It was raining cats and dogs. I was stranded in a bus stop. There was no sign of rain abating. It was getting dark. I was waiting for any bus as I did not know where I was bound for. A storm was raging in me too. I had told my hubby before I left the house in a huff that I will have nothing to do with him anymore and that he can forget me. I did not take the car as it was a gift from my hubby and not my own. There was no sight of bus for more than 30 minutes. The road was getting flooded. There was none else in the bus stand. . I hated to go back to the house that I had left just an hour ago.It was then I saw in the distance a figure slowly wading through the knee deep waters with an umbrella and another in its hand. For a moment I thought it could be Rajan my hubby coming to persuade me to return. As it was dark I could not see clearly but it was not the tall Rajan. I was nervous who this could be. The wretched bus was not coming, I cursed. The figure was making slow progress towards the bus stop. I could see now that it was a man but could not make out distinctly.
When he neared, he called “Vinita, come home. Why are you out in this bad weather? What happened? I asked Rajan whether you had returned from office as it is raining heavily. He said rather indifferently that you had and left home by walk without telling where you were bound for. He would not tell me more but refused to go in search of you. Any quarrel between you two? Please come home. This is not the weather to venture out. I got worried about you and could not stay in the house. Please have this umbrella and accompany me home.”
He was nearing 75 and not very strong. Yet he chose to come out when my hubby showed no concern. I was touched by this old man’s concern for me little knowing that he was the reason for my quarrel with my hubby.
I had told Rajan that he had broken his promise by bringing his old man to live with us. I had told him even during our courting days that I hated cooking especially after a tiresome day in office. He had promised that he would put him in some senior citizen’s home. Nevertheless he brought him home immediately after the honeymoon. All my oblique hints and direct requests that he be sent away did not yield any result. Instead he was telling that he being the only offspring was duty bound to take care of his dad in his twilight years. The old man never ate any ready mix food, Pizza, noodles and things that were easy to prepare or buy. I had neither the time nor the inclination to make traditional food that this man relished. To be blunt, the real reason was that I didn’t want anyone besides me and my hubby at my home. Hence the frequent quarrels that reached a crescendo today culminating in my walk out. Otherwise the old man was non-interfering and minded his own business. He never asked for anything and was unobtrusive. He was self effacing.
When the old man virtually begged me to return home in the torrential rain, I could feel a parental concern and genuine affection that was lacking from the hubby. There was a stab of pain when I looked at the emaciated and bent figure half drenched pleading with me to come home. I did not have the heart to disappoint the man.”Papa, why did you have to come in this downpour? Do not worry, I will come with you. Hold my hand as otherwise you may fall down .There could be open manholes” I said as I led my father-in-law towards the house.
Slowly as we treaded a few steps, I saw another figure coming towards us in the downpour with no umbrella. It was Rajan.He did not utter one word but held my hand as all the three of us trudged. But his clasp spoke more words than what he would have uttered.
When we reached home, my father-in-law said ”I do not know what for you both quarreled. But I could not bear your going out alone in the heavy rain and was upset that Rajan was doing nothing about it. I do not wish to get involved in the quarrel between a couple. But I must thank you for heeding my words. Let me rest. I am tired”
When I was sitting in the living room, Rajan came silently to me and said”I have since decided to send my dad to a senior citizen home. I will break the news to him in the morning. You do not have to go away.”
“There is no need for that. I will keep him with us till my end. I will employ a lady cook to assist me. He is my father too” I said with a smile
Surprised at the pleasant turn thanks to the rain, he hugged me tightly and took me to the bedroom in the first floor.
My son virtually drove me out this morning. I have no ill feeling against him. Were I in his position, I would have perhaps done the same thing. He had lost his job he was working for 22 years because of downsizing. He had no special skill. He had a quarrelsome wife and four kids. It was a miserable living and the few months’ salary he got was spent. A worthless old dad with no income was easily dispensable. He asked me to forgive him as he was doing in my best interest. He advised that I join some old age home for poor as I can be sure of some gruel at least instead of starving at his home. He assured he would take me back when things improved. There was a point in what he said though it was unpalatable. I loved my only son a lot. He has always been a good chap and nice to me. But the financial strain compelled him to take this drastic step. But the only thing that hurt me was the caustic remark of my daughter-in-law “what is the earthly use of feeding this worthless old man who cannot bring even 100 rupees a month”