THE GOOD FEELINGS

THE GOOD FEELINGS…


It was a sunny morning in Twyford. As usual, I got up early and made my

way to the local tobacco and news paper shop. Last night, I was rather

disturbed by the thought I had in the early hours. It was about pain that

my wife suffered in the lumber area.


After some intensive treatments in the local hospital, she began to walk

reasonably well but still suffered pain. She was given TENS machine to

get relief from frequent pain. I too used the machine for the pain resulting

from spondelytes syndromes. Every time I resorted to the use of machine,

I remembered her.

As I came out of the shop doors, I was greeted by a man whom I had seen

often walking down on Glenda Street adjoining my house.

“Good morning, hope it is going to be a nice day.”

“I certainly hopes so. Is there anything interesting on the advertising

board?” I asked as I turned my head towards the board displayed from

inside the paper shop.

“Well, I was just looking at the advert I put in today. I am looking for a

Tens machine for my wife.”

I was surprised to hear that.

“What is she suffering from?”

“She has severe neck pain due to injury she received in a fall.

Unfortunately, she did not qualify for the benefit. I am retired too. She

had physiotherapy but they said that she would benefit by using the

TENS machine. They lent the machine for a short period of time and

advised that we should buy it privately if she felt better. So, when I asked

for the price of the machine in the chemist shop, I was told that it was

over thirty pounds. I decided to put this advert hoping someone might

have such a machine to sell at a reasonable price.” There was sign of

anxiety on his face as he looked at the advert.

I suspected that his financial status could be tight.

“Well my friend, you have just found such a person. I am Raj, what is

your name?”

“Peter Sadler”

I was surprised again by that name. I looked at him poignantly. I began to

notice the familiar pointed nose and the wrinkles around his mouth. Yes,

it was him who taught me economic subject at the Kingston College in

Surrey some forty years ago. Momentarily, I felt like hugging him. He

helped me enormously, not only in my study for Bsc. Economics degree

course, but also in other fields of my life.

Peter looked at me and asked,

“You have the machine? Oh, that’s great. Please tell me how much will it

cost me?” He looked down as he asked.

“Would you mind telling me where do you live? I have seen you often

walking on the Glenda Street. I would be happy to deliver the machine to

your house, if you don’t mind, that is.”

“Oh, that is very good of you. I am at 32 on that street. But, please tell me

how much will it cost?”

“Nothing. I have a story to tell you when I will see you.” I smiled as I

said.

There was an anticipatory look on Peter’s face. I told him that I lived at

34 London road.

“Thank you. You are welcome today for tea, if that suits you.”

‘Good, that is fine by me. Before I go, may I know the name of your


wife?”

“Gwen” he said.

I smiled as I said,

“So, I will see you at four o’clock then” I noticed the smile and glint on

Peter’s face. He always reflected that style when he was surprised and

thankful for things given to him by me in the past.

It was precisely four o’clock as I knocked on Peter’s house door. I bought

some flowers on the way.

As the door opened, I saw a young man standing near a sofa. Peter introduce him as Richard, his son.

“Please sit down. Gwen will be down shortly. When I told her about our

meeting, she was surprised to know that you have the Tens machine and

would come home to deliver. You know Raj, it is not often such luck

comes so quickly to one looking for something. In the past we advertised

for a dining table, and it took ages before we found one. Ah, here she is.

Gwen, this is the gentleman whom I met this morning. His name is Raj.”

Gwen gently walked towards me and shook my hand before taking her

place on the nearby sofa. Yes, I knew for sure that Gwen was the lady

who had researched for the possible British naturalisation issue for me

years ago. I was a student holding Portuguese passport and my study in

the UK was conditional to return home after finishing the course in

Economics. As I looked straight into Gwen’s eyes, I suddenly realised

that she was a bit concerned by my look. It was a rude behaviour on my

part. So I said spontaneously,

“Sorry Gwen, I forgot to give you these flowers” as I stood up and

presented the flowers. They were surprised at this.

I clarified,

“Please look at me, you might recognise me”

They looked at me in amazement. Momentarily, Peter looked at Gwen

and Richard and then at me. They could not recognise me.

“The Kingston College, doest that clue help you to identify me?

Acquisition of the British nationality?”

Peter and Gwen literally jumped, throwing the bunch of flowers on the

adjoining sofa, and came to me and held me by my shoulder and looked

into my eyes.

“Good grief, if it isn’t the same Raj. We missed you for so many years.

Thank God you look well. We are sorry that we didn’t get in touch with

you since we left Tolworth, Surrey.” They hugged me one at a time. I

could see tears in Gwen’s eyes. Then, Richard came to me and shook my

hand, saying,

“So nice to see you uncle Raj” I put my left arm over his shoulder and

said,

“So you too have not forgotten this uncle. Nice to see you.”

I took my seat and looked at both Peter and Gwen, and said,

“I knew from the moment I heard your Welsh accent at the paper shop,

that you could be the long lost family friend. I was absolutely surprised

by that feeling I had. Then, Peter mentioned your name. I realised that I

had found the friends who gave enormous help to my late wife and me in

the manner no other person could have given then. We have been always

grateful to you both.”

“Sorry to hear about Rani. When did she pass away?”

I explained all about Rani who had suffered from pain and many other

health problems. Then, I presented the TENS machine and instruction on

how to use it to Gwen.

“You have certainly brought great pleasure by this unexpected but nice

meeting. When did you come to Twyford?”

“Some six months ago, after her death. The house and places we visited

often became haunted for me. My son is in the USA. I had visited this

town many years ago and liked the peace of the countryside. I need this

sort of atmosphere to write stories. So, here I am and lucky I chose this

place otherwise we would have never met again and lost the good

feelings!”

After tea, I left their house late in the evening. I looked up towards the

sky and said,

“See my darling, they remembered you and expressed their sorrow for the

loss of you. I have given the TENS machine free to Gwen. She cried as

she took the machine.”

R.Morarjee..7/11/07 Words:-1296.