If only she were here.....
I still remember that cold winter night. I was watching the 10pm news on TV when my phone screamed for attention. Who could be calling me at this hour? The number looked strange, it was definitely not an India number. An angry customer? My manager? I hoped things were okay at work.
I answered the phone and it turned out to be a lady. Her voice, gentle and affectionate. She spoke with an accent. She had some news for Vinay Murthy. As she broke the news, my eyes went moist. My legs weakened and my hands trembled. I struggled to hold the phone to my ears. She asked me to write down something which I could barely manage to do. I didn't know what to tell her other than thank her for the call, and the news of course. I kept the phone down and stood silently for I don't know how long.
I wanted to punch the air as fiercely as I could. I felt like jumping up and down in joy. But just then, life took over and I heard her moan.
Her pain had become unbearable. She wanted him to do something....anything...to rid her of her agony. She didn't trust the doctors, but she trusted her grandson for sure. But alas, when the doctors had given up hope, the grandson could do no more than just hold her hand and comfort her that it will all be fine soon. He never felt as helpless in his life as he did during that winter. He had failed her, dashed her hopes, he didn't seem to have that magical touch that she thought he did. She loved him. He loved her more than anyone else. And it was all coming to an end right in front of his eyes.
I sat down by her side. Told her about the phone call. We smiled. She hadn't smiled for months. She took my hand into hers and held it tight. Her pain seemed to have disappeared suddenly. Was it the magical touch? She was shaking my hand. We had a little celebration, though mostly silent. She mumbled something. I could barely hear. But having shared the best times of my life with her, I knew what she would say in moments like these.... If only he were here.....
A few days later she passed away. The grandson was suddenly alone. He was relieved that he didn't have to falsely comfort her anymore, but the void she left in his life is something that he is still trying to come to terms with - to come back from work and not to find her around, to wake up everyday and not to have his first coffee with her, to not have her with him whenever he wants to. He decided that he will not celebrate the news.
Attachment is evil.
And of course, there is no magical touch.
I answered the phone and it turned out to be a lady. Her voice, gentle and affectionate. She spoke with an accent. She had some news for Vinay Murthy. As she broke the news, my eyes went moist. My legs weakened and my hands trembled. I struggled to hold the phone to my ears. She asked me to write down something which I could barely manage to do. I didn't know what to tell her other than thank her for the call, and the news of course. I kept the phone down and stood silently for I don't know how long.
I wanted to punch the air as fiercely as I could. I felt like jumping up and down in joy. But just then, life took over and I heard her moan.
Her pain had become unbearable. She wanted him to do something....anything...to rid her of her agony. She didn't trust the doctors, but she trusted her grandson for sure. But alas, when the doctors had given up hope, the grandson could do no more than just hold her hand and comfort her that it will all be fine soon. He never felt as helpless in his life as he did during that winter. He had failed her, dashed her hopes, he didn't seem to have that magical touch that she thought he did. She loved him. He loved her more than anyone else. And it was all coming to an end right in front of his eyes.
I sat down by her side. Told her about the phone call. We smiled. She hadn't smiled for months. She took my hand into hers and held it tight. Her pain seemed to have disappeared suddenly. Was it the magical touch? She was shaking my hand. We had a little celebration, though mostly silent. She mumbled something. I could barely hear. But having shared the best times of my life with her, I knew what she would say in moments like these.... If only he were here.....
A few days later she passed away. The grandson was suddenly alone. He was relieved that he didn't have to falsely comfort her anymore, but the void she left in his life is something that he is still trying to come to terms with - to come back from work and not to find her around, to wake up everyday and not to have his first coffee with her, to not have her with him whenever he wants to. He decided that he will not celebrate the news.
Attachment is evil.
And of course, there is no magical touch.