Unanswered Questions

Unanswered Questions


Padbanabhan, 75, and Anusuya, 73, recently moved into a new apartment complex. An unlikely pair, Pad was tall, handsome, and strong with a crop of curly hair that defied his age, still retaining patches of black. Anu, on the other hand, was dark-skinned, woefully thin, with spectacles perched low on her nose and a thin white line betraying the attempt to dye her hair. Pad’s face bore a perpetual sternness, contrasting sharply with Anu’s pleasant demeanour.

The other seniors welcomed Pad during their morning walks, while Anu quickly made friends at the temple in the complex.

Pad and Anu had celebrated their golden wedding anniversary before moving. They had three children: a son settled in the U.S., a daughter in Australia, and a rebellious youngest daughter in Pune. All were successful but not on the best terms with their father. However, they shared a warm bond with their mother. To understand this, one must examine Pad's quirks.

A commerce graduate, Pad was a stickler for discipline and blunt honesty. His career as an auditor made him naturally suspicious of others, and his acerbic tongue alienated clients. Many even requested that his firm not send him for audits. Although Pad’s integrity and hard work kept him employed, his inability to get along with others limited his career progression. Over time, bitterness took root, manifesting in a persecution complex that strained his family relationships.

His wife, an admirer of his principles, endured his eccentricities, but their children resented his strictness. His youngest daughter, in particular, was often berated in public. Eventually, she eloped with a man from a different caste, telling her father, “You humiliated me in public, and this is my way of punishing you.” Pad’s reaction was predictably harsh: “Get out and get lost.” Ironically, the boy she married turned out to be well-educated and well-placed, forcing Pad to reflect for the first time on his harsh parenting style.

At home, Pad ran a tight ship—no air conditioning, lights off when not needed, and strict supervision of Anu’s cooking to ensure no excess oil was used. His constant nitpicking irritated her to no end, but she had learned to ignore it after five decades of marriage.

Pad’s behaviour extended to the apartment association meetings, where he regularly objected to any expenditure. He proposed that water charges be based on the number of residents per flat, only to be rebuffed by a neighbour who suggested charges should instead be based on the residents’ ages, as seniors used the bathroom more frequently. His complaints about the security guard napping and suggestions to cut down trees to save water made him a nuisance to most. The only person who tolerated him was Balan, who secretly turned off his hearing aid during their morning walks.

In contrast, Anu’s grace and sophistication made her a popular figure in the community, always invited to functions.

One unfortunate day, Anu fell and broke her hip. Being diabetic, her surgery required extra precautions. For the first time, Pad felt truly helpless. He called his son in the U.S., who had just returned from India and was too busy presenting a paper at an important convention. “Let me know if it becomes critical,” the son said, unable to leave. His daughter in Australia also couldn’t help, as her husband was away on a business trip, leaving her to care for their children alone.

Just as Pad was wondering what to do, his rebellious daughter unexpectedly arrived at the hospital. There was an awkward silence before he greeted her. For the first time, Pad’s stern demeanour cracked, and he choked back tears.

The surgery was successful, and Anu was discharged after ten days. The rebel daughter took excellent care of both parents, even cooking Pad’s favorite dishes as if to remind him that, despite their differences, she was still his daughter. Pad was deeply moved and accepted her invitation to stay in Pune until Anu recovered. Flights were booked, and everything seemed set.

On the day of their journey, Pad went for his usual walk, came back, and rested. When it was time to leave for the airport, his daughter went to wake him, only to find him unresponsive. Pad had passed away peacefully in his sleep. His sudden death left everyone stunned.

With his son and daughter unable to return in time, it was the rebel daughter who performed his last rites, much to the shock of relatives and neighbours.

Did Pad die because of unspoken remorse for humiliating the daughter who now cared for him? Or because his beloved son had prioritized his career over family? A man known for his quarrelsome nature had found an unexpectedly peaceful end. Was it the universe’s way of saluting his unwavering principles?

In death, Pad left behind many unanswered questions—questions that, like his life, may never find resolution.