But, in spite of his physical agony, he remarked, "I am happy. It is as I wanted it."
Baba did not like staying at Dr. Bansod's nursing home — it was too small and he was uncomfortable — and he said he would not stay there longer than necessary. So Meherwan Jessawala and Meherjee hurried to find a suitable house in Poona. They managed to rent a small, quiet house near Meherjee's own home, a bungalow named Silver Oaks, at 23 Salisbury Park Road. Baba was taken there on the 11th afternoon. A special bed was kept for him, and Dr. Bansod and a civil surgeon named Dr. Virkar put his leg in traction. But, that evening, Baba again had severe pains and spasms, and the doctor had to be called in the night.
The women mandali had been at Bindra House and then moved to Silver Oaks to stay with Baba, as did Don. Goher, as well as Meheru's sister Naggu (who was also a physician), were in constant attendance on him. Naja stayed at Bindra House to help with the cooking, as Baba and the women's food came from there. Meherjee and Jalbhai shared nightwatch duties, and Nariman would visit every weekend from Bombay and help with the nightwatch.1
Bhau would also go to Poona every Sunday to receive instructions concerning the mandali who were recovering in Satara, and to report to Baba about their condition. He would return to Satara the same evening. This was a period of terrible mental strain for Bhau. Baba would tell him to rest, but he could not obey because someone had to look after Eruch and Pendu, who were still in the hospital. On occasion, upon arriving from Poona at the Satara bus station, Bhau was informed that the man who had been hired to be near Pendu at night had not shown up. This required his going straight to the hospital and staying awake throughout the night. Although he had Baba's order to rest, he found it impossible to comply with.
Footnotes
- 1.Nariman had offered to bring an ambulance if Baba was willing to shift to Bombay for treatment.