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That Smile – Appa - Vithusha Shanthakumar

He turned towards me with a pleasant smile...

I was seated next to him,

"யாரோடு வந்தீங்கள், இருட்டாகிட்டென்ன
எந்த ஊர் நீங்கள்” There our story begins, on the 30th October 2016 at Royal College.

After getting to know him as sajishnavan's father, we had a cheerful simple chat about our town and culture while watching the drama. We even shared some friendly arguments about the ongoing drama with great laughs.

That evening ended with a pleasurable memory.

Remembrance is a golden chain Death tries to break but all in vain; to have, to love, and then to part Is the greatest sorrow of one's heart. The years may wipe out many things, But this they wipe out never the memory of those happy days, When we were all together.

Another happy day.

A smile... yes, I remember the warm smile that he gave when I was down at his feet for blessings...

"ஏன் கால்ல எல்லாம் விழுந்து கொண்டு நல்லா இருக்கணும்…
உது எல்லாம் ஏன்” It  my first visit to his home on 10th September 2017, which was it was a surprise to him. We exchanged some warm smiles with each other.

Our next step was getting to know each other’s families apart from our towns. He positively acknowledged about my studies and carrier. He even gave some valuable advices for my studies and carrier. Uncle appreciated and blessed me to reach the top of my life ladder. That happened during a small tea party held on my birthday.

“No one is actually dead until the ripple they cause in the world die away" 

Mmmmm Memories, yeah memories of him remains until we fade and buried in soil. I did not spend much time with him....if I had known that he will leave this world this soon I would have definitely cherished him more.

Now I’m reminiscing of the good times we had shared together.

If I knew that day, I would have come to your home.

30th September 2019,

"வீட்டுக்குள்ள வரமுடியாதெண்டா ஏன் இரவல் வாங்கோணும்”

Why didn't I come inside, I would have got another golden memory to treasure....why did I miss it...

I never knew that I will loose you this early....

Sorry really sorry uncle for the refusal of your welcome.

Time rolls on, Sunshine passes, shadows fall, and Love’s remembrance outlasts ever.

That’s true….

Again a smile on 15th January 2020.

I was unaware that this would be the end of our story, he welcomed me with his welcoming smile. Aunty got some pongal with greengram curry & that was the first time I had pongal with spicy gravy. He told that it was his village's tradition/practise of having pongal. And he asked me to get use to jaffna tradition. He taught me some traditions and behaviour patterns of jaffna. I even got to know a word called “புக்கை" which is another term used in their village for pongal.

That was the last pleasant day I had with him...And the last smile.…

“He was always been so good, unselfish and kind; Few on this earth his equal we find. Honorable and upright in all his ways, Loyal and true to the end of his days.”

I'm thankful to you, knowingly or unknowingly you directed me in a right path and left me some beautiful moments to think and be happy about. You left your footprints in a path to guide future generations. 

Your loss, left me shocked with grief. And I cannot understand how you were here one minute and you were gone in the next minute. The truth is that you are never truly gone. The body may have run its course, but the soul lives forever.

“This is a sad but a sweet remembrance.

This is a memory fond and true;

This is a token of affection, dear uncle,

And my heart still longs for you”.

The song is ended but the melody lingers on. – Your mesmerising smile and loving advices will be remembered by us forever...

Vithusha Shanthakumar

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