Death

DEATH. It is part of life. You cannot escape death. From the moment you were born, you wait to die. It's just a matter of time before one diminishes forever in this world, leaving your loved ones behind mourning for the lost of someone so dear to them. I fear death. Although I have witnessed the death of my parents, I cannot comprehend and accept such a cruel fact. Perhaps the torments and sufferings that my parents went through as they journeyed towards their final destination make it all the more fearful for me. I hate going to the hospitals. I hate the smell of the surroundings. I hate seeing fragile patients lying helplessly on their bed. It reminds me of death. It frightens me.

Someone passed on this morning. He was Darling's colleague. We visited him thrice when we were back home. Both his kidneys failed. It came as a surprise to him and his family as he did not experience any symptoms at all before admitting to the hospital. On our first visit, he was optimistic about his condition. He joked with us and complained about his cranky girlfriend (the dialysis machine) who beeped incessantly without any reason. Before we left, he commented that the Nike T-shirt which Darling was wearing was really nice and inquired where he had bought it. He said he liked it very much and would prefer it to be blue.

A few days later after that visit, Darling and I went on a shopping spree. We decided to get him the Nike T-shirt which he liked. We went to several Nike shops but all ran out of sizes. Eventually we got a similar one from the Nike outlet at Shaw Center. We visited him that very night with the T-shirt, hoping that he would be delighted to see what we had gotten for him. Unfortunately, his condition worsened. He couldn't speak and we thought he couldn't recognise us as well. At one point, I thought we almost lost him. The nurse tried to wake him up but to no avail. His wife called out his name and on each attempt, her voice grew in intensity. I stood watching, my heart palpitating with fear. The moment he opened his eyes, I felt a sense of relief washing over me. 2 days before we left for Algeria, we visited him again. He couldn't speak. That was the last time we saw him.

The news of his death saddens me although I do not know him well. I told Darling perhaps he did not have a chance to wear the T-shirt we gave him. Darling said it didn't matter. Yes. It didn't matter at all. What matters most is he didn't have to suffer anymore.

May you rest in peace.