….Song after song it continued……… I couldn’t control my tears. Is  a miracle happening to me? Am I inside a church…..?

When I came back to my senses I thought about the lady…….. I realised that she had a major surgery recently. With her song still continuing I slowly led her to a low compound wall nearby and made her sit…… The watch man of the apartment became one more  appreciative audience

 When she stopped at last I was bewildered! For her age she  possessed a fine voice.

"Shall I sing an English song for you...?"

I couldn't say no

“ How can you do it?! At your age?! And that too after your operation?”

“That is what the doctor too asked me ”she laughed and continued “ It is the Lord and his songs! whenever I am alone at home I sing incessantly and energise myself!  And you know the doctor gave me his hands and asked me what he can do for her. I held them in mine and told him that these hands were my saviour but this was possible for me because I was able to manage the cost of the surgery. Would these hands help those who suffer and still are very poor? That is what the Lord did”

“Now he held my hand tight and said “Yes amma  will do it.......for sure”

On an appreciative note the watch man plucked a canna flower and presented it to her.

"Take care" I said

As we crossed paths  my gait was different.

I shared my once a life time experience with my husband. He too was enthralled and said "By the way did you get her address or phone number?"

"This is just once in a blue moon event..... can't happen every day but there is a reason and it shows that the Divine speaks to us through very unique events, which most of the time we brush away" I replied and went away humming!!