Fewer is better

This was our 12th annual visit to Gharkul, a home for the disabled at Nasik, to celebrate birthday of our late buddy Sumit. This time coordination had been a bit difficult since kaku who is the incharge, was out of communication. She came to settle further plan for Gharkul girls in the time span between the 2 chemotherapy cycles. Her meeting was on and I was waiting downstairs. I chose not to disturb her and let her know my presence, and wait until the caretaker thought it was the best time to inform her. Meanwhile I gazed at the lovely collection of plants outdoor. A Gharkul girl was trained to attend the visitors and hence she would come to me to and fro, offering water, and tea and just a round with a friendly stare and would ask me to enter my name in the visitors book and would come again for something or the other. Some lady guards were cutting bamboos to make a bouquet of it. There were many handcrafted products kept for sale. I offered the donation on behalf of my friend circle and received a call from kaku. I went upstairs and greeted her for the new year by touching her feet. In a big auditorium, I and kaku sat next to each other on a sofa, munching on the pieces of apple. I had come just to be a listener. She told me about her chemo sessions and emphasised on the fact, how the true relations is the real estate of life. She continued that, it’s okay if you may not make new friends or relations but it is so so important to keep time and commitment for the pre-existing people or the inner circle, or line in life. It is so important to offer justice by giving time, care and attention to the handful of already existing relations in life. Maintenance, repair and revival of the older relations is always preferable over making new relations. Making new relations, promising the older relations and finally finding time for none will make our life miserable. Keep the energy invested and channelised for that tested and tried older bonds of life. In human relations, quantity will not go along with the quality. I understood her say and I continued as a listener. When silence starts speaking more than words, the conversation goes beyond speech and lots of feelings though unsaid are yet conveyed. With confidence in my heart and light in my eyes, I bid her bye as I logged out in the visitor’s book.