It has always made me wonder what unconditional love is…
because most of us love to get love back. For the 1st time in this
week I saw unconditional Love.
Today I went to a school for Special Children in a little
town called Tirur. This was my 1st charity event in Kerala, I was
bit scared how I would be around these kids. Coz all my little cousins are scared
of me … I am the danger woman their moms call out for when it comes to feeding
them.
Anyways, I got in with Junaid, and was looking so some other
friendly faces. Gave a sigh of relief when I saw Darlu (Saneesh is the real
name, I call him darlu, so do other women ;)). We started packing the chocolate
for the kids and were having silly conversation amongst ourselves.
Darlu had his new camera with him. I was curious, so I asked
“Shall I click today? “ He said why not. That moment I started connecting with
people later with kids in the school. I started with silly photos of the boys
in our group; we were waiting for other to join before we could start the fun
activities.
I clicked and clicked
and clicked, suddenly a little hand poked me. I was like ok time to face
reality. I look into the little face which was smiling at me, I smiled back.
She asked “What your name “ , I said “ Neethu, what’s yours ?”. She replied
with a shy smile “ Maufina “. I asked the child” Sweety can I click a picture of you, her smile brightens up and she jumped with joy
“ yes yes !! “ . I clicked moufina and when looked at the photo again ii
release “I am good at this “. So I asked her to smile again. Then she wanted me
to click her friend pictures, which I did with lot of enthusiasm.
I moved on the next set of kids who have similar questions for.
“ What’s your name?” “What are u doing here “and “where is your home “. I met
another girl in this group who was interested in me and what I am doing. She
looked so normal I was astonished that she is even part of this special school.
I enquired with the teacher about her and came to know the my little Shabana
just looks normal and acts normal but does not have basic understanding of
what’s going around her and have not what so ever capability of learning
another. I sighed and moved on with my
agenda of clicking more innocent faces.
While clicking I heard someone crying , it was more of a
scream , I walked towards the sound and found a little boy holding tight to
window railing and crying I went to him and asked “ Whats wrong? “ He didn’t say anything, just looked at me and
screamed again. A teacher came by and told me that the little boys mom had just
left him here and he wanted her to come back to take him. I sat with him for a
while looking out of the window. Then I say the little eye oozing tears. I
wiped the little face with my hand and told him not to cry. He looked at me
blankly and the looked towards the window and cried again. I was depressed,
with experience of my age I should be able to make a kid smile. I was of no use
I thought. Then Abdu saw me struggling with a kid and he joined us. We tried to
cheer up little Arshad. Finally Abdu took over the task and I moved to another
bunch of kids disappointed that I couldn’t do much.
Next set are kids who didn’t have their senses in control at
all... A tall one smiled at me, I asked “Shall I take a photo of yours”. He
gave a big wide smile. Ah!! At last
another bright smile to brighten my day!
While I was clicking photos of this kid, I saw another very
teeny tiny boy taking a wooden play toy and going to hit the kid who was
sitting next to him. I stopped clicking and kept my right hand between the toy
and the kids head. The teachers saw and ran for the rescue. The singing angel Thaha was safe. I left the
scene for the teachers to handle.
I was walking around when Junu came and said “We have a
surprise for you “He led me to the little Arsha. Oh my god he was smiling, he
was actually smiling …. Thanks to Abdu and his tickling game. I went close and clicking some pics of the
little weeper and his cheerful clown (No offence Abdu – You were great with the
kid).
After enjoying the little ones joy for a while I moved out
to pick a call when rest our gang arrived. After cheerful hello we started the
program. It started with a brief introduction and then went on with some kids
singing and performing. All in all it went
well. After the program I sat in a corner with the kids. When Tiny Alana came
and sat on my lap. She was already my favorite model in the gala. She sat and
played with me for a while when Nair chetan (Malayalam for elder brother) came
and sat with us. He clicked photo of me and Alana. After that he showed Alana
to play a tickle game which she enjoyed with him for a while.
Lunch time was sweet. Even with their problems I was amazed
with the order the kids went and sat for their lunch. After the lunch was done,
our gang sat in the portico and was chitchatting when Shabana came and called
me in. She said “Are you leaving us chechi? “, “no why you asked like that Shabana”.
She said “why don’t you come and sit with us then” I went in and sat among the
kids. Little Alana came to me and amazingly she remember the game Nair chetan
had taught her a while back and started playing with me without me initiating.
After playing for a while I got up and suddenly Shabana took my hand and kissed
it. I was touched by the gesture and was looking at her with a smile when
Maufina asked “Can I give you a kiss? “. I was astonished by the love and hugs
I got from all the kids.
I was given special attention by the singing angel Thaha.
Thaha was not in sense but was singing a song going in circles. I asked the kid
to stop but he didn’t even look at me or even noticed that I m trying to stop
him. A Teacher came and told me that he can go in circles the whole day without
tiring or fainting. And he sings
advertisement songs whichever he hears on TV. I smiled and look back at the
poor soul that was trapped in this situation.
I thanks god for giving me health then.
What I didn’t realize during this scene is he was actually noticing me. He
had taken a special interest in me. Because for next full hours he was coming
and standing close to me, touching my dupatta and even holding my hand dragging
me along with him where ever he wanted to go.
Other told me to be careful with the kid as he was a
violent one. But he didn’t hurt me a bit .He was gentle with me as much as he
could.
Well tell me isn't this whats called unconditional love ?
