Rama Rao(RR) is a retired government servant. He retired as a district-level officer. He was in command of all Taluq officers in the district. He retired ten years ago, and he is presently seventy. While in service, his friends or officials would often organise night parties on special occasions, such as promotions, weddings, housewarmings, children's developmental milestones, and when they went abroad for higher education. In all these functions, they were arranging a drinks party with a variety of alcoholic beverages, ranging from beer, wine and whisky.

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 RR had been taking whisky since his youth. His father used to drink one peg —thirty millilitres of whisky — at home on Saturday nights to get a good sleep. He was also a government servant. He did not let others know of his drinking habit. He limited it to home and Saturday nights.   For functions at home, he banned alcohol. Relatives and friends considered him a teetotaler. RR started drinking after joining his job with his friends. He would not drink in front of his parents.

After getting married and setting up a family in the city, RR made it a point not to drink at home. His wife, Gagana Divyanka (GD),  had a bitter experience with her father, who created a nuisance at home after drinking. She did not like people who drink alcohol. Hence, she told him to abstain from drinking alcohol at home or outside with friends. RR promised her that he would not drink but found it challenging to keep to his word at friends' parties.

Recently, the party culture changed. It became customary to present drinks, particularly at wedding receptions and other special occasions. It was an opportunity to resolve essential issues between friends and officials. Teetotalers were seated at a separate table. RR's friends were forcing him to have a small drink and then chat at leisure.

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As GD opened the door, she smelled RR's drink. She glanced at him with affliction.

She said, "You promised me that you would not drink, and you did not keep to your word."

RR said, "I had a small quantity of fifteen ml, which was with the force of friends. I will not repeat." He was standing at the main door, and she didn't fully open it.

She was in tears. Then she went into the bedroom and locked it from inside. He came inside and closed the main door.

RR was not intoxicated and did not sleep, though there was another room. He sat at her door, resting against the wall. He slept in that position. He woke up at 2 am and hesitantly knocked on her door. After several knocks, she opened the door. She did not sleep. Her cheeks were full of tears, and her eyes were red from lack of sleep. Her hair fell on her face. Her bright, beaming face was dull with sorrow and pain.   He sat on the floor and told her that he would not drink again and asked for an excuse. Her mind melted, lifting him from the floor and taking him onto the bed. 

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They were leading an everyday life without his drinking. One day, they attended a reception party for GD Babai's (the father's brother's) son. Her Babai asked RR to have a drink, and he looked at his wife.

 Her Babai said, "Dear GD, your husband is afraid of you. Why don't you permit him to have a small drink in the company of all the relations? Permit him. I know you will respect my words."

She had a lot of respect for Babai. She was at her babai's house for about three years for her school studies while her father was on a transfer. Hence, she was in a dilemma. She could not say no to her babai.

RR was in a dilemma to drink or not, and didn't say a word. She does not want RR to be known as a henpecked husband, as her father was also a drinker who socialised with his friends. Babai, observing these two in a dilemma, dragged RR to the table and gave him a glass of thirty ml of whisky. RR limited himself to having thirty ml on that day with snacks.

On the return journey, she asked him to sit beside her, and she took the driving. At home, she said nothing. They were together in the bedroom. Since then, RR has been taking thirty ml at every party till his retirement.

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 RR got the marriage of his son and daughter before his retirement. The married couple settled in the USA. RR and GD were in India. Their children requested that they come to the USA and stay with them. RR and GD went to stay with their son and daughter for one month each and then returned. Their movements were restricted to their homes during weekdays. Their children took them on weekends. During their visit, they took them to beaches, Niagara Falls, Atlanta, and shopping malls.

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They are now staying in their two-bedroom apartment in India. RR developed friends from nearby apartments. They meet every evening for a chat. They are all retired people. All these men made it a point to enjoy their last days. So they planned a party every weekend. In one of the apartment complexes, there is a hall reserved for management meetings. They requested the management to give the key to the watchman for their party, and they agreed. They get their bottle of alcohol. The watchman brings snacks from the nearby shop. They drink alcohol of their choice, chat and return to their respective flats. After retirement, RR increased his dose of whisky to ninety ml. GD did not object to his weekly enjoyment.

The women gather in one apartment and sing Vishnu Sahasranama, Hanuman Chalisa, or Devi Kirtanas.

Their life was getting on well this way.

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One weekend, RR went to a party and returned early to the apartment because he was feeling drowsy. All his friends were still in the hall, drinking. He entered the lift, pressed the floor button, and closed the lift doors. He leaned against the lift, lost consciousness, and slipped down to the lift floor. It was ten pm then. As it was the weekend and night, people were in their flats. There was no movement of people. The lift stopped at the floor. No one identified him in the lift. After some time, he gained consciousness. He was feeling pain in the spinal cord, got up, managed to open the lift door, went to his flat and lay flat on the bed. GD asked him about the problem, and he explained his situation in the lift. He did not know how long he had been unconscious in the lift. She checked his backbone, and he felt heavy pain opposite the navel.

He was unable to bear the pain. She called the neighbours. They took him to the hospital.  

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The ortho-doctor took an X-ray of the painful portion of the spinal cord and found a fracture of one of the bones. The doctor gave painkillers and advised complete bed rest for three months. He could not move from his bed for 24 hours a day. The primary treatment for a spinal cord problem is only bed rest so that the recovery process is natural.

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RR spent his time in bed reading newspapers, WhatsApp messages, and spiritual books. He had to lie flat and was not permitted to turn on his side. With painkillers, he would often sleep during the day. GD purchased a wheelchair for his eating. The doctor advised wearing an adjustable back brace when sitting for short periods of time. After two months, the doctor advised him to take a short walk at home, starting with five minutes and gradually increasing to half an hour within a month, while wearing a back brace. After that, RR could go out with the back brace.

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These three months were arduous for the GD, as she had to attend to his needs while he was in bed. She was grudgingly loving and taking care of him. During this period, his friends visited him. They sat by his side on the bed, pressed his hand, and wished for his early recovery. GD offered them tea.

RR's son and daughter were worried about his health. They were also concerned about their mother in these dire circumstances when no one was there to help her. They inquired with the doctor, and the doctor said, "They need not worry, and RR will recover within three months of bed rest." The daring and caring GD told her children not to worry. It was a minor fracture. It was on the spinal cord. He was advised not to move. Hence, the bed rest. He will be normal within a short period. However, they were inquiring about his health every day.

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After about six months, his friends organised a party to celebrate his recovery. GD warned him not to drink alcohol. He went in a cab. All his old friends were there, with their special alcoholic drinks. When they sat at the table, they offered him his exceptional Blue Label Whisky. RR declined and said, "I stopped drinking." He also advised them not to drink, as it would affect their health. He ordered a cool drink.

When he went home, GD did not find the smell of alcohol from RR. She was happy that he had stopped drinking alcohol and hugged him.

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