The one that knocks at the window, hoping to see that Smile

“Always wake up before the Sun, and when the entire universe takes a pause, while it dawns, you must bow down to thank the Sun who brings - on his chariot with 7 seven divine horses - ‘eternal nectar of life’ and heralds a new lively force of hope and a vision of future.  

That Sun, my Rony, rises only when he triumphs over the pall of dreaded darkness and must you salute the ‘Gallant’. That sun is like our forefathers, they wake up too, to see their loved ones flourishing, the sacrifices they did for the future of their family must not be overlooked, so when you bow down to sun you pay homage to the ancestors. 

However sad you are, or no matter how tough the time is - ‘Always face it with courage’- and you are never to worry because those fathers in the sky are always watching you to shield you from the ravages of life. You are never alone when you have their blessings.” Said Abhigyan to his Grandson, while they were planting a laburnum tree in the backyard, on a scorching day in June. 

Rony was 7 at that time. He listened to all this with undivided attention. A wave of cool wind brushed his air, just like the words of his grandfather. Abhigyan kissed him while he realized how innocently Rony pretends that the worlds had percolated in his mind. Just like a seed those words got planted in his mind, and with a hope of pleasant springs Abhigyan hoped that one day it might dig deeper in his soul and the flowers of humility would bloom one day for sure.  

Abhigyan wanted to give every single grain of love he had in his clenched heart to Rony. But the sand of time was getting out of the fist of life. And now the desire to instill in him with all the wisdom he had gathered overpowered the umpteen love he had for him, and however he tried he ended up preaching him a sermon. 

Abhigyan’s morning that began with the Sun, now started with kissing Rony and covering his eyes with blanket, so that the light of Sun could not pierce his delicate eyes and trouble his tranquility.  

His parents Ram and Tina were both occupied as Chartered Accountants in PWC. They were everything Abhigyan wanted – cultured, respectful and disciplined. Ram loved teasing his dad, while describing how strict he was with him and his sister Shyna, he told Tina - “Rony has shown that Dad can love a human, Mom used to guard us, while Shyna and I watched television. As soon the car rolled in, she used to ask us to come and wish Dad – good evening. It was coy.” 

Tina used to laugh at the dynamic they shared. Abhigyan used to ignore this while smiling behind the paper. “And I used to be happy and proud of my upbringing” he used to say while chuckling. Tina then used to diffuse the situation before a broil could begin. Tina had never had a father and Abhigyan loved her so much that she forgot that he was not his father. Tina loved her mother-in-law, Sushma, even more. She was an angel. Abhigyan believes that he could handle himself after her death, only because Rony was there to distract him.  

Things elevated at a monstrous pace. With Rony growing up like any ordinary teen away from his family. Ram, Tina and Abhigyan only grew apart from him. The innocent days of childhood became a distant memory, vague yet impalpable. But it never bothered anyone. Time was seductive and watching Rony become the man he became only lit Abhigyan’s eyes. Rony loved his grandfather and never spent a day without spending time with him. Abhigyan could never have asked for more. 

But the day Rony demanded a separate room, Abhigyan felt alone but he never displayed it. Overwhelmed with the loss and the fact that he could not be with his grandfather when he needed him the most, he felt lifeless. He had no aversion. He ran from his own house in Punjab and came to Delhi in hope of a greater future.  

But it took two days for his wealth to perish and dreams to clash. And in those days when he slept in the deadly winters of Delhi on the footpath, he felt that he had made a seer mistake to leave the nest. But in that darkest hour he kept in his mind the image of his dead father, who died of cancer when everyone denied them help and they had to sell every resource they had. Thinking of his father he looked up at the stars, and tears rolled out of his eyes. And then he saw, a mirage, His forefathers, with their faces brightened with a holy light, he saw smiling and waving at him. Jumping out of sleep, Abhigyan bowed his head to thank them as the Sun rose. The day was January 13.  

Abhigyan worked hard and with the blessings of his forefathers he earned fortune and wealth. He brought his mother to their dream house in Delhi. His mother got him married soon after and died just a week after. Sushma took over the house and filled Abhigyan’s life with love. She was a teacher at a government school and was highly qualified while Abhigyan never went to school after 15. But her love knew no bounds.  

Rony was as determined as him. This could only make him happier. Rony then went to Bangalore for higher studies and on the day, he was about to take his Bar exam. Abhigyan heaved the very last breaths of life that were left in him. Abhigyan’s wish was to not tell Rony that he was on his death bed. Rony had worked so hard for his career and all Abhigyan needed was him to prosper.  

He knew Rony would have skipped his bar exam if he knew. Ram and Tina never wanted this to happen like this. A fear grew in their heart as they were muddled in the dilemma. But Ram kept his promise over anything, disciplined as he was. 

Abhigyan wanted Rony to be with him during his last days. But the glory of the future and the hope that the morning brings, kept him strong on his stance to resist the material and illusive lust of cloning to loved ones. And thinking of his forefather who held him during his darkest times he left for the other side, with a smile on his face. 

Rony boarded the immediate flight as he heard of the demise. Rony broke down at the sight of his dead grandfather. After all the rituals were completed. Ram gave Rony a diary Abhigyan had compiled all through his life. Titled ‘Ode to Life’, it contained a broken set of grammatically incorrect memoirs that he had written to pass down what he had acquired. On the back was written dedicated to my love ‘Rony’. 

Rony went to his grandfather’s room and lay on the bed. He sat the entire night reading whatever Abhigyan had weeds in those pages. When he read the last words in the diary, he recalled the hot day of June when they planted the laburnum that now was colossal. 

Overwhelmed with the loss and the fact that he could not be with his grandfather when he needed him the most, he felt lifeless. Rony his girlfriend, Ira, whom he was about to propose later this year.  

“Hi Rony!” 

Rony burst into tears as he heard her beautiful voice. Ira kept calming him down but ended up breaking down too. Rony fell asleep panting due to tears as Ira put him to sleep. Tina came to his later and gave him a blanket, while Ram kissed his forehead. Rony hugged them hard and cried again. 

“We are so sorry!” They apologized. 

The dawn came as majestic as usual. Rony felt a cool wind blowing his hair. Drunk in sleep he said, “Good morning, Dado!”. The sunlight falling on his eyes got obstructed by something knocking on the window. Rony’s got chills when he recalled that his grandfather is no more. 

He opened his eyes wide to see who was there. He was the laburnum covering the window and colliding with the hinges as wind rustled its leaves, as the branches prevented the sun rays from piercing his eyes.  

Rony smiled at the sight of the golden laburnum tree, and small birds building their nest in the heart of the trunk. He closed his eyes and thanked his grandfather for the legacy he had left for him to cherish and revere.