Auto Rickshaw
Kailash sat quietly on the balcony, immersed in his thoughts. Now 65 and having retired a few years ago from a private job, he found himself reflecting on the journey of his life, considering the experiences and decisions that had shaped him throughout the years.
Kailash had a small family consisting of his wife and their daughter. About ten years ago, his daughter, Sheela, chose to marry for love, which angered Kailash and led him to sever all ties with her. Tragically, after some time, his wife passed away from cancer. Despite his efforts and spending all his savings to save her, fate had other plans, and he was left to cope with the loss.
After the passing of her mother five years ago, Sheela got entry in home to support her father. Kailash was also facing health issues that prevented him from working part-time, putting his financial stability at risk. Sheela took on the responsibility of assisting Kailash during this difficult period following her mother's death.
Sheela and her husband met and married while working together. After her father retired and during her mother's treatment, Sheela provided both financial and physical support. She regularly visited in the evenings and took charge of preparing three meals a day for her father.
Since her mother's passing, Sheela has made it a point to visit her father every single day, regardless of her schedule. Unfortunately, her husband, was not accepted by her father, which meant he could not visit their home. However, Sheela's husband has been incredibly supportive, consistently assisting her in caring for her parents.
Sheela and her husband chose to rent a house close to her father's home to provide him support. Despite their busy work schedules, they prioritized their parents' values and dedicated themselves to assisting him in every possible way.
Kailash consistently avoided eye contact with Sheela, speaking only when absolutely necessary. Despite her relentless attempts to convince her father to accept both her and her husband, and to move beyond their past conflicts, her efforts remained in vain.
At the time of her marriage, Sheela attempted to persuade her father, Kailash, to accept her choice of partner. However, Kailash, adhering to his own customs, firmly rejected her request. Despite Sheela's insistence on marrying her preferred choice, Kailash ultimately declared that while she was free to choose her own path, doing so would result in her being permanently barred from their home.
Kailash stood firm in his decision, but the recent death of Sheela's mother prompted her to seek entry. He was already dealing with his own health and financial struggles. The situation was not favorable for him, leaving the ultimate choice in her hands.
One day, while at the office, Sheela received a call from her father, which left her in shock. It had been a decade since she last heard from him, as her mother had always been the one to reach out whenever Kailash was away. Her heart raced as she contemplated answering the call, but despite her anxiety, she decided to pick it up.
Kailash called Sheela to inform her that he was having difficulty in breathing. Concerned, Sheela alerted her office about the emergency and rushed home. Upon arrival, she arranged for an auto rickshaw to take him to the hospital.
She quickly set off for the hospital with her father. As they traveled in the auto rickshaw, Kailash observed the elderly driver, who appeared to be around 75 years old. The man’s hands trembled as he steered the vehicle slowly, and his condition suggested he was not in good health.
Kailash said, “It is concerning to see you operating the auto rickshaw while you are not feeling well. Your health should be a priority, and it may be wise to consider taking a break until you feel better.”
The auto rickshaw driver answered, "You are correct, sir; I am not feeling well, but I have no choice. Who wants to work in this condition? Unfortunately, the body demands food regardless of illness, and to secure food, I must continue working. Not having any support from my son, I have to work to survive."
After returning home from the hospital, Kailash called Sheela to express his remorse for his earlier actions. He pleaded for her forgiveness and requested, “Please vacate your rental home to join me with your husband, as I wished to spend my remaining days with my family.
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