It all
started on 5th January 1996 when Stacy gave birth to Raja. Raja was
born in an old dilapidated house of Kolkata. The huge size of the house was
enough to conclude that it had once belonged to some rich landlords of the then
Calcutta, which now stands under the care of a 75year old bihari man, Bansi.
Bansi,
was alone and he knew what the pain of solitude is. Hence, when a year ago in
monsoon he saw Stacy standing near the door all drenched and hungry he didn’t
give a second thought before asking her to come inside. He provided Stacy food
& shelter while unknowingly Stacy provided the old Bansi, accompany.
Last
summer, Stacy met Jackie, also an orphan adopted by a Chaiwalla! Stacy’s dark
big eyes were enough to sweep the young blood off his feet. But little did
Stacy know that Jackie never believed in commitments. He left Stacy after 6
months of being together. Stacy was heart-broken and pregnant, too!
Again,
Bansi came to her rescue. He comforted her and showered all the care &
support she needed to bravely tread through her trimesters.
Then, Raja
was born.
His dark
eyes resembled Stacy but his dark brown complexion was enough to remind of
Jackie.
They
say, Raja got his name from the movie Raja Hindustani. It happened when Bansi,
took him in his arms for the first time and looked up, his eyes caught sight of
a torn poster of the movie stuck on the walls of the road just outside the
house.
Bansi, wished
may the baby grow up to live a life like a king. So, he was named Raja!!
As a
young boy, Raja turned highly popular in the locality. From the fish vendors to
the grocers to the Chaiwalla or the Cobbler, all knew and somewhat loved Raja.
His energetic face and loveable eyes could melt any heart.
So, Raja
though got introduced to a tough life never had to face problems like hunger
(since everyone used to give him food) or shelter.
One day,
Raja was playing with a newspaper ball near the staircase of the house he was
born in- a girl in her early twenties came and picked him up in her arms. She
readily fell in love with Raja and hence wanted to adopt him. Later, since all
these years Raja had been in the custody of Bansi, so the girl asked him about
it. Bansi, considering his own age and financial conditions did not mind to
give away Raja, hoping for a better life and comfort for him.
Little
did he know that Raja would get more than just a comforting life!
Raja was
given his own room which was light blue in colour and full of toys. Raja jumped
with joy seeing his new world.
As
predicted by Bansi, Raja did grow up to be a brave, courageous & charming
youth who ruled over every heart (thankfully he stood up to his name).
Every, feminine
counterpart in the locality wanted to be spotted with Raja. He had many eyes
following him, whenever he walked in the garden or went out for a casual stroll
with his sister, Juhi (the girl who adopted).
All
looked like a dream life for Raja before his life again hit the rock!
It was
celebration time in Raja’s house as the news of Juhi’s marriage broke. Everyone
was busy and even Juhi was too excited and occupied with her marriage
preparations.
Amidst
all the pomp & show, glitterati and noise of marriage, Raja started feeling
lonely. It was for the first time that Raja, felt like an outsider in the
house. Suddenly everyone started ignoring him and even stopped spending time
with him. Juhi would shout at him, if he tried entering her room, as she would
be busy with her girl friends.
He felt
lonely!
It was as if, the true life of Raja came back to him. A life full of
misery, solitude and grief.
One
night before the wedding, Raja decided to leave the house.
He
silently opened his room’s door and slid though the garden gate.
He ran
in the open air but tears made him blind. He could not run very far, as he
could not run over the love, care and comfort the family have given him all
these years. But, Raja knew the truth- that he is not an integral part of
Juhi’s family.
He ran miles & miles till he was tired. He
sat beside a lamp post on the road and fell asleep. In the morning, the
hustle-bustle of the street, the honking of the cars, busses and trams woke him
up.
He found
himself beside a beggar. The man offered him stale bread. Raja figured that the
beggar could not speak or hear. But, his silence could make Raja hear his
hearts that spoke of love. His eyes would speak of care and attention for Raja.
Raja, always
longed for this.
It does not
matter from whom he gets. What matters is this bliss in life.
Raja,
never left the man alone. He would walk with him, sit with him, sleep, eat and
even beg with him.
People
passing by would sometimes stop and ogle at Raja, since he did not look like a
beggar but nobody dared to ask him as his fierce stare at the strangers were
enough to ask the people to leave.
Years
went by; Raja continued being the beggar’s best friend. They were faithful to each
other and support for each other. They shared joy & sadness, shelter and
heat, hunger & thirst together. It was their togetherness that was the
prized possession for them.
Raja,
lived through some very happy, adventurous and excited life till, one winter
night sleeping beside his best friend he closed his eyes for the last time.
Raja
died at the age of 16.
He lived
his full life going through all the emotions just like any of his friends-Bansi,
Juhi or the beggar!
He lived through hardships, hunger and dangers and on the
other side he even experienced luxuries, joy, love & care.
He lived
life like a human!
It does
not matter which species one is, what ultimately matters is living life.
And,
Raja lived his.
Raja, a Labrador
Born: 5th
January, 1996
Died: 24th
December, 2012
