Schools And Old Age Homes

I was dreaming of elephants and lions having a huge party in the jungle. The peacock was dancing while the monkey played the drums when someone tickled me. It was Baba, he woke me up early. He knew well how sensitive my body was and ticklish like him. I hated how he knew all the tricks showed him a grumpy face. Suddenly the aroma of melting cheese filled my nostrils and made me rush to the kitchen like sleeping Tom, the cat. It was my first day at school that day. Maa had packed two cheese sandwiches in a round, apple-shaped tiffin box for me. I clapped in the kitchen with joy. My giggles made Maa pat my head and kiss my cheeks.

But Baba is never at ease. He picked me up and landed me in the washroom. I obediently brushed my teeth and went for a bath. Every morning Baba would do this to me. He would scrub my body with soap, wash my hair, dry me up and help me in dressing up. Soon I was standing before the mirror in a white shirt and black shorts with neatly combed hair and shiny shoes. My parents meant the world to me and likewise, I was their biggest bundle of joy and happiness.

I was about to leave for my school when I saw Dadu in his armchair. He was reading a newspaper and sipping his morning tea. I went up to him and touched his feet. I loved my grandfather more than my parents. But something was off today. He was too engrossed in the newspaper. He didn't even give me blessings. So I quietly went behind him and covered his eyes with my little palm and whispered in his right ear. He calmly removed my hands and asked me to leave for school. I replied a goodbye to him in a feeble voice and left the home.

My first day at school was full of fun. Maa's sandwiches helped me make two new friends and my teacher praised me for being the tidiest in class. I thanked Baba for being there, in my mind. But Dadu's disturbed face kept troubling me. I had never seen him so unhappy. As soon as I reached home, I rushed to Dadu's room. I wanted to hug him and comfort him. I wanted to tell stories about my school, my friends, my classroom. I wanted to talk about so many things with him. But he was not there. I checked the bathroom, the garden but he was nowhere to be found.

Helpless and exhausted, I started crying when Maa came rushing towards me. She said Dadu has been taken to the Old Age Home. He will stay there now. Old Age Home? I was new to this. Why would Dadu need another home? Was he unhappy here? Did Baba get angry on him? I promised Maa that I won't trouble him any more, please don't send Dadu to another home. I promised to keep Dadu happy and behave obediently. But Maa did not listen and went back to the kitchen.

Days passed by but Dadu did not return. I would plead Maa-Baba to bring him back but they didn't listen. Yet, I eagerly waited at the door to hear his footsteps, hoping for his arrival. And one day he did return. He was weaker than before, his clothes were dirty and he was silently crying with a frown on his face. I jumped up and down on seeing him. I was angry and happy at the same time. I was so excited and relieved to see him. Later, Dadu told me that his childhood best friend was forcefully sent to the Old Age Home by his greedy children. They didn't even care to even meet their father once while he kept craving to hear their voice. He was so mournful to be parted from his family that he couldn't bear the pain and passed away. Dadu had gone to the Old Age Home to see him one last time.

I was standing outside Dadu's room when I heard Baba crying in Dadu's lap. I peeped inside and found Baba apologizing to Dadu with folded hands. But Dadu was smiling and caressed Baba. I overheard Baba telling Dadu that if they wouldn't have been financially struggling so much, he would have never sent him to the Old Age Home. But after witnessing the death of Dadu's friend, he will take care of Dadu and work harder to make ends meet. I couldn't understand much of Baba's words but silently smiled that Dadu will stay with me now. I vowed to become a big man in the future and make my parents proud and happy so that I would never have to send them away.