Fawzia’s Final journey to Ragama
Sometime in December 2011, Fawzia made one of her regular telephone chats with my wife, Fati who is her much loved cousin. During this casual conversation, Fawzia mentioned that she is getting a short 3-week vacation in January 2012 and she plans to stay in Hong Kong and take a rest after quite some travelling during the past months. Fati mentioned that January 11th 2012 was my 50th Birthday and was planning a family get-together. Pat came the response; “I have to be there. I will book my flight, I’m coming”. That’s the Fawzia we all know of. Any occasion that involves her relatives, she will always be there.
The birthday party was at my home in Ragama on 14th January, which was a Saturday. George aiya and Linda akka were the early birds and drove to my house in the silver colored Nissan Pulsar HV6572. Not in the wildest dreams that we thought that this will be the last time the lovely couple would drive together to my house in that vehicle. Fawzia was in full swing from the word go. My mother was at the Piano, I was playing the Guitar and a friend of mine beating the Bongo. She sang those famous C.T Fernando songs and the group songs from the 70’s. She danced with my nephews and nieces. She had long chats with each and everyone posed for photographs and was the centre of attraction. She proposed the Toast for another 50 years of happy living for me and 2 weeks later she is gone.
The following day, 15th January 2012 happened to be the 39th Wedding Anniversary of George & Fawzia. My wife in a surprise move introduced a cake in front of the couple at the break of dawn and we all sang “Congratulations and Celebrations”. They cut the cake and fed each other like a newlywed couple. Together they posed for photographs. Two weeks after all this happened, Fawzia was snatched away from us so abruptly.
26th January 2012, that fateful day, I was supposed to join Fawzia, George and their family-friend Singer Victor Ratnayake for lunch at Cinnamon Grand. That morning I was attending my daughter’s Sports Meet at Good Shepherd Convent Kotahena and was planning to get away and join them for lunch. That was not to be as my car was obstructed by other vehicles parked and had to call and inform George aiya that I cannot make it. I was not aware that Fawzia was planning to join me to go to Ragama and stay overnight while George aiya was to drive direct to Boralessa. With my absence and the last minute change of plans, made them take a drive to visit us on their way home. That was her last drive to Ragama. I was still in Wattala and driving back home when I answered my mobile phone around 3.45 in the afternoon. The faint voice of George aiya whispered “Gihan, I’m in the Ragama Hospital. Come to the Intensive Care. There was an accident”. I was about 15 minutes away from Ragama and I phoned my wife Fati to go to the ICU immediately with my Son. I followed 15 minutes later. After some scans, X-rays and ECG, George aiya was moved to a Ward but the hospital staff kept battling at the ICU to save Fawzia. 27th January early morning, Fawzia was moved to the ICU at the Colombo National Hospital and at 5.20 in the morning of 28th January, Fawzia breathed her last. Praise the Lord for the gift of love that was showered upon us through the life of Fawzia!
She came to Sri Lanka for my 50th Birthday. She trekked her final journey in life on her way to visit us in Ragama and met with this fatal accident less than 2 km from my house.
Farewell Linda akka, may your soul rest in peace!
