Life is just not complete with these episodes - Growing up, failed relationships, lost love, getting/losing a job, raising up kids, sans a perfect climax - the funeral.
Been to a distant relative's funeral, this gentleman was bed ridden for last 10+ years..(1)
In the span of 45 mins until the final rites to commence, the topics discussed ranged from - Honda/toyota re-call, Maruti 100's being phased-out, what should have been India's playing XI against SA in the 2nd test match, the raising construction cost, etc.. with my intermittent questions on getting to know the life * achievement of the person whose funeral it is !
For the customary sorry-pat for the spouse(grandma) who had spent a rather 60 years of matrimony, I had a torturous 10 mins meeting other characters
- the lovable sister of our hero. To everyone's dismay she had these interesting array of questions to me - When did you come back from Australia ? Wheres your office ? Mount road ? how are you commuting ? Any impending foreign trips ?.. With one-word answers I tried to convey my emotions in vain ! She nailed it by - What do you like to have - Coffee ? Stay over for sometime..
- younger bro in his 70's. Who are you ? Are you related to X & Y ? Oh.. so you dint face any racial discrimination in Australia ?
- Another . How long you intend to be single ? any proposals ?
- Uncle. Few shots on stock market, gold rate..With a tinge of advocacy sprayed during every possible interval on our religion & hinduism, to keep the crowd motivated on the "process" & rituals during a funeral !
For a man who retired from railways dept after 40 yrs of service, raising 2 daughters & 4 grand kids, waged a lone war as a teetotaler amidst his weirdo brothers who were kings in - black jack & black knights ! It all succumbed...
(1) so technically today, its his mere physical death !
Man, all I wish.. to die ONCE !
Sunday, February 14, 2010
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