Last few days have been life altering. My father had a Stroke and spent a few days in the Hospital. Luckily it was not critical but an alarm for us nevertheless. He is back home now and recovering well. Someone said its old age (75), but still howsoever old your parents maybe, you wouldn't want them to go.
My elder brother rushed to Bombay from US. We tried to keep the surroundings of Abba as light as possible, cutting jokes, talking about all his illustrious accomplishments and achievements to bring back the confidence that gets dented by a Stroke. Insha made a few cards for him and he seems to be loving her attention and care the most.
A Stroke affects the speech and its important that the patient talks to retain his/her vocabulary and awareness of language. Abba hasn't been talking much and gives precise answers to the questions asked by us. I've been trying to put my journalistic experience to use and asking him about the thought process for writing poetry, the movies that were never made, his childhood, the impact of great poets like Ghalib and great men like the former Indian President Zakir Hussain sb on his personality.
Abba had written the songs for Muzaffar Ali's 'Zooni' (famous Kashmiri poet Habba Khatoon). The film starred Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia. It was shot in Kashmir in early 1990s. But the problem in the valley stalled its shooting and it was never completed. A few of the songs were recorded. One song 'Rukhe Dildaar Deedam, Daras Ko Aaye Preetam' outstandingly sung by Asha Bhosle ji had a brilliantly haunting melody composed by Khayyam sahab. We heard that song a lot during our childhood. I really hope Muzaffar Ali and HMV release the 'Zooni' music album some day. It had the 'Umrao Jaan' stamp on it.
This was also my first personal experience of a major illness in the family. It has been greatly sensitising me to the problems of old people. Weakness of body isn't equal to weakness of spirit. Patience, care and sensitivity can bring the best out of the elderly. They are far more younger than the young (in age) in many ways. Abba is happy in eating anything that Aarefa makes. No complaints, no demands. He plays Ludo with Insha and reads her story books for her.
Death is an eventuality that one can't deny. Seeing your loved ones in pain, pains a lot. Somehow one starts valuing life by the mere fact that tomorrow we may not be around. I've always tried to be sensitive towards the elderly. I promise, each time I'll see any old person, I'll make sure to stop and lend a helping hand if required. Or otherwise, maybe gift a positive smile.
