Balu's Torment

 Preamble: During Blogchatter's A2Z challenge during the month of April 2024,  I plan to write mini stories on various subjects and characters on each day of the month except on Sundays. The name of the protagonist shall begin with the alphabet assigned for the day.  

Balakrishnan, aged 93 years, a grand old man in 2015, was lying in bed awaiting death. Everyone, close relatives and friends had been informed and they were coming in one by one to meet him one last time. But Shekar, his grandson aged 32 years hadn't come yet. Will he ever come? 

Balu always had the attention and regards of his friends and family almost all his life. That was till Shekar had become old enough to question adults. " What were you doing Grandpa during the quit India movement?" he would ask. Balu  preferred to erase that part of his life history from memory. 

He not only did not have the guts to join the movement but when he came to know the British administration was willing to pay handsomely for information about the hideouts of the " Rebels"/ "Terrorists", he went ahead and shared information about some of his "Freedom Fighter" friends. All of them were imprisoned and two of them were executed. 

Balu on the other hand got enough money to start a ceramic factory in Madras. Honestly, Balu had believed that the British rule was forever . It came as a shock and surprise to him when it ended abruptly. He could not feel as proud a citizen in free India as he had felt in British India. The shame hung over him like a shadow and whenever his grandson taunted him he prayed to God to call him back. He had had enough of this earthly life. 

Balu awoke with a start from the afternoon nap. His head was on the lap of Shekhar, his grandson. Tears flowed down his face. After all he had come! They were not on speaking terms for many years now.  Shekhar gently caressed his grandpa's head " It is okay thata. Not everyone can be bold and courageous. You did what you did with the maturity of a 20 year old. Just relax, take all worries and thoughts away from your mind". 

That night, the old man died peacefully in his sleep.  

NB: This post is a part of  challenge #BlogchatterA2Z