Staircase To Eternity

It was most annoying. He had been standing on the top step a minute back and reflecting on a life well spent. Of course, his wife had passed on a few years back, and his friends were mostly gone- some dead, some suffering dementia and some others in senior homes - but his children and grandchildren were a source of pleasure and pride, at least his health had not let him down as yet (beyond the usual pains and coughs) and he was content.

And now, as he took a step downstairs, he had the eerie impression that he was getting younger. His wife appeared in front of him, asking if he would like a cup of tea with his morning biscuit, And Goldie, the Labrador who used to sleep at his feet, was suddenly back, prancing around his legs and he had to be careful not to trip and fall over the dog.

"Most unusual", he thought and took another step down.

Now Mohit and Rachna, his twin daughter and son, had just completed their education. Mohit was starting a career with Citibank while the more socially minded Rachna had joined a non-profit engaged in building low-cost housing in Uganda. They chattered away, touched his feet in the traditional sign of obeisance, and went on with their lives. He was standing at the door and seeing them off.

Another step down- and he was now beginning to enjoy this, wondering what he would see next - and he was in his MBA classroom at XLRI Jamshedpur, asking a question here, reading a book there, gossiping with some mates, making eyes at the junior girl who seemed to ignore him.

He confidently took the second last step down. He was now in school. He disliked Mrs. Arora's History class (who wanted to read about Benito Mussolini and Italy, anyway?) but enjoyed Mrs. Khan's Math class (especially the bits about simultaneous equations). He showed his report card proudly to his parents. His Dad cheered him and took him out for ice cream. His mother said she was proud of him.

There, he was now at the bottom of the stairs. He looked up. It was all so clear now. He was in his mother's lap. Her clear black eyes looked down at him and seemed to possess his universe, just then.

"Sleep, baby", she said softly, 'sleep now, for your entire life is ahead of you"

So he slept.