By Snigdha Jain
I used to see this old man sitting on the same park bench every day. I have a habit of going on a walk every morning at 7:00 a.m. the morning gives me happiness with all its brightness and shine. The chirping sounds of the birds, is the most calming thing in the world. The green colour of the trees is so cooling to the eyes. I love to see people in the park out and about, having conversations. Just the hustle and bustle of morning energy would lift me up for the rest of the day. But amidst all this, everyday without fail I would see this old man sitting, his eyes focused at everything and nothing at the same time and a dreamy smile on his lips. His walking stick standing quietly beside him and he lost in his own world. I was always curious, as to what was he thinking.
One day I picked up the courage and went up to him and said “good morning uncle”. He stirred and stared at me. His glassy eyes focused on me after a second and he said “good morning”.
I asked him “why did he come to the park and why did he sit at the same park bench everyday”.
He smiled looking at a distant tree and said “this is where I met the love of my life”.
His openness amazed me; I said “wow! I thought you were going to chase me away for asking personal questions”.
“Why would I? For the first time in ages someone has talked to me”.
“Do you not have any family?” I asked.
He said “I used to have a family but that was a long time back, my son does not want to keep a relation with me anymore. My love was the only one I had”.
Now I became curious and asked “how did you meet the love of your life”.
“It was love at first sight. She came running up to me one day while I was sitting at this very bench”, he sighed. Tears building up as he remembered the fortunate day.
“Running? “ I questioned
“She was chased by this horrible man with a stick and she came to me looking for help”
CHASED, I was stunned. HARRASSMENT I thought and asked “did you save her from the man then.”
“Yes, how could I refuse those sweet little eyes? I talked to the man, paid some money and he left her alone”
Money!!! I was confused. “How did you save her by paying the man? Was he pacified with just a little amount of money?”
“Yes. He anyways did not want her and was happy to sell her and gain some money in the process”.
Sell her! The story was getting darker. I asked “did you not say anything. I mean he is selling a human being. And how can you purchase a woman. You should have reported it to the police. What were you thinking? Are woman just properties…”
“Calm down! Calm down!” said he. “Woman! What are you talking about? I did not purchase a woman”
“What are you talking about? You said you met the love of your life here and saved her by purchasing her from the horrible man. Is your love not a lady?”
“You’ve got the wrong idea”, he exclaimed. “A lady! Nooo! I’m talking about my dog Diana; she’s the love of my life.”
“Your dog! This whole time you were talking about your dog” I asked.
“Yes” he said.
“Oh! I’m sorry. I thought you were talking about your wife” I apologised.
“My wife! My wife died a long time ago. It’s true I love her but she was never my companion in need as Diana was” he said.
“You must have really loved her; she was a lucky pet. Thank you, uncle for sharing you story” I said as I got up to leave.
He smiled and said “thank you for listening to this old man and hope you’ll learn something from my story” and he also got up to return to his house.
I said bye and started walking towards the gate of the park while thinking how humans say but don’t know how to love unconditionally. And as I stepped out and turned around the corner, I see a cardboard box with “rescue me” written on it. I instinctively walked towards the box and opened the lid. Inside there was a cute little puppy. And as soon as my eyes met his, I knew exactly why the old man called his dog “the love of his life”
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