A Sick Papaya
I am not very good at being sick; it’s an annual ritual for me. I love running in rains and drenching in drops falling from heavens. But at times these heavenly showers play havoc with my immune system and I catch a cold. The seasonal winds of change bring the bounty of Monsoon and some unknown viruses from lands afar.
Now I am one of those people who can face anything in life bravely but when it comes to common cold I get cold feet, I mean common cold is my Achilles heels. As I studied in my textbook , (or was it my granny who told me?), once you get a cold it goes away on its own in 7 days, or you can take some medicine and it will go in a week. Choice is yours. My colds are extreme, with body pain, running nose, chest congestion, persistent coughing, and some vomiting and very bad mood. I hope I have spoiled your appetite for next few meals (Read this post again when you are trying that new diet to lose some weight).
So last week I had my annual battle with a bout of cold and as always I quarantined myself in my study, with zero contact with kids and Missus, as I worried not to pass the virus to them. The colds I get are rather extreme, hence the extreme precautions. As I lay in bed thinking about the next post for Parentous I could hear the younger one rebelling against her mother.
“No I want to go to Papa”.
“But he is sick; you should not go to his room, as you will also fall sick”
“But I had my veggies, so how will I fall sick, you only tell me if I eat veggies I will never fall sick?”
“No, he has severe viral and cold and you will also catch cold and then cough and cough”
I felt a little bad for the poor child but controlled myself as I really was scared to pass the cold to her, the super strong poster child for Incense Stick ads that she is. ( Read Agarbatti chaap Pehelwaan)
This continued for a few days with no change in my condition, perhaps it was less of a cold and more of a viral fever and I should have consulted a doctor early on.
Every few hours when the kiddo will remember about me, she will knock on the door and check
“Papa are you ok?”
“Do you need anything?”
“Can I come in and give you a hug”
Soon it became a game for her and we started talking from behind the door as a game of spies. But as I lost strength due to sickness, I lost the zest to play around. The lovey dovey dad started losing interest in the game but the kid was not ready for the same.
Soon when the kid would call me I would be half asleep due to side effects of some of the medicines I was prescribed. During one of my hazy moments the kiddo knocked on the door
“Papa, I want to meet you”
“No Go Away”
“I just want to show you something”
“No Please go away”
“Please Papa”
“NO! GO AWAY” this one was said with all the energy and anger I could muster. The kid felt silent and I could hear her sobs on the other side of the door.
I felt bad, but decided against calling her in, as I was still in a stage where I could infect others.
As I was trying to read a book through my half-open eyes, while wiping away secretions from my nose and eyes, I saw a paper slip under my door.
The kiddo wanted to share the card she had made for me when I shouted on her. I cannot tell you how bad I was feeling when I was smiling at the card.
Later on, when I got better and the jhappies and pappies resumed between us, I asked her why she spelled “Papa as Papaya”.
She responded, “BecausePapa, you are as sweet as papaya – my favorite fruit, that’s why I spelled Papa as Papaya.” Followed by a Jadoo kee Jahappi that only your daughter can give you…
Sasha and Prasad Np are proud parents of 2 girls whom they fondly call Princess and Pinkette. He wears many hats after taking a break from being corner office critter for a long time. He is now an entrepreneur, blogger, photographer, traveler and a potential investor in start-ups with unique concepts especially if they are in travel related business. He blogs at Desi Traveler, and can be reached at Facebook and Twitter.