Poor Mr. Joshi

Poor Mr. Joshi! He was alone again. But this time, lonelier.

If you asked him why, he would say “because I realized too late that I am young no more.”

He moved in with his daughter and son-in-law five years ago after his wife died. He was lonely then. But he had his daughter and her family to call his own. They would not hear of letting him stay alone and convinced him that he would be more comfortable with them. Moreover, his six-year old grand daughter, Nikki, was very fond of him.

Mr. Joshi looked incredibly young for his age of sixty. He had just retired from his work and took great pride in the fact that he could outrun anyone half his age easily. He loved to jog, he loved to drive, he was truly young at heart.

Slowly he settled with his daughter and her family. His daughter and son-in-law, both, were working and had busy lives. He would drive Nikki to school and pick her up in the afternoon. These were the most cherished moments of his day. Mr. Joshi and Nikki would both look forward to their joyride and they enjoyed it thoroughly. Like teenagers, they would go about the town. She would squeal with joy when they went around the roundabout near the school. Never was there another pair of Grandpa and Granddaughter who had so much fun together.

His son-in-law was too busy to have any issues with Mr. Joshi living with them. They met very rarely, and were always cordial. His daughter was as happy as any daughter could be when her husband and her father got along well with each other.

On the whole, it was a convenient arrangement.

Until that fateful day.

Obviously, no one knew what fate had in store for them. So they went about their businesses happily as ever.

His daughter left for her office early that day. His son-in-law was flying to Japan for business so would leave a little late. Mr. Joshi and Nikki left for the school on their usual time.

“Grandpa, faster, go faster.” Nikki urged.

“Ok, my dear, here we go.” Mr. Joshi gave in.

They overtook the truck ahead. Nikki turned around and waved at the driver. The driver was amazed but waved back. She was a pretty child and it was hard to ignore her.

“Go faster, Grandpa, Please.”

And he obliged. Gaining speed so that the trees and people passing by were little more than a haze. After all, he could beat anyone half his age at any sport.
They approached their favorite roundabout and he slowed down a bit. By the time he realized that this was not enough, it was too late.

To his horror, the tire of the truck in front of them burst and it skidded and then stopped suddenly. He tried to swerve to avoid the truck but was not quick enough. After that everything went black.

When he opened his eyes, he tried to get up, but could not. He had his right arm and both legs in casts and had a sharp pain in his head.

“Nikki, where’s Nikki?” He screamed.

His daughter rushed in to her father.

“Papa, you are fine! I can’t believe it. Doctors had almost given up.”, she could not hold back her tears.

“What happened? Where is Nikki?”

“You had an accident. The truck in front of your car stopped suddenly and your car collided with it. Nikki is still unconscious in the next room. Now that you are better, I am sure she, too, will be better soon.”

But this was not to be. Nikki gave up two days later and passed away.

Mr. Joshi stopped eating. He thought that maybe this way he would follow Nikki.

“Papa, please eat. It was not your fault. It was an accident.”

But Mr. Joshi knew better. He knew that if he had slowed down further, he could have avoided the truck. Then, maybe Nikki would have lived.

He could not understand why God had decided to let him live.

He could not bear the hurt he had caused his daughter and his son-in-law. He had taken the joy of their lives away in a moment of carelessness. He could not gather enough courage to admit this to them.

So he moved out.

“Papa, please don’t go." His daughter pleaded. But he could not stay.

What if he had slowed down further? What if he was younger and his reflexes better? Would Nikki still be playing with him? These were the questions he would never find any answers to.

Poor Mr. Joshi! He was alone again. But this time, lonelier.