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We Think We Have Time



An eerie quietness fills the room  
Something doesn't seem right today
He is waiting for me in bed
I slip into the blanket that covers his body
I tell him that he needs to be well
He doesn't listen to me
I am yearning to hear him speak
He doesn't talk much
I am waiting for his words of wisdom
He hardly even says anything
I remind him of his strength 
His body is weak 
I feed him naan khatai and imarti each day
He is thinning by the day
I bring him his favourite food
He doesn't eat two square meals in a day
I cook him his favourite mutton biryani
He can't eat two square meals in a day
I bring him filter coffee from the nukkad of the street
He can hardly even drink water 
I ask him if he'd like to dance with me
He can't stand on his two feet 
I try to put him to sleep
His eyes are tired of being shut 
I stay quiet for a few minutes 
He reaches for my hand
I can't stop the tears from running down my cheeks
He lets a tear escape his eyes 
I tell him it is now time to let go
He glances at his watch and shakes his head
I bring some papers from the study
He doesn't know what those are
I try to calm him down 
He looks bewildered 
I ask him to sign the will
He can't even spell his name. 
I ask him to sign the will
He writes something incomprehensible 
I ask him to sign the will
He isn't ready to die yet. 
I hold his hand and press hard 
He mirrors my actions 
"I love you, grandpa", I tell him 
He can hear me clearly 
"Don't give up just yet", I say
He turns away from me and pretends to fall asleep
"I'll come by later in the evening.."
He motions for me to leave already
I do as directed but look back one final time
He was gone before I was. 



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