A lesson. The hard way.

A mere 7th standard kid, when completing notes on time and submitting was the biggest task in life. Quality didn't matter as long as I was punctual, until the day I had to read such comments at the back of my notes. My heart started thumping and I went red in embarrassment. 

I had to read it more than twice for the pure harshness in it to sink in. 

History lectures were something that didn't interest me in any way, that day was just a bit more than that. Even her face had the features of a strict teacher, and it suddenly became the only thing I could notice. I was restless all day, and obviously didn't muster the courage to tell any of my friends about it. The lecture started peacefully, but every minute ticked in my head. Unfortunately for me, the day wasn't written in my favour  She announced, “I want each one of you read out the comments I've written in your last lesson’s notes.” This was DOOM for me. I wanted to crawl up in a corner and cry. 

It felt so obvious, it was ‘attack-Shasvathi-day’. When it finally boiled down to my turn, I think I couldn't find my voice, twice. With the entire class watching me, I repeated these words with trembling hands. 

"To have corrected such a miserable handwriting, I need it!"

End result, classmates broke out into a bout of laughter. Except for my best friend (thank God for that). I stormed back home, hid my face in a pillow and cried. And as always, the mother came to my rescue and taught me how to take it as a lesson and not a ‘failure’. It took me a while to look at it rationally. A year down the line, I got an overall ‘improvement in handwriting’ in my progress report. That was the beginning. Its been 9 years now, and these words still ring in my head as clearly as then. Not just for handwriting, but for ANYTHING I do. 

Thank you, Ma’am.

I miss you, mom.

Hi Mommy,

I'm writing to let you know I'm safe. I'm safe, but I'm in pain. I want to snuggle up close to you and cry. You kept telling me not to run around, skip, hop and jump near the dangerous highway close to home. I'm sorry I didn't listen to you. I should have.

Here's what happened, mom.

Sis and I were fun-fighting over these delicious parathas some humans threw to us outside that hotel. We were laughing, eating and savouring the taste, ripping it apart one piece at a time. Once our tummies were full, we went rolling on the grass nearby, enjoying the smell of fresh rains and wet mud. Suddenly, in all her playful spirit, sis sprinted towards the road. Believe me mom, I ran behind her as fast as I could. A gigantic truck hit poor little sis and sped across in a split second. Now I understand why highways and a few humans are dangerous. Sis was thrown across the road and that is etched in my mind. I will always be haunted by that nightmarish moment. By the time I reached her, it was too late. All I could see was blood and gore. I ran around her in circles, squealing for help. Not a soul stopped. Where were you then, mom?

I saw sis breathe her last.

While I was still crying out desperately for help, I forgot I had to look left and right, then left and right again, while crossing the road. In just a few sparkly seconds, I thought I was flying and then fell with a thud on the road. Except, what I thought was really true.

I don't know what had happened, but I saw a big black car zoom ahead. Everything was a blur after this. But I do have vague recollections of the evening's happenings. I saw a hairy man stick his head out of the car, laugh loudly and throw a glass bottle out of the window which smashed against a tree. I don't know what it was. Or why he threw it.

All I could concentrate on was the pain. I was wincing in pain. Excruciating pain I can't even begin to explain.  Pain Pain Pain. I was lying helpless in the middle of the road and I knew this was my last escape before another life-threatening vehicle passed. I tried moving, I couldn't. I didn't even know if my tiny legs were part of my body any more. I tried dragging myself but heard a dreadful crack in my ribs. That pain was so fierce I started seeing black and silver spots. At a slight side glance, I could see baby sis in a pool of blood. I cringed and gave up the fight. I couldn't even cry for help, for more vehicles passed by without giving me or sis a second glance. Where were you when I needed you the most, mom? WHERE were you?

I was giving in to the unbearable pain, and the world was becoming darker by the second. I saw a white car pass by. It's a special car. You want to know why? Because the car reversed and stopped near me. Yes mommy, I got help! This man hopped out, looked left and right only once and swiftly walked towards me.  He took a minute to check if I was going to bite him. Haha, mom, I love humans. Why would I bite him? Anyway, he instantly picked me up and put me inside that giant car. Exactly like the ones we ran behind at night!

It was cold inside the car and there were more humans who were staring at me. I think there was a lot of blood on me and I looked scarily ugly. I know you won't agree with that. They tried to make me comfortable with soft blankets. The pain was racking and I was terrified. I didn't want to die. No, I didn't! 

I passed out. 

I was so sure I was dead. But I drowsily woke to the smell of medicine and a sharp poke in my left hand. I lay tired, hurt and sapped on a cold steel table. After what seemed like ages, I was carried back to the car and driven away to a house where dogs, cats, rabbits and guinea pigs live too! A lovely lady cooks delicious food for me everyday. 

10 days have passed, the pain has slowly started decreasing and I'm getting better. I visit the doc regularly and eat medicines that don't taste nice. I occasionally play with the dogs here and love scaring the cats. But I want to come back home. I don't know the route. Will I ever see you again?

I want to see you, mom. And I miss darling sis. 

Yours Woofily,
Sonny. 

P.S.: Incidents like these happen everywhere and we're insensitive. Sometimes, right in front of your eyes. Sometimes, your own vehicle may hit a dog/pup/cat/kitten/cow/monkey/donkey/elephant, anything. Don't drive away. Don't hate the dog on the road when you love the one at home. Help them. Be kind. Call for help. 

Would you drive over your dead loved one lying on the road? If you see a hit-and-run case on the road and the animal is dead, pick up the animal and place it on the side of the road. Clear the road. Respect the victim's dignity.  

It's the least you can do.