Cheerful and surrounded by the colourful vegetables he sells, one would expect Ram Mahesh’s life to be full of colour too.
Instead, it’s devoid of colours, however, his acceptance of life and the life lessons he’s learnt has made him a self-dependent man.
Many times, the people who are meant to be with us until death do us apart, may make choices that leave their loved ones questioning.
Mr Mahesh has learnt this bitter truth the hard way, however, he has risen above all this to be a content man today.
His wife and two children left for the United States 25 years ago.
“I’ve been on my own since 1999,” he said.
Mr Mahesh admits that like any couple, they had arguments, and when his family made the decision to stay back in the States, he couldn’t do much.
“I was too far to do anything. I chose to respect their decision and live my life alone.
“I sold my house and live on Milverton Rd, Suva with a cousin, I don’t regret anything.”
He said life was meant to be lived happily, irrespective of what happens or how people treat you.
Mr Mahesh was an automotive electrician and worked in several companies before settling as a market vendor.
“I worked in many different places, but I was not at peace, I wanted to be my own boss.
“I started working at a vegetable stall here and after several years, I got four stalls of my own.”
The 65-year-old has been selling vegetables at the the Suva Municipal Market since 2000.
“Many men who are in my situation resort to alcohol and other habits to ease their pain, but I don’t smoke or drink.
“I wanted to prove to myself and others who let me down that I can live a happy and fulfilling life on my own.”
He hides his pain beautifully as he jokes and laughs with his customers while serving them.
So, learning to care for himself has not been not hard because his mother trained him well.
“I am grateful to my mother for encouraging me to learn how to cook and do other chores while I was young.
“She used to say that one day you may need these skills, and her words came true.”
Shaking his head, he said his family doesn’t contact him anymore and he harbours no ill feelings towards them.
“All the pain has eased and now, I don’t feel anything negative towards them.
“The only wish I have is that I don’t get sick in the future and be a burden on anyone.”
“I just want to be walking and talking until my last breath.”
His parting message is never to look down on yourself with pity.
