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Two sisters, both my friends, were discussing the role of love. Does love hurt or heal? Each tells a real-life story of love.
The first sister tells the story of Prerna, Snowy and Jimmy. Eight year-old Prerna, had a kitten, Jimmy. Finding Jimmy abandoned behind her house, Prerna had brought him home and loved him very much.
She already had Snowy, an exceptionally gentle cat, (more of an angel for her) who immediately accepted Jimmy. When Snowy and Jimmy would have milk from the same bowl, Jimmy, half-in-size compared to Snowy, would try to push him out. Snowy, however, was like the big-brother who forgives and understands. Meal over, Snowy would come and sit on Prerna's lap. As she would pet him affectionately, he would shut his eyes in comfort and relax. Jimmy, on the other hand, would climb up Prerna's back, jump into her lap, start playing with the buttons and lace on her dress and soon fall asleep, his front paws resting on her arm.
One day, Prerna could not find Jimmy any more. She searched the whole house and for a week, would look out of the window, hoping he would come back for the meals at least. But he never did, and with tears in her eyes, Prerna understood Jimmy would not come back to her.
After some years, Prerna moved to a new place and took Snowy with her. Snowy was very old now and would often sit at the window and look outside. Perhaps, he missed Jimmy. Then one day, unfortunately, Snowy could not be found, just like Jimmy. Prerna cried for days and the loss of her two pets, over some years, was extremely painful for her. Thus, the first sister says, “Love hurts.”
The second sister now tells about Puti and Tipu. Puti had a very difficult childhood in which the only silver-lining was Tipu, her first love. Having not got any love from her parents (they had a messed-up marriage), Puti's whole life centered round Tipu. It was he who taught the quiet girl to look forward to life and to count one's blessings. For her, he was full of laughter and sunshine.
However, life being full of twists and turns, changed for Puti when one day, Tipu suddenly had to leave the school. Those being pre-email days, Puti lost touch with him and for her life became empty, but not really, because Tipu's memory, his kindness and his words of encouragement stayed with her. Even after many years, Puti still has the picture Tipu had sketched for her.
A lot of pain has come in Puti's life, but to look for happiness and healing, all she has to do is reach inside her soul, and there, Tipu is forever with her, his bright eyes smiling. “Love heals”, says the second sister as she concludes the story.
After hearing the true-stories of Prerna and Puti, I have come to the conclusion that love does hurt, but finally heals. My belief is that both Jimmy and Snowy are happy in whatever forms they have taken and the love they had got from and given Prerna will be turned into blessings for her as well. As for Puti and Tipu, I am sure that they will find each other again, in life or beyond it.
Love is never wasted.
ayeshacgs@hotmail.com
For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place
