Let's tell you a story

There is an allley of shops and buildings on the main road in my neighborhood . One day I saw a old man sitting there . He was tall, fair skinned and healthy looking opposed to the stereotypical begger in the Indian Society. He seemed to be in his 70's.
I never saw him beg for food or money consistently. He used to beg one day but most days just used to sit there under the building staring into oblivion Or smoking a cheap beedi.

One day as I was walking by the place with my Dad he told me that that guy was not homeless infact he used to live in the building under which he passed his days now.
The said building was a sort of Abode of the Rich Middle-class in my father's childhood. Not wealthy rich just that all the children in the building used to go to Posh English schools , tutions , extra curricular activities and led a comfortable life.

Dad remises that the man was strict but handsome during his younger days. He had 4 sons each now at nice positions in the society.

I felt sad, in Indian Society, Boy child is said to be the pillar of the house. Being the only girl child of the family I had experienced many jabs for my gender at me or my family, from my close relatives, at time my own mother wishes that I was a Son instead of a daughter.

But never my father or grand father , I never heard them wishing I was of different gender.

Back to the topic
Now this man has 4 well to do sons but still he is living on the road,

Day by day as I walked the same path I became intrigued by this backstory.

What was his backstory

•Probably he was a deadbeat dad to his children and abuses his wife, and this is his karma?

•Probably the Children are assholes not caring for the sick father.

•Probably he supported female infanticide for sons and this was the Karma.

• Probably he was a bad person.

Such stories started swirling in my mind I saw the man sitting there be it Summer heat, rainy floods or chilling winter he was still there.

One day I saw him talking to a man in a car, it must be his son I concluded. I was hopefull that the Old man will be cared for, of course I couldn't stand idly waiting for results but next day he was still there .

That after a few months he vanished , I thought his children took  him or atleast settled him in an old age home or the guy had died.
I went forward with my life.

Then Corona happened I didn't pass the that road for 1 year and yesterday when I did, the Old man was sitting there right, During the times when people are afraid of getting out of their house, the rich man of the past was still homeless , even after having children and a family he was still leaving like an orphan.

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Beta read by NishhAe Startlespire27