Joy of retirement

by Hector S. Yapa

Patrick, who woke up early morning stepped into the compound in a happy mood. He stretched his arms and legs for a better breathe in. The cold breeze in the morning stimulated him. The branches of the mango trees in his garden were swaying. The dried leaves of mango trees and jak trees had fallen on the ground.

Patrick took the eakle and started cleaning the compound with courage. He began to hum a part of a song.

“You are my sunshine.... my only sunshine.

You make me happy when skies are grey”

“Where are you Patrick... I am looking for you everywhere... Have your bed tea...” His wife Sriyani shouted.

Patrick gulped the tea and continued cleaning. He collected all the dry leaves into one place thinking to burn them in the evening.

“I know why you are so active today... Today is your pension day isn’t it? You buy everything in my list and come home early,” Sriyani said.

Behaviour

Patrick, who is sixty-five years now had served as a graduate teacher at the Central College in the town as the Librarian. He was interested in his duties as he preferred reading and writing most. Patrick had a lot of colleagues and friends who served in several schools. They preferred the company of each other sometimes over a bottle of alcohol. They sang together for fun. The behaviour of Patrick with friends under the influence of liquor was attracted by his friends. His singing style, laughing and dancing brought joy to his friends.

His wife Sriyani who was a teacher in the village school was on the verge of retirement. The three children had completed their education and lived in Colombo and Matara.

After cleaning the compound Patrick finished his ablution and had his morning meal.

He left home with the intention of going to the Bank in time. He occupied a window seat in their usual town-bound bus. Patrick could not manage all his expenses with the pension salary. He always borrowed money from his wife which was never settled.

After his retirement he preferred to have a tot twice a week on his own. He used to buy a bottle of arrack, something of good quality on his pension day. He was thinking of the past being seated comfortably in the bus. He remembered how he suffered in the Education Office to get his pension sorted out.

Certificate

“Mr. Patrick, don’t be in a hurry. We’ll complete the file and send it to the Divisional Secretariat on time,” the clerk said.

Patrick went to the clerk again to see the progress.

“Mr. Patrick your identity card should be certified.”

Patrick paid another visit to the office. “Mr. Patrick, there is a small mistake in your name with the birth certificate. You should submit an affidavit.”

After handing over all the requirements Patrick again met the clerk.

“Mr. Patrick.... before sending the file to the Divisional Secretariat, we have to do a thorough check up.”

Patrick acted according to the instructions given by a friend who had retired two years ago.

“Mr. Perera.... shall we have a cup of tea?” Patrick suggested to the clerk.

Both of them stepped into the canteen. While having tea, Patrick cautiously kept a note of two thousand rupees in the clerk’s hand.

“This is a small amount. You keep it for your enjoyment.”

The clerk put it in his wallet with thanks to Patrick.

Patrick’s pension file was posted to the Divisional Secretariat on the same day. Patrick was highly impressed by the farewell ceremony which was organised by the school. His students and teachers appreciated the magnificent service he rendered for the uplift of the future generation. The principal remarked it was impossible to replace Patrick.

They offered him a lot of souvenirs with an attractive token of appreciation. Patrick couldn’t forget the moment when he departed the school on the date of retirement. All his friends embraced him with warm wishes in his twilight years. Patrick could not prevent tears rolling down his eyes.

The day he retired five years ago was the saddest day of his life.

The bus was moving slowly on the winding road, passing tea estates and well grown vegetable beds. Patrick was infatuated to see the tea pluckers at work. He was gazing at his old school when the bus passed it.

Patrick got down from the bus in the town and rushed to the bank. After collecting his monthly pension he went to the grocery which belonged to a Tamil trader. It was a wholesale shop where the commodities were sold cheap.

Wholesale

“Mudalali, please make all the items in my list ready.”

“Ok Mr. Patrick....come soon,” Mudalali said. Patrick was walking fast in the town to go the Tavern to buy a bottle of liquor. Suddenly he met some of his old friends. There were two retired teachers and one administrative officer who retired many years ago. They disrupted his way to the tavern.

“Patrick, where are you running? We have met after a long time. We like to keep company with you today.... shall we go there and have a booze?” his friends suggested.

Patrick stood hesitating. “Nothing to think...... let’s go there and finish it soon.”

Patrick joined them hesitatingly.

The friends went to a hotel in the town and started drinking. They exchanged a lot of ideas. After some time their talk became hot. Politics was criticized.

The corruption of local politicians was discussed. The bureaucratic system in the country was criticized. They did not feel time passing.

The bill was shared among the four friends. It was difficult for them to walk in the town after having a booze. They were staggering among the crowd. Patrick managed to get into the shop to collect the goods that he ordered.

“Mr. Patrick...... why are you so late. Oh, you have met your friends today.... You should not drink like this Mr. Patrick,” the mudalali said.

Patrick could not carry the bag of goods because he was weak after having liquor. Mudalali’s assistant helped him to hire a three wheeler to go home.

Unconscious

Patrick was tottering with the heavy bag. He went into the room straight. He changed his dress and occupied the bed. Sriyani had come home after school.

“You are fully drunk....No sense.... It is strange you came home safely,”

Sriyani started storming.

Patrick started sleeping.

Sriyani prepared dinner and went to his room to wake him up.

A smell of vomit spread in the room. Patrick had vomited all over his bed.

“Patrick wake up... what a sin! Bloody sleaze...”

Patrick was still unconscious. He had fever.

Sriyani who was in fear asked his relative for assistance.

“Pati malli... please come.... Patrick is unconscious...” Sriyani started crying.

“My god... he has fever.... Let’s take him to the doctor...”

Patrick was rushed to the hospital in the town.

The doctor examined him.

“His blood pressure has drastically gone up. He should be given treatment in the ICU... we’ll take him to Badulla hospital,” the doctor said.

Sriyani started crying. “Don’t cry akka... we’ll see what we can do.” Patrick was transferred to the Badulla hospital for further treatment.

The following day Sriyani visited Patrick with the morning meal.

His relative came running to Sriyani.

“Sriyani akka....doctor said Patrick Aiyya is paralysed.”