A FITTING FINALE

Is Dilip there? Was the frantic call from his boss Anup. Sara, Dilip’s wife attended the call. The message of course- Anup is expecting him in the office earlier than usual. Dilip was always his confidant. They belong to the same generation and could relate to each other easily. Sara came from an affluent surrounding. She enjoyed being the only one for her parents. Whatever she wanted she got, wherever she wanted she went. Of course, discipline was in the air but with concessions! Sara thought her life would be one long treat!  Of course, it was – till the early period after marriage. Her Dilip took her to romantic jaunts. She lived every bit of her life.

They thought of raising a family. And there came for them three- two daughters and a son in a quick succession. Life became a humdrum but she still enjoyed motherhood! Not so for Dilip. He missed thee spice in life. Wondering how to get it back, his eyes fell on gambling. He started to bet on race horses! Sara tried to dissuade him but in vain. Gradually his interest in his career took a back seat and money started to vanish into thin air.

Sara voiced her concern to her parents. “Beti, , whatever we have belongs to you. Of course, we are living on our savings.  You can understand our limitations”. She realised the truth in her father’s statement. She told her concerns to her husband’s boss so he could advise Dilip. He too tried in vain to stop him from gambling. When Dilip lost heavily, he took solace in drinks. And that added to Sara’s woes. Children were steadily growing up. Sara found it difficult to make both ends meet with the mounting bills. To top everything Dilip was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.  She knew misfortunes never come single but never so rapidly. Dilip became so sick that he could not be regular at the office.

Anup was clueless on how to help the family. Finally, he hit on a plan. He called Sara one day and told her “See I have only one way before me to solve your problem. I can offer you secretaryship in the office. Would you be willing to accept it?”. Her present predicament made her jump at the offer. She could even take care of her husband’s medical bills apart from paying school fees and other house hold expenses. She found the offer a matter of great consolation. On the domestic front things were looking up except for the failing health of her husband. He just could not give up drinks.  Finally, the catastrophe stuck.  Dilip died on the way to hospital.

Sara became courageous to face life on her own terms. Children finished their graduation and took up jobs that suited their qualifications. For some time, there was never a want in the house. Then slowly each of the children went ahead on their future of marriage and setting up the family.  Sara had to conduct their weddings and her savings got eaten up. Then the reality of facing retirement stuck her. Her job does not ensure pension. She would get an amount with which she had to live the rest of her life. She could not expect help from her children who were struggling to make both ends meet.

Her boss Anup had retired 5 years before her. Tragedy struck him hard when his wife died suddenly of cardiac arrest. He lost interest in life and started neglecting his health. Eventually he ended up with stroke. His children came from abroad, took care of him for some time and went back after appointing a male nurse and caretaker. When Sara heard of his illness and helplessness, she felt very bad for him. She visited him and saw that he was not given proper care. She remembered Anup’s act of kindness in offering her secretaryship. And how that offer helped her in meeting the need of the family and a sick husband. Now is her turn to return the kindness.  She told him “I shall take care of you.”  He too agreed but felt that it would be better if she stayed in his place and took care of him. For that he’d prefer her to be his wife so that she can stay there throughout. Anup brought forth this suggestion knowing too well Sara’s difficulties to make both ends meet. He also knew that her children are taking care of their families and she felt neglected. For the second time, Anup offered to rescue her.  But what will happen if she outlived him.  Anup promised “I assure you would be taken care of financially even after my time. I would make arrangements for the same.”

“Inscrutable are the ways of God” thought Sara and heaved a sigh of relief.