Whisky, Women and World

Chapter 15

The television illuminated the room with scenes from one of Apu's films. Bejoy, in the evening, was serving his father a butter biscuit with tea, pointing out that the actor on the screen was performing in his theater. A wave of excitement washed over Bejoy, met with a nod of approval from his father. Beyond the polished exterior of Bejoy's charming appearance and infectious smile lay a private life marked by family medical complexities. Bejoy's father had suffered a stroke, and Bejoy devoted himself to caring for him. From assisting with daily activities like taking him to the toilet to ensuring a good night's sleep, Bejoy assumed complete responsibility without a hint of complaint. Though tears sometimes welled up in his father's eyes, feeling like a burden to his son, Bejoy remembered him as the strong man who imparted life lessons and never allowed vulnerability to surface. After the stroke left his father paralyzed and unable to care for himself, Bejoy meticulously maintained the routines his father once enjoyed. Evening tea, a cherished habit, consisted of a hot cup and freshly baked butter biscuits from a quaint bakery in their street. Bejoy made certain his father continued to experience the simple pleasures he had always known.

On another front, Bejoy's son grappled with low sugar levels from a young age, necessitating occasional hospital visits to monitor insulin levels. In earlier, healthier times, when Bejoy's father served as a brave policeman on the verge of retirement and his son reveled in the joy of childhood, Bejoy's wife worked as a knowledgeable librarian with a rare understanding of books, and had served in the library for many years. Her expertise extended to an impressive recall of authors, books, and poems. Even without the aid of a computer, she could provide visitors with comprehensive lists based on author names or recommend books aligned with their interests.

However, when their son fell ill, and her father-in-law suffered a stroke, she chose to stay at home. Upon retiring from the library, she received a thoughtful gift from the owner—a collection of books to fill her home bookshelf. In the pockets of time between caregiving duties, she immersed herself in reading. The remainder of her day was devoted to her son, delighting him with his favorite meals. Bejoy, to support his wife and ensure she didn't feel isolated in the face of life's challenges, worked from home until the evening. Together, they managed household responsibilities, spent quality time with their son after school, and Bejoy headed to work as the sun dipped below the horizon. Despite the medicinal scent that hung in the air, they crafted a happy nuclear family, making every moment count.

After tending to his father's needs, including a refreshing mouth wipe with cold water, and sharing precious moments discussing his son's day while the young one was engrossed in his game, Bejoy geared up for work. On this particular evening, instead of heading straight to the theater, he was in high spirits and decided to treat the entire crew to a bar. He requested the waiter to join three tables so that all his team members could sit together. He had never seen such a tremendous response to their show's registration at his theater, and he was elated. On their way to the beach, he kept expressing gratitude and excitement to Apu for making this event a success. Bejoy was certain that this show would bring fame to the theater and ensure its continued success.

Apu sat between Bejoy and Maya, feeling overwhelmed by Bejoy's hospitality. The table was filled with various seafood dishes, but as a vegetarian since his marriage to Farhaan, Apu ordered himself a vegetarian pizza. He was grateful to Farhaan for introducing him to vegetarianism.

"I am ecstatic about the numbers. Can you believe it? We have a total of ninety-eight entries. Last time, there were only eight of us when we performed," Bejoy continued, beaming with excitement as they awaited their drinks.

Maya exclaimed, "Wow, that's an impressive number! Our theater has never seen such a response over the years. And all the credit goes to the man of the hour, Apu!" The open restaurant erupted with applause, as if in agreement with Maya.