My Grandfather is a carefree man. I loved to go to him every day, as he and Grandmother lived next street. My parents always pleaded and requested them to come and live with us but they never agreed, so I always used to wonder what was so special about that house. So, now let’s start the story.
It was the time of Coronavirus (Covid-19). I was watching news with my dad. It was an interview of a doctor to whom people had sent questions and he was answering it. One of the questions caught my parents’ attention. The question was – My parents are 60+ what extra precautions should they take. The doctor said that the extra precautions 60+ should take are nothing special but to not make them feel lonely if they live alone, talk to them every day. Also, if possible, stay with them until Covid ends.
Dad, after hearing the interview straight went to Grandfather and dad’s house. I followed him, when he reached their house, he started to knock vigorously. My Grandmother opened the door and dad rushed inside and called Grandfather. When Grandfather came dad asked him and Grandmother to come and live with us again, like always they said no. Dad the told them to cooperate and live with us until covid-19 end. At last, they agreed. They shifted with us in three days.
There was no end to my happiness. Grandfather taught me math and Grandmother told me stories. After a few weeks it was time for Grandfather and Grandmother’s yearly checkup. Grandmother was fit but Grandfather had diabetes. Dad consulted a doctor. She gave dad a diet chart that Grandfather had to follow. Grandfather outrightly rejected it. I would have done the same, after all the diet contained – bitter gourd and broccolis and pulses etc. They was OK, but ice-cream, burgers, pizzas, sweets and other junk food were strictly prohibited and that was too much for Grandfather. But as everybody was insisting Grandfather agreed. Result, everyday meals could hear the sound of Grandfather’s now 24 hrs grumbling. Some days later Grandfather got the habit of following the diet and was happy.
But one day I saw Grandfather acting suspicious. I started to follow him. He went to the garden and started to dig under a mango tree He dug for some time. Then a big metal box came out from the hole. Grandfather opened it and I saw cold drinks and gulab jamuns in it. Grandfather ate 5 gulab jamuns and drank a coke. I saw that and ran to dad and told him everything I saw.
Dad ran to the garden and saw Grandfather filling the hole. Grandfather got caught red handed. Dad then made an electrician put CCTV cameras everywhere in the house and tied a GPS to his watch. Now, there was no way Grandfather could eat sweets. I felt sad for Grandfather but I cared for his health. After 7 months, Dad took Grandfather for another checkup. This time, to everyone’s happiness, Grandfather’s report was fit. We gave this news to Grandfather with a box containing three Gulab jamun. Grandfather, hearing the news was very happy but only took one Gulab jamun.