Gone too soon

"Have you heard about Akash?" My friend Alka whispered to me.

"What are you talking about?" I was puzzled. I was expecting that our friend was going to get promoted.

"His wife died at their native place. Sudden unexpected death. She had brain hemorrhage, autopsy revealed. So sad, they married 5 years ago and have a 2 year old daughter", Alka continued to whisper.

I was shocked to hear it. For a moment I felt lightheaded and blacked out. Akash had been a good friend. I attended his wedding. I had met his wife, Sarika several times. I remembered her face. I saw her face right before my eyes. It was indeed heartbreaking to lose the life partner so early, when their whole life was ahead of them.

Then I thought about his daughter, Arika. Such a sweet kid. I had met them a few days ago. Sarika made Arika say, "come to our home. I will give you samosa". The way Arika spoke melted my heart. I had promised them to visit them. That promise will never be fulfilled. Even thoughts about his happy family brought tears to my eyes.

I asked Alka, " should we go and meet him? Not as a social formality but to ensure that he is okay. I am sure he needs help and support. His family will be there with him but it would be better if friends like us are around. What do you think? " Alka signalled "no" and told me that she bought explain letter.

While we were having our lunch I asked Alka the same question. Alka leaned towards me, "do you know Vivan? He lives in Akash's neighbourhood. He visited Akash yesterday. Akash told him that he had come back to the city only for a day and he was going to return to his hometown to complete the rites and rituals. He is also planning to take a sabbatical leave. He wants to take care of his daughter. He also wants to figure out what to do next?"

I was confused, " what do you mean figuring out what to do next? Is he planning to take a job in his hometown? Is he planning to relocate? Is he planning to change his job? What do you mean?"

Alka rolled her eyes at me, " girl do you not understand? He cannot take care of his daughter on his own. His parents and in laws are old. They cannot run around a toddler. He has to get married again so that the child is taken care of".

It was a complete shocker for me. His wife died just 2 days ago and he was already thinking of moving on. I was not judging him for moving on quickly but I was shocked that even in such a sudden and heartbreaking crisis, he was taking things practically. It was clear that he loved his daughter and she was his top priority. Everything that he had been planning, his daughter was at the centre of it. At the same time I felt that Akash was taking steps to move on from this tragedy and create a secured future for himself and his daughter.

That entire day I had been thinking about the sudden loss and the next action steps. Looking at him I realised that single parenthood is difficult irrespective of whether it is a man or a woman.