It was winter 1990 on a Monday morning Akash was supposed to leave for Delhi with his mother. Mahesh the newly elected CR (the class representative) of the class came to his home. He handed over an envelope to Akash. It contained a sum of RS 1800 and a message of get well soon for his mother.

It was collected among them by themselves-the Faculty of First MBBS of RIMS-Akash's medical college. Akash was so moved by the act that he had to hide the tears that swell up in his eyes. Another friend Gracie from Meghalaya also came to see them off. She was the one with whom Akash usually sit in the class-good friends. She gave a ring to Akash's mother, a ring that was offered to Lord Christ in her Roman Catholic Church. She wore the ring in her right middle finger. She also sat with her and prayed.

For a moment Akash thought "Oh God, I would be missing the classes. How can I join the race again?" But the next moment he thought, " What for would I be studying if my mom is not there? What would be the value of a race if the destination isn't there anymore?" He then decided to shut his thoughts against the classes and instead firmly believe in the Lord and His ways like the lark that sings in the predawn darkness in the hope of the sunrise.

Once again Arkay came to see them off at the Airport. The whole thing was a sad sight. The grandma inside the house wept in her bed. At such an age and with such debilitating condition she had witness many frightening situations. The chiming bells from the nearby Govindajee temple would now give her company. Akash a young boy who had just passed out of the school and at the threshold of Medical education was taking the lead. Bem, Akash's sister who was still in school would be looking after the other sister Esha and brother Sana. But Akash had a horde of friends on whom he could bank on and depend.

Arkay, Nanao, Jay, Roshan and the list went on. This group of friends despite their age considered themselves to be quite mature and would discuss many topics-girls of course was at the top of the list but they would also talk about other topics like purpose of life, integrity, J. Krishnamurty. Maturity of a man, they considered, climaxed at the matriculation.

So amidst all the tears Akash and his mother left for the Airport. He then talked to the airport authority to allow them to carry an emergency kit containing an i.v set, Inj. Metotid (to prevent vomiting),Haemaccel ( plasma volume expander to prevent shock) and some syringes. Somehow they allowed. But Akash had never put an iv line before.

He was in first year and after 2-3 years only he would be learning gradually the job-first on the healthy antenatal mothers and then the other patients later on. And first time of everything was something scary in the Medic's world. That day Akash was to try that on his mother and that too inside the flight if the need arose and it could be life and death for his mother. "I have seen it many times. I can do it, I can do it," he assured himself again and again.

Akash thus came out of the lounge to thank Arkay for all the help. In turn, Arkay shook his hand and gave him a hug and said, "Goodbye, my friend goodbye," Akash quietly went inside the security lounge. He knew what his friend exactly meant. He meant " May God be with you-the original version, meaning of goodbye."

This learnt this together at the Don Bosco School, Chingmeirong. "May God be with me" Akash told himself and thought what an apt wish his dear friend had given him. He then quietly went inside the security check of the Tulihal Airport to board the flight to Delhi.

To be continued....