Desai Uncle was my neighbour but he used to never speak to us. He lived alone and had a maid who used to come in the morning to run his errands. Uncle was frail looking and a chain smoker. I used to often find him in the corner cigarette shop on my way to work. Whenever he met me in the elevator he smelt of cigarette. One day I just started a conversation with him and said: “Uncle at your age you shouldn’t smoke so much”. Uncle gave a meek smile and said almost assuring me ‘Yes, I will stop” but the next day I again saw him standing in the cigarette shop. He gave me a guilty smile.
Gradually, we started exchanging small talks in the elevator. One day he lost his door keys and was locked out of his house. He rang my bell and asked for help. He looked tensed and nervous. I assured him that I would call the key maker and solve his problem. Since that day he always smiled at me with gratitude. As if I had done him some BIG favour.
Things were going on good. Desai Uncle even started coming to my house for tea. One day, he happily informed that he was going to Dubai to visit his son. He went for six months. The day he returned he excitedly rang my bell and gave me dates, chocolates and a souvenir of Dubai. He showed me his Dubai photos. He was excited like a schoolboy.
Within a month, his son and family shifted back to India. Initially, he was extremely happy but soon things started getting grim. Every day I started hearing the noise of fights from Uncle’s house. On some days the noise used to get so loud that we used to feel like intervening. In most days I saw Uncle leaving the house whenever there was a fight. Many days I saw tears in his eyes.
One day I met Uncle in the elevator. I asked him ‘how are you, Uncle?’ He smiled feebly and replied ‘Beta, I am going to Bangalore, I am shifting to an old age home.’ I was shocked. In India even now sending someone to an old age home is a taboo. I wondered why after all these years he was going away. I couldn’t resist and asked him. He replied ‘my son and daughter-in-law fight a lot. I do not want to create any problem between them and so I am going away.’
I never met Desai Uncle after that day. He was shifted to an old age home in Bangalore and within few months he left for his heavenly abode. However, his memory remained and many a time I could smell cigarettes in the lift and often felt it was Desai Uncle.
Image: Shutterstock
Trina Looks Back 
Beautiful character despite the cigarette smoke
LikeLike
Yes, Beautiful indeed. We all are unique and beautiful in some way, it is for the others to find out the beauty.
LikeLike
Sympathy and empathy beautifully explained balaka. D is for Dare to dream. https://syncwithdeep.wordpress.com/2018/04/04/d-dare-to-dream-blogchattera2z-atozchallenge-atoz/
LikeLike
Thanks Deep.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very touching story, Balaka. It’s so lovely that over a course of few conversations, Desai Uncle became such a good friend. Beautiful last line.
LikeLike
Moon, you are always kind and generous with your praises. Thanks, dear for visiting and reading and commenting. You have been always encouraging.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ayyo! Such a sad life. Being unwanted is the most saddest thing in this world.
LikeLike
His last days were really sad. I love the ‘ayyo’ 😀
Thanks for reading and commenting dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a heartfelt post, it is true that nowadays so many old people are bounded to live in old age home, despite having a family. the harsh truth of our so-called modern society. very well written balaka. #BlogchatterA2Z, here is my posthttps://surbhiprapannablogs.blogspot.com/2018/04/blogchattera2z-homoeopathya2z-d.html
LikeLike
True..but often old age home is a better option than a trifle striken home. Thanks for reading and commenting Surbhi.
LikeLike
I can understand your empathy towards Desai Uncle. Old age is probably the toughest phase in a persons life. And not having your near and dear ones near you could be painful.
LikeLike
I agree, Ramya. I am also scared of my own old age. The age when you have to depend on others is the worst phase.
LikeLike
That was a special bond you shared with Desai uncle. Talking about old age homes I always feel it’s not a taboo in fact rather than staying together and having issues, people should think of moving in with others their age and live peacefully
LikeLike
I absolutely agree Aks. Old age home is a blessing for many. There are really nice homes where people stay happier than at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Can’t control my tears while reading your post. There are so many Desai uncles being created in India too. It’s so saddening and alarming too. May the soul of Deasi uncle rest in peace.
LikeLike
aww!! I am sorry for the tear-jerker. Yes, there are many like him in our society. Thanks for this kind comment Vasantha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely and touching post. Sad to know that ppl have to be in old age homes that too coz their sons are fighting to keep them.
LikeLike
Yes. Thanks for the comment.
LikeLike
Such a poignant tale! Very touching story indeed.
LikeLike
Thanks Priya.
LikeLike
I feel for Desai uncle. May his soul rest in peace. It is a very heartfelt post, Balaka.
LikeLike
Thanks Aesha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful and poignant tribute to Desai uncle, Balaka. Hope he found peace at his heavenly abode.
LikeLike
Thanks Varad
LikeLike
Rip Desai uncle…
Heart touching story..
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Supriya
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really sad reality of life. We can only hold on to the memories of the good times
LikeLike
Thanks Namy
LikeLike
Is it the way this generation was parented or rather not parented that they are tempted to move their old parents to old age homes. Wonder!
LikeLiked by 1 person
But at times Old age home is a blessing. Trust me.. even old people love going and living in a place away from the chaos of home. They want some peace at the end of their life.
LikeLike
Oh! That’s so heart-breaking. Sad that he had to go through so much pain and grief from his loved ones. Hope he had a peaceful and happy time in the old age home.
5 Reasons to Keep a Travel Diary #AtoZChallenge
LikeLiked by 1 person
He was very happy in the home. Thanks Shilpa for visiting.
LikeLike
That’s sad, Balaka! But, I am happy you introduced Old Age home as a getaway place for Desai Uncle. I often think that I would go and stay in a fancy old age home when I grow too old to take care of myself. I don’t want to be a burden on my child, and would be in the company of oldies like me.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your thoughts resonate with mine. Even I do not want to bother my children. I actually keep looking for nice homes in serene places like northeast where I can go and live peacefully.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Please look one for me too! 🙂 I like calm places, and north east is my favorite.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ya..surely will look for you too…we can have a blogger’s retreat there..what say??
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha, surely!!
LikeLike
Oh that’s such a sad end to Desai Uncle’s life. I wish children would be more empathetic, caring and loving towards their parents and not drive them away to old age homes.
Poignant, heart felt tale Tina. Thank you for sharing. Praying for him to be at peace wherever he is.
Natasha
natashamusing
April Anecdotes
Destinys Child
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Natz.few children are indeed careless.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had goosebumps as I read this story, Balaka!
I really fail to understand why and how children do this to their parents! You know, if I ever uttered one word against my MIL, I would feel so guilty, I would find ways to make up to her. And, there, on the other hand, you read almost everyday in the news how kids throw their parents out on the streets!
My heart went out to poor old Desai Uncle. May his soul find peace.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean Shilpa.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This story is so sad. I wish his life had ended on a better note. Can’t imagine this still happens in India. The characters from your life story are so lively… I was thinking of all the uncles I have known who were chain smokers, and good at heart…
Love this series. Your words make them come alive for us readers.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am really happy to know that you are liking my series. I am glad to have readers like you. Thanks for visiting and encouraging.
LikeLike
What a heartbreaking story! Poor man. He was happy on his own, happy to visit his son and happy that they came back to live with him. But then that’s where his troubles began and the poor man decided to leave to let them live happily. How do we become like this toward parents- our own or out spouses? What is it inside us that makes us so?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have no answer honestly. I am glad that you liked the story.
I am looking forward to tomorrow’s review of elif shafak
LikeLiked by 1 person
May his soul rest in peace. The reality check is too sad
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes Aanchal it is indeed sad. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thats the sad reality of our society. People do not understand their old parents and ultimately send them to old age homes. I wish he was staying with his son in his last days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Deepa, perhaps he wanted some peace and so he shifted. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
Bittersweet story, too bad he was left alone in the end. I loved the last paragraph though, you keeping his memory is a good gift of his life.
My blogs in the A to Z: Self discovery via travel and a separate Interactive story.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for liking the last line. Yes he is in my memories and that is why I wrote about him. Thanks for reading and writing.
LikeLike
Desai uncle left a void in my heart. I am at loss of words to express what I am feeling after reading this sad story. Wish it was a fiction, Balaka.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fact is bitter than fiction Anagha. This is the reality of life. Thanks for dropping by.
LikeLike
God! I’m feeling so bad 😦 This is such a heartwrenching tale, Balaka. I cannot imagine the sadness and stress the old man felt on going to the old age home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes..it must have been bad or maybe it was in a way better. Thanks for reading.
LikeLike
This brings me in tears …not only Desai uncle but so many parents in old age home because of their kids whom they raised..I am against this as I love to be in the shelter of their blessings!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So true Ruchi. Thanks for reading and commenting.
LikeLike
Oh that is so sad and heart touching. There are many like him out there.
LikeLike
This is sad what happened to him in last days. I kind of started getting to connect to Desai uncle and his small chats with you. Beautiful story
LikeLiked by 1 person