I Met Myself at Sixty

This day was the same as usual days - trite and hectic. I got down from the auto and saw the beaming faces of the senior citizens, who were walking and sitting around the apartments. Some of them crack same joke daily, sometimes, it would be boring, though I have to laugh aloud abiding by them. Few will try to stop me asking about well-being. Sometimes being selfish, I try to escape as I have to complete the household chores. I did same that day, I waved and promptly answered to bypass the conversation. I rushed in to the lift and suspired. Suddenly I got a smile thinking that these people are enjoying their time. As it was Friday, I was super-excited especially the thought of hitting the bed late and getting up late next day.
Wow! Saturday morning, I was idle and thought to meet one aunt, who lives nearby and keep asking us to visit her place. She lives alone, and I try to meet her whenever I can. Mostly, she calls us if her digital tv service, fridge, or mobile is not working. I have observed, she is hesitant sometimes and tries to solve these issues on her own. But when it doesn't work, she calls us.
This time I sat with her for around two-three hours discussing on day-to-day problems and work, and I met myself at Sixty. It is actually frightening when you come to know about the loneliness and isolation they are dealing with. Casually I asked, has she cooked breakfast? She laughed and replied, "You are asking about breakfast, I have prepared dinner also." and at the same time, she dispiritingly replied, "What to do, I have to cook only for myself, however less I try to cook, I couldn't. I end up making for two or three people. My usual habit, beta". I tried to change the topic, thinking she will be sad, and asked if the television is working properly and she was happy again, "Yeah, it is my best friend. Few channels are not coming, but still better than nothing. I will go mad if it is not there. Difficult to pass my time without it". She added, "You know, it has been more than 23 years  since your uncle (he died at early age) has passed away and I feel how I have lived so long without him". I saw her eyes were welled up with tears, she threw her head back and managed to stop dropping it from the eyes. I just replied, "Yeah Aunty, time passes quickly". She interrupted, "No days pass quickly, but nights are longer. I will be awake till 2 am to 3 am and sometime till 5 am, and still I won't feel drowsy. Surprised, how I managed to accomplish responsibilities".
I nodded and asked about her children. She replied, "They are fine and asking me to stay with them". I replied, that's nice, why are you thinking so much. She replied, "Yeah (a sigh), but I want to stay here. I like this place". She has few friends with whom she chit-chat and goes for evening walk.
Then she replied, "Not for the whole day, but atleast few hours in evening are refreshing. I can go there, but I don't have friends there, the place is new and children are busy on weekdays, so I get bored all those 5 days".
I realized, she is right. We are busy for five days, and on weekends we try to complete the pending tasks.  It is not only with her, it is same with my mother too. When we ask her to take VRS (Voluntarily Retirement Scheme). She says, " It is difficult to pass time. I am happy and busy with my job". At least from the time my niece is born, she is ready to take VRS as she loves playing with her and enjoys. Grand-parents have stronger relationship with their grand-children. But sometime I feel, soon these kids will start going to school and will be busy in their activities, they won't be able to enjoy the same time.
It is not about love and care. Ofcourse, we all are giving that to our parents. It is only about the loneliness that a person has to deal even after having their children and grand children around them at that age. Everybody has to face this time. We often hear about loneliness of old people,but always forget that one day we will be at the same juncture. We don't give a single thought that what we will be doing after getting retired or old. It is not about the pension and retirement plans. It is all about spending time or I should rather say "passing our time" at that age.
At young age,working from 9 am to 6 pm and keeping oneself busy is so easy. My daily routine is very hectic, but I enjoy this busy life and felt satisfied after completing my mundane job. But there will be a time when we will face this loneliness. However, we try, we will be lonely, because there will be a generation gap, yes a time of three decades.