‘Anatomy of Retirement’ – a Friend’s Predicament! Part 2

(Last issue: Prakash picked up a medium sized pakora from his plate, turned it around 360 degrees with his finger, evaluated it for its oil content, wrapped it in a tissue paper and squeezed the pakora a couple of times like a seasoned oil expeller. When he un-wrapped the paper I found almost a lifeless dead pakora which he promptly put in his mouth with a satisfactory nod…)

Part 2:

“You see this plush flat in this upmarket neighborhood and lo! It will be gone! Walks in the prestigious KB Park no longer possible; the chauffeur driven car at beck and call…whoosh…gone! The frequent flight trips, parties in swanky hotels and meeting high profile clients…all will slip into history. My veneered plush corner office, greetings from my secretary and 20 odd staff, lunches in executive lunch room…all will go into folds of memory!” his voice was painfully bitter.

I was in rapt attention at this unfolding of a series of harsh realities by Prakash.

“What about all those airport pick-ups in luxury sedans and accommodation in 5 star hotels? What about the social status and recognition that I used enjoy wherever I went? Nothing remains…” his anguish was understandable.

I wanted to comfort him and said “Look at this philosophically Prakash! You enjoyed all this to the extent it is ‘written’ for you. One day for anybody all this or something like this has to end! But why don’t you see a different world that awaits you which I am sure would be exciting in its own way!”

“You mean the world where I am nobody?; where I don’t have an exciting office to go?; where no one greets me while I adjust my tie in grace?; where I have to drive my car to the weekly shanty and buy vegetables and provisions?; where I have to take the trains while on travel and stay in budget hotels?; where I can’t stop but pass by, 5 star hotels and eat my weekend dinners in the colony restaurants? If so, I am positively certain that such world won’t be exciting for me!”

Prakash slumped back into the sofa and took a deep breath and continued “In fact if I look at my wardrobe of suits and ties, tears well in my eyes with the stark question coming to my mind ‘what will I do with all these? When can I put them to use?’ Things are pretty bad my friend! What will be the motivation for me to get off the bed and even have a shave? I have a suspicion that even with in the family you are not treated as before!” he was completely in despair.

I heard enough and I wanted to leave him with a few words and said “Life is a continuum Prakash; things come and go at each stage. When you were an infant you would have cried the roof off when someone pulled away the milk bottle from you. But you moved on to different things happily as you grew up. Similarly outside your retirement too, trust me; there is a big world with its countless excitements a few of which could be to your liking!”

“So learn to move on my friend! Please don’t cry like a child whose lollipop has melted! From out of emptiness things come into life and off they go into emptiness! Emptiness has a meaning and a purpose! So let not that emptiness unnerve you. You can find it full of things, if only you wish to see it differently!”

“Ponder over these thoughts my friend and I am sure they will help you negotiate a peaceful, happy and an exciting new beginning!”

I thanked them for the pakoras and left, leaving him with those stormy thoughts. I know it will blow over sooner than later.

*****