My Friend, Manivannan

Some 40 years ago, I met him. Didn't care much to even acknowledge. I was in Medical School. He was working as an intern for a bank after high school. We had common friends. But he took a liking for me and he wouldn't leave at least till I left on any given day when I met with my friends of my age and group. He was a few years younger to me and was with the bunch who were friends with my friend's brother.

He made himself available when I didn't attend classes. He listened to all that I had to say without agreeing or disagreeing. There was a fondness I had developed for him over years during my college years. He came to my office when I opened my first clinic and was there every evening, helping me with the patients enrollment and even playing the roll of a nurse tech. He left around midnight as I worked 19 hours everyday, starting at 6 PM and leaving the premises around 1 PM. It was a round the clock service I took over and not having enough to pay for duty doctors, I chose to work those long hours.

He was there during my marriage and played a roll without seeking any appreciation. He was there when my kids were born, toasting with me on the wonderful days I had. He was a comfort and a punching bag when things didn't go well. He slowly but surely got the recognition from my wife who came to adore him and respect him and looked for his presence during the weekends when we all ate together. He is not very expressive but didn't fail to show his emotions. He cried because my children got hurt or fell sick, defended my wife when I was angry and espoused not so much in kind. He became an unavoidable family member who got to be there in decisions my wife and I made to just listen and not give his two cents.

Manivannan got married to the girl he fell in love and has a son. He bought a home and to everyone's surprise, named his home,"Kripa and Ashwin(his son's name)". He was at a loss when I moved my family to New Zealand and then to USA. But we kept in touch and every time we reached the shores of India, he was there to receive and be there during our entire stay. My children grew up knowing him as an uncle to whom they could turn for comfort and be splashed with all the love that one could experience. When my son got his lasik done in India and had difficulty seeing things the very night he got his eyes done, my son panicked. As I was trying to comfort him and settle him down, I saw my friend sitting on a chair and tears were rolling down his cheeks. I laughed knowing that there was nothing to be concerned about, but he took the condition to be far worse.

This is my friend who has visited me many times in USA and doesn't bother me to take him anywhere. He is content to sit at home and spend a few weeks just enjoying our company. He has grown gracefully and is and will always be there for me till one of us depart. Wishing you Manivannan a very blessed birthday. Love- Kripa.