Everyday rain or shine, used to see an old man at bus stop around 6.30 am. On weekdays, to catch a bus to office and during weekends for my son's tuition to drop. He must be around 65, looks like a retired person. Well dressed and physically challenged. (legs, polio attacked I guess). Some days I go early to bus stop and wait for a bus and some days he waits. We look each other and understand that our usual bus yet to arrive. Gradually, we share smiles. I used to wonder that where he goes at this morning as he doesn't seem to be an office goer. He travels to a longer distance, almost 15 kms to the outskirts of Bangalore (Me travel further). But, no idea when he returns. Next morning, I can see him at bus stop 😊
Yesterday, I happened to leave early from office. Since it was early evening, the bus was empty. On the way the same person boarded at the bus stop where he alighted in the morning. I got relieved about his return timing. He has noticed me and surprised to see in bus by that time. He sat beside me and asked "leaving early?" in Kannada. I smiled at him. He looked at my bag label and asked that am I working there. Then I inquired about him, whether he works or not and about his everyday travel. He told me he was an retired employee from a big private company. He has two sons and got married. He raised them to the higher level, both are working in IT and an MNC. He has spent all his savings and earnings for their studies and marriage. All went fine until his wife's last breathe it seems. Then he became burden to his sons. With his huge contribution only, both bought flats and living a luxury life. Even he does not know where to stay after his wife demise. He and his wife were staying in a small rented house then. One of his son suggested him to stay at each residence for a month in a cycle. January stay at elder son's place (Can't mention as home or residence anymore), February at younger son's place. But, it did not work out! The reason is "only few month has festival to celebrate". Where to spend on festival? Keeping him in a middle of hall both discussed over phone it seems. That too on the day of Diwali. Finally, wise daughter in law suggested that let him spend day at one place and night at one place in alternate manner. Because, at both places school going kids are there to look after. What an idea, Madam ji?!
As per the idea and plan, he is travelling from younger son's place to elder son's place for Break fast, Lunch and to Serve at day time. By evening, leave from elder son's place to younger son's place to have Dinner and Bed. It would be routine in alternate!
When he says all these, I am shocked to hear. But, I did not see any sort of emotion on his face. Like a newspaper reading, he narrated. I looked at him with my tearful eyes. He gasped and told me, "All for my grand children. I love them and they are very affectionate to me. They become sad and cry if I don't go there for a day".
I asked him how many grand children he has. He replied with a smile "Each son has two boys..!"
The stop arrived to alight.
Yesterday, I happened to leave early from office. Since it was early evening, the bus was empty. On the way the same person boarded at the bus stop where he alighted in the morning. I got relieved about his return timing. He has noticed me and surprised to see in bus by that time. He sat beside me and asked "leaving early?" in Kannada. I smiled at him. He looked at my bag label and asked that am I working there. Then I inquired about him, whether he works or not and about his everyday travel. He told me he was an retired employee from a big private company. He has two sons and got married. He raised them to the higher level, both are working in IT and an MNC. He has spent all his savings and earnings for their studies and marriage. All went fine until his wife's last breathe it seems. Then he became burden to his sons. With his huge contribution only, both bought flats and living a luxury life. Even he does not know where to stay after his wife demise. He and his wife were staying in a small rented house then. One of his son suggested him to stay at each residence for a month in a cycle. January stay at elder son's place (Can't mention as home or residence anymore), February at younger son's place. But, it did not work out! The reason is "only few month has festival to celebrate". Where to spend on festival? Keeping him in a middle of hall both discussed over phone it seems. That too on the day of Diwali. Finally, wise daughter in law suggested that let him spend day at one place and night at one place in alternate manner. Because, at both places school going kids are there to look after. What an idea, Madam ji?!
As per the idea and plan, he is travelling from younger son's place to elder son's place for Break fast, Lunch and to Serve at day time. By evening, leave from elder son's place to younger son's place to have Dinner and Bed. It would be routine in alternate!
When he says all these, I am shocked to hear. But, I did not see any sort of emotion on his face. Like a newspaper reading, he narrated. I looked at him with my tearful eyes. He gasped and told me, "All for my grand children. I love them and they are very affectionate to me. They become sad and cry if I don't go there for a day".
I asked him how many grand children he has. He replied with a smile "Each son has two boys..!"
The stop arrived to alight.
