And I didn't even know him before 04July.....

Why did I have to meet him? 04 that day and the 22nd today.We were going our different ways.He was a 21 year old, on the thresh-hold of a wonderful life ahead.An Engineer recruited by one of India's best employers.I, a 50 year old,out to have some fleeting moments of fun before assuming onerous responsibilities as mom-in-law. We met because of convoluted connections.Wife of the younger brother of the cousin I was with knew these guys.Mother and son had to attend a wedding reception being hosted at an adjacent venue.They had come to collect the 'dad' who was a regular at our watering-hole.Our table had 2 empty chairs, so when cousin nodded his greeting, they came over and, very naturally for such 'clubby situations',seated themselves on the chairs.Introductions over, I offered them some snacks and a drink.Just then I had a call from home to tell me that the vet had visited and prescribed medicines for my accident-prone white labrador(thats another story ...read the monk's blog http://bhateber.blogspot.com/for elaboration).From my tone or whatever this boy perked up and enquired about my pet(s)..and added that he loved his german spitz...It turned out that the mother, an Allied Services Officer, was a contemporary of mine in college. By the time dad was contacted and told to come over to the 'housie' section, we had established quite a rapport.Over french-fries, fish-fingers and cheese-sticks I learned that the young fellow wanted to use the time he had before joining his job on preparing for an MBA programme.Since daughter-mine had gone through the ropes, I suggested a particular training institute.He seemed impressed that this matron knew things material.From disinterested small talk to a more active participation, now there was eye-contact.He spoke of plans for an MBA and then maybe even a shot at the Civil Services Examination.I teased him that an Engineer-MBA-Civil Servant was the crying need of the day!Now dad joined us. Again, small world,it transpired that he was a year senior to me in Ravenshaw College and had heard of a certain Sujata in the English department...We exchanged phone numbers and then the family left. A couple of days later the boy called me to talk about the training institute I had recommended.I told him that as soon as I was back from a trip to Hyderabad I would accompany him to the institute and introduce him to a staff member.I remember thinking that this boy would go far in life.....
And then this call a few moments ago.Late last evening this boy went out with friends for dinner at a 'dhaba' on the highway.The car skidded out of control,the door by which he was sitting opened and he spilled out.He was crushed instantly....
He will be a mere statistic ultimately when the year-end reports are made. But what of the searing tragedy?I am finding it very difficult to cope with the news. His piercing, bright,sincere eyes are boring into me every moment since I heard about the accident.I met him briefly and his life itself was so cruelly brief... Brian Weiss, who was he,what did I owe him, why did we meet and why am I feeling such a sense of personal loss?...And I didn't even know him before 04July 2008