Rohit was waiting for Nikhil today. He was going to come for lunch. “What should I do? Food is ready. Nikhil got late today. Traffic may be.” He was talking to himself. Just to pass time, he pulled out few old albums and started going over the photos. One hand-written note that caught his attention. It said Our Wish List. He was about to pull that out but he heard Nikhil’s car. He closed the album ad went out.
He was living alone in a five bedrooms house. His son Nikhil and daughter Maya were living in different cities due to work and family. They got married and had kids. There earlier frequent meetings now became only over the weekends or on festivals. Last year when they met was for Diwali. Both of them had asked Rohit a couple of times to come and stay with them but he didn’t want to leave the house. “I am safe and happy at my house. Nothing will happen to me. You care for me, come to see me, I get to play with my grand-kids. What else do I need?” this used to be his answer.
“If you say so but from last few visits, you look tired to me Papa. Is everything okay? Should I talk to doctor uncle?” Nikhil wasn’t very much convinced about Rohit’s health lately.
“No Nikhil. I am fine. It’s just age.” Rohit acted normal.
“But Papa, you are alone the whole day. If you will be with us then we will be tension free and your grand-kids will get to see you every day. Isn’t that wonderful?” Nikhil and Maya tried to convince him but no luck.
“I will let you know when I will feel the need to shift to either of your places. I promise.” Rohit tried to postpone the conversation.
Rohit didn’t know that he might have to move into Nikhil’s place that soon. It was Tuesday afternoon. Rohit had his lunch and sat on the easy chair the way he used to relax there every day and sometimes falls asleep. Today after having lunch, he felt slightly uneasy. So, he decided to lie down instead of sitting. From the last couple of days, this was happening quite often. He called their family doctor and got himself checked. Doc told him those were the minor strokes that he didn’t realize. But he needs to take care of him. This was his 2ndvisit in last two weeks. Even he suggested to him to move to either his son or daughter’s place. Rohit took a promise from him that he will not tell Nikhil or Maya about his health conditions. Their doctor knew them for many years. He was more of a family now.
“Alright, Rohit. But you need to think seriously. If this thing happens again then I will have to call Nikhil.” Doc said.
After he left, Rohit pulled out all the old albums. He wanted to read that hand-written note. When he opened it and started to read, he went back in his young days. That note was his and Meera’s wish list they made on one of the Christmas on kid’s demand. For a long time, they framed it in hung it in their bedroom. He smiled and started reading that list.
- Sponsor one child’s education
- Take up a new hobby
- Having a family photograph
- Moving in with kids
Along with that, there was a note written by his wife. “Rohit, I know you how much you love me. Now when the doctor had given his words, you still have hope. But I know I will be the first one to go. Because you will not go leaving me alone. Now listen, we decided to do all these things together when we will re-live our golden days of life but unfortunately, God didn’t give me enough time. Please, you finish our wish list. I know point 4 would be hard for you but for my sake, Rohit please do that when you really feel the need.
Few more months passed by but there was no improvement. In fact, it had increased. The Doctor put him on medication and asked him to inform his kids.
He picked up the phone and called Maya. Maya was quite shocked to receive his phone call on a weekday. She knew something is urgent otherwise he won’t call on a weekday.
“Hello, Papa. How are you?” “I am okay Beta (my child). I mean okay-okay. I wanted to talk to you and Nikhil. Can you come here tomorrow?”, Rohit didn’t tell her everything on phone.
“Sure dad, I will call Nikhil and we will come there. Do you want us to come today?” Maya got slightly worried but she didn’t show it on the phone.
“No no tomorrow is fine.” I will be waiting for you. Bye.
Next afternoon, when Maya and Nikhil came there Doc was also present there.
“Papa, what happened? Are you okay?” Maya almost cried looking at him. Rohit had lost so much weight. His glowing face had turned pale. He was sitting on his easy chair with a smile on his face.
“You Papa is fine Beta. Come, sit here. I want to talk to you and Nikhil about something.” Rohit tried to stay calm.
“He sipped some water and started. Nikhil, Maya your mom and I made a wish list of the things we want to do before we die. Unfortunately, she is not there with us today to read it with me. But I will read it to you. He read their wish list and told them what all is done. “Beta, I think now it’s time to cross the last in the list.” He said in a calm voice.
“Papa, you didn’t tell us anything about your health when you were going through so much. Why?” Nikhil asked.
“I knew you would let me stay here all by myself if you came to know about my health. This wish list me and your mom made together. How can I leave it unfinished? I wanted to do it here, where your mom’s memories are. But now for the last wish in our wish list, I cannot do it here.” He said it with a soft but weak smile.
Maya packed his bags. Rohit wanted to take the last tour of his house. Somewhere he knew he will not able to come here again. These were his last moments at this house. Nikhil helped him in getting off the chair and walked him around. By the time he was done with the tour, Maya came with the bags.
Both of them helped their Papa get in the car. Rohit took the paper out of his pocket and crossed the last wish and slowly said..Good Bye Meera. I kept my promise.
Linking this post to Write Tribe Festival of Words June 2018
Day 4 : Creative Writing Prompts (all from Writer’s Digest) : Write a story about a character who finds out that he or she is dying and has been knocking things off his/her bucket list and has finally reached the last item.
