Small Story 92. Story of MMP.

Small Story 92 Story of M.M.P. . Gopal arrived at Bengaluru Station, where he was warmly welcomed by his daughter-in-law, Swapna. "Hello, Dad! How are you? Was the journey comfortable? You left Tirunelveli 14 hours ago. Come, take it slowly," she said as she gently took his hand from the train's doorstep. Gopal carried only a big suitcase with him, the rest of his belongings had been sent through transport. It had been a year since his wife, Savitha, passed away due to severe complications from diabetes. Gopal had been living alone in Tirunelveli, his hometown, since his retirement from a leading pharmaceutical company in Mumbai. After his wife's death, his only son, Ram, a Program Manager at an IT company, and Swapna, his daughter-in-law, suggested that he move in with them. With no other option, Gopal agreed to come to Bengaluru and join them. After a comfortable drive through the city, Swapna brought Gopal to their house in Jayanagar, an independent house that Ram had built. The house had a huge garden, which was an added attraction. Swapna had always treated Gopal like her own father, and they shared a deep attachment. Ram and Swapna, however, had no children. Swapna, a dietician at a leading hospital, explained Gopal's daily routine: a morning walk, followed by some time in their mini library, and breakfast, which she would prepare in advance. Lunch was made by their North Indian cook, consisting of vegetables and rice. In the evening, around 5:30 p.m., both Ram and Swapna would come home. At first, Gopal was not happy with the cooler weather in Bengaluru, but over time, he got accustomed to the climate and the people. Swapna, being cautious about Gopal's health, especially after the loss of her mother-in-law, was very mindful of his sugar levels. She prescribed only one sweet treat for him each day, as Gopal was near the border of diabetes. Gopal, on the other hand, was very fond of sweets and often indulged in them excessively. However, Swapna made it clear that he could have only one sweet per day, and that too a different one each time. Gopal’s favorite sweet was Mysorepak, and Swapna designated Monday as Mysorepak day. Gopal eagerly awaited Mondays, counting the days for his beloved treat. Three months passed, and Gopal was not only maintaining his sugar levels but also enjoying his favorite sweets in moderation. He realized how well Swapna cared for him, treating him like both a father and a child with equal love and attention. He was grateful to his daughter-in-law and Ram for taking such good care of him in their beautiful, peaceful home. He also learned an important lesson during his time with them: contentment was the key to controlling everything, especially his desires and habits. Gopal had found peace, not only in his health but also in his life, thanks to the thoughtful planning and care of Swapna. K.Ragavan 29-11-24