The gracious two storied yellow bungalow in Campal, shows little signs of the trauma, this close to 80-year-old violin teacher and his son have gone through. For Antonio Peregrino da Costa, mornings began with the sound of the violin and so did the evenings, as Campal’s wooden lanes were soothed with Professor’s music. He has played the violin for the elderly in old age homes to give them joy in their sunset years. But Professor’s heart broke when his boy Rafael fell to the sword attack and lost his eye. And when the people of Panjim, and many from all over Goa, met in Campal to light candles, sing and show solidarity with his boy, one undying image was frozen-that of Dad Antonio clasping a candle hoping that its glow would give his son justice, his eyes teary and blank. The music died for Professor, last Easter
While the fight for justice would take its time, Rafeal’s recovery couldn’t. Rafael has been through numerous surgeries for the 9mm aneurysm in his brain but is looking forward to an eye transplant at a hospital in Chennai. “It’s a miracle to be alive. I don’t think anyone would have survived,” said Rafael, who still struggles but is positive.
According to him, the lack of any good eye transplant surgery facilities in the State was the reason for his constant travel to and from Chennai on a regular basis. “I’ve been on medication for a year now, and will hopefully be getting an eye transplant soon,” said Rafael.
Raju, who may have received fewer stitches than Rafael, has had to go through a difficult year. “For me the biggest problem has been with my work,” he said.
Raju’s job that requires him to travel between Goa and Mumbai suffered a blow after the attack. His hearing has been affected, he says, and in a demanding work atmosphere, it slows him down, a fact his company constantly complains about.
“Honestly, I’m on the verge of resigning. Recovering what I had lost back then is difficult. I’m not in a position to concentrate and travel like I used to. I’m always in pain. This is what my last year has been like; I’ve slowed down a lot. I’m seriously considering opening up a general store and quitting my job,” said Raju. He’s gone through laser surgeries to help with his hearing but still suffers with the simplest things in life.
“For a year my ear has really become sensitive. I can’t sit through loud music. I have one person who shaves my beard, and because of the stitches he has to be very careful, something no one else can do. And if he isn’t around I can’t shave my beard,” he said.
Rafael’s father recalls the memory of the day and has only one word to describe it, “shocking”.
“It was all very shocking. In fact the very first day itself, I was in such shock that I couldn’t even talk. I calmed down after a while because I know Rafael and he is not the sort of person to smoke and drink,” said Antonio Peregrino da Costa.
