COMMON PEOPLE – UNCOMMON STORIES
The scene was all too familiar in a bustling government hospital, nestled in the heart of a small town. The dimly lit hallway echoed with the ceaseless rhythm of pain and despair, but today’s protagonist, a middle-aged man in his forties, stood out amidst the sea of suffering. He was wheeled in by a compassionate nurse who carefully manoeuvred his wheelchair and placed him beside me in the waiting area.
As I observed the scene, it became evident that he had a story to tell – a story engraved in pain and adversity. The lines etched on his weary face spoke of countless battles fought within his own body, a war waged against an invisible enemy. Yet, despite the debilitating pain that coursed through his veins, there was a flicker of resilience in his eyes, a determination that refused to be extinguished. I tried to start a conversation with him.
“What happened?” I asked gently, my voice laced with empathy. Ramen winced in pain, but his eyes met mine, and he began to recount his tale, with the pain in his body mirrored in the pain of his voice and tears.
I could sense the weight of his experiences, heavy like an anchor, as he began to share snippets of his journey. His voice, though weakened by the battle, trembled with an underlying strength that came from surpassing insurmountable odds. He spoke of doctors and specialists, of endless tests and treatments, each step inching closer towards answers that remained frustratingly elusive.
But it wasn’t just the physical pain that had shaped his story. His words unveiled the emotional rollercoaster he had endured, the fear and uncertainty that had become constant companions on his arduous path. Moments of despair were met with glimmers of hope, as he discovered the power of support and the resilience of the human spirit.
As he continued to speak, drawing me deeper into his narrative, I realized that his story was not just his own. It was a reflection of the countless individuals whose battles often go unheard, tucked away behind nondescript hospital walls. It was a reminder that amidst the chaos of life, there are unsung heroes fighting battles that few can comprehend.
And so, as the man’s story unfolded, I found myself captivated by his strength and resilience. His journey served as a testament to the enduring human spirit, a reminder that even in the face of adversity, there is hope to be found and stories to be shared.
Ramen, as I later came to know his name, sat there with his leg encased in a plaster cast, a stark reminder of the misfortune that had befallen him. His weary face bore the scars of his power to withstand adversity, and his body, though broken, exuded a quiet strength that spoke volumes about the human spirit’s enduring nature. The cacophony of the hospital faded into the background as I turned my attention to him, and with a compassionate smile, I initiated a conversation.
“What happened?” I asked gently, my voice laced with empathy. Ramen winced in pain, but his eyes met mine, and he began to recount his tale, with the pain in his body mirrored in the pain of his voice and tears.
He described how he had been eking out a living as a daily wage labourer, a life filled with hardship and uncertainties. The work he obtained for cutting down a massive tree for a sum of money which was much higher than he expected was a rare glimmer of hope for a few days at least in his otherwise mundane existence. Alongside a trusted friend, he embarked on this venture, their hearts filled with dreams of financial relief at least temporarily.
The towering tree cast its imposing shadow over them, and Ramen and his friend started the daunting task of deconstructing it branch by branch. As they ascended higher into the tree’s canopy, the branches grew thinner, and the air became tense. That’s when destiny took a sharp turn.
In a heartbeat, their world was upended. Hearing a hush, hush sound attracted his attention. Ramen’s trembling hands clutched a branch precariously. Right before him, a coiled and ready-to-strike massive cobra lay, looking at him in anger. Its hood expanded in a chilling display of its lethal potential. Fear gripped him, his balance faltered, and he plummeted to a branch several feet below. The cobra, equally startled, slithered away in panic and fell to the ground, leaving Ramen’s wounded body behind without harming him.
His face contorted in agony as he narrated the scene. The fall was a terrible one, not just physically but emotionally too, as it shattered the hopes he had dared to nurture. He described the horrific impact of the fall, the agony that coursed through his right leg, and the searing pain that surfaced into his face from the branches that had seemingly betrayed him.
In the immediate aftermath, it was his friend who became his saviour. Recognizing the dire nature of Ramen’s injuries, he summoned whatever courage he had left and rushed him to the nearby government hospital. Amid the chaos and the whirlwind of emotions, Ramen’s friend, an unsung hero in this story, makes a gut-wrenching decision to leave his injured comrade at the hospital after the hospital staff takes over Ramen to notify Ramen’s wife in their village.
Ramen’s family consisted only of his wife who was his lifeline, and he had anchored his hopes on her and his neighbours. His friend embarked on the arduous journey to deliver the sombre news, fully aware that the weight of this revelation could crumble Ramen’s wife, left alone and vulnerable in their modest home. The cost of a private hospital was beyond their meagre means, so they turned to the government’s care, a place where Ramen now sat, attempting to piece his life together after necessary X-ray and subsequent plaster on his leg and a few bandages in his face, now waiting for his friend to come back so that he can go back to his home. As Ramen concluded his narrative, his voice trembled with a mixture of pain and relief. The ordeal had left an indelible mark, not just on his body but on his spirit. He sat there, a man who had braved the jaws of a cobra, only to be humbled by the unpredictable forces of life. I marvelled at the strength in his storytelling, his ability to convey the physical and emotional torment he had endured. In his voice, I heard the echoes of countless others who frequented the hospital, each with unique stories of suffering, hope, and resilience.
The Nurse called my name to the doctor’s chamber. As I had to show my reports only, I did not take much time and coming out, I found, a lady embracing Ramen and crying without stopping. she was young and beautiful. Surrounding her nearly 10-12 young boys, also in a very sad mood were talking to each other. I understand their problem was taking Ramen home as an ambulance is costly and they can not take him on their bicycle. I came to them and noticed that every one of his neighbours was genuinely trying to help Ramen. Another issue that came to my mind was, with this condition, Ramen will be having a problem with food and medicine as they seem to have survived with their daily income only. I felt to help them and told them that since their village was not far away, My driver could take Ramen and his wife to their house. They were first surprised and then understood that what I was saying was genuine, they were very happy and one of the older among them hugged me with tears coming down from his eyes. I gave some money to my driver, to hand over to Ramen when he reached their house as I knew they would not take the money if I gave them. They are financially weak but have great self-respect. The driver after coming back told me that after long persuasions only Ramen took the money and he told my driver that he would return the money to me when he could work again. What self-esteem of these so-called small people having such a big heart, I feel really happy to be able to help someone who is in trouble. The Driver told me that the villagers were collecting money from the villagers and handed the money to Ramen so that he did not have to bother with his food and medicine. My driver was also in tears when he described the situation after coming back.
Ramen’s story, though tragic, was also proof of the indomitable spirit that resides within the human heart. It was a reminder that life can change in an instant, that danger often lurks in the most unexpected places, and that we must cherish the moments of peace and stability when we find them.
I realised when I sat there beside Ramen, that his story was a poignant example of the intricate canvass of human existence. It was a reminder that we are all connected by our shared experiences of joy, sorrow, and the unyielding spirit that propels us forward, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, Ramen’s tale serves as a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to face the unknown, the bonds of friendship that sustain us, and the enduring hope that carries us through the darkest of times.
When I was sitting and hearing the story from Ramen, I realized that his story was a poignant example of the intricate canvas of human existence. It was a reminder that we are all connected by our shared experiences of joy, sorrow, and the unyielding spirit that propels us forward, even in the face of unimaginable adversity.
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, Ramen’s tale serves as a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to face the unknown, the bonds of friendship that sustain us, and the enduring hope that carries us through the darkest of times.
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, Ramen’s tale serves as a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to face the unknown, the bonds of friendship that sustain us, and the enduring hope that carries us through the darkest of times.
In a world filled with uncertainty and challenges, Ramen’s tale serves as a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to face the unknown, the bonds of friendship that sustain us, and the enduring hope that carries us through the darkest of times.
Rajat chandra sarmah
18/10/23 , Guwahati
rajatchandrasarmah@gmail.com
musingofrajat.wordpress.com 