Badhai ho Papa!



 "Have you seen Sharmaji Namkeen?, It's an awesome movie. Every retired person should have some hobby. They should have a life of their own. They should seek happiness in whatever they want. I am with it ya, they deserve to be happy", Rekha was all praises for this movie, at her kitty party, in a cafè.


She was chatting with her friends and she noticed a familiar face four tables across,  "Oh! It's Papa", she screamed aloud, but in her head.


"Just a minute dearies, will be back", she excused herself and went to the washroom. Hurriedly dialled husband's number, "Sameer, Papa is having an affair, he's with a lady in this cafe. They both are smiling and chatting", she spoke in a hush-hush tone. "What rubbish? Are you having alcohol at your kitty brunch now?", Sameer countered. "No...Wait will send a picture of them", Rekha rushed outside and quietly clicked a picture. She sent it to Sameer. "Let's talk when I'm back home", he replied.


"Papa, What did you do today", Sameer asked at the dining table. Alok stopped while taking a bite of his roti, "Since when have you been interested in my life?", he bluntly questioned. Sameer stammered, "Ahhh, Papa...the...the thing is....". Rekha interrupted, she held her phone up to show the picture she had clicked earlier.


Alok glanced at her phone and quietly ate his roti. "Answer us Papa, what is all this?", Sameer said.

Alok looked at Sameer, "What do you want me to answer to? Have you got detectives spying on me now? I should be the one asking, What is all this?"

Alok took a deep breath, "She is Vasudha, my friend".

Sameer and Rekha looked at each other in surprise. 

Alok continued, "I go to the orphanage every Saturday, as you already know, to tell stories and spend time with the kids. There, I met Vasudha.".

"But Papa why didn't you tell us? What if somebody sees both of you together and misunderstands?", Sameer asked.

"Misunderstand what Sameer? And who are these people you are referring to? Rekha? Her friends? Or your friends or colleagues?", Alok said.

"I had planned to travel, watch movies, go to restaurants, after my retirement. Alka and me, both had decided. But she left me half way, when you were not even 10. I didn't remarry, as I thought a step-mother would ill-treat you. I was all alone, since. Shweta and you, both got married, were busy with your lives. I felt lonely. Continously working for all my life, bringing you both up, I never had time to make friends. Alka used to be by my side to share my happiness and sorrows. But when she was no more I didn't know whom to talk to. Nobody asked me how my day was. What I want to do. I am not blaming you, you all have your lives, your family. But then Vasudha came into my life", Alok wiped his tears.

Sameer and Rekha looked at him with apologising gaze.


"Vasudha was abandoned by her husband. She couldn't deliver a baby boy. She had several abortions. She had to listen to harsh words everyday from her in-laws and husband. Finally they just threw her out of the house. She's taking care of the administration, at the orphanage, from past 15 years now. She has been through worse, yet, has a smile on her face. Her positivity is contagious", Alok had a glow on his face now.

"Vasudha couldn't be a mother biologically, but at the orphanage, she has so many kids, both daughters and sons. She gave me hope, a pragmatic outlook towards life. Alka and me had an arranged marriage that our parents had fixed for us. We never got to know what falling in love is. But with Vasudha, I was swept off my feet. It is not beauty or appearance that attracts you at this age. It's the warmth, the caring nature, the polite attitude that makes you fall for. Vasudha was forced into an arranged marriage at a very young age and also forced out of it, without receiving any love too. Now, we meet at cafe's, go to movies, take walks at the orphanage ground. We support each other emotionally.....and so this time, we both are having a love marriage", Alok said in a stern voice.

Sameer and Rekha were stunned, "Marriage?"

"Yes, we both couldn't revel in, the past companionship. So we have decided to be together in our Uttarayan (remaining phase of life). Don't we get to decide for us, even at this age?", Alok said.

"You should meet Vasudha once", he added.

Sameer and Rekha could see the gravitas of the situation and solemnity in Alok's eyes.

Next day Shweta along with her husband,  kids, Sameer and Rekha, together with Alok went to the orphanage. They met Vasudha and were more than happy, after talking to her.

"Vasudha Maa, Thankyou for being there for our Papa", Shweta said, handing over the Shagun, they had brought. Rekha and Shweta touched her feet.

"Badhai ho Papa", Sameer said hugging Alok.


Love is what happens when two hearts find their happy place right beside each other!

A perfect marriage is just two imperfect people who refuse to give up on each other!


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