Stabbed OVER A SONG

Shira Javaid id thought her son was having the time of his life at university

- CANDICE FERNANDEZ

All teenagers go through that loud music phase, don’t they? Leaving us parents banging on their bedroom door, telling them to turn it down. I can still remember the night my son Sachin was packing for university, his music blaring out. I knocked on his door and he poked his head out with a grin, knowing exactly what I was going to say, and turning the music down before I had to ask. Then he pulled me in for a big cuddle as I told him how much I was going to miss him and his noise.

At 18, he was such a kind, considerate young man, always thinking of others and, as far as proud mums go, I was certainly winning. I was a single mum and, until Sachin was eight, we’d lived in London with his younger sister Aimee*. Then, in 2012, we’d moved to New York to be with my mum Jai, then 63. The kids loved their grandma, who doted on them both, and they fitted into their new schools well, making plenty of friends. 

Sachin learnt to play the guitar and trumpet and helped to teach music to kids with special needs. But, as time went on, Sachin yearned to be back in the UK. He was a British boy through and through – he followed Liverpool FC, loved UK grime music, especially the artist Dave, and it was always his dream to go back to the UK to study at university.

Aged 18, it was finally happening – he was off to study special education teaching at Hull University. Despite my sadness because I’d miss him terribly, I knew that he’d have a great time. Waving him off at JFK Airport in July 2022, I let the tears flow, as Sanchin promised to ring me every day and gave me one of his trademark big squeezes, almost lifting me off my feet.