His Last Wish

Chapter 1

The call

Dear Satish,

This letter is probably the last one of all that I have written to you. I give up now. Life is short and will end soon, because, by the time you get this letter, I will be gone. I know that you have never thought of staying with me since what happened last time we met. The time we spent together was precious. I understand that you dont care about me anymore but it is important that you take up your responsibilities and carry them out properly. If you want to know more than this please visit Bimla soon. Now you will ask me questions like who is Bimla? Why should I look for her? What do you want to say? ..

Well my child you have faith in me. I know I have never done anything in my life to gain your trust but one last time for a dying man .. as a last wish.. please find Bimla and talk to her about me.. She will tell you what you should do. Take care.

Love,

Dad

Satish read the letter 15th time with the last mug of coffee for the day. Old memories flash in front of him as he thinks about him. Yes! the last time he met his father was not a pleasant stay. Satish Sharma is one of the most renowned writers at present. He still remembers the day his dad threw him out because of his interest to become an author and not handle his father s farm. It was the most painful moment of his life. Since then he has never visited his village. Time does not wait for anything or anyone .. often we leave our loved ones behind to fulfill our dreams but one day when that person is gone that love comes back and sits so strong in our hearts that our existence now becomes meaningless.

Satish was in a similar situation. He was regretting not wanting to meet his father one last time. Did dad actually hate him? Who is Bimla? What does she know? How can she fulfill his dad s last wish? A bizarre combination of unanimous questions flooded his mind. The worst part is he does not know where does Bimla stays. His father has not given any clue to find her.

He decided to go to the village first and enquire about her. So, he packed his bags and left. It was already evening by the time he reached the station. He went to the counter and booked his ticket. Its been a long time gap of 20 years since he has visited his gaon. He boarded the train and sat in a congested compartment of the local train. The condition of the local trains all over India is always the same. Satish was feeling so uncomfortable due to the heat combined with the disturbing sweaty odor in the compartment. As he neared the last station the train was almost empty. He felt a little relieved.

It was time to get down at the usual last station of his journey home. The sensation of coming back home was making him happy. Satish got down from the train, his mind was running here and there. Lost in an array of emotions he was looking around to recollect those sweet memories, never to be forgotten.

He was the youngest child and his mother's favorite. The sound of a rooster crowing early in the morning, those running and playful days, stealing mangoes from Joghi mama s farm, getting beaten by mom, being protected by sister all flashed like a video in front of him. Life s journey begins on its own, plays games, makes you feel so good.. then suddenly one day poof! ..

" She has to be hospitalized or else chances are very less," said Kamal Daktar to dad. When you are sailing in a ship and suddenly the captain announces that you are sinking and you have no choice but to succumb.. yes that's exactly what he felt that day. "It's ok... I have lived enough .. you dont have to do anything", that was one of the very rare days when Satish cried.

It is true that a mother s love and sacrifice are priceless but even the father's side of the story is even harsher. He is the one who faces the world for making his children shine. In his case, he did not have his mother's support too. Now it's time to forgive and forget... but .. he wished he was a little earlier than that...

He was lost in thought when the sound of the whistle of the train moving away broke his chain of thoughts. He rubbed his almost oozing tears collected at the corner of his eye and started looking around.

The entire place has taken up a deathly silent look. It seemed as if something has just washed away every living thing here. Satish was feeling so weird. Did he come to the wrong place? " Satish .. you have come", he heard a voice from behind. A chill of cold air ran down his spine as he looked around.