" Sometimes we have everything and we keep losing it, we know that we are losing and even try to keep with us not just because they are part of us, but because we Love them to Abyss."
Traveling is a part of life since 2005 when I began my college life. But visiting home is always the best reason to travel, like a Treat to Self.
It was half-past five in the morning when I got into my boggy & was about to start my journey. I had my pack of bite to complete my hunger. While searching for my berth, I glanced through upper berths and that was the place for my journey.I kept my trolley aside and hooked my backpack to the corner and made my bed to my best.Not having enough rest at night, took a nap for an hour.
With the call of Chaiwala altogether like an early alarm without a phone tune, I started looking around. As usual view, all were busy with their brush and paste as if they are ready for a war and it was a bustling scene.
It was sharp at 7 am. Before I could put on my specs, from nowhere I heard a voice oye tumi uthigelo “So you got up?”.Ami bore hoyechis, khelbo amarsange. ( I am getting bored, would you play with me?). For me, it was a very childish voice but besides a childish voice, it was more commanding and a bit of gibberish. As lights were yet to be turned on it was fuzzy but with the sun rays, kissing the black windows of the boggy what I could see was a kid.
Completely wrapped with that rogue diminishing himself like a baby turtle in its shell. Hardly I could see his face & it was with those glaring power glasses.And before I could reply again he mentioned AC ta khub jore deichi ,Bolo Na TT me kam korbe. ( AC seems to be too cold, ask TT to increase the temperature)
I could only respond you might be feeling cold as you are a kid, AC is at fine. He ignored it and repeated again, I said OK will do.
While I could search for his parents, he said promptly that do you see him sleeping on this middle birth, he is my dad in Bengali. And said only we both accompany when we travel.
Then again he said tumi reply delona, khelbo ki nai ( You did not reply to me, will you play with me or not ) & as an auto-answer he said tumi bed tea drink piyo ( you complete your bed tea ) then we will play as if I am ever-ready!
I said aeithaye ki khelbo j ( What you gonna play here ). Without a single word he took out his heroes Super-Bat man,that's how he said to improvise Batman.
By 09:00 am I had my breakfast with whatever I had n my box and offered him too, but he replied with a straight no. Love for Sweets and had only Cakes, Amul Cool, Cookies and so offered him the same but says ami khabona ( I will not eat ).It was past 09:15 am by then his dad was still asleep and as a kid, he must be Hungry. But still a straight no.
Thought he must have been advised not to eat from strangers. Again before opening the 2nd one, I looked at him he was Busy with toys. At last, offered a Cadburys and this time it was a simple nod.
While I was busy with my favorite playlist on mobile he took out some books and a pen.He kept toys aside and showed me his books of class 2 Bengali, English and a Science book.
I asked him what's this buddy, just to hear his damn reply. Buddy?? Who is Buddy? I am Indronil, with that catchy Bengali accent.
He was busy with his studies, kept writing and said wait for some time we will play.And by that time he offered me his Super-Bat man to fix it, as the light which they had like irons man was not working. Somehow it worked with me, I fixed it. I was sure he will be happy, but without anxiety he said wait don't disturb let me complete my HomeWork ( HW ).
That's very rare, at least for me that a 2nd-grade kid, traveling on train and no watchkeepers. Still, he is studying.It took almost an hour before he said dada tumi fix karidelo ( bro you fixed it ). Yipeeeee…..
I asked him, what was that you were writing. I told know its my HW (bollam Na HW).But how come in train I asked. And it's not even Summer or Winter holidays.
He said I am off in-between my classes and it is my routine. I hardly understood why he mentioned it's My Routine. To my curiosity, I asked again routine HW what's that? He said you will not be able to understand ( tumi bujhteparbo Na ).
His father got up and said why don't u sleep, stop disturbing others & said let everyone sleep. He said, dad are you in Dreams ( Dad tumi ki swapro rajyo re hojegelo ), open ur eyes its 11:00 am. To keep things in place, I said that's fine we are having a good time together and there is no disturbance.
Later to complete his dad's statement, I said I am absolutely intrigued by his talks. He is super dedicated to his studies and kept himself busy with books which I have never seen.His father giggled and said maybe with a pale face. I noticed but he avoided.
I complained that he is awake from morning and is not even eating anything if I do offer.
His dad said yes, he will not. As a 2nd thought, I could only think this kiddy seems to be very obedient.
After some time his dad mentioned he wants to eat but he can't. I was confused and asked but why?
His father said it seems to be common Milk Allergies for kids within the age group of 5 years, but it's rare that he still gets a severe allergy to milk, yes Milk which kids do breastfeed after birth. And says I have only Indronil and he needs medical attention most often needs our support.
For me, it was very new in its kind & had never heard of this.
Looked at him that how jollies he is. Then he says I will be a Doctor (Ami to doctor hobe). Need to help others who are suffering, you know. I was dumbstruck!
His father said they are coming from Chennai’s Apollo hospital, as they are one of the best to handle these cases in India. It was a very tiring journey for them, at least for the kid. With anxiety, he said again we could not find a flight in a short duration and choose railways.
I was not sure how prompt he is.
By this time we were about to have our lunch and they ordered veg meals. Looking at chapati, he was out in rejoice. But even anything made of wheat should not be on his menu. He said baba at least in journey let me eat, at home mom won't allow me to eat ( ghare to maa khaite debona), At least you can.
His father was almost in tears and said, see how he keeps requesting, I feel helpless that he is only in 2nd class and has a lifetime to spend with so many restrictions.
Do you know what's the power of his glasses? it's already -3 because of allergy. He was a kid and we were not aware of it, it keeps deteriorating even after medication.The operation will be the last resort. And every year we have to visit quarterly to Chennai and that's minimum he said to complete. He has an uncertain future, future his life. Even though he is so dedicated, It's tough for him how he is going to bear all this.
By this time he wiped out his tears. And again the voice uttered ok, I am not going to eat it dad ( Ami khabona baba), give me Rice. But you don't cry for me.This made my eyes fuzzy too & all the conversations with him were rolling in flashback which I had from morning.
I was not sure what to utter next. With a cute smile on his face, he asked you will not eat? ( tumi khabina ki?) That moment took out my desperate hunger out of me. To reply to him I said I will get down at the next station and will have at home.
He said then you will be eating some delicious food (tumi to khub darun khana khabo) & said eat my share of cake & Cadbury from your box which you offered me, that will complete my lunch in this journey.
I said yes, off course I will. But you have to take care of yourself.
It's was among a journey of my lifetime...
Research says this Cow Milk Protien Allergy ( CMPA ) is the most common among children & 3 in 100 experience it before their first birthaday. By the age of 5, it gets diminished, but in some cases around 1% do have to face the consequences for some more years.
