'Young at 80'

"Driving around the empty roads of the city with the window shields down and a cigarette in hand, blowing smoke rings in the breeze is a memory I would love to relive" says Mr. Chammaiah, an 80 year old retired government servant sliding down his easy chair, getting ready for his afternoon nap.
He is one person I have seen age gracefully over the years. Though I enjoy many of his tales from the 60s and 70s about various political fights and the slow transition from a joint family to a nuclear setup, his habit of chewing pan while talking always puts me off. "It is like a  key to my memory closet" he said with an uncharacteristic smile exposing his yellowed teeth and the blood red tongue.

"I have lived long enough to understand the limitations of my age. Well, I can't complain. I always fought with my father to alter his work schedule as he aged. He never listened to me. To be fair to him, it was his zeal and commitment in life that got me going the whole time." he said cleaning his glass.

Both his sons had moved to the States in search of a better future and their old man was very proud of their achievements. "I will not go there. I don't think I can adjust to the lifestyle there.Above all, who will take care of Raja in my absence..." he says patting his white Labrador, when asked if he wishes to see the Statue of Liberty.

Since losing his beloved wife Parvathi to cancer a couple of years ago, Raja had been his constant companion. Be it his morning walks or his estate visits, Chammaiah felt safe with Raja around. Though Raja was trained to cater to all of Chammaiah's needs in the best way possible, a dog has its own limitations.

"Certain phases of life are like 'Rogue waves'. They come in with the intensity to throw ships like corks all over causing huge damage only to slip beneath the depths moments later. By the time you realise what's hit you, the damage is already done." he laments with teary eyes.

"I would search all through the weekdays for a spot to visit during the weekends. Parvathi loved to travel. We did not have internet like you guys at that time. I would cut newspaper clippings to make a note of the places we wished to visit in a book I called 'Our travel book'. That smile of satisfaction on her face is something I lived for until her last day. Those are the memories I wish to happily take to my grave." said the old man with a teardrop escaping the corner of his aged eyes.

"As you grow older, you realise the futility of some of your actions. You gradually long for stability. You are always playing catch up with time that is running away with your life at the pace of a race car. It is under these circumstances that you should find happiness in beautiful small moments that actually stays with you forever. Today's generation find these words worthless. They feel that I'm outdated. But, if you live as long as I have, you are sure to pick up a thing or two from this long journey of life..." he coughed reaching for the glass of water on the side table.

His understanding of life was beyond everyone's imagination. However, it was the hard fact of life, in a nutshell. He had played the roles of a loving husband, responsible father, honest officer and a law abiding citizen throughout his life. His treasure of words and wisdom was not something one could buy at a departmental store. It was the knowledge he had earned with his constant interaction with the various aspects of the jigsaw puzzle called LIFE. It was the experience of a battle hardened veteran who had faced every fight with courage and confidence.

"Any day is incomplete without my evening coffee. Care to have a cup of this aromatic amrut with an old man son?" asked Chammaiah getting up from his chair, cracking his knuckles and gliding his way through the passages of his palatial house with the enthusiasm of a teenager.

It is his attitude to life I feel is what keeps this giant of a man young at the ripe age of eighty.