Operation period Thoughts

Precisely seven days after Cataract surgery I am making an attempt to write a few lines for the first time.What do I scribble ? About eyes ? Logically yes.May be,something else as well .

Let me begin with the dark glasses I am wearing .It was purchased for Rs 70/- in Law Centre, DU by late Ankoor.Though his memory touches us every now and then ,every day ,he was unfortunately pulled up at that juncture and made to explain expenditure of an insignificient amount.It happened when he was pscychologically on a decline ,when he won't know who he was ,where he was and what he was doing .Thoroughly and badly sandwiched between depression and Epilepsy .

Seven months and one day has passed by since he decided to leave us prematurely without giving any clue.

My thoughts about proceeding ahead with writing a piece get a jolt when a sweeper interrupts .He wants to sweep and mop the stair case temporarily occupied by me to get respite from the bone chilling cold .(20 & 5 degrees respectively).

I enter Home Shanti Home .A sweet ripe banana welcomes me.Soon to follow are melodious Md Rafi songs of bygone era : "Chu lene do najuk hoton ko" (Kajal),"Aaj ki raat ye kaisi raat ki hamko neend nahi aati"(Aman),"Khoya Khoya chand" (Kala Bazar),"Chhalkae Jaam "(Mere Humdum ,Mere Dost),etc .

A hot water bath below neck is the next task I perform .I take extra care in protecting right eye.What a relaxed feeling I have ! It attempts to attack chill in the air.DT is profusely thanked for extending requisite moral support .

Soon it is time for one more round of eye drops.Number of tablets have gradually come down,however .Too much of strain on left eye becomes obvious when it turns red and irritates.

By 1150 hrs I am back to my favourite day time hiding joint-The terrace.In the morning I had seen several piegons shivering in cold conditions.Now they seem to have gone to attend to their daily chores.The Mynas and Crows are in plenty to be seen.But no Sparrows,whatsoever.They are disappearing fast from the urban areas.This colony has a plethrora of puppies of different breeds and colours.They disturb occasionally my writing,basking in sun or a nap in between.

While relaxing over a Naga Shawl,I am tempted to think again.....................about missing walks ,yoga, future plans,contingencies etc.Old habits,afterall,die hard.How difficult it is to hear T.V .(mostly Lokpal stuff) rather than getting a glimpse of it?How much of concerted effort DT makes in reading out newspaper to me apart from cooking and giving medicine in time?

I dose off to get up again.It is nice to see the beautiful twins of Qr No. 4,their faithful boy servant and the "Vodafone" dog who barks very meekly unlike his Indian counterparts.Colourful dresses of tiny tots hung daily on the terrace, I never miss.Also scratching of wall by a worker and his incomprehensible singals to his colleague over the adjucent M.S. flats have become almost regular features.

Around 1300 hrs, Geetu of Qr No. 6 is seen having a justifiable argument with the plumbers who seem to have misadjusted fittings in their bathroom.Thus, poor giggling girls(with the addition of Shobha and Sikhu) are being deprived of their daily baths.Only last night,DT had visited them and relished "Milk Ka Chai" served in new chinese cups presented by me a fortnight ago.She,in addition,had her share of regular womanly gossip.

There cannot be a better treat than hot bowl of soupy noodles.It comes to me as a surprise when DT makes a special appearance around 1315 hrs.It not only tastes delicious but cold wind is rendered ineffective for a few minutes.

Slowly time fritters away .It is a memorable and soothing afternoon subsequent to a simple meal of Roti,Dal,Aloo Seam Ki Subji,Aloo Gobi ki Bhujiya and Boondi Raita.Half a glass of Apple juice further cheers me up when day light is destined to fade.

Azure blue sky and fully sun-kissed day remind me of my imminent return to the mountains of Sikkim after regaining eye sight.

In retrospect ,I deserved a break from the world of reading and writing.I was only walking my mind if not body.AND I suppose,I enjoyed it.

Thank You DT for bearing and supporting whole-heartedly.Thank You Hemant&Raj, Minu & Shekhar,Thaks & Saanu,Geetu, Dips,Munnu,Verma,Amal Bhaiya & Bhabhi,Haidar & Jayanti,Dr.Raza,Dr. & Mrs V P Gupta for visiting me...................and providing warmth and fellowship.