Friday 24 October 2008

Strawberry Fields Forever

He went to Mahableshwar. Where his family is from. Where his brother lives.

It was before the festival. He had become a bit better.

He never came back.

When it was time to return to Thane for the kids schooling - they came with their mother.

He stayed with his brother. Then she returned to look after him.

He died last week.

Another quiet AIDS death. No hoopla. Far away. Near the strawberry fields of Mahableshwar.

A silent death.

And so now we have 2 more with HIV in the family. His wife - who has returned - and one of the children.

Outside their small rented room the cars and autorickshaws whiz by. Small boys are now bursting crackers as another festive season starts.

Two children are without a father. Their mother does not have a husband anymore.

HIV continues to be a silent catastrophe - taking its people quietly - with minimum of fuss.

The disappeared.

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