22nd May 2013, my birthday started with his
class. It was a brightening start to a special day. Dr Arshad Anjum, one of my
favourite faculty members was taking class. He ended the lecture with his
infectious laughter. The laughter that will haunt us forever and ever.
I reacted in disbelief when a friend messaged saying that you
had passed away. It couldn't be true. Spoke to other classmates and found them
crying since they had heard the news. Checked Facebook, the source of this
ghastly news. The recent comments that flooded your photos all said the same
thing. I still refused to believe. That smile in the photos looked so within
reach. The smile that will haunt us forever and ever.
I messaged a friend who would tell
me what was true. I messaged him fighting against all the logic in front of me,
hoping against fate. It would all turn out to be a nasty rumour. Sir was still
hale and hearty. Before I could hope any further, a message beeped. It’s true,
he is no more.
You had once told me how the world worked. You told me not
to give a damn shit about my image. I didn't have to pay attention to what
people said or thought about me. What mattered was what I wanted to do. If
something was right in my eyes, no one’s opinion mattered. You weren't related or
known to me. However, you weren’t just another faculty member. Your lovable
personality, easy approachability & lively attitude made you different.
Malaysia you had said would be your new abode. We were happy
to see you happy though it was difficult to see you move away from Aligarh. When
the news hit, I felt the hollowness of your last promises. You had said in
class. “I’ll always be there for you when you need me. Don't worry. I'll be
more than happy to help you. I'll just be an email away.” You did leave but for
a place beyond our reach. You left for a place whose boundaries we can never
breach.
Henceforth, my birthday will always be a reminder of the day
we last saw you. The last day in the company of a person who left his mark upon
us in so short a time.
It will be a torment to attend the Forensic Class on Monday & Wednesday mornings. You
will forever be there smiling between slides, intercepting the class with your
jokes and walking up and down the stairs in the lecture theatre. All your
little gestures, the attendance lists, the impending exam timetable and the
exam reviews that followed – everything will be fondly remembered. No one will
ever be able to replace you.
We love you, Sir. We will ALWAYS miss you. May Allah bless
you with all the bounties of Jannah.
