Aneela Nike Post: August 2021

Break the chain!

This is a true short story which many elderly people will identify. This is the story of many senior citizens whose children are working abroad for a better life. The aged parents pass their retired days either in loneliness or in the hope of seeing their loved ones soon. They come to stay for a few days and go back. This is the harsh reality of life. Enjoy the days you are together and then wait for their next visit.

An elderly couple, both Mr and Mrs Pai worked for the bank and finally retired. They had only one son, well educated, who was married and settled in USA for a few years now. They lived in a modest flat in Mumbai. For the first few years of retirement, they were happy enjoying their retired life, doing things at their leisure. But time to time, they looked back on their earlier busy days of going to office and bringing up their son.

Later after a couple of years, they were bored and loneliness set in. For a change Mr Pai suggested to his wife, let's go to Sawantwadi and stay in our old house for a few months and then return refreshed to Mumbai. His wife agreed and got busy packing. And after a few days, they left for Sawantwadi, the place where Mr Pai and spent his childhood grew up. Both were excited to go there after a long gap to be one with nature. They boarded a luxury bus and reached their destination after many hours. On reaching their house, though tired, were excited to clean up the place which had been locked for a long time. They got busy cleaning and dusting the place.

As they were busy cleaning, he heard somebody call from outside, a familiar voice. He saw an elderly man. He was thrilled to see his childhood friend Prasad who somehow got the information about his friend's arrival to his birth place. He joined them in the cleaning and had a long chat of the good old days and old friends. Once all the cleaning was done, he left promising to come the next day. Prasad arrived the next day; the couple enjoyed his company and had a long chat. While leaving in the afternoon, he told the couple - Tomorrow you both should come home for lunch. Mr Pai replied- let's join you later during Ganesh festival or some other festival. Prasad added, my wife too insisted you should come tomorrow for lunch. And they reluctantly agreed.

Next day the elderly couple reached Prasad's house before 1 in the afternoon. They were welcomed by Prasad, his wife and daughter in law. His son was married a couple of years ago. Prasad informed them that his son too will be coming before 2 to see them. Besides his married daughter too, staying close by would be joining them for lunch.

Both Prasad's son and daughter arrived before 2. All sat down round a big table, chatted, laughed and enjoyed the sumptuous meal. After a good lunch and chatting, the couple bid them goodbye and left for home. On the way back home, Mr Pai was unusually quiet. His wife found it strange, that while having lunch with his friend and family, he was cheerful, enjoying and talking, but now quiet. His wife was worried and enquired if he was unwell. After a while, he told his wife - how nice it was at Prasad's house full of people, with laughter, talking and fun. But at our home, just both of us, with none else to talk to, and quietness all around.

Since that day, Mr Pai was quiet and withdrawn. He also thought about how would his wife cope and manage all alone if he is no more. His health deteriorated. He fell sick, and with the help of Prasad his wife admitted Mr Pai to the nearby hospital. The doctor on checking him said, he his fine, nothing to worry about, but he is suffering from anxiety. We will keep him under observation for a couple of days. He needs company of friends and loved ones. And he will be fine. Mrs Pai too felt that he is missing his son and his family.

His son was informed in USA. She told him all about the visit to his friends place and how he longed for company of his family. After a couple of days in hospital, he returned home. He too was worried and assured his mother – all will be fine. Let me see what can be done. And he told his mother to take care and that he would keep in touch. She too knew, he couldn’t do much from there, except give her moral support.

Though Mr Pai was home, he was not his cheerful self. Prasad would give him company and talk about the good old days which brought some cheer on Mr Pai’s face. Once he left, Mr Pai would be quiet and deep in thoughts.

After a couple days the son called from USA and spoke to his mother and as usual to enquire about his dad’s health. While she was still talking to her son, there was a big smile on her face and in a hurry she handed over the phone to her husband. The husband was curious to see his wife happy and smiling. He grabbed the phone and started to speak to his son.

The son said - Baba next month I am coming to India. The father replied, don't rush, no need to come, I am fine now. You can come later conveniently. And the son interrupted and added - Baba I am coming to India for good with my wife and son. I gave a serious thought to it. I have decided, I want to break the chain now, or else my son too won't return and later we too might be alone. We're coming back for good. We will stay together in Mumbai and visit the Sawantwadi house periodically. We will eat together, enjoy and have fun.

There was a big smile on Mr Pai's face and a new glow of happiness. Keeping the mobile down, he hurriedly turned to his wife and said, our son is coming back to us. Our daughter in law and grandson too will be here. Now there will be noise, joy, chatting and laughter in our house. Let’s clean up and make arrangements for their arrival.

Mrs Pai smiled and looked at her husband and said – my old man is young and energetic once again!

Thursday, 5 August 2021

Break the chain!