Remembering Guard Bhaiya

 



Suresh joined us just before the lock down – the first thing one noticed about him was that his diction was not clear…we couldn’t understand easily what he would try to communicate but he was such a nice human being – he was so kind, gentle and patient with Baba and one of the few people that Baba trusted. I doubt if both of them could understand each other clearly but what was clear was that he was the perfect person to be with Baba – so Suresh became our guard, Baba’s attendant, a person who could be trusted with so much labour and new people walking in and out of the house. Then lock down happen and he along with Birendra (the old guard Bhaiya), moved permanently with us. He was Baba’s  go-to person till the end.

What stood out personally for me about him was his unassuming demeanour and that he was fiercely loyal for our family and we could trust him with anything. For the 2nd floor where for most part of the day nobody would be home, he would always accompany anybody who came to work on our floor or the roof and would not leave till the work was done. He did so much more than the guard duty and with never a frown…I remember after Bambi and his friends would play Holi and there would be mess in the garden, he would start cleaning on his own even though I would tell him that the kids will pick the left over balloons  on their own…he would always insist and clean without waiting for the kids to join in. He also loved when every year we would smear holi colour on him and he would do the same on us and would love to take pictures with us.

Yesterday – when I was thinking about him – I thanked him for all that he has done for our family and the love and acceptance that he gave us…and I am also sorry for the times I would get irritated when he tried to tell something and I would not understand. One lesson that I learnt from the sudden demise of Guard bhaiya is that we need to appreciate people more when they are around us…we are quick to express our unhappiness or point out the work that is not done but we do not say enough words of encouragement and love.  

Suresh Bhaiya – sorry for not telling you in clear words how much we appreciated you. Thanks and Rest in peace!

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