The bench

 "Aga, I am off to the park. I will be back by lunch", Shreedhar called out as he wore his chappals to step out for his morning walk. He noticed the packet of milk still outside the door. "Radha is getting old now. She forgot to get the milk in", he smiled as he thought to himself. He picked up the milk pouch and kept it in the refrigerator. He knew she hated it when he called her old, and he enjoyed teasing her. 

And then he remembered, she had mentioned something about going to her sister's house for a week. Shaking his head, he thought, "Maybe I should stop teasing her now"

The park had been his go to place every morning since he retired. He was a doctor and retirement had been hard on him. From being "the most wanted person", as Radha liked to tease him, to sink into oblivion, had been tough.

He never really had time to make friends and he had worked well into his late 70s. It was only in the past few years that he had completely shut down his practice. Radha had also not been keeping too well and so he made that choice and both the children were well settled in the USA.

Shreedhar completely his customary four rounds of the park, and sat on this favorite bench. He could see the little children playing on the various playgyms and it reminded him of the time he used to come there with his father and later with his children. Of course, the park was not this fancy or well maintained back then. 

"Baba, I really thought I would get the man of the match today"

Shreedhar looked around. A boy of about 12 was sitting on a bench with his father. He smiled as he remembered how his father would take him to cricket matches and they could come to this park afterwards. Of course, the park was a lot simpler back then.

"Don't worry! I am sure tomorrow will be a better day. There is always another match", consoled the father and the father son duo walked away. 

Shreedhar walked home. He had the lunch that Savita, their house help made. Savita worked with them for several years and she knew Shreedhar's routine well. Nap in the afternoon, then some tea and then TV and then he went to bed early. The children called on the weekends, so weekdays were pretty much the same. 

Again, at the park, when Shreedhar was sitting on the bench, he heard a some loud voices. Curious, Shreedhar turned around to see a young man, in his late teens and his father arguing. "But, I really don't enjoy science. I have loved cricket since I was a kid. Why won't you let me pick that as my career?".

Shreedhar couldn't hear the father, but he fondly remembered how he used to play cricket as a child and dreamt about being a sportsman. He almost felt like walking over and talking to the father to let the boy be. But then he remembered Radha's stern words, "You can't solve everyone's problems".

The days continued as always and so did his mornings. Shreedhar sat on this favorite bench, when he noticed a young couple on the other bench. Clearly in love, had eyes only for each other. They looked like either they were about to get married or were newly married. Shreedhar quickly looked away, but smiled to himself. That day, he left the park early.

Shreedhar looked forward to his mornings in the park. Radha had told him many times about the park and how she went with her friends, but Shreedhar rarely had time until he retired. He noticed the young family sitting on the bench. The daughter was reading a book while her brother was playing on the play gym. Shreedhar noticed that there was some new equipment that he hadn't seen before. "Good thing, kids these days rarely go out to play. We were never to be found home, but these kids, forever glued to the cellphones"

Shreedhar always picked that bench. He could see the children in the park from there, especially in the vacations. Radha told him about the other part of the park where the seniors sat and talked. But Shreedhar never enjoyed that, and since he was rarely a part of that group, he felt like an outsider. Today though, he heard this middle aged couple, "We should really think this through, she wants to go to the USA to study, but how will we manage the finances. And I am sure her brother will want to go as well". The wife sounded worried. "Why don't you tell them to stay here. I am told, India will be the next super power". The husband chuckled, "Where did you read this? Super power?". The wife, walked away angrily. "You never take me seriously". And the husband followed her. Shreedhar wondered when Radha would be back as he made his way home. He missed her.

But then that day, when he saw that old couple on the bench, sitting with a hospital file in their hand, he felt a sinking feeling. Their expression said it all. "Don't worry, I am going to take care of you" said the husband as he consoled his wife. "Our children will be here soon, we will get you the best possible treatment". The wife just smiled and then said, "You know, this is futile. Just a few more days". 

Shreedhar felt like he was struck by lightening. He rushed back home, sweating profusely. He felt uneasy and suffocated. He had to call Radha, he just had to talk to her. First the phone went in a searching mode a few times. Shreedhar wondered, why there was no signal at her sister's house. Finally the phone rang. And then Shreedhar noticed, the phone was on the table next to her side of the bed. She was not there. She had passed away six days ago. The children had encouraged him to go to the park in the morning to get his routine going. 

Shreedhar was up the whole night. It was as if he had been in a trance these days. He had relived his life these past few days, sitting on the bench. 

The next morning, he made his way to the park, feet like stone. Only to find the park closed. "14 storey luxury apartments and pent houses!" said the board and a JCB went crashing on his favorite bench.