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THE IRONY OF LIFE

 The day was sultry and the Sun's heat had spread evenly all around.  I was taking  my  evening walk with  my  friend as usual. On our way I was  generally the silent listener while  she talked incessantly. My few utterances were  only to make her feel at ease.  I no doubt  was a keen listener and took interest in what she said . It concerned me as I too was going through the same health condition  as her husband.He was  a retired class one officer who had come up in life through hard struggles. He took care of his siblings, got them settled , when at that point  he  got married  to my friend who too had  faced childhood scarcities but through hard work had achieved a successful career. Their hard work and dedication culminated into a happy family with successful children who were well placed in life and happily married.Their  son who lived with them enjoyed a luxurious life provided by his parents.The residence in posh area ,the N number of servants in the household the high profile life style of the grand children ,costly schools ,membership of elite club  for the sports  of the kids and  while my friend took charge of the household and her husband who might have remained an intelligent person taught his grandchildren Maths and English who won prizes in the state competitions .This all I garnered from her interactions with  me .It was quite fascinating to know how an ordinary low middle class  family could achieve this much and  be humble about it.   Now The  husband was suffering from severe anxiety. The medicines were of no use. The wife who loved good life ,travelling and romance was suddenly taken in by this sudden turn in her life. Each day turned out worst than the other . The family was  baffled by his condition.There were no apparent symptoms for them to relate to. My friend found herself the victim and with passing days started doubting the genuineness of her husband's condition. She blamed him for being inactive and obsessive .They lacked in empathy since they could never know his plight .Slowly the sheen of his authority started  waning. They counselled him to find some good use of his life.The wife recounted that he never had any vocation in his life and lead a purposeless life. I would check her and tell her to acknowledge his condition and not act insensitive.

 It was the other day, we had gone on a long walk, when her son came to fetch her as they had to do some shopping. The big fancy car gleamed in the bright light of the summer  and the pride and hauteur of the son ,behind the wheel mocked at the old gentleman who had shed  his sweat to procure the   luxuries. He   wasn't destined to drive it and further was remonstrated for being a man without any purpose or use in his life.

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