Dayanidhi a retired state administrative officer
By Lokanath Mishra
Dayanidhi and his wife, Malati, lived in a large cottage on their farm, surrounded by vast fields and trees. After retirement, Dayanidhi had built this cottage, where they resided with a middle-aged widow woman who took care of them. Despite their children being successful IT professionals settled in various countries like the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and Germany, they felt neglected and unhappy.
Dayanidhi, a retired state administrative service officer, had invested his entire income in his children’s education and marriages, expecting them to care for him in his old age. However, his children seemed too busy to maintain any relationship with their parents. Malati’s health began to decline; she was diagnosed with medium Alzheimer’s and end-stage heart disease. Dayanidhi took care of her, frequently taking her to the hospital and ensuring she received proper medical care.
One day, Malati insisted on having lunch at a nice restaurant. Dayanidhi, still healthy, took her and the widow woman to an expensive restaurant, where Malati enjoyed a Seafood Masterpiece. Tragically, she passed away the following week. Dayanidhi didn’t inform his children or relatives about her death. Instead, with the help of farm laborers and villagers, he completed the death rituals, including dasaha and dwadash rituals, in a grand way. He then immersed her ashes in Prayagraj, finding solace in the traditional rites and the support of his community.
After Malati’s passing, Dayanidhi’s heart ached with loneliness. He yearned for the presence of his children, but a deep sorrow settled in when he realized he couldn’t reach out to them. He didn’t have their contact numbers, a poignant reminder of the distance that had grown between them. The silence was deafening, and the emptiness felt overwhelming as he longed for the warmth and love of his family.
After Malati’s passing, Dayanidhi and the widow woman, who had been taking care of him, grew closer. With time, their bond deepened, and they decided to get married with mutual consent. Life took an unexpected turn when, during the Covid pandemic, the widow woman gave birth to a baby girl. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, Dayanidhi was overjoyed at the arrival of his newborn daughter. As he navigated this new chapter of his life, he found solace in the love and companionship of his new family.
In 2023, Dayanidhi’s elder son attempted to reach out to him but was unable to find his contact number. Determined to reconnect, his sons and daughters traveled to India to search for him. After much effort, they finally located their father’s farmhouse.
Upon learning of their mother’s passing, they felt a deep sense of regret and sorrow for not being there for her in her final days. However, their sadness turned to relief and happiness when they met their father’s new wife, who had been taking good care of him. They were grateful to see their father happy and well-cared for, and they appreciated the love and support his new wife had brought into his life.
Despite their efforts to reconnect, Dayanidhi’s children couldn’t shake off the pain of their past neglect. Dayanidhi, still hurt by their absence during his wife’s final days, found it hard to forgive them. He felt that despite being educated and successful, they had shown a lack of empathy and responsibility towards their mother.
The visit ended with the children leaving, and Dayanidhi choosing to stay in his farmhouse with his new wife and young daughter. He had found happiness and peace in his simple life, surrounded by nature and the love of his new family. As the gates of the farmhouse closed behind his children, Dayanidhi turned his focus to the present, cherishing the joy and companionship he shared with his wife and daughter.