A DOG'S DEATH
I was meeting Arjun, one of my friends, after twelve long years, yesterday. We spoke about several things - family, friends, business, movies, the volatile markets, and, of course, Life. We were already together for about an hour. And, suddenly, I asked Arjun:
"How is Mr. Nath?"
Arjun looked at me, blank.
"Arjun, I said, how is Mr. Nath doing?" I repeated.
"You really do not know about him?" Arjun asked me.
"Really, I lost touch with him, completely," I informed him.
"He passed away about eight years ago." Arjun did not look comfortable talking about this man.
"What? He was not even fifty! What happened to him?" I wanted to know.
"A tragedy. What else can I say? He died a 'dog's death'!" Arjun was in pain to convey this. Still, he did.
I was acquainted with Mr. Nath for a very brief period. He was a highly qualified and brilliantly talented Corporate Trainer ... A thorough gentleman. When he spoke, people simply listened, mesmerised. He was extremely polite as well as persuasive. His mind seemed to be a vast treasure, full of ideas. No wonder, we always emerged moved and a little richer, after every interaction with this man.
The only thing most of us disliked - rather, were concerned - about Mr. Nath was his incessant habit of smoking and drinking. He was a chain smoker and he drank, quite often, like a fish. Many of us had voiced our concern before him. But, Mr. Nath being Mr. Nath - a great charmer - would always succeed in disarming us, without we, even, realising it.
But, never did he mention to us - even under the influence of alcohol - that, at home, he had a horrible time with his wife. Theirs was a love marriage, and an inter-caste one. His wife was a Doctorate. She headed a reputed institution, ran a NGO, travelled around quite extensively addressing 'social issues', was quoted frequently on news papers, appeared on several Radio and Television talk shows ... Yet, at the end of the day, behind the closed doors of her well-decorated house, she would turn into a 'Kali'. The flamboyant and charming Mr. Nath would turn into a mere slave!
This, none of us could see. What we saw and believed to be the the 'debonair demeanour' - now we understand - was simply a facade, a mask.
Did he drink and smoke so incessantly because of the turmoil at home, to escape from its pain?
Or, did his 'highly educated' wife treat him 'like that' - because of his habits, to 'straighten' him out?
We have no idea.
Yesterday, Arjun told me that he died with multiple complications. The major ones being: the throat cancer and breakdown of liver. He told me that his wife treated him badly even when he struggled to survive those last ordeals. There wasn't any body around when the end came. "He died a 'dog's death'."
They had no children.
But, they had 'loads of education' ... Clearly, that's not enough!
GERALD D'CUNHA
"How is Mr. Nath?"
Arjun looked at me, blank.
"Arjun, I said, how is Mr. Nath doing?" I repeated.
"You really do not know about him?" Arjun asked me.
"Really, I lost touch with him, completely," I informed him.
"He passed away about eight years ago." Arjun did not look comfortable talking about this man.
"What? He was not even fifty! What happened to him?" I wanted to know.
"A tragedy. What else can I say? He died a 'dog's death'!" Arjun was in pain to convey this. Still, he did.
I was acquainted with Mr. Nath for a very brief period. He was a highly qualified and brilliantly talented Corporate Trainer ... A thorough gentleman. When he spoke, people simply listened, mesmerised. He was extremely polite as well as persuasive. His mind seemed to be a vast treasure, full of ideas. No wonder, we always emerged moved and a little richer, after every interaction with this man.
The only thing most of us disliked - rather, were concerned - about Mr. Nath was his incessant habit of smoking and drinking. He was a chain smoker and he drank, quite often, like a fish. Many of us had voiced our concern before him. But, Mr. Nath being Mr. Nath - a great charmer - would always succeed in disarming us, without we, even, realising it.
But, never did he mention to us - even under the influence of alcohol - that, at home, he had a horrible time with his wife. Theirs was a love marriage, and an inter-caste one. His wife was a Doctorate. She headed a reputed institution, ran a NGO, travelled around quite extensively addressing 'social issues', was quoted frequently on news papers, appeared on several Radio and Television talk shows ... Yet, at the end of the day, behind the closed doors of her well-decorated house, she would turn into a 'Kali'. The flamboyant and charming Mr. Nath would turn into a mere slave!
This, none of us could see. What we saw and believed to be the the 'debonair demeanour' - now we understand - was simply a facade, a mask.
Did he drink and smoke so incessantly because of the turmoil at home, to escape from its pain?
Or, did his 'highly educated' wife treat him 'like that' - because of his habits, to 'straighten' him out?
We have no idea.
Yesterday, Arjun told me that he died with multiple complications. The major ones being: the throat cancer and breakdown of liver. He told me that his wife treated him badly even when he struggled to survive those last ordeals. There wasn't any body around when the end came. "He died a 'dog's death'."
They had no children.
But, they had 'loads of education' ... Clearly, that's not enough!
GERALD D'CUNHA
Comments
We consider “Wife” as better half but if wives are like as mentioned in this case then I may think 1000 times before getting married.
“Finally If wife would have been dreadful and inspite of this the husband is staying cool then how would have been scenario” would luv to read if you can pen down anything on this.
Thks