Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Remembering Yasmin

A little angel flew by HA,
Stopped by to stay;
Playful and charming she spent her day,
When disaster struck his sway!
Her essence squelched by flames
She battled to live or not.
As our prayers met silence
Death won the day,
Not without etching little hearts forever.
Here is an eulogy for a girl who would have conquered worlds
If only fate had smiled on hers’;
For those God loves die young
Thus we consoled
As we bid our farewell to our beloved brown eyed dove!

As I tried to recollect old school days, I suddenly remembered a very painful incident during the mid nineties. This is about a girl who walked the grounds of HA as a beautiful angel and was taken away from all of us too soon.

Yasmin a couple of years my school senior was a bubbly ever smiling beautiful girl. She was always noticed very frequently in the school campus as a house leader and also as one of the school monitors to oversee punctuality and cleanliness among junior schoolmates. I had noticed her many times standing by the side and observing us for any disorderliness as we marched back, after the morning prayers to classrooms. She was prompt in picking out girls with ‘extra long’ skirts, dirty socks and shoes, uncombed hair, dirty ribbons - anything deviating from the orderliness that was imposed on us by the convent.

Many times she was noticed sitting among her class group during the group study period trying to voice her thoughts, explaining stuff to people. Her demeanor was very noticeable. May be because of her bubbly attitude or may be because of her charm or may be fate wanted us to notice her charm before she was to be taken away from us: Whatever may be the reason she haunted us all after her death with her fascinating smiling face and big brown eyes.

Though she was my senoir, I had little acquaintance with Yasmin as she was part of our cycling group. The cycle group comprised students who cycled to school. Everyone in the cycle group knew everyone else. There was a friendly air about us as we discussed about our cycles and routes. Just wishing adieus once in a while helped us in getting to know each other. Yasmin cycled north with her friends and my group went south.

It was just another casual day at school and the school corridors were soon empty after the evening school bell. Anticipating the evening loaded with assignments we departed on our cycles never knowing how each one of us would change forever after that poignant evening.

Later that evening, news leaked out in the small town of ours about a fire accident of a girl from HA and that she was admitted in hospital with burns. No one suspected anything severe. Next morning, it was out in the local papers. Yasmin after reaching home had run into her mother’s kitchen and surprised her with a hug from behind. That very act of love turned disastrous, as the can her mom was holding toppled over. And it all happened within seconds. The combustible liquid in the can burst into flames along with the lit stove destroying everything it came in contact with. It was quite some time before the fire was put out by friends and neighbors. But by then both of them had severe third and fourth degree burns.

News reached us that they were admitted in hospital and were battling for life. Sr Angela, who always maintained a straight face, was in a horrible state of shock when she broke the news on stage. She arranged for prayer meetings for the mom and daughter's recovery and called for donations for their treatment. She also strictly warned the students from visiting her in the hospital due to seclusion of the burn victims to prevent further infection.

Everyone who had the heart and ability donated. The school management rushed in with aid. Progress of their health was out in the papers every morning. Prayer meetings were held almost every day. We all prayed for the quick recovery of Yasmin and her mother. Some teachers paid a visit to the hospital and came back with heavy hearts. Many wept in the classrooms unable to control their painful emotions as they reminisced about her playful antics and her lovely character.

The pain the school went through during those days was enormous. The air was heavy with sadness and expectation. Girls, who were usually bubbly and playing around, remained subdued. All the talk was about Yasmin and her mother - If only she had restrained or her mom had been a little more careful. If only she had gone late from school. If only the clock could be turned back and that disastrous incident was averted! if only....

One more institution shared our agony - The Sharada College for Women. Yasmin's mother was a lecturer in that college. Both the managements did their very best to save the lives of their beloved lecturer and student. The Sisters of the Convent gave emotional and financial support for the family. Yasmin's dad joined us sometimes during the daily prayers. Yasmin being the only child and with both wife and child in unfathomable conditions, the man was indeed a sad sight to behold. People who knew him whispered that he had aged years in a couple of days.

As time flew by, fate conjured different plans. News reached us that her mother succumbed to the injuries. We prayed and hoped that with one death, the other person will be revived. But the little girl's heart stopped a day after her mom's. The school plunged in sorrow. Her funeral was attended by the Convent Sisters, teachers, schoolmates and friends.

Soon after that a Yasmin trust was started by her Dad and by Sister Angela. Money was donated for students who did well in class programs. Her dad addressed us one day during the morning prayers thanking us all for the support and help that was offered during the painful times.

Yasmin’s death created a strange and eerie feeling among all of us. Many, who had not yet understood death were stunned and confused. Her classmates and friends, especially were never the same again. They asked for change of classrooms to help them come out of the loss. During the farewell party many of them paid a tribute to their lost friend. All the old folks of school remember that incident but I am not sure what happened to the trust and her dad later on. If any one reading this could throw some light on it, it would be greatly appreciated!

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