It was a Sunday afternoon. A blissful one as far as seventy-year-old Aboni was concerned. It was a full house at the lunch table complete with his nonagenarian mother Hemlata lumbering around the table.
Other regular cuisines had been served. But the best of all was yet to arrive at the table. From the corner of his eyes Aboni noticed that Tania, his daughter-in-law, put two pieces of mutton in his bowl of gravy. When the other bowls were being served, Hemlata stealthily passed a small piece into his bowl. But it didn’t elude the eyes of the other two vigilant ladies: Tania and Swarna- his own wife. Swarna cast an accusing glance at Hemlata, but she chose to ignore it.
Actually, no one was to be blamed. Despite being reasonably fit for his age, Aboni’s doctor has detected a small rise of sugar and cholesterol in his blood. He’s been asked to avoid red meat. So, his favourite dish has become a rarity these days. Even if it’s made, his quota has been restricted to two pieces only. But the mother remained the same affectionate self and couldn’t refrain from passing on the third piece. Hemlata still fondly remembers how Aboni used to polish off a bowlful of mutton with gusto in his younger days.
The lunch went on smoothly till Aboni finished the first two pieces. The dilemma started as he reached the third one. He looked around. Like Prince Hamlet he reflected: ‘To take or not take? That’s the question.’
Reactions varied. His son Sumit put up a note of caution: “Baba, keep your health in mind and consume wisely.”
Aboni knows a small piece won’t really hurt. He’s ready to embrace the cuddle of death, but he’s afraid of being physically incapacitated and depend on his children. He doesn’t want to be a burden on Sumit and Tania, both being busy corporate creatures.
School going grandson Toby, however, threw all caution to the wind. “Dadu,” he cheered up, “go ahead. Never say no to food.”
There was a faint line of smile on Tania’s shapely lips. Swarna’s eyes oscillated between Aboni and Hemlata. Hemlata stood still with a ‘the ball is in your court’ sort of expression.
Finally, Aboni decided to put his bowl aside with the left out mutton piece. At this moment he felt a reassuring touch on his shoulder. It has been familiar all through the forty years of his conjugal life. Swarna displayed a radiant smile. “Please finish your plate. I say, nothing will happen to you. Walk a round more in the evening.”
Aboni mouthed the last piece. It tasted even better than the last two. In fact, the life itself felt delicious. Especially with a wife like ….