They were both born on the same day. May be minutes apart. Probably that was their bond. May be that is why they gelled. As children they met first in kindergarten. It was there where everything started. They could sense that intimacy. They always wanted to be together. Into elementary school and middle school they grew up in the same bench. They played together. They learnt together. They had fun. Immense fun especially when they were together. They had their alone time too. They were quite unlike other friends. Not the superficial hi-bye. But intimate, brotherly love.
They both were of the Levite tribe. But their status were totally different. Phinehas was of the priestly order. His father was destined to be the next high priest. Bartholomew's father was one of the men who was allocated to clean the altar. But that didn't come between them. Other fellow Jews looked with odd eyes at them, at their bond. It looked like bondage to them. Everything was awkward for everybody except them. Bartholomew's choicest dresses would be worse than Phinehas's menial ones. Bartholomew's favourite delicacies would be a daily chore in Phinehas's house. Phinehas's house was a little less than a palace. Bartholomew's was a little bigger than a hut. Their friendship was an illfitting one in the society.
Everytime Phinehas gets scolded by his relatives for his friendship with Bartholomew it was his father who would come in between, for his aide. After all he is of the order of the chief priests, so the others would keep quiet. His father was always on his side. Gershon was always sure. We all are brothers. We all are Israelites, chosen kingdom of God. We are Levites chosen to have God as our inheritance. Because we were destined to be children of Aaron we became of the priestly order. And they the cleaners. That is their fate and this is ours. We did not do anything good to be this and they did not do anything bad to be that. Every time after an episode of scolding, Phinehas would receive a lecture like this from his father. That kind of assuaged him. That kind of erased all his sadnesses. Then he would run to Bartholomew...
Days became months, months became years. They have grown into big boys now. Patchy beards here and there. Taller and stronger they have become. Their body frames have been transitioned to a little less than manly. Everything about their physicality changed. But nothing changed regarding their love to each other. Infact it grew stronger only.
Gershon has become the chief priest. Salmonn, Bartholomew's father was in-charge of the altar cleaning.
One day they were spending time catching fish in Galilee. Phinehas gets a message from his cousin to rush to the temple ASAP. He kept asking him what the matter is. But Phoumin kept on telling that he couldn't confide what it was and asked him to go. That's all. Phinehas fearful of something might have happened to his father, decided to rush to the temple. Seeing his distrubed face Bartholomew puts his hand over his shoulder and pats it gently. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know what has happened. If at all his phone was working he could have called and found out from his dad who would be there in the temple. Though Salmonn couldn't reach out to the high priest, he could find out what happened to Gershon.
Bartholomew did all the driving. He sang songs of thanksgiving to His Father in heaven. He prayed for peace for his brother. He kept patting his shoulders.
By the time they reached the temple, they could see from a distance a huge commotion. A massive crowd had gathered there. Slowly as they move inch by inch closer to the crowd, people started giving way to the chief priest's son. They could hear from a distance sounds of utensils crashing. There was definitely a fist fight. They guessed. They hear a loud cry of a man whose sound seemed quite familiar. Both of them couldn't persist to listen to that cry. There was something uneasy in the air. Their ears were aching. Their hearts burning. There were shouts of how dare you and all sorts of filthy language rising in the air.
As they reached towards the centre of the crowd. They could see Gershon in his rich priestly garments standing there proud and haughty. Such a relief it was for Phinehas that he didn't consider anyone else, just ran to Gershon and stood there hugging him. For a moment he forgot about Bartholomew who was the pillar for him especially at this testing time. But at that point of time he could think of nothing else apart from his father. There was something edgy there. When he came to his senses Phinehas started to look for Bartholomew. Searched all along the crowd. There he was. But he was kneeling down and sobbing and weeping and crying over something which looked more or less like a piece of meat fully drenched in blood and dirt and mud. Hugging and wailing. What has happened to Bartholomew, Phinehas wondered.
Looking intently Phinehas had the shock of his life. It was none other than Salmonn Bartholomew was holding on to. Fully drenched with wounds and blood and mud. Covered in a loin cloth alone. All his clothes were lying there scattered torn into pieces. Pieces of his skin scattered around and blood splattered all around the place. As the crowd dispersed after seeing the drama, it was Phinehas who arranged for a vehicle to take him to the hospital. In front of the ICU it was Phinehas who was patting Bartholomew's shoulders now. But every single person in that waiting area was looking at Phinehas with the most cruel eyes. Come on! Is this the time? Phinehas told himself. Bartholomew had his face down. Phinehas could see the rug that he was sitting upon has already been wet. He thought "Let him cry". And kept patting his shoulders.
Then he remembered their close friend Martha was working in the same hospital. He takes up his phone moves around and slowly walks past the waiting area to the visitors lounge. Dialling Martha's number, he was hoping she wouldn't be busy. Finally she picks up. They agree to meet in the hospital canteen in half an hour. That is how he got the full picture .
There was a hush in the temple because the altar wasn't cleaned properly. The Gershon questioned Salmonn who retroted back saying it is not easy to do such ignominious jobs again and again. And while he was frustratedly cleaning, some of the water fell on the Gershon's priestly garments. It wasn't something Gershon could digest. He was quite displeased and ireful that his dress was spoilt and there was an argument between the two. The chief priest accused the chief cleaner of doing this menial job because of his sins.
Salmonn couldnt stand this at all. He accused Gershon. "You were not like this my friend. You have changed. Your head has become haughty and eyes filled with pride because of your position. It is not something from God." That is when the people around shouted and took Salmonn by hand and bet him to pulp. Good that you were available to bring him here. He is out of danger now."
Ashamed and dejected Phinehas couldn't say a word. He did not have the strength to look at Bartholomew's face. He dragged himself back home. The air was stuffed with resentment and hurts at home. Gershon was seen no where. Phinehas enquired. His mother told him that he was in his study. He didn't have the strength to confront his father. But he had to. Something pulled him. He wanted to ask him, then what was the meaning of all those lectures. He wanted to accuse him. And point fingers to his father. As he was about to open his father's study door. He could hear a soft sobbing from the room. Crying softly "Abba". He couldn't hear the rest of the words clearly. But he understood it was his father crying. As he opens the door, he could see the chief of priests of Israel lying down in sackcloth, ashes all over his body beating his breasts. Wailing and crying to his Abba Father. "Forgive me. Forgive me. Forgive me. He was my friend. He was my brother. Like our children we were soulmates too. How could this wretched hand arrange for beating him. It was I who protected him from our seniors in school. It was I who told him we are one. How could I do this Abba?". Then he would keep quiet for some time. Again after a moment of silence the wailing would start.
He couldn't listen to or see his father like this. So slowly Phinehas drags himself out of the room and dumps himself on the sofa, browsing something. Idly going through the net not knowing what he was doing. Suddenly there was a shout of Hallelujah from his father's study. A moment later he could hear water gushing in the bathroom. And then he saw his father rushing out of the room had a smile at him and vanishing out through the door. Engine revving and the Merc speeding out of his compound. Curious he takes his bike and chases his dad. Gershon first went to the Temple. And offers a sin offering. From there he rushes to Sheba Medical center.
The moment he comes into the waiting area infront of the ICU. Everyone stands up uncomfortably. Gershon kneels down before Bartholomew and his mother. And starts to tell a story. The story of Gershon and Salmonn. Tears were gushing out of Phinehas eyes as he listens to the bond between Gershon and Salmonn. How Gershon protected Salmonn from the bullies in school. Because he was physically more fit. How Salmonn would emotionally strengthen him as he was going through phases of depression. Gershon had even thought of ending his own life because of a failed relationship in college. And Salmonn was always there in his room in his hostel. That kind of brought him out. It is against my own brother that I raised my hand. I have sinned terribly and fallen short of the glory of God. His eyes were still wet. As he asked for pardon. Still kneeling down. The wounds that he had instilled upon himself on his own back were still bleeding. But he would want forgiveness. He would want pardon. His eyes had become haughty because of his position. Many time Salmonn tried to confront Gershon. But he would just brush it off. He would not listen. Because his heart was hardened.
Suddenly Martha comes out of the caged room and asks for Gershon. Everyone looking eagerly at Martha.... She says Salmonn has regained consciousness. And the first thing he asked was, "Is Gershon there?......."
🙏
ReplyDelete