It’s 4 o’clock in the morning. I am
still struggling to keep my eyelids closed. Oh my God! I am defeated once
again, yes my eyes starts oozing out from the lids, cannot stop! Pillow is now absorbing
the salt water trickling out from the left eye. Wet pillow disturbs me a lot.
Decided
to wake up, but how? Thinking of the best possible plan to execute this
operation. There comes an idea, bring all five puffy fingers closer, making it
firm, tight to gain thrust, lifted my head a bit couldn’t stay long and ended
as a failure attempt. Now, trying again with left shoulder, instituted elbow to
support and yes can stay still for some time but not longer enough.
With
open mouth, eyelids tight, widening chin, slowly sliding legs towards the edge
of the cot. The heavy swollen legs, starts to fall down inch by inch making the
upper body to lift up like a sea-Shaw. Thanks to my heavy built-up legs.
Sitting
in the edge of cot like a king, Sun is still pretending to come. The room is
dark, ceiling fan making cranky noise, the steel walker is sober and pleading
me not to call for the duty. Yes, I can understand that the whole world is
running like mad horse all through the day and sleeping to the fullest extent
possible to make their body & mind feel or stay healthy. Not like me, the
old retired government officer.
Waited
for long time and yet to hear voice of the people, rhythm of the milk man cycle
bell, newspaper flying sound…. Though nothing is visible patiently looking
around the room, are there anyone, anything talks to me? Smiles at me? No, says
the cranky ceiling fan…Hmm understood it’s the usual power cut at 5 30 AM. I am
an old man and a medically proven patient, can wait patiently for some more
time….
It’s
7 o’clock, can’t wait anymore, as my urinary bladder is bulging. Hey walker,
can we start the journey for today? With full preparedness, the walker shown
his two arms in front of me to climb. Tried very hard and at my 8th
attempt succeeded. Though standing, literally appears to be bow like image.
Pathetic!! Knee joints are killing my faith; 100 sharp needles keep on pricking
all around the knee cap, however slowly stretched my back discharges a thunder
like sound. Oh God not again!
Several
minutes passed by, me in comfortable atmosphere. Decided to walk, one step at a
time, walked like a toddler. Reached washroom slowly and steadily. Emptied
urinary bladder and that gives me a relaxed feeling. Without much effort, found
toothbrush and paste, few strokes left and right, that’s it, I am done.
Found
a chair at the dining room, took a syringe to maintain diabetic level. Two
idlies for breakfast and a glass of sugarless, tasteless tea.
Started
a new journey with walker from dining room to living room. Took decent amount
of time to reach at the sofa’s. Had a glance at the headlines of the newspaper,
took a deep dive on the state level matters, continued reading the weekly
magazine from where it was left yesterday.
Clock
ticks 1230 PM, hmmm…time for lunch. Walker is ready. Sitting in a cushion sofa
is so easy but to get up is a tougher task. Tackled somehow, with an unstable
body and a hungry stomach, resumed my return journey to dining room.
Yellow
colour watery sambar with no salt in it, less spice and very less dhal. Small cup
of white rice, never filled my little tummy. It’s the doctor’s advice to have
it that way. At times I forget to put injection before lunch, even today it is the
case. On such days, my sugar level shoots high and make me dizzy the rest of
the day.
Stayed
there in dining chair until 3 PM, like me walker is also feels better to move,
hence started my journey to small bed room. Started same old discussion with my
wife about the way we earned, saved money for kid’s future, house construction,
daughter, son wedding etc., and it didn’t go for so long. Again fall asleep in
sitting posture.
Clock
strikes at 530 PM, tea time. Same hot, flavoured tea but with one sugar pill in
it, tastes like heaven.
Took
the walker, journey to the living room, switched on the TV to kill few more
hours until that greatest moment of the day arrives.
Dring!
Dring!! The land line rings, after few ring bells my wife answered the call. It
was from the plumber to get our kitchen sink fixed. I am bit unhappy.
After
some time, Kee! Kee!! Kee!!! Kee!!! My Mobile rings, it was from credit card
company asking me to avail one, I said no in louder tone. Felt very sad.
At
8PM again land line starts ringing. I am sure, this time, it’s from them. With
greatest excitement, I stood up without walker and collapsed. Walker gave me a
strange look at me. Luckily my wife with her good sharp instinct, holds me
before crashing onto the floor. That’s saved me from unwanted injuries to
prevail. That call was actually from the telecom provider sharing about some
offers which is not of our interest at all. I felt so disappointed.
Finally,
at 9 PM, got a call at my mobile. Yes, this time it is from my daughter’s granddaughter
from London. Oh! What a sweet voice she has? So soothing, the kind of care she
is showering on me is unbelievable, I am so thankful to the almighty to have
such a precious grandchild. The day is cherished with loads of happiness after
the call.
Around
10 PM, after the injection and dinner, call from son’s daughter. She is an
angel and too small, though yet to start to talk words her mesmerising sound
takes me to the top of the world.
Felt
like the day is now complete. Walker is looking at me, yes it time for a sound
sleep. Slowly moving to the bed room with walker. Had plenty of pills as per
physician’s advice and lie down on the bed.
Slowly
am losing my conscious due to heavy dosage but I am still rewinding
granddaughter’s voice and the way they spoken to me.
Yes,
things are not in control, mmmm…Slept! Walker is also sleeping in standing
posture.
It’s
4 o’clock in the morning. I am still struggling to keep my eye’s closed!!!!
