Coming back from my native is never easy - leaving two old people, who ideally should never stay alone. My father is a big fan of good food, especially non-veg. I wonder, how he is able to digest at this age of 82, but then it's always good to see him strong. During our match, I made sure to bring some mutton for him and he enjoyed it. That day was the last day of non-veg after which one month will go full vegan. However, there is one other thing he should love for his health, but he does not. He does not want to do any hard work or even simple walk. All he wants is sit, eat and sleep, which is not good for him. So me and my Mom are always behind him, encouraging , fighting or whatever it takes to make him walk few steps every day.
Another interesting observation over the time is that, he never forgets monetary things. Ask him anything else, he will say I don't know. Probably being a banker, his memory has got some weakness for monetary aspects. And he loves to go to the Bank, where he served two tenures as Branch head. In fact that is how, this land was bought, while he was serving here. So I accompanied him to the bank.
It's always a pleasure to see him happy. He did withdraw his money, by writing a cheque and counting them - all on his own. I was just listening all the conversations. And then coming back, I was surprised to hear him asking me to stop by a book store. He wanted to refill one of his pen. Had he told me, I would have bought a new pen, but I was happy, to see he remembering things and wishing to get it done. And even he knows the exact store - where to go.
I intentionally did not offer him any help - to see how he is approaching the steps. He climbed them on his own, went and asked them to refill. There were some crowds, so he had to wait ( Ya, in India, there is no special treatment). But then once others left, his job was done. And then because the shop keeper gave him some change, he brought a small tape instead. I asked, what will he do with that, and he said, he may need it, better to take instead of change, as nobody takes changes. Interesting, isn't it !
Coming back, he looked down at the steps. I was standing on the street. The shopkeeper indicated to give him hands, but then I purposely did not. I wanted him to come on his own. And he did. These are some of the small things that may boost his courage. But not alone though - he always needs a company, who can be with him and be very careful to watch and hold him immediately. That is the reason, we are not letting him go out alone. Because, recently he fell at a place, and some known friends saw him, and brought him to home in an auto. He loves to go out, but then Mom is super watchful to make sure he does not step outside alone. They are living together since last 52 years - so you know, she can always make out what's cooking inside him. So whenever I go, I take him outside. And whenever I have a little bandwidth , I run there - ya, I feel deep inside for them. Hopefully, things will be better in another six months after my son's exam - running an one man army is not easy. And they don't want to come and stay with me in the city - they love the natural ambience of our home. As long as they are able to manage their things.
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