Sudarshan And Sabitha [final Episode3]

One day while on his walk,he saw a group of ladies walking in the opposite direction. All of a sudden he became motionless seeing a familiar figure in the group.Sabitha also noticed him and she became speechless.Age had added to her dignity and she still sported her long hair. Both excused themselves from their groups and sat on the bench adjoining the walkway. They exchanged notes on their lives since they parted ways five decades back.

Sabitha did her PhD and rose to the position of Director Research before retirement. She lost her husband ,a fitness freak, due to heart attack while doing tread mill much against the advice of his Doctor. She shifted recently to live with her only daughter in the same complex after repeated bouts of vertigo .She had an uneasy relationship with her son in law who was addicted to drinking and violence. Her daughter tolerated him as he was extremely courteous and caring when sober. When Sabitha tried to counsel him, he felt an unnecessary intrusion in his life. He openly started telling his wife that it was time for his mother in law to move into a retirement home and leave them in peace. After all, he said that she could afford it.Life was tough with his teasing and taunting.

Sudarshan and Sabtha met every evening and spent time talking with each other. Hours extended in each others company and people around started noticing and commenting. They were however oblivious of the comments finding comfort in each others company and meeting of the minds. They were good friends and nothing more.

One day Geetha brought her classmate,a boy to her house and started having a drink.While Sudarshan expressed his anger and anguish in unequivocal terms.Geetha lost her cool and blasted out “ Iam not like you gallavanting all around the complex chasing widows”.Infact your son will also be joining us shortly.Sudarshan responded in silence.

Next day Sudarshan and Sabitha had a long chat and concluded that it was time for them to move out.They located an upmarket retirement home, a two bedroom villa. They intended to stay together.As still the society is not accepting friendship between a man and woman irrespective of their age they decided to get married under Arya Samaj followed by Registration. They drew up a legal document titled companionship agreement.” In a nutshell it stated that their marriage was to legalise their companionship and living together and nothing more than that. They would share the expenses. None of them will have any claim on each others assets nor responsible for each others encumberances. By a separate will they are bequeathing their assets to their legal heirs and wished them well.”

Packing started in each others house watched silently by their wards.On the appointed day both left their houses well dressed and accompanied by friends. They returned back after three hours and started loading the car. When they waved good bye to their wards they gave an envelope to them which contained a copy of their agreement,a list of assets and a copy of their will.The car started moving when their wards and friends stood in stupefied silence .

Do you think that they did something wrong when they were in their seventies? Is companionship more important than living with their family members.Is the society ready to accept that seniors have life of their own and they have a right to decide what they deem fit.I have no ready answer but do join me in wishing them well.

 

You are the first to bell thev cat.Congrats a thanks.What is wrong if a senior male finds comfort in the company of senior female? I recall that my friendship with my wife blossomed after retirement.We had time to understand each others likes and dislikes went all out to be accomodative. Seniors have to compete with whatsup,tweeter and instagram to gain the attention and company of children.Loneliness is the bane of seniors.The climate is somewhat better when you stay with your daughter than with your son. Thanks once again.