The Companion

As the sun was setting, Dr. Sharma started his walk towards home. He had moved in to the community only a fortnight back and was getting to know his neighbours. After his wife succumbed to cancer a couple of years back, he had been residing in their own home, but he was trying hard to fight loneliness as they had no children. He had visited the Global Homes, a new community some days back and found it buzzing with activity. There were several seniors as well as an equal mix of youngsters and children, which attracted Dr. Sharma. 

In his home, he followed a strict routine. He would exercise regularly and go for a brisk walk. After his bath, pooja took up about an hour or so. He would then plan the day’s breakfast and lunch and cook them. He would then have his breakfast and then wash all the dishes. By this time the daily help would sweep and mop the house and dry the clothes he had washed. He would then soak in the sunshine seated in his verandah. Those who would come out for a walk after their breakfast would stop by and take advantage of his expertise in medicine. He had been a private practitioner for several years and was revered for his sincerity to his profession. Some others would just drop in for a chat. Soon it would be noon and he would have his lunch. Again, he would continue to wash dishes and clean up the kitchen.

He would read the medical journals he regularly subscribed to, and update himself on the trending developments the world over. He would relax on his easy chair and take a power nap. Soon it would be tea time after which the evening prayers would take up about two hours. Once again, it would be time for the monotonous chore of preparing dinner, eat it, wash the dishes and clean the kitchen. He watched a couple of serials on television but by 8.30 p.m., he would have gone to bed.

What impressed him most was that Global Homes had a community kitchen which catered to all palates. If he moved in, he would be spared of the hassles of procuring grocery, cooking, washing vessels etc. He could enjoy a variety of tasty foods without bothering about anything. There was a joggers’ park within the community as well as a swimming pool. There was also a card room, where one could play indoor games. He was good at chess but had not had the opportunity of playing with anyone for a long time. He weighed the pros and cons of relocating to this community and made up his mind to shift here. 

He had no problems in selling his house as it was situated in a very strategic location and was in great demand. Once the deal was through, he immediately purchased an apartment in Global Homes and shifted to his new home. The packers and movers arrived at Global Homes before him as he had to spend a few minutes at the petrol bunk to fill up the fuel tank in his car. The movers were impatient and knocked at his neighbour’s door presuming that Dr. Sharma may have left the keys with them. The door was opened by a fragile old lady who told them that she had no idea of anybody shifting there. In the meanwhile, Dr. Sharma parked his car and arrived at the scene. He opened his flat for the movers to unload the cartons. He apologised profusely to the lady and sought her pardon on behalf of the boys. She was amiable and asked him to step inside her house and wait till the boys did their job. He willingly accepted the offer as his arthritis afflicted knees were begging him to sit down somewhere. While he sat on the sofa, the lady went inside and quickly made some tea. She gracefully brought it out with some biscuits too and set them on the table. Dr. Sharma gladly accepted it as he had skipped breakfast that morning and was ravenously hungry. He had planned to open his account in the Food Court of Global Homes but he had got delayed. The lady introduced herself as Devyani who had been an IAS officer and had settled down in this community post retirement. She too had moved in only a month back and had just started making friends. She seemed glad to meet Dr. Sharma as she had been alone in that floor all this while.

She told him that she will be having lunch around 1.30 p.m., and that she would be happy if he could go with her so that she could show him around. He replied in the affirmative and hoped that the unloading would be completed by that time. Devyani was kind enough to serve tea to the four boys too and they went about the work speedily.

As planned, both of them went for lunch and she introduced him to whoever she knew and met on the way. Post lunch, Dr. Sharma planned to set up all the things at home so that he could sleep peacefully at night. When they came back after lunch, Devyani took the liberty of coming to his flat and started helping him unpack. Dr. Sharma could not refuse as his knees were troubling him a great deal and he was only too happy to accept help when offered. He was also greatly impressed by the manner in which she systematically unpacked the boxes and placed the things in their proper places. She first set up the kitchen and within an hour, it was spick and span. She next started organising the living room and left the bedroom for Dr. Sharma to attend to. When the living room was almost ready, it was tea time. Dr. Sharma was contemplating of ordering tea from the food court when Devyani was not to be seen for a few minutes. When she did appear, she was with a tea tray and some munchies. Both of them sat on the settee and had their tea and also relaxed for a short while.

It took them just another hour and all was done. Devyani was getting back to her flat but not before she arranged for the milkman, newspaper boy and maid for Dr. Sharma from the next day onwards. Dr. Sharma was truly obliged and could not adequately thank her for all that she had done. She had been so kind to a total stranger and Dr. Sharma could not but remember his wife who too was very helpful to and concerned about everyone around her.

Dr. Sharma was exhausted that after dinner, he straightaway went to bed. The next morning, he woke with a headache. He attributed it to the stresses and strains of selling his house and shifting. He was lethargic and did not feel like going down to the dining hall for breakfast. When Devyani was going for breakfast, she saw Dr. Sharma lying down on the couch with a towel tightly tied over his head. Immediately she walked in as the door was open. She was concerned about Dr. Sharma and as soon as she returned from breakfast made some herbal tea for him to give him some relief. She had also got his breakfast packed and brought it with her. She sat down and served him his breakfast which he at first refused, but had to give in when she coaxed him to. He felt happy within himself too. Devi left after he said that he would join her for lunch as he had started feeling better. Sure enough, at 1.30, she came to take him with her.

Slowly the bond between them got strengthened when they realised that they had a couple of relatives in common. Devi had lost her husband within a year of their marriage and she had been living all alone for more than forty years. Her position took her to various parts of the country and when she retired from service, she was one of the few officers who laid down their service without a blemish. Post retirement she had served on several government bodies in various capacities and she was much sought after for her proficiency in the job. Her parents would occasionally visit her but for the most part she was all alone.

Dr. Sharma too shared his story with her. He had been married to another doctor who had her private practice just opposite his clinic. They were not blessed with any children, but both of them helped many children for their education and general well-being. Nitya was a loving wife and in the four decades they lived together, there was not a moment which was not ringing with happiness. Losing her was a great shock for Dr. Sharma and he could not overcome the depression for quite some time. He chose to spend more time to his profession which helped him regain some kind of a normalcy. Within the two days he came to Global Homes, he realised that he had made the right decision to settle down here, where he had started making friends, not to mention Devi who was forever caring for him.

About two weeks later, he was entering his house after his evening walk, when it struck him that he had not seen Devi after lunch. Usually, she would be listening to old Hindi melodies in the evening. There was a stillness all round. He thought of ringing the door-bell when he saw that the door was ajar. He peeped in and was shocked to see Devi on the floor. She had hit the edge of the centre table and had her forehead bleeding. He checked her pulse and found it to be very weak. He immediately remembered that she had mentioned that she was a diabetic and presuming that her sugar level was low, went to the kitchen and got some sugar which he popped into her mouth. Within a few minutes, she opened her eyes and Dr. Sharma felt relieved. He had guessed correctly. He checked the sugar level with the glucometer he found on the table. It read 40. Dr. Sharma then made her get up and brought her some candy so that the sugar level would rise soon. In some time, the sugar level started rising, and Devi started feeling better. However, her forehead injury had to be attended to and so Dr. Sharma took her in his car to a nearby hospital. Fortunately, the injury was not too deep and did not warrant any sutures. She was feeling quite weak and the doctor suggested that she may be kept in the hospital that night for observation. She had been administered drips and soon she fell asleep.

Dr. Sharma stayed back and when she woke up it was past midnight. Dr. Sharma was seated on the chair by her bed and had closed his eyes. Devi looked around her and realised that she was in a hospital. In the meanwhile, Dr. Sharma too opened his eyes and seeing Devi awake, he started to talk with her. Both of them concluded that she must have taken an overdose of her diabetes medicine resulting in hypoglycemia. Devi felt greatly obliged that he had come to her rescue in time.

The next day, they left the hospital for home and for a few days, Dr. Sharma was totally in charge. He saw to it that Devi rested adequately and did not allow her to go down for food. He went and after having his meal, brought her hers. He sat beside her and took excellent care of her and Devi was touched by his kindness.

Both of them became thick friends and when she had recovered completely, Dr. Sharma would take her shopping or to a restaurant or to movies. Both of them enjoyed spending time together and felt very secure in each other’s presence. They shared common interests and were both alone without any encumbrances. They loved being together and were very happy. 

Valentine’s Day was round the corner and a get-together of all the residents of Global Homes was being organised. The management wished to ensure that the event would be the talk of the town. Not all flats were occupied and they planned to celebrate that Day and offer attractive discounts to woo prospective clients.

Dr. Sharma was walking up and down the corridor of his floor. It was his habit to keep walking whenever there was something in his mind. In a short while, having come to some decision, he went out. Devi had been watching him but did not know what he was thinking about. She had some work on hand and when she started working on it, she forgot about Dr. Sharma.

The D-day arrived. Global Homes had come up very recently and this was their first ever gathering and celebration. All the residents, numbering about a hundred were eagerly waiting for the function to start. They enjoyed all the games and were happy when the management awarded prizes not only to the winners, but also to all the participants. After dinner was served, the concluding part of the programme was announced.

In keeping with the Valentine theme, the men were invited to come on to the stage and present their spouses with gifts. Since this had not been announced earlier, and the men had no inkling about it, they were not prepared with gifts and all they could do was offer promises about the gifts they proposed to give their spouses. The presents offered were exclusive designer sarees, cars, cruises, vacations and the like. The last to go on to the stage was Dr. Sharma. Many residents were surprised to see him there. He is a widower – to whom is he offering a gift, was the question that arose in their minds.

When Dr. Sharma took the mike in his hand, he first thanked Global Homes for their excellent ambience and the care they took of the residents. He then dwelled on the doubt that was bothering the residents – as a widower, who would be the lucky person he had in mind to whom he would gift something worthwhile?

He called out to Devi and she was stunned. She never expected to be called on the stage. When she did not budge, Dr. Sharma came to her and pulled her to the stage. He then bent on one knee and presenting a file to her asked in a very romantic voice, “Devi. Will you be my companion?”

She was blushing and at a loss for words. She knew that deep within her, she loved him and she would be untrue to herself if she refused him. When she did not say anything but looked up to him with love in her eyes, Dr. Sharma said that though they knew each other for only a short while, he felt that she would be his best companion. He had just signed an agreement with the promoters for the terrace flat in one of the buildings so that both Devi and he could move in there. He said that at their age, more than anything else, companionship was what elders were looking for – someone to care, someone to share and someone who you could fall upon at any time.

When Dr. Sharma made his offer again, Devi could not refuse and said YES to him without any fuss. Dr. Sharma made it very clear that though they would move in to a big flat, each one of them would respect the other’s privacy. The only change in their lives would be that there will be no corridor between their homes.

All the residents gave them a standing ovation and wished them well. Age is just a number, they all agreed.