Every bit of Batul Zohar’s character can be encapsulated in one moment. We were at Kalpatti island in Lakshadweep. It was sunset, and we were happily walking back to the boat. Seeing the shallow sea, I decided to cut through the sand and walk in the water.
The next instant I slipped on the mossy stones and fell flat. Even before I had time to pick myself up, from the group yonder, Batul ran, her face full of concern, towards me. Not the best decision to make.
She flew even higher as she slipped and fell on her butt, right besides me. It was so comical that both of us started laughing. I looked at her and said, “You were thinking YOU will save ME?” in my irritating, cocky way.
It is not important whether she could have done anything to save me. I had already fallen. But her rushing to me instantly captures who she is. A supremely caring person who always puts others above herself. Someone who didn’t give a damn about the danger but ran to save someone else.
You see Batul is a mother. Of three beautiful daughters. Being a mother to the world comes automatically to her.
All throughout the trip, we saw her caring side. Every day she would give chocolates to every person on the trip. She had made all of them at home, and had carried them specifically for 14 people who were strangers to her, on the trip.
From the very first day, she walked on in Kochi, in Agatti, on the sandbanks, on the roads, on the sand and water, wide eyed, like a sixteen year old girl would. Batul was living every moment.
She wore her heart on her sleeve. She is a writer, she is full of imagination and dreams, but those 5-6 days, she was one with nature, with the people on the trip, and with Lakshadweep. She would wake up among the first and go to sleep at the end.
On the last day, as we were all leaving, she handed out personally written messages to every one. Heh who else but Batul would do that!
Batul, welcome to the tribe.
