FOR Apisai Caginakana Moce, love recognizes no boundaries.
And distance he says makes the heart grow.
It is not often that we get to share long-lost reunion stories but this one would melt any heart.
Apisai is a village boy, who grew up in the highlands of Nadarivatu.
After his junior school years, he relocated to Lautoka to pursue post-secondary education at Central College.
For the next four years, he lived life but also made a habit of helping others in times of need through the ‘Fortunate Ministry’, which was made up of youths from different backgrounds, religions, and Christian denominations.
“I lived with families in Waiyavi, Stage 5, in Lautoka and attended high school.”
Help in need
Apisai said it was a day in 2006 when a family member ran by him that a widow who lived in the Sandalwood HART House was over for some help.
The family helped but the youngest followed his heart to locate the family at will.
“I made a promise to reach out, I was moved.”
“I would save up on my allowance, and family handouts and without anyone knowing I would buy from bread, butter and tea to help the lady, Ms. Roshni Ram, who I eventually called mum.
“Mum, daughter, Komal who I called sister was a student at Saint Thomas High School.
“I would frequent them, and even do lawn and weed in their compound.
“We became family. Life is to serve humanity.”
Life takes turn
Apisai had graduated in 2009, and moved on with life, he lost all contact with Ms. Ram.
He had been to University of New England in Australia, travelled to England, New Zealand, and other parts of the world and upon his return to Fiji, worked for the Ministry of Forest and lived in Suva.
But the thought of reconnecting with the family had always been at the back of his mind.
Social media
Apisai said while he relapsed, obviously out of a busy schedule, Ms. Ram (mum) hadn’t given up searching.
He said he would almost daily get a message from an anonymous on Facebook.
“The messages were all biblical, life’s lessons, motivational and quotes.
“No hello or nothing.”
Apisai said he was about to delete the messages and block the messenger, but decided to message back for a change and hear the response one last time.
Lautoka trip
While on a business trip to Lautoka, on Monday, Apisai received a phone call, one that would unmask the mystery messenger.
“I get a phone call, with a greeting, I requested FaceTime, my jaw dropped, I couldn’t help but feel my heart skip a beat.
“I said ‘mum’, she said ‘beta’, (son) I pulled roadside and paused, we talked, I had to hold myself together.”
Lovu HART House reunion
Apisai was guided to the house while Ms. Ram was on the phone.
It was a sight to behold.
“Someone showed me a picture of Apisai, a long time ago and I instantly recognized him and said that is my son,” said Ms. Roshni Ram, holding back tears.
“I looked him up on Facebook and have been messaging him but he didn’t reply.
“I thought the boy in the picture could well be someone else, so I left it alone.
“But just this week someone told me he is Api, my son and he was live on Facebook and in Lautoka, and that is when I called and we instantly struck a cord.
“Isa, God is good, World needs more sons like him, World would be a better place,” she said.
“I just couldn’t begin to tell what Api means to us. Life was tough, and every bit of help mattered.
“In times of struggle, there’s always that Godsend.”
The hugs, tears and the loss times could only tell a story.
The two shared quality time, promising to meet regularly.
Shared with wife
Apisai said he hadn’t shared his story with anyone but his wife about ‘mum and sister’.
He said his wife was happy and said, time is the master following their reunion in Lautoka.
He added that love knows no reason, no boundaries and no distance.
“It has the sole intention of bringing people together to a time called forever.
