Joffred and Ralphred were born twins with a difference of just 5 minutes in Meerut, The duo joined a Hyderabad-based company after completing engineering. The happy-go-lucky bros were unaware of what fate has decided for them in the coming days. A day after the birthday bash the twin brothers got infected from novel coronavirus and after battling for 19 days both lost their lives. One brother breathed his last after he heard the death of his counterpart. The grief-ridden family is shattered after losing two young sons and the neighborhood finds itself in disarray.
Gregory Raymond Rafael, the teacher father of these twins, went down memory lane on April 23, 1997, when his expecting wife Soja was admitted to the hospital. He was waiting impatiently for someone from the labor room of the hospital to tell him a piece of good news.
Soon, The doctor came and congratulated him that he has been blessed with twin sons. The teacher couple celebrated the moment at home along with the twin infants. April 23 marked an unforgettable day for the duo the celebration of the moment continued for 24 years. But from next year it will be a disturbing solitude as Joyfred and Rolefred have been expired on May 13 and 14.
The duo brothers came together on earth live together for a major chunk of life and bid adieu within a span of 22 hours. Teary-eyed Father Raymond stated that his two sons Joffred Varghese Gregory and Ralphred Varghese Gregory celebrated their 24th birthday on 23 April. Being twins, they used to do everything together from Eating to studying. Their unity continued and both of them completed computer engineering and were recruited in a Hyderabad-based tech firm. But not every story has a happy ending, the cheerful young chap departed from the world too soon.
Initially, The duo residing in the Meerut Cantt area felt feverish. The family started treatment at home, assuming it to be a normal viral fever. However, On May 1, the twin brothers were hospitalized when the body temperature started rising. Later both were tested positive for novel coronavirus. A few days after ongoing treatment, the second RT-PCR test report came negative. The medicos were planning to shift both from COVID ward to ICU, in the meantime, the duo succumbed.
Joffred and Ralphred's health deteriorated a day after the birthday bash on April 23, 2021, i.e on April 24. The family was traumatized after the corona report of both brothers came out to be positive. Parents were worried that if anything happened to either of them, how would they respond to the other.
According to the family and the neighbors, not only the two brothers were doppelgangers but their taste and preferences were also analogous. The couple was praying for the health of both and waiting for them to return as they knew any mishappening to one will shatter the other. Unfortunately, The fear of the parents came true and both the brothers could not bear the separation even for 24 hours.
The last call
Suffering from covid, Ralphred, made the last call to his mother and told her about his recovery, and also enquired about his brother Joffred's health.Till then Joffred was already dead and the family thought of hiding this fact from Ralphred. The mother told Ralphred that Joffred has been shifted to Delhi Hospital. But Ralphred smelled the rat and said " You are lying mom" and ended the telephonic conversation.
Due to the death of both the twins, not only the family but also the neighborhood is in deep grieve. Neighbors stated that both the brothers were vivacious and remained away from any ill habits. The duo used to be part of everyone's happiness and sorrow. After their departure, the tears were not stopping from the eyes of family and neighbors.
The duo twin engineers relished every happiness, shared the same bed, munched at the same time & achieved success together. Both of them did not leave each other even in the death, their grave is the testimony of it. (WD)
