Repentance


The first house that my parents occupied post the voluntary retirement of my mother was one that was offered to my father by BSNL. This came up with a servant quarter which was occupied by a middle aged couple namely Lalita and Keshav. The couple had 3 kids, a daughter who was married, and a son & daughter who stayed with them.
As expected, they used to do run errands for our family besides doing some daily chores in the house of many houses nearby. Lest I forget, Keshav’s mother was also staying along with them. My parents and my family stayed there for 4 years. There was a close bonding with the family. They were extra helpful towards our family and the same was reciprocated in terms of behavior, treatment as family members on festive days and the like. Everything was going on well, the stay came to a close courtesy the retirement of my father and my parents moved to their own apartment which was hitherto on rent.
In the town of Rourkela, distances cannot be too far. So much so, my parents continued to engage with Keshav on running few household errands like gardening, cleaning and similar activities. Discussions across tea would involve queries on his family.
Once it so happened that Keshav came but was very down. He did complete all errands but with a sullen face. The same happened the next time too. What he told upon enquiry really shocked everyone.
Keshav’s mother who was old and who was with them had died some months back. While she was alive, the couple did not treat them well; Keshav accepted the same. They realized after her death that the couple did not fulfil her simple wishes too which did not involve money or too much physical labour but involved time and usage of kind words.
The reason why the couple in general and Keshav in particular was recollecting these things was because many unwanted things had happened all within a week of the senior lady’s death.
The couple’s daughter met with a severe accident, their grandchild from her went through malaria and typhoid back to back and Lalita met with a near-death accident.
Such is the power of the wishes (we call dua or baddua) of seniors even after death!

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