All the Chapters
Chapter 20
By now Samskara found the other diary where the addresses and phone numbers were written.
He dialed the landline number of the apartment where Medhavi was residing in Japan. He did not hear any ring on the other side. He tried several times but the telephone lines were dead. It was the effect of the tsunami. Natural disasters always disarmed the man-made technologies.
Next best thing, Samskara thought, was to get in touch with Medhavi’s office in San Diego. He did that. But the office also was not in a position to contact its people in Japan. The whole communication system got disrupted.
He took out his car from the garage and dashed to the office of ‘Humanity Forum’. He met the receptionist.
He introduced himself and requested, “Can you please give me the whereabouts of your teams in Japan? I understand they have already reached Japan to start the rescue operations there. I wish to meet them personally so that I can urge upon them to save my wife who seems to have been affected by the tsunami.”
The receptionist gave the address where members of ‘Humanity Forum’ could be found in Japan.
Samskara then bought air ticket to travel to Japan by the next earliest available flight. He completed the other paper work that was required in connection with travel to Japan. He did everything on emergency footing. For him each and every minute was precious. He must save Medhavi.
………………….
Medhavi’s parents in India were equally worried. They knew that Medhavi was in Japan on an year’s deputation. They tried contacting her over the phone but they too could not get through to her. The communication from India to the tsunami-affected areas was totally disrupted.
Then they contacted their son-in-law Samskara. He told them that he too could not reach Medhavi on the phones and now he was already boarding a Japan bound airplane. He consoled them, “Please do not worry. I am going there personally and will meet the ‘Humanity Forum’ team from America who have already started the rescue operations.”
This did not satisfy the parents of Medhavi. They too started their preparations to travel to Japan as early as possible. It took them couple of days to get done the required formalities. And they too were heading towards Japan.
………………….
Kelly and Shaan were working in the team that was assigned the frontline rescue operations in Sendai area. All of them were working tirelessly for several hours without any break. Finally they were dog-tired.
Shaan suggested to Kelly, “Let us take a break. Perhaps an hour’s break would help. After taking some rest we can work still longer hours with improved effectiveness and efficiency.”
Kelly was in quite a pensive mood. She remarked, “Human life seems so transitory at times like this. It is so very depressing. The total casualties in Sendai area alone have reached a gigantic figure within just few hours of outbreak of the tsunami. When we save one we find two already dead. The total of 13000 deaths have already been reported and it is likely to go up to around 16000 people. Tally of injured people is estimated at 6000 and missing people at 3000.”
They were conversing while they ate granolas to beat their hunger. They had brought good supply of dry foodstuff and mineral water bottles for distribution to the victims of the tsunami. They pinched some food and water from it for themselves.
“One very disturbing fact has come to light. It is about discriminatory behavior of some rescue teams towards the victims. These particular rescue teams have been sponsored by some organized religions and nationalities. So they are showing their obvious preferences to the victims of their own communities and nations. That’s really sad.”
“Its good that we from ‘Humanity Forum’ are around and we are trying to save every single person we are coming across. We just saved one person who was bypassed by a religion-sponsored rescue team. He had pleaded with this rescue team but they did not pay heed to him. Around that time out team approached the spot and rescued this person.”
Kelly and Shaan decided to remain silent for next half an hour so as to feel appropriately rested.
Kelly spoke finally, “Shaan, I mentioned some time earlier that life seems so transitory. You are alive this moment and the next moment you are gone.”
She paused for a while and looked at Shaan meaningfully.
She continued to speak, “Then I started thinking what is one most important thing I would like to do if I was destined to die this moment.”
“Why should you think this way? Don’t.”
“Let me continue. I need to grab this one moment before I die to complete my most important work before I finally die. Otherwise that important work will remain undone. And that most important work for me is to declare my love for you right away. Who knows I might be gone before I do so. Shaan, I love you too much.”
Shaan clutched her in his arms and reciprocated, “Why, that is my most important work too for this moment. Kelly. I love you too, too much.”
And they remained lip-locked for a period unknown to both of them.
“Tell me frankly, do you still miss Medhavi?”
“No, Kelly. She is totally out of my system.”
“Medhavi let go a good catch like you. I won’t ever commit that mistake.”
They embraced each other again.
“Now we are fully refreshed. Kelly, let us move on and save some more people.”
“Let us move on, Shaan.”
Both of them resumed their mission of saving people.
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Novels and Stories
Novel "Good People" http://good-people-novel.blogspot.com/
Funny (and Not So Funny) Short Stories http://management-anecdotes.blogspot.com/
Stories Children Will Love http://stories-children.blogspot.com/
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