Old Age:"I've gathered countless memories over the years, and I believe these memories will help me spend my old age with ease and comfort."
"The last candle of my life was already half-burnt, and in that quiet flicker, I realized — half of my old age had silently slipped away."
Life had already tested me with many storms, and then came a smaller one—quiet, in the heart of autumn. One night, Bagghu slipped out of the house. By the time I realized, I had followed his trail all the way to the next village. I saw Bagghu walk straight to a little cluster of six tiny puppies, barely fifteen days old. He sat beside them, as if he'd known all along they were waiting for him. That's when it hit me — Bagghu wasn't my little Bagghu anymore. He was now a father. I brought Bagghu and his four pups home and made a place for them right where Bagghu used to stay. He was overjoyed. I took great care of all four of his little ones. And I made sure to inform Lajwanti, Hemwanti, and Saumya about Bagghu's new chapter.
Bagghu's puppies were two months old by then, but fate took one away. Bagghu was heartbroken — he cried a lot, more than I had ever seen. And yet, I never even noticed when he quietly took the little one far from the house. Perhaps he did it so I wouldn't be hurt. It was this silent kindness of Bagghu's that had always touched my heart. I loved him like my own child. Even now, in the twilight of my life, Bagghu remained my greatest companion.
I was 96 years old now, and so old that I could no longer manage things on my own. So I took Bagghu with me and set out to spend the last few days of my old age at my daughters' homes.
Both of my daughters looked after me with great care and love. After about a year and a half, I went to stay with my third daughter, Saumya. She had two children — both full of mischief, and they loved to tease Bagghu.
But Bagghu enjoyed their company just as much. He seemed truly happy around them. And just like that, two years passed in laughter and joy, so gently that I hardly noticed them go by.
By then, I was 95.
I felt deeply content with life. And now, I had only one prayer left — that God grant me peace and liberation.
Winter had just begun when Bagghu suddenly fell ill. We rushed him to the animal hospital, and that's when we got the heartbreaking news — Bagghu had only a few days left… maybe just a few hours.
He was in the final stage of heartworm disease, and there was nothing more the doctors could do. As soon as we brought Bagghu home from the hospital, he stopped eating and drinking altogether. We tried everything to feed him, but he refused it all.Perhaps he already knew… that he didn't have much time left. But just like me, Bagghu, too, was at peace with life — content in his own quiet way. And now, he simply wanted to leave this world in peace.
That night, Bagghu and I slept side by side — I on the cot, and he, as always, resting just beneath me, like a silent shadow of love and loyalty. It was around two in the morning. I woke up suddenly, my heart trembling with an unexplainable fear. In those final moments of life, I didn't know why, but I was afraid of death. Deep down, I knew — like Bagghu — that these were my last hours.
Perhaps Bagghu had sensed it too. Maybe that's why he had been so quiet and withdrawn the past few days.
I reached for the small pouch of candles I kept near my pillow. There were only three left. In the matchbox, just one matchstick remained.
Somehow, I managed to light the first candle (chapter-2) . As its flame began to fade, I quickly used it to light the second one (chapter-3). And when that too started to die, I didn't waste a moment — I lit the third candle with its help (current chapter).
As I sat lost in my memories, the third candle quietly burned down to its half. The room was silent, holding its breath — and then, Bagghu came to me. Slowly, he laid his head in my lap, just like he used to when he was little.
Something in me calmed. The fear, the trembling — it all melted away with his touch.
With one final breath — steady and full of peace — I leaned forward and gently blew out the last candle.