A grandmother yesterday lamented how her grandson had told her he wanted her to see him getting married and he promised he would take care of her funeral arrangements.

But that promise would never see the light of day after he died on Sunday following a road accident. Kamla Wati, 86, yesterday couldn’t conceal the promise her deceased grandson, Shidhart Nikhil Ram, made earlier this year.

So dear was the grandmother and grandson relationship that Mr Ram had a portrait tattoo of her on the right side of his chest.

Mr Ram was just one month shy of turning 22 years old.

“He promised he would take care of my funeral when I die but now I will be seeing him getting cremated,” she said at their home in Davuilevu.

“When my grandson’s friend passed away, Nikhil took him to the hospital and did all the paperwork. When he returned home he told me all about it.”

“He told me when I die I don’t have to worry about anything because he knows what to do. He can do the paperwork and take the body to the morgue and he hugged me and said that he will take care of the funeral expenses.”

“One day while we were sitting at home he told me that he wants me to be there when he gets married.”

“He was the one who would take me to the hospital for my check up and when I was bored at home he would take me for a ride.

“Now what he told me are all his promises that he will not be able to fulfill. Instead of seeing me being cremated I will be seeing him.”

“It is hard for me to accept that he is really no more.”

Mother of deceased Nita Kumar could not hold back her tears as she reminisced her late son Shidhart Nikhil Ram at their home in Davuilevu, Nausori on August 15, 2022. Photo: Leon Lord

The former Dilkusha Methodist High School student was the breadwinner of the family. Nikhil’s mother, Nita Kumar could not contain her tears as she talked about her son.

“I am a single mother and it was tough but with my two sons beside me I was able to overcome every challenge in life. Nikhil was the youngest of two siblings. I wish this was all a bad dream and when I wake up he would be beside me,” Ms Kumar said.

“My son was kind, humble and always helpful. He was known for his good character in our neighbourhood. We will all miss him.”

Ms Kumar said they would wait for Nikhil’s older brother from overseas and finalise funeral arrangements.

According to Police, the victim was travelling with two others towards Valelevu and upon reaching the Nasinu Road junction the vehicle he was driving allegedly hit the rear side trailer of a truck.

One of the passengers along with Mr Kumar were sent to the Valelevu Health Centre.

The 19-year-old victim is currently admitted at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital. Investigations continue.

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