Requiem to the Prince of Habits
Prince of Habits was a charming young man when I met him three decades ago. Six feet tall with a smiling face, he never ran out of humour. On top of it, he had his one liners replies to complex questions. We became friends instantly.
He was in service at that time and was looking for a business which he did start eventually and was successful. He went on to become a wealthy man. His dream came true.
About 25 years ago he fell in love and got married after a swift courtship. They were blessed with a lovely girl. He was into his own business. Things made him busy. I had my own problems.
Meetings stopped. But occasionally we were in touch on text or phone even if it was once in a while.
World View
Prince grew up in a harsh, criminal prone neighbourhood where survival of the fittest mattered socially. He would never discuss it in detail but scars of selfish neighbourhood were there. He was a gifted liar who could lie with a poker face, yet he had been brutally honest with me, most of the time. He respected the people who rise on merits but he chose sycophancy and flattery as path to success.
While he had empathy for people around him, he showed complete detachment toward people in general. Strangers had no personalities for him.
He had deep respect for his mother and elder sister, alone. He loved his wife and doted on his daughter. He called me a friend but he had no friend. He did not trust anybody with friendship. He had acquaintances which became less and less with his limited mobility due to obesity.
He was an MBA but could not speak English fluently. Sometimes he would ask me to accompany him to social gatherings. When I asked why, he told me honestly that he wanted my personality and English speaking ability beside him. His honesty was touching, even though he need not tell me as I already knew.
I deeply miss him for his honesty today. He may not do any favour to me but I am sure he never tried to deceive me in any way, even when he had no scruples to do it to the rest of the world.
Reunion Meet
A few years back he texted that he wanted to meet in person. I agreed. He sent his vehicle with Chauffeur and we met at his place. He had done well, financially.
He had huge single sofas with high back like throne in every room. Long back was comfortable. He had gained a huge weight. He told me that he had lost a lot of weight and now he was about 110-15 kg at that time. At peak he was probably 150kg!! Sedentary lifestyle has its odd rewards.
He could walk slowly. Climbing stairs was a struggle. I insisted to see the terrace garden and could see him struggle.
He had lost his wife to cancer. Treatments did not work. Money proved useless. He was now alone with daughter in college hostel. He seemed depressed but his manners remained normal. His physical habits betrayed it.
Prince of Habits hated to exercise or even walk. Back in youth too he would prefer not to get up to go to toilet to wash hands and would either avoid it or ask the servant to bring water and a bowl 🥣 to wash hands.
Recently, a mutual friend informed me that he was avoiding doctors. Did he lose trust in them? I can’t say. He was obese and it was an apparent illness from which rest of his problems followed. Doctors would naturally advise lifestyle changes but he was not into taking advice. He never did.
He lived his life on his terms and his habits. No person could persuade him to change his lifestyle. He would wake up at noon. Have lunch at 5 PM. Dinner was naturally around midnight.
It continued for decades and it ended a few months back. Prince departed from this mortal existence unchanged. The immediate cause was liver failure which turned into multiple organ failure even before transplant could be arranged.
A life lived on beloved habits and ended after 50 years of rigorous testing of body limits to eat comfort food and comfortable living. No exercise except lifting a spoon and taking a shower. He never ate green vegetables. At best he did not mind a little salad. At worst red meat was his favourite food.
Everything left behind along with an orphan daughter, just out of college to build a life from scratch without guidance of parents. But she has her aunt and that is the only comfort.
The money which looked like a solution to all the problems, brought its problem of lifestyle for which there was no solution. Prince dismissed all advice with an unspoken message that royalty takes no advice.
Om Shanti.