Retirement

There is a very fine difference between farewell and retirement. The former leads to more opportunities while the latter shuns all. It was Mr Sehgal's retirement. After our working hours, we gathered at the community hall on the fourth floor of our office. Shailey would be the MC.So, she was preparing herself in one corner. Some of us were busy wrapping memento and gifts for our veteran colleague. Our mentor MrKuriyan was supervising us, asking us to hurry with our preparations.

In the quiet hall, Mr.Sehgal entered. He sat on a seat in the last row. Shailey started the programme in a very formal manner. She requested Mr Sehgal to please take the front seat. He brought himself up to it but said in his own candid way: "But Shailey, I will miss all of you from here... It was better that I sat in the back and enjoyed the programme with you." Shailey smiled and said that they had planned something for him so it was necessary that the ribboned seat be taken by him. He replied: "Every day is so special for me that I spend here with all of you. Please do not detach me from you today. Let me face with you rather than towards you." This moistened all pairs of eyes present there. The formalities were called off. The office room was filled with laughter, with all sharing anecdotes, singing few lines from old melodies in Symphony beyond scale... Oh! What a unique retirement it was! Mr Sehgal though said that it wasn't a retirement but a farewell for him.

He was never forgotten in the office for his documentations were so clear that those were provided to us whenever we failed. In the age of gadgets, we fail but he was so perfect with his contemporary methods. Once I was going through a file which enfolded the documents of our investors. I got a loose piece of written paper which fell when I tried resetting it upon the rack. It was a handwritten note of Mr Sehgal. He had written that his day of retirement was drawing near but he required to continue even if his sinews disagreed. His bank account details were roughly scribbled which showed that he would have a rough time later.

"I should meet him and find out." I thought.

On my very next weekend, I called him up. I wanted to know how he was passing his days. Alas! All my attempts were unanswered. I typed a leave and sent it to my boss stating that someone needs to be attended for which I required my application to be kindly granted. Mr Kuriyan replied that it should not be more than two days. I thanked him for his kindness and promised to resume as instructed.

It took me about six hours to reach there. Mr Sehgal's nameplate was stuck on the main door. I read it twice. I hoped for all good within and forced myself to knock upon the door. "It takes time to get up dear...I am getting younger and my small steps aren't faster...coming dear...coming". I heaved a relaxed sigh... It was none other than Mr Sehgal. Resting on a staff, he opened the door for me. Frail and haggard, he stood before me. He adjusted his glasses to recognise me.

I went closer and said: "Mr Sehgal, myself Naina. I am your colleague from Polson & Nicholson Pvt.ltd.Hope you are getting me clearly." In a snap of time, he got his hold and quicker than that recognised me. We had a nice time together. He treated me to a delicious cup of coffee. I offered him to lunch with me at a tavern nearby. He said that eating out might disturb his good health that he was keeping up with. I laughed heartily at his impromptu jokes. So unrehearsed and natural. I promised him another visit sooner. He said that he would be looking forward to seeing me soon. I had taken some money for him which I offered at the doorstep. He smiled one of his old ones and said: "Keep the money for you will have a reason to show up next time." I was so caught in his magical smile that I did not implore him any further.

I turned back after waving him goodbye. Soon a fellow stopped and crossed a queer look at me. He asked me who I was and what have I been doing inside. I asked him in reply who he was and where he stayed. He pointed to a house nearby and said that his father knew something about the old man. I took an interest and wanted to talk with his father. His father said: "Sehgal uncle was a very good person. He often came to our home to chat with my father. He conversed about his solitude and how he missed his son who never showed up after he left for his job in the city. When he was keeping poor health, he was monetarily broken too. He starved in the last few days of his life. One day I had gone to see him...I found him dead on his bed with a note clenched in his fist. Wait, I will show the note to you."

I was waiting for him to return. No, I was wanting to run away from the place.No, l couldn't, my feet felt paralyzed. He was so late in bringing back the note. Identical one with just a difference...."I am liberated from all money matters. I shall enjoy my retirement now."