#MWC Death

Chapters From My Book of Life

Death is not the end. It is the mere beginning of another story that we have to write…

I have had multiple death near-death experiences in my life.

In fact, this is the sweet and bitter awareness that I have had over the years. I concluded each chapter and moved on to the next. Good or bad, each phase made its mark. I remembered some and forgot some.

I will call out the ones that impacted the most. Each depicts a mini-story.

Enjoy the ride while I will try to hide someplace secluded as it will allow me to laugh and cry in peace.

End of School Days

I was hardly out of my pampers and into the biggest misery of my life.

Found myself facing the first and foremost challenge at age 4. It was the rusty old kindergarten. Full of brats and equally monstrous teachers. But with sheer luck, I survived.

Then came another hurdle. This time, it was a primary school. That too was no wonderland. As against a small bungalow in the playgroup, this time was the biggest structure I had ever seen. Imagine a school, big enough to be a castle from the point of view of a kid. Thousands of students, hundreds of staff members, dozens of classrooms, and real estate spread over acres. I hated the place. Each day was a nightmare.

Years went by as I progressed. Finally, the lady luck came knocking, and I moved to an average yet decent institution where I learned, enjoyed, made friends, and the devil’s spell ended. As the doors opened to the real world, I ran like a rat and never looked back.

The Golden Years at the University

After I finished college, something super cool happened.

The best of the best came my way as I enrolled in the local university with a few friends from college. Life would be so much fun. I never knew. Two years vanished in a snap.

Even after completing my studies and getting a full-time job, every day as I would wear a crisp white shirt and put on a nice tie for heading to the office, I felt like taking the day off and spending the day at the campus. The time spent with my friends while eating, studying, and just hanging around at the university represents some of the most cherished memories of my life (get a sneak peek in a full-length story here). Till today, talking about those beautiful days brings laughter and tears all at the same time.

Bryan Adams was right!! Those were the best days of my life.

The Journey from Boyhood to Manhood

There are different phases that each of us goes through in a lifetime.

I lived in four houses in two different countries with my parents and siblings. Spent two wonderful years in Saudi Arabia, the rest in Pakistan.

We came back to my hometown in the late 70s. There I completed my education, got my first job, found a beautiful girl, became a proud father, and then ultimately moved abroad via employment channels.

Going Down the Hill

I am on the verge of being 50. Not bad folks, right?

Plus, I have “promises to keep and miles to go before I sleep”.

Many milestones are yet to be achieved before I become one myself.

I hope there is a long way ahead of me…

Fingers crossed.