Dada Ji's Time... Very touchy please read till the last word...

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Dada Ji's Time... Very touchy please read till the last word...

 

Atul loved his grandfather with all of his heart. He liked spending all his time

with him listening to his stories and talk. The old man on the wrong side of

eighty doted on his grandson. The boy, though just ten year old, knew that his

mother hated the old man and insulted him for anything he did or did not. Atul

felt his father did not seem to care or at any rate never talked to his mother

about it. He also knew that his father generally never spoke against his mom. He

felt sad for the old man. He knew that his mom considered his grandfather a

burden thrust on her although the old man had six sons and three daughters. None

of them were willing to take care of him in his twilight years. Atul's dad was

the eldest of the lot.

 

The one thing Atul liked best was the stroll in the opposite park with dadaji.

The old man used to regale him with incidents in his younger days. He always

asked him to be truthful no matter the consequences. Atul would contest him

telling " What if truth were to harm some innocent person? Would you tell it even

then? " Dadaji would smile proudly and tell him that truth should always be

spoken when it serves a good purpose. He never complained about anyone to the

urchin.

 

Atul was not happy with dadaji repeatedly telling him of late " I am biding my

time. I think it will happen very soon. I want you to promise me that no matter

in whatever circumstances you are placed you would take care of your parents

with love and care and never make them feel unhappy. "

 

" Dadaji, I know you are at times unhappy. I am too when mom shouts at you. I

hate her for this " replied Atul Dadaji remonstrated with him telling " You should

not talk like this. I am not happy with you. Never talk ill of others whatever

they do or say. "

 

Atul was always reprimanded by his mom for spending his time with his grandpa

and she complained to her husband frequently. No one in the house talked to

dadaji. His dad who came late from office spent time before TV with his mom.

There was no TV in grandpa's room that was at the rear of the building.

Occasionally his dad used to walk in only to tell loudly to his father to adjust

to the ways of the house and not be a source of nuisance. He would not however

spell out where his grandfather failed to adjust. Atul smart as he was knew that

his dad was doing that only to please his mom. He was also aware that she added

extra water in his coffee and often gave him left over and cold food. She also

served him just adequate and made him eat alone in the dining table much before

the family sat together. After the lunch around 11 am he practically had nothing

till 7 pm except for a cup of tea and biscuits at 4 pm. Atul knew he was always

hungry and would quietly bring cookies from the kitchen after he returned from

school and share with him. Grandpa had a sweet tooth and he loved sweets very

much but mom never gave him enough though his dad brought sweet packets

frequently. She would keep them in the fridge for four or five days only to be

given later to the maid.

 

One afternoon Atul's mom had gone out leaving the boy and his grandpa alone in

the house. He was playing computer game in his room and totally forgot about the

old man. It was already 4-30 pm. When he came down and peeped in he saw his

grandpa opening a peda box that he must have taken from the fridge. He went to

him and told him " Dadaji, you could have called me and asked me to fetch. Never

mind let me also join you. I am also very hungry like you. " They finished the

five pedas in the box.

 

It was around 7 pm Atul heard his mother shouting at the top of her voice

" Nothing is safe in this house. How can one lock the fridge whenever we go out? "

She called " Atul, did you eat the box full of pedas I had kept in the fridge. I

wanted to send them to my mom. It is missing. I am sure you would not have

touched it. Who would have stolen this except the ever hungry gluttons in this

wretched house? "

 

Atul shouted back in anger " Don't talk without knowing. I was feeling hungry and

looked for cookies. Nothing was there in the fridge except the pedas and I took

them and shared with Dadaji too. What is wrong in it? There were only five

pieces and not a box full as you are alleging. Yes, you can call me a hungry

glutton or by whatever name you like. It was 5 pm then and Dadaji hadn't had his

tea also. I hate your shouting all the time indirectly at him. I do not like to

stay in this house anymore. "

 

The old man in his room heard the boy taking the blame on himself to protect him

from the mouthful of rubbish. He wiped the tears trickling from his eyes. After

a little while the boy entered the room and said " Dadaji, I have not been

truthful but it was done for a good purpose " The old man hugged him tightly and

kissed his forehead. " Come to me first in the morning before others come to my

room. Do you understand, my little buddy? " The boy laughed and ran away.

 

The next morning when Atul woke up earlier than usual, he remembered dadaji's

request and rushed to his side. He was sleeping quite unusually at this hour.

Atul nudged him softly initially and then harder. It dawned quickly on his young

mind that dadaji's time had come.

 

Posted by Mr. K.Parthasarthi on Random Thoughts - 10:42 AM 5/13/2009