R.I.P Rajesh
I met Rajesh when we both attended the ‘Marist Brother’s’ Suva Street Primary School. In no time flat, we became ‘mates’. We were thirteen (13yrs) of age and had what seemed to be (the world at our feet). And this; is where the fun began,…
In years seven (7) & eight (8), Rajesh & I began attending Night Studies. We would wrap up our studies by eight (8)pm & race each-other to the Lilac Bus Stop. We didn’t always make our bus on time & the days we missed the bus we would just keep running to the bus stand at the Market. There were times we would even miss the Market bus so; we had no option but to just walk home. I remember that walk well with the dogs by St Joseph’s chasing us & nipping at our heels. I think those dogs made us become much better runners. We had no choice but to pick up the pace running past St Josephs School. Not easy to run like an Olympic finalist while you’re in absolute fits of laughter.
Rajesh & I continued our friendship into high school. There we met & became good friends with other lads in our lunch group. Talking about lunch; Rajesh & I would often pack extra Roti for each other. Makes me remember Hasmat’s mum & the Titi rice she used to make. That rice was the absolute best & had a taste I will never forget.
Also hard to forget was the Empire Café Lunch Van where Rajesh & I would get lamb curry & the best pineapple pie ever.
The best times we had would have to have been waiting for the school bus in the morning at the corner of Rewa Street. It was there we would get to see the prettiest girls but at that time in life; we just didn’t know anything about how to go navigate the ‘girls’.
Of course, every now & then we would skip school for the Cinema’s before ending up at Pizza Hut nearby.
Living & growing up in our home town of Samabula, soccer was top of the list with our many trips to the National Stadium which was always fun.
Before Rajesh moved to the USA, we had a wonderful trip to Nadi to watch the big soccer tournament where our friendship further strengthened.
In the period of the five (5) to six (6) years from Primary to High School & coming into our teens Rajesh & I had many good times. The best was going to Rajesh’s home & enjoying food his Mum made not forgetting the Pickles she made, I’ve never had better.
Knowing the Amar Singh family has always been a blessing where Jack in (Sau), sadly she’s left us. And all of you have been my family always. Only distance has kept us apart, not forgetting the soccer tournaments we had in the backyard next to the Batak Ke Darba which used to get pretty serious when Jack Singh used to be like a bulldozer with the ball, the final was on a Saturday for six (6) bottles of coke brought by Jack win, lose or draw.
Moving forward my brother Rajesh has left me with many great memories that will stay with me forever.
I would like to thank the Singh family, not forgetting Dhiren & Paul Jijias for the great friendship you have given me over the years. I hope to see you all soon & here’s to our great friend Rajesh.
R.I.P our brother.
