Holding the empty water jug in his hands, Rahim sits with a baffled look on his bed. People have kept coming to Nripesh Babu’s bed from early morning. Surprisingly, he doesn’t feel any sense of remorse. Did his Rabi not once tell him that the greatest religion is humanity and Nripesh Babu echo the same sentiment….?
Nripesh Babu was a pious Hindu Brahmin. Let alone mutton or chicken, he didn’t even take onion or garlic in his food. Now, if you think that he was a religious fanatic, dear reader, you won’t form the right opinion about this adorable man.
A teacher, he delighted in spending his time in the company of his students. From morning till late evening, his wife, Tanisha Devi would have hardly any breathing space as students belonging to all castes and religions kept frequenting their house. Poor Tanisha, she had no respite from making tea in the kettle which sat permanently on the mud oven!
In his mid-fifties, one late afternoon, Nripesh Babu complained of a severe stomach-ache. The ache resulted in severe bouts of vomiting. No sooner did his wife, Tanisha Devi, notice blood in his vomits, than his students rushed him to the nearby hospital. And from there, to the city hospital.
He was diagnosed to have damaged kidneys. Then followed the dialysis. Thrice a week. The writing on the wall was clear. His days were numbered.
On a friendly evening, his childhood mate, Sudhin came to visit him at his residence. Unknown to Tanisha, Sudhin hidingly had brought some grapes for Nripesh. Hardly had he taken a few pieces when he fell back in bed due to an unbearable pain in the chest. He had to be rushed to the hospital again.
He stayed in a semi conscious state for most part of the next morning. The dialysis over, he was laid back in his bed. Even before the last dialysis, he was ordered to take everything in measured quantities. A ladleful of rice. A piece of fish, the size of a pea and so on! Even the amount of water he was to take was not more than half a litre per day! He had his plate and water bottle brought from home accordingly. The bottle couldn’t hold more than half a litre of water!
It was night time when Nripesh woke up from his sleepy state. He looked around for the nurse. A yard away from his bed, there was another bed placed against the wall. A small table was lying near the head of the bed. The patient, called Rahim, so Nripesh Babu was told, was a Muslim.
Groggy because of the heavy doses of the medicine, Nripesh Babu stretched out his hand backward, groping for his water bottle. He knew as soon as he touched it that the bottle was empty. But he was thirsty beyond belief. Slowly, he ran his tongue over the dry lips. He had to have some water soon.
Sitting up in bed, in the dim light of the room, he could make out the silhouette of Rahim, sound asleep, next to his bed. What really caught Nripesh Babu’s attention almost immediately was the water jug on the small table near his bed.
Nripesh swung his legs over his bed and got down on the floor, bare-footed. If he wanted the water from the jug, he had to make sure that he didn’t make any noise. He tiptoed to the small table and laid his hand on the jug.
Keeping his eyes all along on the Rahim’s still body, he picked it up. Thank God, there was water in the jug. Nripesh was about to lift the jug up to his mouth when he heard some ruffling from the bed behind him.
Rahim was wide awake! Caught off guard, Nripesh came out with a feeble, “I’m sorry. I feel thirsty like there is something burning in my throat. I’ll die without quenching my thirst right now…sorry I couldn’t ask for your permission first. There was no time. Would you mind if I drink some water from your jug? Can I…please?”
Rahim had been observing Nripesh for as long as he was there in the hospital. He had seen how religious-minded Nripesh Babu was. He was also aware of Nripesh Babu’s days being numbered. He made some quick thinking in his mind before praying to Allah.
Nripesh Babu wouldn’t survive long, for sure. What harm could he do to him by letting him have some water from his jug? If he was committing a sin by offering a dying man water, he would ask for Allah’s forgiveness.
At first Rahim was shaking before nodding his head compassionately. Nripesh, assured thus, raised the jug over his mouth again.
“Hang on a sec, Nripesh Babu. I have to tell you something….” Rahim stopped Nripesh just in the nick of time. There came a frightening look in Nripesh’s eyes as he looked back at Rahim, askance.
Was he going to deny him the water because of his religious beliefs, staunchness? Hi, Ram, without a few drops of water, he was going to die for sure.
“Nripesh Babu, I know what a pious man you are. That’s why I want my conscience to be clear. You might not know that I am a Muslim. Please go ahead if you still want to drink water from my jug!”
Nripesh, despite the pain all over, broke into a mirthless laugh.
“Mr. Rahim. I know you’re a Muslim. Don’t let that bother you. I’ve started counting my days. Should it matter if you are a Hindu or Muslim to me now? We all are humans, right? And that’s what really matters…”
Having said this, he poured the water down his throat. Afterwards, having rubbed the corners of his mouth with the back of his hand, he looked lovingly at Rahim.
“Thank you, my friend, for soothing my soul. God bless you.”
He was gone in his sleep the same night.
The end
For the Sake of Humanity
by Rathin Bhattacharjee (he, his, him etc)
Rathin Bhattacharjee, former Principal, St. Xavier’s Public School, Joypur, worked as an English Teacher in Bhutan. Winner of His Majesty’s Gold Medal, he has been published extensively both nationally and internationally. His latest book “I Love You in the ICU & 20 Other Stories” published by ZorbaBooks has been nominated for the prestigious Literature Times Legacy of Literature Award, 2025. An avid reader, he loves writing, blogging, translating, podcasting, critiquing and editing.
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Comments
2 responses
The moment I am conflicted with doubts about there being a dearth of good people in the world, someone comes along to challenge my views and rid me of my doubts.
I know now for sure that there are innumerable good humans in this amazing world of ours.
Stephanie Daich, the Editor, being one of them, my heartfelt gratitude goes out to her. May God bless her and drive her on her to dizzy heights.
Here is wishing her Health, a Purposeful Life, Prosperity and Happiness.
Rathin Bhattacharjee,
It was a pleasure working with you. Your stories touch the heart and connect us through your experiences. Thank you.
Stephanie