Slice of Life: ‘I hope my son takes me back and calls me father once again’

Iam a Christian and for me, Christmas is a time to be with family. But, I spent the last Christmas alone. My wife stays in Thoothukudi. My son and daughter live in Chennai and so does my younger brother. My son is married. His wedding was in Thoothukudi. When I was travelling on a train to Thoothukudi to attend his wedding, I got down at a station on the way to buy coffee. But I fell asleep on the platform because I was tired. The train left without me and all my luggage was also gone with it. I couldn’t catch the train and I missed my son’s wedding. He was so upset over this and he grabbed my collar and hit me later when I saw him. He has not been talking to me since then. I have three grandchildren, a girl and two boys. With the small sum I earn by selling ice cream, I wish to buy toys for my grand kids and see them. But my son chases me away every time I try to visit them. I do not even know the names of my grandchildren or how they look. My wife still lives in Thoothukudi and I receive the same treatment from her. People have told me to remarry. But I believe that once you are married to a woman, you must be with her till the end. I drink alcohol every day to distract myself from the mental and physical pain. There is no one left for me but God. I sleep on the street and pray for my safety. I hope that one day, my son will take me back and call me father once again.