“I’d like you all to welcome our new friend, Lalita Iyer”, the warden announced.
The dining hall of the old-age home suddenly came alive as everyone cheered in extending their new mate a warm welcome. Her smile, which was once an indication of her shyness now expressed fear and apprehension and her eyes wore a blank expression. In a few seconds she found herself surrounded by a group that was welcoming her ever so cheerfully. And in those few seconds her eyes were clouded with fear as she instinctively embraced herself. The warden lead her to the large dining table and seated her before asking her if she would like to have anything to eat or drink. Curious about Lalita everyone pulled up a chair to seat themselves around her and talk to her. But she had not uttered a word since she walked into that room.
On the far end of the table sat an old man, bent over his cup of tea, his spectacles perched on a chiselled nose. He raised his head from the newspaper that he was reading to look at the person who had caused such excitement among the old hearts so early in the morning. He looked once and looked again; the familiarity of the face stole his attention. He folded the newspaper and set it aside as he looked more keenly. His lips broke into a smile as his eyes captured the face that was the reason for all the excitement. He got up slowly, making his way to the crowd of grey-heads; he tried to comfort the lady who was being introduced to each of her new boarding companions. She didn’t smile in acknowledgement neither did she move away. She simply sat there, her face expressionless and her mind unable to register the many names that her ears were hearing. He walked away, silently, to the office to find out more about the lady who seemed more baffled than her age could tolerate!
The warden handed the files pertaining to Lalita as he sat down, securing his glasses to know more about the lady and why she what her circumstances were, that brought her here. Each one of them had a story, but the one promise they make as soon as they enter the home was to leave the past behind and look to the future. As his weak eyes crinkled to read the fine print he felt a tear drop from his eyes. It was Lalita…his Lalita. But did she carry so much bitterness for him in her heart that she refused to acknowledge him, even this time? He felt an ache in his heart. Just as he was about to close the file and return it to the warden his eyes caught the word - ALZHEIMER. He read it again, not trusting his old eyes but the warden confirmed what his aged eyes had just seen, “ Yes, Mr. Abhay, Lalita is an alzheimer’s patient. She was dropped off here by her friend’s family…”
“ Rashmi…?”, he asked
“ Yes. She died two months ago and her family felt they were not responsible for Lalita. Alzheimer’s patients are difficult to care for…”
The tears flowed relentlessly as Abhay walked away slowly making his way back to the dining hall. He stood before her as she looked at him, not seeing him really.
“Hello, Lalita! I am Abhay..”, he said, hoping that the name would kindle some spark of memory in her. But she responded with a wry smile. Just then the nurse came along to take her away to settle her into her room. Abhay stood there as a mere spectator, feeling helpless with himself.
Over the next few days, while everyone was busy with their activities - yoga, prayer, reading and music, he spent time reading her file, talking to the in-house doctor and trying to understand this mentally debilitating disease. He spent hours with the doctor and in the computer room, learning how to handle patients of this illness. Every night he asked God, “ Why her?” hoping that some day He would give him a response. He tried to spend as much time with Lalita, who had become a favourite among the other inhabitants - she had a clam face and gentle persona and one could easily conclude that she was very beautiful in her younger days. Though she remembered little, no one minded that! They took turns in caring for her and they saw in her a hope and purpose in their own years of twilight.
Abhay would read the paper to her every morning and verses from the Gita later in the day. Sometimes he read short stories to her and through all this he talked of their college days together. He always got a smile in response.
On her birthday, everyone was excited, as excited as their hearts could be! They requested for a special menu and planned the day, keeping in mind her own desires, their spirits never once dampened by the fact that she would remember nothing. For them, it was a way of showing her that she was loved, no matter what! A cake was ordered, the hall was decorated and a visit to the temple was planned for.
A few of them decided to take her in the morning to the temple nearby. Lalita expressed no excitement…she didn’t remember it was her birthday; intact, she had to be told what a birthday was. She wore a white silk saree, her hair tied into a small knot, with flowers adorning it, and a string of pearls that perched themselves on her neck.
While the others got busy offering prayers at the temple, she sat quietly on the steps looking ahead, where she saw no future for herself. Abhay sat down there beside her, the two of them exchanging no more than a smile. The Sun was just rising and the picture that nature painted was absolutely magnificent.
“I waited to hear from you, Abhay..”, she said suddenly breaking the long silence that had fallen between them, as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Abhay was surprised yet happy that she remembered him.
“Yes, Lalita…I’m sorry.. I …”
He looked down to see her eyes closed and her face peaceful. He felt her cheek with his palm and found it to be cold and then, he checked for her pulse…
As he broke down in tears, he did not know if she had heard his apology….
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