Bujji, whom I called Bujjannayya, and others knew as EVK Sarma was nothing short of a legend to me. The Tall Dark and Hansome guy, who was the cool kid of the family, and the apple of his mother's eye. He was full of life, always had a smile on his face, even during the worst times.
Very few people know of this, but he gave me my first pocket money. During my teenage years he'd come by the house, and before he left would leave me with a hundred rupee note. "Whenever you need some cash, give me a call. Don't trouble your dad" he'd say. He loved my parents more than me, and was well aware of our financial state.
Six weeks before my EAMCET, i went on a joyride on his hero honda splendor bike and crashed it on road no#45. My dad was shouting at me, while he shielded me, convincing them that the damage to the bike was minor ( it wasn't) and we should be happy that I didn't sustain major injuries.
When I joined medical college in Kakinada, he gave me my first mobile phone. I will never forget that night I waswaiting on the platform at Samalkot station where he'd meet me for a few minutes as his train from Vizag to Hyderabad stopped there, to give me the mobile(that beautiful orange screen alcatel) , a couple of hunderds to get myself a sim card and balance.
Sarma spoke straight from his heart, fearlessly when he knew others couldn't or wouldn't speak up. He was an embodiment of life. He'd be the life of every party, and the guy who cared to get you safely home from every party too. He could never say No, not to me, and not to his sisters. He would convince his parents for anything his sisters asked, and for things they couldn't ask.
When most people pass away, we feel that we could not tell them how much we loved them while they were here. This wasn't the case with Sarma. Bujjannayya know how much I loved him. He knew how much everybody loved him. But God was in dire need of angels and summoned him to get to heaven early.
I know you are watching us from above, and we all miss you a lot. you will keep living on in our memories until I join you at the gates of heaven. Rest in peace my brother.
