32 days a life

32 DAYS A life

Dear melisha,

September is finally breathing some mist into the air around. The summer is long lost by now in Cotsworlds. Dawn has again arrogated the sky and the sun still in command advanced a day. A eighty and two year old man is seen sitting in his balcony which seems cosier than the house while a season is spreading rapidly across the city. The old man is me and the season is of course autumn. Right now I have two wishes, one, which I cannot fulfil and the other I am fulfilling. Wish simply synonymies ‘if’, when taken in the sense of present and contains the elements of past. I too have such a wish. I wish I’d there earlier. It might have made all the difference. So all I can tell you is why he was murdered. And i wish too to tell an untold story.

It was six, not in the morning when zyan smith was released from the central juvenile prison of Oxfordshire. Though i did not know him much, except the fact that he was there for a murder case since seven years. He and a pharmacist got into a childish fight which results ruinous for both the pharmacist and zyan. The pharmacist lost his life and zyan his freedom. I and he were in quite good terms. He was only 11 when he was admitted to jail rather than school. Finally he was sentenced to ten years of imprisonment but released after 7 years in parole. He always seemed like a boy who loved all but got nothing in return. He was such a mural of silence but I had always felt like he had an ocean to explain.

Once in the library of the prison I found him searching fervently something. When I asked him what he was looking for he did not gave me any attention. At last he got the idea about the book is not available in the library and I got the knowledge about what he was looking for. He came to me as i was leaving and apologized for his ignoring activity and along with it said me the whole thing. I felt pity as i have never seen a boy of his category struggling so much for book than liberty. And pity me I did not notice at that time that he was unique.

The very next time I visited the prison I took him the book he wanted and he got lost in the world of ineffability for the favour shown to him. When he was released I was the first and the only one to greet him outside the gate. Although liberty was below his foot but he was confused with high notes.

“It contradicts my expectation, it feels quite different.” It was his first line after freedom.

“Situations changes leading same to occur with life. You are a good boy, will get used to it soon.” I said to him and departed from there

I remember it was just the movement i was going to turn the keys into my house I felt like looking back. And in front of my surprised self stood Zyan, of course Zyan smith.

“zyan, what are you doing here? Are you stalking me?” i asked

“no, i did not know where to go, I don’t even know how to get lost. You said me a good boy, I have never heard it said to me, not even once. So i thought you will help me .

“for what are u seeking help”

“trust me , i don’t even have answer to that”

I just hold him by his shoulder and welcomed his steps into my house, without having any percentage of idea what to do next.

I did not know Agnes Lawrence much, after all you don’t hear often about little girls, especially 7 year olds. And the most both weird and surprising fact was everybody knew that she was Dr. Lawrence’s 3rd and only daughter from his third marriage but none had any idea that she was suffering from a rare heart disease that needed transplantation of heart as soon as possible.

I met her when I had gone to the hospital the next day with Zyan for some documentary work. The Lawrence hospital used to be a great life saver of Cotsworlds only because of Dr. Drake Lawrence.

We were passing by the kids ward when something childish got into our ears it was of course a voice. Not just voice a voice explaining. It was not attractive for me but was for Zyan. He just wanted to hear the story, I guess. He entered into the room and I unwontedly had to follow him in the obvious intention to grab his hand and pull him. But I did not do it, and just asked him to stay there for me to return. And I went on for my duty to perform.

I could not find him later anywhere in the hospital that day later. I did not just looked here and thee i searched for him in every corner of the hospital. Finally when I asked for him, then the children in the ward gave me the information that he went home. I headed straight home and was feeling horribly hurt due to my exhaustion. I heard them laughing from quite a distance, they were high pitch laughter. I found them engaged intensely in splashing into the mud puddle near my house. Upon seeing me both of them ran towards me on Zyan’s command.

“you know what we are in a situation in which only you can help.”

“I guess you have mistaken me as psychologist, because both of you seem horribly mad right now to me.”

Agnes got hold of one hand of mine and zyan the other and the next movement we were in the central park sitting on a yellow bench but nothing in our hand to taste and enjoy.

“I am sorry for asking it but how many days left exactly.” I asked

“one month, that means 32 days I guess.” Replies Agnes

“actually there are 30 days in a month but sometimes 31 but never 32.”

I was able to recognise the anger on her f ace that was the result of embarrassment for being corrected. But I was impressed by her reply though.

“I know that, I was just testing you. I am a doctor’s daughter, I am smart by blood.”

“I am sorry” my humble tone sounded.

“its okay, I really want you to helm me in this. My heart beats are limited now. I want to do whatever that pleases within these days. Though dad wants me only to stick to my bed but no not even for the sake of heaven I am going to do that on earth. I am small, so does my life and if I die I want it to be remorseless.

“yes John help her, that’s you duty isn’t it? asked Zyan

“okay pals, we will raid the house of the ballerina tonight. Because as usual I have a plan.”

Sofia Carson, was a famous personality. Even people from London used to come Cotsworlds only to learn ballet from her. And I was planning to enter her house in the evening and frighten her with some law terms so that she would agree to teach Agnes ballet for free that to during the night.

I went with my shoulder raised and zyan and Agnes by my side and paused the doorbell with utmost overconfidence.

“Yes, inspector. How can I help you”

“you are not helping miss Carson. That why I am here.

To my surprise miss Carson had good knowledge about laws and constitution. So my plan failed the very next second it started.

So Zyan came forward and orated every piece of truth known to him. at first Miss Carson wanted to see if Agnes can do some ballet or not but when she saw Agnes dance for a while she immediately said yes.

“you are going dance till your last breath and even after that. It’s my promise.” Said Miss Carson

It was decided that at sharp 9 after the dinner Zyan will go to the hospital and bring Agnes to Miss Carson’s house and at 11 will do the same in opposite directions. When our first day was a huge success we were no more under any kind of pressure. They were very enjoyable nights. We four started to live like a family. There was barbeque music, dance and love. Love between four creatures that were different form each other each and every aspects. Each day Zyan used to carry Agnes in his back to the hospital climb the ladder to the wind0w of her room and then bring her down safely without anyone noticing a lot more. We just accompanied each other in our different path of struggles and tried to find answers to our questions from each other. Water turns into whatever colours added to its veins, but humans change only when confronted by strong emotions. And we all were changing.

Agnes was not her regular self that day when she came from the hospital. After the classes were over I found her all alone and lost in thoughts. I simply went and quietly sat near her.

“What’s the matter? YOU don’t seem Agnes today. Something happened? I asked

“daddy is tensed I don’t think they are not going to succeed in getting me a heart I guess.”

“I know its difficult, but when is life easy any way? Grab every hope available, they are precious and will encourage you till the end of the struggle. At the end even if you lose it won’t matter for again.” Were my voice of consolation

“I am not concerned about my life I have already accepted it. but I cannot tolerate someone who is so dear to me to give up his life for me”,

“what are you talking about sweet heart, tell me what’s the matter.”

“when Zyan came to know about my situations, he was really very concerned. I guess he was thinking about committing suicide, so that I can get his heart.”

“what made you think like that?”

“he thinks it does not matter whether he lives or not. No body will ever care for him anyway. He is just a burden on you and is working hard to find a job which he is not getting. So he thinks its better for a girl like me with a beautiful dream deserves to live rather than a boy like him without any dream no goals at all . he thinks his worth does not exist. He does not care a nick about him selves and that’s what hurts me the most.” She said with her tears almost at the edges of her eyes.

Agnes concern was real and i really got shocked when I found out Zyan made an organ donating card for him. That same night I went to Agnes and asked on simple question

“do you really don’t want to live?”

“who does not, especially with a dream. But I hate to be in the position which belongs to someone else.” said Agnes

“fine I have a plan. Want to help me out we have got a live to save” I said

“or quest worth for a life.” she said giggling

She impressed me the most that day. Or her innocence was more than the traces of selfishness in her. She knew she can access her dream with absolute perfection and also know that she has chances to survive but she declined as at least she has the idea that everybody got right and worth to breath and exist.

“so what’s the plan” it was not us it was miss Carson’s voice.

“common, I had heard you yesterday and today too. “So what’s the plan?”

“I won’t say you, rather show you?”

Lets go out for dinner today my treat” i asked

We were in the restaurant, and I asked Miss Carson to go and mess with the lady at the counter. I already had the idea that the lady was a short tempered one. So Miss Carson did what I asked and as a result the old vulture crashed upon her.

We three were sitting silently and finally Zyan lost his control when the lady used bad words against Sophia.

“how can you be so rude women. She is saying you sorry cant you hear it. Get up we are leaving this place right now and will never come here again. Let them learn some decency first.” Everybody in the room was looking at Zyan

He just went straight to Sophia held her hand and pulled her to the outside.

“see that, when someone stops living for himself then they starts to living for other’s sake. Now we have to make him understand how much others need him”

“you are quite smart” Agnes said smiling

“I will take it as a compliment, let’s go.”

The next day we three continuously behaved as if we need help. Even for those things also for which people ask for our help.

“you people have turned so weak or what, Agnes is unable to tie het belle shoes, you are unable to set up the barbeque stand and miss Carson she is unable to play her CDs what on earth is going on.

“leave them tell me onething, what you enjoy the most doing? Isn’t is helping others.?” I said him

“yes, I do. I wish I could help every single person on this world.”

“or at least every single person in Cotsworlds” I said

“what?”

“do one thing, tomorrow morning go on a helping trip. Move around every single streets in Cotsworlds and help as many people as possible then come to me and tell me how you felt. So can I count on you?”

“okay, I will do that”

It was too late, and Zyan did not return. I went to hospital to check on Agnes and found out she was in ICU. Her condition had worsen and it could be her final night. Miss Carson came running to me and said she found Zyan. And the next News was Zyan was hit by a car and is in operation theatre. That night I felt like was the final night for my family to end. And that day was the thirty second day from our starting day. After operation I went to meet Zyan. He was hardly able to speak any word. But he said something that gave intense relieve to my heart. he said

“I want to live John, I want to help.” I wished Agnes to be there to hear it.

Doctor said though his condition was critical but there was still hope. He can survive. But Dr Lawrence was not leaving any chance to declare him dead to use his heart for his daughter. And finally he succeeded in doing so. I know he did not died due to the accident, he was murdered by the hands of selfishness. Miss Carson said she had heard Dr.Lawrence talking to his fellow colleague to turn off the ventilator of Zyan and take him directly to the room for transplantation. But we did not had any proof. After all it was the Lawrence hospitals.

Agnes survived and found out the truth very soon. She came to me and asked me to tell her whatever i knew. We three went to confront Dr.Lawrence and his world did not just cost his respect i was having towards him but her daughter too.

“daddy tell me was there any chance that, Zyan could have survived.”

“why are you thinking about all these things, you are too small to understand all these things Agnes. That boy was trial for murder. He was such a worthless piece of life, what good was he towards the society?” Said Dr Lawrence.

“trust me daddy better than you at least.” Replied Agnes

Agnes never returned to her home ever again. Yes Melisha your mom Agnes Stewart was Agnes Lawrence was. And I and Sophia adopted her from his father after our marriage. your mom was such a brave woman to do what she did. He left her home at the age of 7 only because his father did really something more than terrible.

I told you this story only to make you know one thing that never underestimate any life. They are born that means they do worth. Next time you meet your mother just put your ears on her heart and then you will find out how beautiful it sounds.

Yours lovingly

Granddad