A lovely couple

A lovely couple

Rita Joseph and Binoy T Cherian have been our friends for more than forty years. We met and studied at Mar Ivanios College. They were perhaps one of the most loved couples to all there and it was little wonder that they decided to spend the rest of their lives together. Which they did, until, fate and cancer took Bijoy away. This is the story of two very close friends of mine.

Rita had recently come down from the US, where she is settled, and where Binoy rests for eternity. With her were her two lovely daughters. It was a time to reminisce. The old gang got together and together we went over to the college. Rita may have remembered those days when she was the Vice-Chairperson of the college union, all those friends she had made during those days, the early days when she met Binoy and when they realized that they were meant for one another.

After years of courtship, they had married and settled down to domestic life. She was employed with the State Bank of Travancore and he was an Agricultural Officer. They were in for a lifetime of unremarkable domestic harmony. Except they chose otherwise. They wanted to make changes to society. And set about to build up a business of their own, with a clear vision of where they were headed. The business would not only enhance their prospects but would give employment to many others, maybe even some unfortunate friend, who hadn’t made it to the pathway of success. But even the best-laid plans have a way of failing us and for no fault of theirs, the business failed. There were criticisms galore, but they braved it unitedly and with the strength of their love. It was at times like this that our faith is severely tested. But not a staunch believer like Rita. Together they stood by each other and Providence did provide them with an opening.

They were given a chance to restart their lives – in the US. Thus they left Indian shores and went over with the whole family. There they fought bravely and odd fell by the wayside. Life started coming their way.

They were slowly stabilizing the ship when fate dealt another telling blow. Even as the family was drawing back to shores from the stormy tide, it was discovered that Binoy had been touched by the cruel fingers of cancer. Once again fate has dealt cruelly. Binoy rests today in the land of their choice.

There is a lot that this couple teaches us. In a world couples go apart for reasons that would make us laugh, here was a couple who showed us that oneness is the strength that takes you across the stormiest of seas, not money and assets. They also showed us that the power of faith in one another and in God will take you to past troubled times. They were a couple who did nothing that could hurt another person. They had fallen for no fault of theirs. They had traveled through pain, loss, defeat, criticism, and finally separation. As Rita said goodbye to me and Beena as she was boarding the flight, I couldn’t help visualizing Binoy with her. I am sure he was with her in spirit and will be there forever.