Lonely hearts

Last evening we went for a walk after about a month on our favourite route in the neighbouring sector  mainly inhabited by defence officers.We love the area because all the houses have beautifully maintained lawns,lovely plantation,well laid flower beds with choicest varieties of flowers,fascinating creepers both  inside as well as outside the houses,even the roadsides plantation is well taken care of n the layout n upkeep of  parks has no parallel.The entire area rejuvenates ur spirits n refreshes ur mind.
In one of the corner bunglows, we have always found , as we passed by ,old melodies from hindi films,gazals or semi-classical music -all of our choice playing softly so we always loved n admired the collection of people occupying  the house .
Yesterday for the first time we found an old smart Sardar ji tending plants in the lawn n very soulful music playing inside .My husband could not resist the temptation of talking to the gentleman  to convey our appreciation of his wonderful collection.He was so overwhelmed that he invited us inside the house to know about us n note down our address n tel no. so that we could meet n enjoy the music from his collection.Once we were inside  he got so thrilled that he made all possible efforts to make us feel comfortable. He offered a drink to my husband n was at a loss to understand what to offer to me. He told us that he was a retd. Col.from the Indian Army,84 years of age ,lost his wife of 64 years of togetherness two years back living alone in that big bunglow.Then he went on n on telling us how his wife died of cardiac arrest two years back in his arms leaving his life topsy- turvy ,how he went into depression n was,now ,trying to come to terms with loneliness.His two grown-up children- a 58 years old daughter married to an air force officer n 54 years old son from merchant navy settled in Australia wanted him to live with them but he chose to live in his own house.His activities include yoga,meditation,driving to the Chandigarh golf course where he runs for three kms.
All the while he was trying to find some snacks, some eatables to offer to us; n kept telling us that his house used to be so well managed by his wife ,full of soft drinks,eatable n always ready to offer best hospitality to the guests but now he does not know how to manage .He told us that many a times he sleeps on the ground where she left him last n that at times he feels that she may come from some corner n get cross with him for living a disorganised life.
He was very happy to know about our native towns as he belonged to my husband's native distt, n his son-in-law n daughter-in-law belonged to my native town n shared with many stories from those towns..All this while he kept on trying to find our favourite songs to play but his excitement  to converse with us overpowered n he could not play any song for us.During this time even if we wispered to leave he would just get nervous n said no ,not yet.It was only after two  n a half hours that we took leave promising to visit him again .It was a mood changer for us.He thanked us for being with him,he said "Do u know how i feel today,u have made me feel that I am alive "-a lonely heart waiting for love. we were deeply touched,felt happy to be with him n came back with the promise to meet. We will certainly meet him again- a perfect gentle n noble soul living with dignity n grace.