A Warm Winter Evening

So I exited the store in a haste.
“He always does that and i really hate it when he behaves that crude” I was fuming and cussing.

It was a trivial issue, he chose a simple looking room-heater for his room while I was adamant on a stylish one with swivel head and shiny buttons.
“You always choose a boring crap” i said.
“You never care for my likes as if my existence means nothing to you, there are children who show respect to their parent’s decisions but you are not one of them,” dad reprimanded in a complaining tone.
Mom stood in between watching our drama and hinted me to keep mum. I looked around, all eyes were staring at us and that sales-girl was hiding her pestering smile. Felt so embarrassed so humiliated that I kept that basket on the floor and left the shop.
while leaving I heard him mutter his dissatisfaction to my open defiance, and I stamped out of the store.
As soon as I came out I slowed down, possibly because it was cold outside and also our car wasn’t parked in the vicinity of the supermarket. Hence I stalled and retreated to the exit gate of the store, stood there and decided to wait for them.
From outside I kept looking towards the billing counter, watched several people and families exiting that store. Happy kids, happy couples.

Then I saw an old man came out with two bagful of groceries. Wrinkled face, slumped shoulders and a weary gait. Old man needed someone by his side to assist him, but he walked alone. By the time I thought of helping him out he passed by me and covered a fair distance. I kept looking at him till he took the left turn towards the gallery leading to the exit door.
‘Is this how my father would be without me!’ I pondered. ‘He already walks with a limp and instead of assisting in shopping or helping him in carrying the stuffs I left them in the shop, all by themselves!’
“Damn..!”
It wasn’t long before I realized that I did something terribly wrong. I was remorseful , what I did was highly uncalled-for and immature.
Without wasting anytime further i swung towards the store’s door.
“Sorry sir, this is exit gate, entry on the upper floor” the guard said.
Lift was engaged so I took the stairs. I ran as if i needed to catch the last train home, almost stumbled on the stairs.
“Excuse me, make way please. Darn! India is really very populated” I jostled my way to the entrance. Electronics section was located at the second last bay and i was really hurried to reach there quickly.
On reaching I found my parents weren’t there. “They must have moved towards the billing counter” I muttered while walking hastily through the aisle.
I walked ahead and saw my mom checking out some cutlery in the kitchen section. As soon as i reached her I picked up the basket lying on her left.
“That one” she pointed at the one on her right. “and where were you? I guess you were out. right?” she stared at me.
I ignored the question and asked where was dad.
“He waited for you, went to get some coupon at the billing desk. And yes, take these stuffs to him”.
I headed to the billing counter and saw my dad standing there. He held a box under his arm and was looking for something.
Actually , he was looking for someone.
He was looking for me.

I walked towards him. As soon as i reached , he said “Oh Jay, where were you! Hey look  I took  this heater . It is better. and guess what! they are offering a cashback coupon on it! isn’t it great! “

“Yes dad, it is” I nodded and kept my face down, couldn’t look into his eyes.
It wasn’t the simple looking heater  that he wanted to buy but the one I was asking him to.

I was touched.
I felt so poor & miserable.
His simplicity, his self-abnegation. It touched my heart.
Why was I angry? Why did I turn my back against him when I very well knew that he needed me? Why did I lose my temper? Can’t my father expect something from me and shouldn’t I care for his wishes?
Why do we feel humiliated when our parents reprimand us? Why do we care more about the strangers watching us and not about the dissatisfaction in the heart of a person who gave us this life!

After finishing up with the shopping we headed towards our car. I was walking behind them. I was thinking how dark my life would be without them. ‘They are the reason why I am, what I am, whatever I would be. They are my blessing. How can i turn my back against them! how can I even think about leaving them!’

I was behind the steering and he sat next to me on the front seat, his place. Mom was sitting at the rear.
He was hitting the music system’s buttons randomly.
“Radio button on the right, topmost corner ” I said.
“Oh I know that, I was just checking something…emmmm” he said and then tuned into his favorite radio channel.
I looked at mom and we both smiled.
I felt great to have him next to me on that seat and I wished he always remains there with me, by my side. Forever.

We headed back home and by the time we reached I had forgot the face of that Sales-girl.
Seriously. who cares!

It happened one winter evening.
A warm winter evening.