Those Three Words!

This blog is related to my thoughts about death. So, please stay away from this, if you don't feel like reading further.

He was an old and distant relative to us and I could not remember much about him though I tried, after knowing that he passed away. He was always a genial person and they had no children. My first thought was about his wife. "How she would manage the rest of her life?", I wondered and pitied her. My dad had been recuperating from a surgery and mom wanted to go there.

I volunteered and took her to the place. There were about 50 - 60 people gathered around and all we did was to join them. I looked at the old man's body and paid my respects, praying the almighty for his soul to rest in peace. I know it definitely would, as he meant no harm to anybody, to my knowledge and never interfered in others' matters too. My mom was consoling his wife then. Later, she requested me to go the cremation ground as a mark of respect.

I didn't deny her and went along. Emptyness, a general hate towards everything and some strange feeling that I couldn't name now, were in me then. People closer to him talked about his character and deeds, which were news to me. We reached the cremation ground and the last rituals were happening. Another old man [not as old as the one who passed away] who had been a closer relation, was doing the last rites. People were talking about so many things, like the cinema that got just released, the new car they had, about politics etc., with an occasional mention of the man who passed away. "C'mon! he lived to seventy five! What more can you ask for?", one of them said.

I was concentrating less on these and moved away, waiting for the rituals to get over. It was then, that I saw those three words written in big letters in white, on a dirty wall. As I read that, I was jolted as though I touched a live wire.

It simply read, "Your Turn Tomorrow!".

 

Thanks Rheaa, for posting the first comment to this. I wondered whether I would receive any feedback for this, you know? Besides, what you mentioned is right and thats the general expectation. Alas! It doesn't happen. People do indulge in chatting about many things then, for that offers a chance to show to others [whom they rarely meet] and get updated as well. Also, it may be due to the fact that they can't afford to take it too deep.
'Living life to the fullest' - that was fantastic. -rgs

 

Thanks for your appreciation Pallavi4me. What we see around us is enough to write several such stories. Isn't it? This one was real and I experienced it. Thats why I posted this under "Reflection" category. -rgs

 

Thanks so much Akila, for your nice feedback. And to your question, I have written a poem (!) on the same theme, "Sorrow and Solace", though it was a personal experience. Strange that I too touched on the expiry date thing there.

Thanks again. -rgs

 

Thanks very much for your nice feedback MariselviPrabu. Happy to receive a first from you and sorry, for it being depressing. -rgs