A Councellor's Case

 I remember that hot July day and it was the last period. I noticed that blood had started oozing through my nostrils. Like any other day, I just remembered that I forgot to bring a handkerchief. I was more embarrassed than panicked. I tried to tear a couple of papers from my notebook to stop the flow. She noticed what I was trying to do in that hustle and bustle. She took me to the water cooler and poured water on my head. The blood was all around. She gave me her kerchief to cover my nose. It took a bloody fifteen minutes to stop that flow.

And meanwhile, she told me to put my head up and breathe through my mouth. She was just so worried. Every time I close my eyes that worried face appears in front of me. I was just mesmerized by her generosity and empathy toward me. In that situation, I started doubting myself that whether I deserve all this? I mean I had a history of blood flowing freely through my nose every fortnight. Other teachers had always told me to go to the medical room or to wash my face. But she was different. I just felt indebted to her. I said a simple thank you to her. I'm bad at expressing what's going on in my head. Yes, my eyes were moist. I was not habitual of someone caring so much about my well-being.

That was our Counsellor Ma'am - The most generous person I have ever seen in my life.

I won't lie, I wasn't a very good student. Even flunked once. So, I was always called by Counsellor Ma'm to help me out with my studies and other difficulties I'm facing in school.

Once a week she used to come to our classroom and used teach us some little chapters from our thin moral science book. And sometimes she used to give us certain advice and value points in general. One thing she said in our class which I can't forget till my last moment. She said that ' a gentleman never touches any woman except his wife. No matter how many good female friends you have around you, you should not touch her under any circumstances.' Her words, they still ring in my ears.

Years and years passed and everything settled down. Things happened which happen in everyone's life. I started working and all that stuff. I got news from someone that she had left her job. And that year I joined my school's Alumni Association. From there I got her number as we have to invite her to a school event. Though someone had invited her before me. But she was so very happy to have a word with me. I again felt like a school student.

I remember inviting her to my marriage and she duly came. She was just so happy.

It was December 2020. She called me around ten at night. A three-month-old stray dog was injured. A car had crushed both his front limbs. She called me to ask what can be done. I told her to take her to a vet nearby as they are open even after midnight. 

The next morning when I called her to ask about the well-being of the dog, she said that his chances of survival are not much. They had admitted him to this government hospital as they had no other alternative. Even they advised to take him home and take care of him. She was so darn worried about him. And you know what, that whole incident of my nostrils oozing out blood came right in front of my eyes. I just went to the hospital that very evening and brought that lovely dog at my home. 

He was in a lot of pain. I took him to the vet every alternative day. And the very next evening Counselor Ma'am came to our home to see him. That little pup started waging his tail lovingly looking at her. And she literally broke in front of him. I never saw her like this. My wife, My Mother both tried to console her. I was making her believe that he will survive.

He was also improving. But after a week, he left his body very calmly.

I called her that morning to share the news of his demise. She was calm on phone. But when she came home, she couldn't control her tears.

We all went to bid our last goodbye to that little soul. 

While coming back home I thought that most of us don't even care about a person's survival if he or she is not related to us in some way. But this lady is so touched by a stray dog's demise.

How can someone be so generous, so caring?

We were regularly in touch on WhatsApp - sharing all the positive happening around the world. But she stopped replying after February 2022. I got to know that she is not using gadgets much. And I totally can relate to this.

And today, I got the news that she had left her mortal body this very morning.

And I lose my senses when I think that I will not be able to see her ever again - the face that carried so much empathy for others. A lady who cared so much about this boy, who was trying to handle that awkward situation and trying to cover his face.

'I have to call you and Geetika for lunch one day' she said once. And I'm sorry to say but she made a false promise. That day will never be going to come....

I was lucky that I was not good in studies and was regularly called by Councellor Ma'm 

for her advice and help. Not many students were that lucky.

And I know she is making heaven a better place to live in...