"LIFE is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans".
2020 was such a year. We had our own plans and life had its own. Taking you to goa along with aaba-aaji, going on a small vacation in aai's spring break, long drive to pune, celebrating my birthday, celebrating kaka's 80th birthday, grand party of aajoba's 75th birthday, training you for drinking milk by cup, potty training, enjoying the rains in june....... The list seems never ending. But Corona threw a spanner in the plans of the whole world.
The first ominous sign was Pushpa mavshi's passing away. It was a big blow for Dah-aaji and all of us were a bit disturbed by it. As we were grappling back with our life, Rohini mavshi's mother passed away. I did not know that lady, but her death was a much bigger blow for us than my mavshi's death. Rohini mavshi had to go to her native place for the last rites and our life was completely a mayhem. Aaba, aajoba, mahaaji, dahaaji, everyone pitched it, but the routine was disturbed and aai's training plans had gone awry.
She returned after 3 weeks and as soon as we thought that things were turning back to normal, the corona pandemic crippled the world. I have already talked about it all in 'Ruki Ruki si Zindagi'. The lockdown, online lectures, quarantine, masks, everything was manageable. But, what was making your aai more irritated was the over dependence on aaba-aaji, due to no maids. You stayed downstairs a lot. Dah-Aaji's nagging care and Aaba's spoiling ways was increasing her frustration every passing day.
As she was trying to adjust to the circumstances, another blow hit her. And this was a much harder blow. She was overlooked for the position of 'head of department' of science in her school. She was a very obvious choice for the post, but politics deprived her from what she rightfully deserved. Anticipating the post, she had refused a job offer from another school and made a lot of future plans. But, she was sidelined and a newcomer was made HOD. It was a very difficult pill to digest and it may take a long time to completely recover from this blow. Calls from her colleagues sounded like condolence calls. Behaviour of her departing colleagues and her Head of Secondary rubbed salt on her wounds. Wounds heal, but this whole thing may have left a deep scar on your mother's heart.
By this time, Mumbai was becoming the hotspot for corona patients. Nearly 1000-1500 cases daily in Mumbai. Our municipal ward was lucky to have the lowest numbers, but the danger was coming closer. Closer will be an understatement, when one from the Karde family on the 3rd floor was detected positive. There was a fear of getting quarantined, but luckily only their flat was quarantined. That patient was taken to a hospital and we had a containment board put near our building gate. The terrace and the compound was off limits and thus you were confined to the four walls of our or aaba's place. In about 3-4 days, Mr. karde called me informing about his father's ill health. He was taken to a hospital by the BMC and the next day, we were told that he was no more.
As corona was lurking around, we atleast were happy that noone in our families and extended families were infected. That was till we heard about the news of Sunil Kaka, Shekhar kaka's father showing symptoms of Corona. He was taken to Hinduja hospital and then to KEM. Shekhar kaka had a torrid time fighting his battles alone and we were feeling helpless locked in our homes. 3 days later, when we were showing aajoba his 75th birthday's specially made video, the sad news were delivered. Sunil kaka could not survive Corona. 2 days later, Shekhar kaka and Shaila aaji also tested positive for Corona. At the time of writing, they were taking treatment in home quarantine.
Some nights are sweet dreams. Some nights are nightmares. We may remember the bad ones more than the good ones. But the night of 1st June is something which has become a story to tell. A horror story. The happiness of Aajoba's birthday turned into sorrow with Sunil kaka's news and as we still trying to come to terms with it, it turned into a shock when we heard a loud thud in the hall. As we ran outside, we say Kakoja sprawled on the floor, unconscious, breathing like a horse, pupils up, bleeding forearms. We were frightened. We called his name, put an onion under his nose, splashed water on his face, all to no avail. I called Pragati hospital, but they refused to send a doctor. I went downstairs and requested the hospital to send wardboys and a stretcher with me. As we came upstairs, i asked aaba-aaji to stay with aai. With the help of saurabh kaka, me and the 2 wardboys carried kakoja to the gate of the hospital. His oxygen was checked and they refused admission due to suspected corona. We were contemplating our next step, called few doctors and were about to take a decision. By that time, kakoja had woken up from his slumber and regained consciousness. He was able to sit in my car. We later got him bandaged, checked his vitals and he seemed so fit that he actually walked the 4 storeys till our home without support. We stayed awake the rest of the night, rather morning, since we had returned at 2 am.
The next day he was perfectly normal. But the day after that something felt amiss. He was behaving weirdly since afternoon. By evening, the confused behaviour increased and by bed time, he was completely delirious. He was not aware of his surroundings and had lost his muscle and nervous control significantly. We tried to get him admitted during the night, but he was adamant about not going anywhere. It was one of the worst nights of our life. Aai and me stayed awake the whole night and we had to keep you at Aaba's place.
The next morning, we forced him to come to the hospital to meet a doctor. The journey downstairs, the walk to the hospital, the travel to the diagnostic centre, the travel back, meeting the doctor, getting admitted, the wheelchair, getting in and out of the car, crossing the road. I could write all these in just 2 lines, but on that day those were the most punishing 2 hours of our life. And if that was not enough, it was raining heavily to add to our troubles.
We had survived the wrath of cyclone 'Nisarg', but the 2 days of kakoja's hospital stay was more like a whirlwind. His shifting to ICU, the rude RMO, the non-cooperative doctor, the MRI test, the ambulance travel, the unnecessary interference of aajoba, nagging suggestions of Dah-aaji, Kakoja's anger and reluctance to stay in the hospital, everything was taking a toll on me and aai. We had to keep you with aaba-aaji a lot and thanks to aatu and aaryaa tai, we were not worried about you. Kakoja has come home. He is fine, but still not 100%. He sleeps a lot and is a little groggy.
Why I am telling you all this? You are my son. And if you have my genes, you will always ahve the composure to carry on in tough times. Bad things happen to everyone, but how you deal with it will make you a better person. See the good in everything.
Aai did not become the HOD. Now she will have less burden on her shoulders and more time for you. She will not be hesitant anymore to pounce on a good job offer. Lockdown and quarantine has given us lot of time to be with our families, to understand ourselves, to develop a hobby, to cook a new dish. Death is never good, but a relief that Sunil Kaka did not suffer for long. Kakoja's illness made him do all the medical tests he would not have done voluntarily. These difficult times have made me a realize that I am more stronger person inside and I am ready to face any calamity head on.
Ruhaan, Remember Always. Tough times dont last. Tough people do.
2020 was such a year. We had our own plans and life had its own. Taking you to goa along with aaba-aaji, going on a small vacation in aai's spring break, long drive to pune, celebrating my birthday, celebrating kaka's 80th birthday, grand party of aajoba's 75th birthday, training you for drinking milk by cup, potty training, enjoying the rains in june....... The list seems never ending. But Corona threw a spanner in the plans of the whole world.
The first ominous sign was Pushpa mavshi's passing away. It was a big blow for Dah-aaji and all of us were a bit disturbed by it. As we were grappling back with our life, Rohini mavshi's mother passed away. I did not know that lady, but her death was a much bigger blow for us than my mavshi's death. Rohini mavshi had to go to her native place for the last rites and our life was completely a mayhem. Aaba, aajoba, mahaaji, dahaaji, everyone pitched it, but the routine was disturbed and aai's training plans had gone awry.
She returned after 3 weeks and as soon as we thought that things were turning back to normal, the corona pandemic crippled the world. I have already talked about it all in 'Ruki Ruki si Zindagi'. The lockdown, online lectures, quarantine, masks, everything was manageable. But, what was making your aai more irritated was the over dependence on aaba-aaji, due to no maids. You stayed downstairs a lot. Dah-Aaji's nagging care and Aaba's spoiling ways was increasing her frustration every passing day.
As she was trying to adjust to the circumstances, another blow hit her. And this was a much harder blow. She was overlooked for the position of 'head of department' of science in her school. She was a very obvious choice for the post, but politics deprived her from what she rightfully deserved. Anticipating the post, she had refused a job offer from another school and made a lot of future plans. But, she was sidelined and a newcomer was made HOD. It was a very difficult pill to digest and it may take a long time to completely recover from this blow. Calls from her colleagues sounded like condolence calls. Behaviour of her departing colleagues and her Head of Secondary rubbed salt on her wounds. Wounds heal, but this whole thing may have left a deep scar on your mother's heart.
By this time, Mumbai was becoming the hotspot for corona patients. Nearly 1000-1500 cases daily in Mumbai. Our municipal ward was lucky to have the lowest numbers, but the danger was coming closer. Closer will be an understatement, when one from the Karde family on the 3rd floor was detected positive. There was a fear of getting quarantined, but luckily only their flat was quarantined. That patient was taken to a hospital and we had a containment board put near our building gate. The terrace and the compound was off limits and thus you were confined to the four walls of our or aaba's place. In about 3-4 days, Mr. karde called me informing about his father's ill health. He was taken to a hospital by the BMC and the next day, we were told that he was no more.
As corona was lurking around, we atleast were happy that noone in our families and extended families were infected. That was till we heard about the news of Sunil Kaka, Shekhar kaka's father showing symptoms of Corona. He was taken to Hinduja hospital and then to KEM. Shekhar kaka had a torrid time fighting his battles alone and we were feeling helpless locked in our homes. 3 days later, when we were showing aajoba his 75th birthday's specially made video, the sad news were delivered. Sunil kaka could not survive Corona. 2 days later, Shekhar kaka and Shaila aaji also tested positive for Corona. At the time of writing, they were taking treatment in home quarantine.
Some nights are sweet dreams. Some nights are nightmares. We may remember the bad ones more than the good ones. But the night of 1st June is something which has become a story to tell. A horror story. The happiness of Aajoba's birthday turned into sorrow with Sunil kaka's news and as we still trying to come to terms with it, it turned into a shock when we heard a loud thud in the hall. As we ran outside, we say Kakoja sprawled on the floor, unconscious, breathing like a horse, pupils up, bleeding forearms. We were frightened. We called his name, put an onion under his nose, splashed water on his face, all to no avail. I called Pragati hospital, but they refused to send a doctor. I went downstairs and requested the hospital to send wardboys and a stretcher with me. As we came upstairs, i asked aaba-aaji to stay with aai. With the help of saurabh kaka, me and the 2 wardboys carried kakoja to the gate of the hospital. His oxygen was checked and they refused admission due to suspected corona. We were contemplating our next step, called few doctors and were about to take a decision. By that time, kakoja had woken up from his slumber and regained consciousness. He was able to sit in my car. We later got him bandaged, checked his vitals and he seemed so fit that he actually walked the 4 storeys till our home without support. We stayed awake the rest of the night, rather morning, since we had returned at 2 am.
The next day he was perfectly normal. But the day after that something felt amiss. He was behaving weirdly since afternoon. By evening, the confused behaviour increased and by bed time, he was completely delirious. He was not aware of his surroundings and had lost his muscle and nervous control significantly. We tried to get him admitted during the night, but he was adamant about not going anywhere. It was one of the worst nights of our life. Aai and me stayed awake the whole night and we had to keep you at Aaba's place.
The next morning, we forced him to come to the hospital to meet a doctor. The journey downstairs, the walk to the hospital, the travel to the diagnostic centre, the travel back, meeting the doctor, getting admitted, the wheelchair, getting in and out of the car, crossing the road. I could write all these in just 2 lines, but on that day those were the most punishing 2 hours of our life. And if that was not enough, it was raining heavily to add to our troubles.
We had survived the wrath of cyclone 'Nisarg', but the 2 days of kakoja's hospital stay was more like a whirlwind. His shifting to ICU, the rude RMO, the non-cooperative doctor, the MRI test, the ambulance travel, the unnecessary interference of aajoba, nagging suggestions of Dah-aaji, Kakoja's anger and reluctance to stay in the hospital, everything was taking a toll on me and aai. We had to keep you with aaba-aaji a lot and thanks to aatu and aaryaa tai, we were not worried about you. Kakoja has come home. He is fine, but still not 100%. He sleeps a lot and is a little groggy.
Why I am telling you all this? You are my son. And if you have my genes, you will always ahve the composure to carry on in tough times. Bad things happen to everyone, but how you deal with it will make you a better person. See the good in everything.
Aai did not become the HOD. Now she will have less burden on her shoulders and more time for you. She will not be hesitant anymore to pounce on a good job offer. Lockdown and quarantine has given us lot of time to be with our families, to understand ourselves, to develop a hobby, to cook a new dish. Death is never good, but a relief that Sunil Kaka did not suffer for long. Kakoja's illness made him do all the medical tests he would not have done voluntarily. These difficult times have made me a realize that I am more stronger person inside and I am ready to face any calamity head on.
Ruhaan, Remember Always. Tough times dont last. Tough people do.
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