Daddy

-Guru Prasad

We all gathered at the house of Brother Raja! Why we gathered there is not necessary to be told separately. Let me come to the topic directly.

‘Daddy is now 80. Sense of hearing has also gone. Everything he does on the bed itself. Taking care of him in this condition is not possible for me. I don’t want to pass on this responsibility to others. Why should others suffer? We all decided daddy should be admitted into the Old Age Home. We all would pay his expenses.’ Brother Raja looked at all of us and gave his suggestive opinion.

The younger brother, Ramu, elder sister, Lakshmi, younger sister, Priya agreed with Brother Raja. Then Brother Raja asked me, ‘Oh! Raghu! What’s your opinion?’ 

‘Soon after the death of Priya, mother passed away. Daddy brought us up. He sacrificed everything for us. Our relatives insisted that he should go for the second marriage but he didn’t agree. He forgot his own personal comfort or luxury. It’s our duty that we take care of him till his last breath. We cannot be happy by sending him to the Old Age Home. Neither daddy would be happy! Won’t he feel hurt? Please listen to me. I’ll take him with me. If I find any trouble, I’ll have a nurse.’ After listening to me, all became silent.

I went inside the room to see daddy. He looked at me and smiled. His eyes welled up! The next moment the smile froze on his lips!!