FRIENDSHIP: A SELFLESS BOND.
One of the most important relationships in a human's life is friendship. Friends are considered to be a family that a person chooses for him or her self. The unique love between friends cannot be defined in words, however, recently, I heard a real-life story that illuminated the significance of friendship in a person's life no matter what they are going through themselves, the friends will always want the best for each other.
Ashfaq and Altaf were best friends since childhood but as they grew up, the professional priorities tore them apart. Altaf had to go to another city for work purposes and Ashfaq stayed back in the home city. Many years passed by and they were not in contact anymore but they missed each other immensely. Altaf got married and had a family, he would narrate the stories of his friend to the kids. Ashfaq, on the other hand, could not find a stable job but got married and had kids as well. Life went on and the friendship remained alive in their hearts. One day, as Ashfaq was returning from his job, a rabid dog bit him. The viral disease is almost always fatal and there is no certain treatment to cure rabies once it accesses the nervous system. Unfortunately, Ashfaq lived in an underdeveloped village and there were no proper facilities for his treatment so the infection quickly unravelled the most horrifying symptoms in his body. He lost his mind, due to the utter confusion caused by the infection, he became insane and violent. However, the family tried their level best to make him recover from the disease but his mental state made it very difficult for them to accommodate his condition. Ashfaq belonged to a poor family and they did not have a potential financial condition for his treatment as well. He tried attacking the children from the neighbourhood and any person who would pass by. Many people complained about his mental infirmity and suggested that he must be admitted to a mental hospital but the family did not agree. The things got out of control when he attacked his own mother when she was feeding him. Due to the excessive salivation, it was very difficult for the caregiver to feed him. The whole family decided to tie him down. He was tied up with metallic chains. His overall health was deteriorating with time. The memory became very dull and he began disremembering his own family member's faces, however, he kept calling out “TAAFU (Altaf's pet name).”
Watching Ashfaq miss Altaf so much, his family decided to call him. When they informed Altaf about Ashfaq's mental condition, he broke down. He cried like a baby remembering all the good times that he had spent with Ashfaq, their childhood, their school activities and the fun that they had in each other's company. Every memory was pictured in front of his eyes as if they were never separated from each other. He had to go and see him but knowing the fact that it could be their last meeting, made it very difficult. He packed his bags and got onto the train. Each and every moment was very heavy for him. He was going to see his only best friend “Feeka” after so many years and that too in a critical situation. He cursed himself for not being in contact with him for so many years. As he reached Ashfaq's home, everyone was busy with their daily activities. He met everyone and looked for Ashfaq everywhere but could not spot him in the house.
“He is not here. His mental condition forced us to tie him down in the garage. I'll take you there!” revealed his mother in a very gloomy voice.
These words broke his heart greatly. Ashfaq was once the life of this home and now he was isolated. Salman (Ashfaq's brother) and his mother led Altaf to the garage. There he was, tied down in metallic chains, torn clothes, dirty face with the marks of dried saliva. Altaf could not hold his emotions and started crying. Apparently, Ashfaq did not recognise Altaf.
“He takes your name, only yours. He screams. The doctors have said that rabies cannot be cured and slowly it takes a person's life. I think we are losing him.” Salman whispered with teary eyes.
Altaf got up and went near Ashfaq. Just when he was about to hug him, Ashfaq's mother stopped him.
“He even bites the plates that we bring the food in, it's his condition, he can't control it. (She pulled up the dupatta from her hand and exhibited the marks of bites on her hands) look! Don't go near him, he might hurt you.”
Altaf stepped back but he could not stop himself from hugging him. He tightly held Ashfaq against his chest. Initially, Ashfaq retaliated and started clenching his teeth. After a few moments, Ashfaq bit his own hand instead of biting Altaf. The bite was so severe that he started bleeding. Ashfaq looked at Altaf as if aching to say something but couldn't. Salman brought the first aid kit and Altaf bandaged his hand. Altaf sat there for hours and talked to him even though he did not reply or react.
Ashfaq was not in his mind but still, he knew that Altaf was his friend and did not bite him. He hurt himself but did not hurt his friend. Friendship is selfless, what can explain this selflessness more than this story?
Also read The Christmas season and Saint Peter's High School.
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Ashfaq and Altaf were best friends since childhood but as they grew up, the professional priorities tore them apart. Altaf had to go to another city for work purposes and Ashfaq stayed back in the home city. Many years passed by and they were not in contact anymore but they missed each other immensely. Altaf got married and had a family, he would narrate the stories of his friend to the kids. Ashfaq, on the other hand, could not find a stable job but got married and had kids as well. Life went on and the friendship remained alive in their hearts. One day, as Ashfaq was returning from his job, a rabid dog bit him. The viral disease is almost always fatal and there is no certain treatment to cure rabies once it accesses the nervous system. Unfortunately, Ashfaq lived in an underdeveloped village and there were no proper facilities for his treatment so the infection quickly unravelled the most horrifying symptoms in his body. He lost his mind, due to the utter confusion caused by the infection, he became insane and violent. However, the family tried their level best to make him recover from the disease but his mental state made it very difficult for them to accommodate his condition. Ashfaq belonged to a poor family and they did not have a potential financial condition for his treatment as well. He tried attacking the children from the neighbourhood and any person who would pass by. Many people complained about his mental infirmity and suggested that he must be admitted to a mental hospital but the family did not agree. The things got out of control when he attacked his own mother when she was feeding him. Due to the excessive salivation, it was very difficult for the caregiver to feed him. The whole family decided to tie him down. He was tied up with metallic chains. His overall health was deteriorating with time. The memory became very dull and he began disremembering his own family member's faces, however, he kept calling out “TAAFU (Altaf's pet name).”
Watching Ashfaq miss Altaf so much, his family decided to call him. When they informed Altaf about Ashfaq's mental condition, he broke down. He cried like a baby remembering all the good times that he had spent with Ashfaq, their childhood, their school activities and the fun that they had in each other's company. Every memory was pictured in front of his eyes as if they were never separated from each other. He had to go and see him but knowing the fact that it could be their last meeting, made it very difficult. He packed his bags and got onto the train. Each and every moment was very heavy for him. He was going to see his only best friend “Feeka” after so many years and that too in a critical situation. He cursed himself for not being in contact with him for so many years. As he reached Ashfaq's home, everyone was busy with their daily activities. He met everyone and looked for Ashfaq everywhere but could not spot him in the house.
“He is not here. His mental condition forced us to tie him down in the garage. I'll take you there!” revealed his mother in a very gloomy voice.
These words broke his heart greatly. Ashfaq was once the life of this home and now he was isolated. Salman (Ashfaq's brother) and his mother led Altaf to the garage. There he was, tied down in metallic chains, torn clothes, dirty face with the marks of dried saliva. Altaf could not hold his emotions and started crying. Apparently, Ashfaq did not recognise Altaf.
“He takes your name, only yours. He screams. The doctors have said that rabies cannot be cured and slowly it takes a person's life. I think we are losing him.” Salman whispered with teary eyes.
Altaf got up and went near Ashfaq. Just when he was about to hug him, Ashfaq's mother stopped him.
“He even bites the plates that we bring the food in, it's his condition, he can't control it. (She pulled up the dupatta from her hand and exhibited the marks of bites on her hands) look! Don't go near him, he might hurt you.”
Altaf stepped back but he could not stop himself from hugging him. He tightly held Ashfaq against his chest. Initially, Ashfaq retaliated and started clenching his teeth. After a few moments, Ashfaq bit his own hand instead of biting Altaf. The bite was so severe that he started bleeding. Ashfaq looked at Altaf as if aching to say something but couldn't. Salman brought the first aid kit and Altaf bandaged his hand. Altaf sat there for hours and talked to him even though he did not reply or react.
Ashfaq was not in his mind but still, he knew that Altaf was his friend and did not bite him. He hurt himself but did not hurt his friend. Friendship is selfless, what can explain this selflessness more than this story?
Also read The Christmas season and Saint Peter's High School.
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