The friend I lost to Tibet


I was in class twelve when I got the news about some Tibetan students being caught by Chinese soldiers near the border. Someone told me that the students are from Upper TCV and Mussoorie Homes School.I was lost for words as one of my close friends had also gone to Tibet to meet his family. I cried and prayed for him. I remembered the last time we had met in Mussoorie, bidding farewell to each other and promising to meet after the holidays.Excited as we were, we would chat about college and especially about the time the two of us spent studying economics. He was my god brother and even more than that, a good friend.I had heard stories about chinese soldiers using tibetan children to built railway tracks in tibet. I would start imagening lobsang, covered in coal dust, dragging carts full of coal and my heart would cry.But my prayers were answered one day. Back in mussoorie to take my results, I got to know that Lobsang is safe and sound. I jumped with joy and tears of happiness flowed down my cheek.Although we were in two different schools- he in Tibetan Homes School and me in CST-, Lobsang and I were very good friends. The students of the two schools would always be fighting with each other- a little teasing here or a small fight there. But once out of mussoorie, everyone was from mussoorie school- no Homes no CST.We used to study economics together and I would always be screaming at him, telling him to study more. In fact, whenever we would meet i would be the one telling him about the important questions to prepare and what he topics must definately prepare. Many a times we would get lost dreaming about college and how it would be so cool if we would take admission in the same college.That was five years ago. Today Lobsang is back in Tibet. Though I resisted, he went back. I wanted him to stay back, study in India and make a career for himself here, in India, in a free country. But he didn't listen and went to Tibet.I got some pictures from him some days back. In between we chat sometimes and I ask him just one question. Are you safe there? He always says yes, with a smile on his face. He looks happy, I hope he is happy. Take care

What if I die tonight?
Who all will cry? Who will be happy? Who will miss me the most?
What if I become a manager in a big company?
Who all will know my name? Who will recognise me on the streets?
I walk on the road, not even the dust recognises me
I sit here in a corner, wasting my time doing nothing
no one will come and see me, look for me
I am nothing for I was nothing
Will I be something soon?