There’s always a way – The Hindu

Each time Preeti and her parents visited her grandparents in a small town, the journey back to their city was sombre. This time, Dadaji was ailing.

They had spent an extra week to cheer him up and everyone had been teary eyed when bidding him goodbye. Noticing the tears still in her 11-year-old daughter’s eyes, Ma tried to console her. “It’s difficult for all of us, Preeti. But we wouldn’t leave your grandparents alone if we could help it. You can’t miss more school and I have to rejoin work too.”

Papa added, “I asked your Dadaji to come and live with us. Didn’t you hear his reply?”

Hard to change

Dadaji’s words rang in Preeti’s ears: “You know what happens when you uproot an old tree.” He had turned down Papa’s offer to relocate to the city because he was used to a certain way of life. He would find it difficult to change at his age. Dadi too would miss her childhood friends from home.

Back at home, Preeti kept going over Dadaji’s words in her mind. She wondered why it was so hard to find a way. Old people might find it difficult to adjust due to their fixed habits but ….

Suddenly, she had an idea and ran to tell Ma about it. Ma listened intently and then suggested a family discussion over tea. In their home, all big decisions were taken over steaming cups of tea and piping hot pakoras.

Illustration: Sreejith R. Kumar

That evening, when Papa returned home and their cook had served tea and snacks, Preeti began, “It might be difficult for seniors to adjust to a new way of life. So what if we adjust instead? Let us go and stay with Dadaji and Dadiji.”

She was prepared for Papa’s reaction, so, before he could say anything, she added, “I don’t mind changing schools to give my grandparents a little joy. I will study at the same school that you studied in, Papa. I already have friends there anyway.”

Since they made regular visits to her grandparents’ home, Preeti had made friends with their neighbours’ children and the grandchildren of her grandparents’ friends.

Decision time

“It’s not that easy,” sighed Papa, as he began massaging the creases on his forehead. Whenever Papa was in a dilemma, Ma helped him make up his mind. “I think it’s worth a try,” she said now. “If we don’t prioritise our elders today, what example will we be setting for our children?”

“What about your job?” he asked Ma, in case she had not considered that. Ma smiled gently. It was evident that she had been mulling over Preeti’s idea and had figured something out. “I can apply for a teaching job at the same school that Preeti will study in. A good teacher is always welcome.”

After a long silence, Papa finally smiled. “Now that we’re discussing options. Both of you have come up with great solutions. I think I can manage something too.” Preeti knew that Papa’s work combined on-site and work-from-home options. “If I plan well, I can spend some days with them while I work from home and return here when I have to attend the office.”

He hesitated. Spreading out his arms, he hugged them both and confessed, “When I’m here all by myself, I will be very lonely without both of you.”

“Imagine how lonely Dadaji and Dadiji must be feeling in our absence!” exclaimed Preeti.

The decision was taken. Since it had been Preeti’s idea, she had the honour of giving her grandparents the best possible news.