An obituary for a friend who expired a day before yesterday.

Out @ 89, Kohli Saheb? HUH!

So, Kohli Saheb did I not tell you, you will be out before completing a centaury? I did Sir.

Only that I wanted you to win this time.

Kohli Saheb.

My neighbor, a drink buddy and many times simply THE bore, yet adorable and a free thinker, much much ahead of his times and in his thinking.

He passed away yesternight, while sleeping and blissfully not knowing that he will sleep for ever-this time.

What a way to leave this world! I wish self such a death, whenever, wherever.

Suhkijinder Singh Kohli,

 Born some time in1917 or so m not sure. At Layal Pur (Now in Pakistan and is known as Faisale Baad now).

An encyclopedia of politics, then and till yesterday.

A widower and Father of two daughters (both settled abroad, and both much older than my self)).

 An Ex. Post Master.

A master (Or a Doctotaterate), in swearing words, especially in PUNJABI ones. (But then His Gallis were welcome and often as blessings)

Often, I used to ask him,Kohli Saheb if the way and at the  speed u drink you won’t complete a century. And he would retort Bhexxxxx,I will.Ma xx xxx. I will and would make a peg then gulp it again. Have a bet with you. NO! U won’t. I would often tell him teasingly.

 You will loose, “I am a good sixty years younger than you, Maxxxxxx” he said this last time,when I teased him. How I wish I could have been wrong. But then this happened some good six months back, perhaps on Christmas Eve. As far as I remember.

As on yesterday I was leaving my house to pick my wife and daughters from wife’s parents place. I again bumped him at my gate. Once again, carrying a poly bag and a bottle of Bacardi in it.

“Oye,Tu kitha jaan rahen?”,He asked.

(Where are u going?)

“Voti tey bacheayan nu len”,I replied while unlocking my car.

(to bring Wife and kids back)

“ Oye! Bhenxxxx adi jaldi?”,he asked.

(oye!xxxx  so soon?)

“Ke gal, oh halli rehan de”,he advised.

(let them enjoy and stay there)…

“Nahin Kohli Saheb,Didi aay rai hai tey bachanun len ja rahena hain.”,I replied while starting the car.

(No Kohli Saheb since sister is coming so going to bring kids home)

“Tey,ah bottle koun piyaga,tera Pau?”, he asked.

(Who will share this-bottle then- with me you’re DAD?)

“Tusi office chale jao,tey andar baith jaao,Komal kucch snacks mangeva dege”,I told him and waived and sped .

(U please go to my office and be comfortable Komal (girl who manages my office), shall bring u some snacks.)

“Khota”,was the last I heard him saying and I smiled.

(Khota=Donkey. But is taken as a love ex-pression from elders)

Just at the corner of the street I looked at him; standing there with poly bag in his hand I lit a cig. And phoned Komal that he was coming upstairs, so ask him to sit in office and bring him some snacks.

Much time later as we reached back home, I saw people were standing in front of his house. I was shocked to know he was no more. What! How? When?

 I entered his bed room and there he was wrapped in his bed sheet, sleeping.I attempted to     move forward but was held back by another elderly neighbour.He just patted my shoulder and shook his head.

Neighbors decided to cremate his mortal remains and bid adieu as his daughters, though were informed over email and they asked since it could not have been possible for them to come so soon. Hence along with all our neighbors we cremated his remains at electric crematorium (a boy was asked to record on a digi cam and send it across to both daughters) and took his ashes to Kankhal, Haridwar for the eternal journey.

Just as I entered my office since then, the  Bacardi bottle is still lying on the stool near sofa and two glasses, one empty and one full (for me he might have made yesterday) the drink he used to make. A small one, on the rocks. Though the ice had melted.

And so is he.

I have decided to keep the office closed, as even the neighborhood grocery shop, chemist, barber and even the paan wala too.

It is really too much for me to write an “obituary” for a friend, but then as I am  seeing these two glasses one empty one full, do not know what to do?

 As for the bottle, I have decided to put a cork in its neck and keep for as long as possible And when ever I feel like missing him shall make two drinks one for him and one for self.

Cheers Kohli Saheb.See you there.

To The Bore, I just happened to see off, for ever.

Anil.