The Pension
The traffic was at its worst and Taksh made his way through the traffic to the Zill Sainik Gujarat Office for an another ordeal.,
His mother of 86 years age , was widowed in Sept’18 and today it was almost Eight months and there was no sign of her pension being disbursed to her.,
Taksh’s Father, Mr. Hirmesh was a retired Air force Officer and had retired way back in 1982, and had been receiving his pension since then. He had expired after a fall and surgery last year., His demise at 90 years was also a bit untimely., If he had not fallen , he would have lived for more years, as otherwise he was very fit., But God has his own ways and there is only an unknown reason for his actions., We do not know what are his ways, we can only accept them and move ahead.,
So, from Sept’2018 Taksh had been making rounds of the Bank, Zilla Office, and Pension disbursing Branch of the Bank, but little progress could be seen., Taksh knew how to tackle all the officials, but then, dealing with such Government offices is always a pain and takes its own time., Although Mr. Modi, our PM, has initiated many ways of tackling such Government lethargy but still it needs to be more responsible., Taksh had also written on various such helplines, but the matter could not be resolved amicably.,
Taksh’s mother, Gira ben was a bit anxious and on tenter hooks., She would enquire about her pension with Taksh on a regular basis and this would sometimes irritate Taksh.,
Mom, you are not sitting outside and you don’t need the money as we are here with you and you have a good bank balance too., I am putting in all the necessary efforts, but things are taking its own time.., Although after my visit to the Bank, things have speeded up, and I am sure things will be sorted out.,
Gira ben would only utter these words,” Taksh Before I leave this world, please see that I get my pension”.,
Taksh would nod his head and smile.,
Taksh was on a tour from his office and during that time, Gira ben would spell out all her woes to shila, Taksh’s wife., Shila, do you understand how difficult it is to stay alone the whole day, and with no other activity, I get bored and wish that God takes me soon.,
Shila was used to this behavior and would only give assurance to Giraben that old age and situation that God makes for us, are not in our control., hence, you can only be Positive and continue with life.,
It was not so that Gira ben was always alone., Her daughter who had just retired from a Government school as a teacher, would visit her almost 4 days in a week and spend time with her., so, practically there was no reason to complain., But such was Gira ben’s mental state now, that she was loosing her patience, and for her the only bright spot was getting her pension.,
During one of these days, Taksh and shila decided to plan an overseas tour as they had some leaves available with them and wanted to have a short and sweet tour to Singapore., As Gira ben was informed about it, she became more restless., It was because she knew she may have to stay at her daughter’s place and she was very much against that., she wanted her freedom and would ask her daughter to stay at Taksh’s place for the duration that Taksh would be on tour, rather than stay at her daughter’s place.,
So, a few days before the tour was to commence, Gira ben started a vigorous follow up of her pension with Taksh,as that was one thing which sometimes irritated Taksh., The irritation was more so, because he felt helpless that he was not able to make much headway., So, Giraben , may be she felt insecure because of the impending absence of Taksh, or it was her way of showing displeasure, that the son and daughter in Law would be going on a holiday, she started enquiring about her Pension almost every day., As soon as Taksh would be back from his work, she would sit in front of him and start crying.,
Gira ben used to tell him that before she passed away she would like to have her pension, but this time, she changed her sentence, and said, Taksh before you Go, please see that my pension matter is resolved.,
Taksh was very much irritated., he said,” Mom, I am going out for just 7-10 days, and not for life time., “
Gira ben,’ I know that, but before you go, please complete this matter.,”
And so Giraben left the room, and Taksh was feeling very much confused by his mother’s behavior.,
Then the day arrived when Taksh and shila were to board the flight for Singapore.,
All arrangements were made, and Taksh’s sister, as per Gira ben’s wish, had come to stay at Taksh’s place for a few days.,
Suddenly the door bell rang, and Gira ben opened the door., There was a Postman at the door and he handed over an envelope to Gira ben and she closed the door., she handed over the letter to her daughter, and she opened the envelope., She shouted in surprise, Mom, your pension is disbursed and this is a confirmation copy., Your job is done.,
Gira ben immediately took the letter in her hand and folded her hands in the direction of the God’s statue kept in the pooja place., Thank God, my work is done, where is Taksh?
He has gone out to buy an ayurvedic shampoo, which I am used to., Should not be very late., Shila answered.,
And as if in answer, the door bell rang,and Gira ben rushed to open the door.,
She saw a Police man standing in front of him, and she was taken aback.,
Shila rushed forward to see who was at the door.,
The Policemen ,” Is this Mr. Taksh’s house?
Shila,” yes, but what is the matter?
Policeman,” Mr Taksh has met with an accident across the road and is no more.,
Gira ben could hear her own voice ringing in her ears,” Taksh before you GO please see that my pension is disbursed…….
