Continuing Prerna's Story
Dad's Departure
We were staying in a flat on the 3rd floor, and my Dad used to go to the office on a bicycle. I learned to ride a bicycle, taught by him only and used to go to the market on my own at times. He had not yet reached his 60, maybe around 49, but was suffering from hypertension and diabetes. I got admitted to college at the age of 17, and he used to call me 'Girlfriend'. He was my shopping mate, and I was his. When he comes from the office, at times he will pick up rations from shops and carry the bags on his bicycle. Upon reaching home, he would ring the bell of his cycle in a particular sequence, which was a call for my brother and me to go down and pick up the things.
I vividly remember that day, a Saturday. We have agreed to go out to market after his office hours. I was waiting for him on the balcony when I saw him riding the bicycle with ration bags on the handlebars of the cycle. I rushed down the stairs to pick up the bags.
He stopped near me, and there was total fatigue on his face. He forced a smile and said Keep the ration, and we'll go to the market in half an hour. Seeing his fatigued face, I told him that we could go to the market some other time. I lifted the bags from the handle and kept them on the road, holding the bicycle. While alighting from the bicycle, it fell, and he fell into my arms.
I held him tightly, and shouted for mother, calling, shouting, calling ...
A couple of neighbours who were very near ran for help. There was a clinic in front of our house on the ground floor. One of the neighbours rushed to the doctor and called him. The doctor came out, checked the pulse, heartbeat, eyes... The doctor expressed his fear that he had suffered a heart attack. The doctor lent his car to take him to the hospital. He was there for the night and the next day. Silent, eyes closed, with pipes in his nose, mouth, hand, and legs.
I was sitting beside him, and calling him in silence.
Telling him, Dad, let's get up, let us go home.
The room is too cold,
You will get sick,
And you up now, let's go home.
Dad, I am not feeling good,
You are lying still, like this!
Just silent, lips sealed,
No anger, no love, no smile.
Get up, please talk, let's go home.
So many wires attached to you,
Get up, Dad, O' my Dad
Tell the doctor to remove these.
The car is at the gate. Get up, Dad,
Wear your shirt. Come with me.
Mother is waiting at home.
Food is cooked for you and is ready.
The small brother is crying at home,
Asking all, when Dad will come,
He is waiting to fight with you.
How much time will you take,
You promised me, my Dad,
You won't go alone anywhere,
And I am waiting for you, alone,
For your company,
Come, Dad, let's go home.
Come on, come with me,
Let us go home, Dad.
Let us go home,
Please, please, please.
And he replied, just nothing, in total silence. After attempts at revival, he was declared dead due to a massive cardiac arrest. Later, we came to know from the doctor that Dad never listened to him to take medicines for hypertension. That started the darkest phase of my life. With him, I lost my guide, teacher, friend, and also the shoulders on which I could cry for my comfort.
I wish to look forward when looking back at myself. Yes, he is with me, always, in my mind, his arms, I still feel, when I am sad. I still feel he is holding my hands, caressing my palm when I am sad. Yes, my friend, he is always with me.
***
And wait for the Part 14...
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