27 January 2012
On many occasions I feel that I too am suffering from this disease. I know it is not true but yes you do get involved and you find yourself straining unnecessarily on trivial things. Small errands become big tasks as you run hither and thither to find his spectacles, cell phone, shoes and diary. On not being able to find them, you go mad with tension that probably you too are forgetting. You also turn into a smooth liar and many a time lies become truths.
‘Congratulations,’ Dadoo says, I nod happily busy reading the newspaper. He asks, ‘It is a good thing that has happened.’
I nod. He asks, ‘Today is a party?’
I nod again.
He asks, ‘What happened? Why is there a party?’
Earlier I used to be frantic but now I coolly say, ‘Deepak has been promoted.’ He is elated, ‘What is Deepak now?’
I mumble, ‘President of Deutsche Bank.’
‘Is it an important post?’
I nod, ‘Of course, he heads the bank.’
He is excited, ‘You mean in the world?’
I merrily say, ‘Yes, Dadoo, your son is the most important person in the bank.’
And then he goes on, ‘Congratulations. Is there a party today?’ But now I change gears probably I am bored or I too have forgotten what I said the last time.
‘Rohit has been promoted.’
He is elated, ‘What is he now?’
‘He is an IAS officer.’
‘Oh this is a great news,’ he says beaming, ‘What is he posted?’
I say, ‘Deputy Commissioner.’ (Sometimes I say secretary, sometimes commissioner.)
And then he starts to congratulate me.
This is how you become a smooth liar. A person listening to the conversation will think it is the truth and nothing but the truth. Now I am calm and composed.
‘I must be having five hundred pieces of land.’
I nod.
‘There is one in Shimla too.’
I nod.
‘Where is it?’
‘Tara Devi.’
‘Is there a house there?’
I shake my head, ‘Only land.’
‘Who is taking care of it?’
I say, ‘Lalit and Gopal.’
‘Are they close to you?’
I nod.
‘They are your friends?’
I nod.
‘Who is taking care of it?’
‘Lalit and Gopal. They have built their houses nearby.’
He is relieved, ‘Thank God then it will be safe.’
After a couple of seconds he repeats, ‘Who is taking care of the land?’
‘Lalit and Gopal.’
‘Who are they?’
And this goes on for hours, I try to be patient but once in a while I snap, ‘Dadoo, can you change the topic?’ Not realizing that I have said this so severely that he has forgotten what the topic is and somewhere in his mind the brain cells start shouting, tension, tension and more tension.
‘Is there something wrong?’ he quivers.
‘No, Dadoo.’
‘There is something very wrong.’
‘No, Dadoo.’
‘I know there is something wrong,’ he mumbles helplessly. And I curse myself for leading him in this state.