Love is eternal.

They say, love stays forever, though, it keeps changing it’s form. This is how it has happened since ages — all through the four Yugas — the Satyug, the Tretayug, the Dvaparyug, and even in the Kalyug. Love happens; there’s no reason that could explain this surreal process. It’s love-filled, surreal, comforting at the same time.

Of course, there can be exceptions; the experiences of love can be bad, your partners might deceive or hurt you, or the two people in love might get separated, but the feeling of love stays. It can’t be described in words, it’s an emotion to be felt.

This is how the life goes – there’s joy and sorrow, pain and comfort, trust and deciet; yet one things stays common– love stays there in each emotion. This is how it prevails forever.

There are two such families – the Shergill’s and the Singhaniya’s – they believe in true love; be it that of husband-wife, parents and child, siblings or friends. And they believe that love can make miracles happen; no matte rhow much time it takes.

*****
In the dream city of Mumbai, a big bungalow stands tall in a posh society – Sunshine Society. It’s the residential area where many reputed and respected people reside. They all make a happy family. A bungalow in this beautiful society belongs to Dr Vineet Shergill, who’s a neurologist by profession, and he is also leading a happy life along with his wife, Anamika Shergill. These two are much in love and are blessed by a son, whom they’ve named Ansh Shergill.

It’s evening, time for Vineet to return home, but he’s nowhere to be seen, even Ansh is missing. Anamika is walking to and fro in the lobby, waiting for her son and husband. She frowns, tension lines visible on her forehead. It’s 8pm already and neither of them have called her about being late.

“Huh, dono baap-bete late-lateef hain. Kahan fasa diya bhagwanji! Na toh Vineet ko kaam se fursat hain aur na hi Ansh ko doston se. Mujhe toh kuch batate hi nahi hain dono,” she murmurs, her tone dejected.

“Beti, chinta mat karo. Vineet aur Ansh bab jaldi aa jayenge,” an old servant says, understanding her inner turmoil.

“Kaka, aap toh un dono ki hi side lenge, dono se bahut pyar jo karte hain aap! Huh, aapko nahi pata hai Vineet aur Ansh mujhe kitna satate hain,” Anamika complains, her tone innocent.

“Beta, jaanti toh tum bhi un dono ko, jo mann karta hai wahi karte hain. Par dekho tumse pyar bhi toh karte hain. Tum chinta mat karo, dono aate hi honge,” The man says.

He’s the househelp who lives with them. His name is Keshav, and he’s been with Vineet since his adolescent years, after his father’s passing away. Vineet calls him Kaka and so does Anamika. Ansh, being the naughty boy, sometimes calls him Kaka and sometimes Baba(grandfather). Keshav kaka has become a part of this little family and also helps the family manage their lives.

Anamika smiles at his words. She knows that Keshav is only helping her calm down. Of course, he holds affection for all of them equally.  Well, this is the daily routine, either Vineet or Ansh is late, and she gets angry at them, but at the end of the story, she ends up melting to the way they convince her, and forgives them. Her reverie is broken by the doorbell ring. She moves to open the door and finds Ansh smiling at her. She wears her firm demeanor and begins to inquire him.

“Kahan they tum abhi tak?” she asks, her tone firm.

“Mom, main Sid ke sath tha abhi tak,” he replies as he plops down on the couch.

“Tera phone kahan hain? Maine kitni baar phone kia , uthaya kyun nahi?” she questions, like every mother does.

Ansh glances at his mother, walks up to her and hugs her…”Maa!! “ he speaks lovingly, emphasizing the word.

“Suno na ….Maa,” Ansh kisses her cheek.

Anamika eyes him…”Dekh tu ye meethi meethi baatein banana band kar, mere sawal ka jawab de,” She asks, her tone soft and firm at the same time.

“Arey Maa, mera phone dead ho gaya tha, isliye main call nahi kar paya,” Ansh says, trying to convince his mother.

“Toh!! Apne dost ke phone se call kar deta. Tujhe pata hai na mujhe kitni chinta ho jati hai. Tere papa bhi aisa hi karte hain. Na phone uthate hai aur na call back karte hain,” she says, rolling her eyes at her son.

Ansh smiles. There’s something in that serene smile, that Anamika can’t help but smile. Ansh hugs her once again, wrapping his arms in her neck.

“Itni chinta mat kiya karo. Main ab bada ho gaya hoon.” he says lovingly.

Anamika parts the hug and slaps his cheek lightly…

” Chahe kitna bhi bada ho jaye, mere liye chota hi rahega. Isliye main jaisa kehti hoon waisa kar,” She says, her heart is swelling with pride.

”Okay meri maa! Jaisa aap kahogi, main waisa hi karunga par abhi bhook lagi hai.” he speaks cutely, causing her to smile.

“Jaa, fresh ho ja. Main khana lagati hoon. Shayad tab tak tere papa bhi aa jayenge,” Anamika says, slapping his cheek lightly.

Ansh runs to his room while Anamika moves into the kitchen. She begins to set the dinner table. Ten minutes later, Ansh takes his seat on the table and begins to talk to his Baba. Anamika smiles as she finds Ansh asking Keshav to prepare his favourite breakfast the other day. Meanwhile, the doorbell rings, and Ansh runs to open the door, knowing that it’d be his beloved father.

Certainly, it’s Vineet. Anamika sends a sharp gaze his way and continues to set the dinner table. It’s almost 9 Pm and he’s late. She’s aware of his job, she knows that he needs to rush hospital anytime, but apart from this, she wants him to be fine as well. There are times when he didn’t sleep for many nights. Her anger is not because he comes home late, but because, he doesn’t take care of himself. Even Vineet knows this, and so, he hears to whatever she has to say, and end it up with a sorry. But he’s aware that this is not the solution. He needs to mend his ways. Vineet enters the house, his gaze fixed on his wife.

“Aaj ek patient Delhi se laya gaya. Uski reports study karne mein derr ho gayi,” Vineet says, trying to prove his innocence.

“Anything serious?” she asks as she walks toward the dining table.

“Pata nahi Anu. I need some time for that. Main files le aaya hoon, dekhni padegi,” he responds, showing the files to her.

Anamika sighs. So, he’s now going to study those files. She can’t make him rest. He has already brought homework for himself, so there’s no chance that she’ll get some alone time with her beloved husband. She glances at him, her tone soft.

“Pehle khana khao fir kaam karna, okay? Go and freshen up,” Anamika commands, while Ansh chuckles, taking in the opportunity.

“Han dad, maan lo. Aaj maa bahut gussa hai,” Ansh chuckles, a smile playing on his lips.

“Tu chup kar. Dono baap bete mil ke mujhe satate rehte hai. Din bhar toh gayab rehte ho. Ghar aake bhi kaam karna hai tumko,” Anamika says aloud, her tone firm.

“We’ll see to it, Ana,” Vineet says as his eyes met Ansh, who smiles naughtily.

“It’ll be fun, bahut maza aayega,” Ansh chuckles.

”Ab kya karna hai?? Ye kya baatein karte rehte ho tum dono?” Anamika asks, rolling her eyes at the father and son.

Ansh giggles and he responds to his mother in a way that leaves Anamika surprised.

To Be Continued.