Simply Love (I)

If nothing called ‘Love’ existed on the earth, ‘Life’ would not have been as ‘Beautiful’.

Through ‘Simply Love’ series, I intend to express different aspects of Love.

Presenting the first post of the series hoping that it touches every Heart…….It is a ‘fiction’ but the feelings are not ‘fictitious’. Hope you enjoy the reading!!!

“Goodbye…. Happy Vacations, Abha” shouted her friend after she got down from school bus. The 12 year old was full of excitement, as Dad had promised visit to her Uncle in California during the Christmas break. For the last few weeks, she had been chatting to her cousin Asha and planning the trip. Since the day she saw the pictures of Asha in Disneyland, she had dreamt about the place number of times. Today, she had to mail Asha the final schedule of their visit. She ran towards her house and rang the door bell twice. Mom opened the door; she took the school bag from her and kissed her lightly. “Ma, when are we going to California?”, asked little Abha. “Have your lunch. I have to visit the doctor. We shall talk about it in the evening after your Dad shall come”, replied Mom. She ate her food half heartedly and went to her room. Lying on the bed and thinking why the Mom had not told the plan, she fell asleep. She woke up in the evening and found herself alone at home. Feeling restless, she went to the garden for a walk. All her excitement had been vanished with the feeling of anger, loneliness and the feeling of not being loved enough. She was desperately waiting for her parents to come.

Her wait did not last for more than ten minutes. Dad took her in arms, gave her the chocolates he got for her and asked about her day in school. She replied in a low voice- The chocolates made her happy but could not do the enough magic. The phone bell rang, Dad rushed to pick the phone, and it was Ajit, Abha’s friend. Ajit was leaving for Mahabaleshwar the same night and he called to say goodbye to Abha. They didn’t talk for long as Ajit had to go for shopping with her Grandfather. Mom called Abha for dinner as she hung up the phone. As they all settled on dinner table, Mom announced that she had prepared Abha’s favorite ‘Aloo Palak’. But Abha was not interested in it; she impatiently asked, “Dad, when are we going to California?” Dad replied politely, “Not this time, dear. Your mom is not well. Also, I have some work at office. We shall go next year.” Abha shouted, “All my friends are going out for vacations. I have to visit Disneyland. And you promised, Dad.” “Beta, it’s not possible this time. We shall have good time here at home only”, Mom tried to calm her down. She was not listening; crying she left for her room without eating. Dad followed her with food; and somehow managed to make her eat only little. She was not ready to talk to them.

Next morning, Mom took her to watch the new Animation Movie. “We will go to Kiran Aunty’s hospital now. I have to talk to her. It will not take long”, Mom told after the movie. It was long since Abha was waiting outside the ‘Examination Room’ while her Mother was in with her doctor friend. Losing her patience Abha decided to peep in and check out what’s happening. She opened the door and heard their conversation. Ma was suffering from severe pain of some kind and some surgery was to be done; also there was some trouble at Dad’s office – That was all her innocent mind could grab. She didn’t go in and went back to take her seat on the bench. “When there is so much heat at home, how am I shaded and so protected? How I never felt the pain?” wondered the little thoughtful heart. “Abha, your Dad is waiting outside. We shall now go to the ‘Pizza Place’ for lunch. You asked for it last week, right?”, Mom’s voice brought her back from all ‘hows’ and ‘whys’. While walking through the hospital corridor, she asked, “Ma, why did you never tell me about your pain? And why are we going to ‘Pizza Place’?” Mom looked at her little princess with moist eyes and replied, “Because we love you. And I am fine, sweet.” She took her mother’s hand in hers and kissed. She has got her answers along with her first definition of ‘Love’.

Love is……protecting the one you love from pain!!!