Foster Love

This story is about two friends, one of whom was ordinary while the other was extraordinary. Two people with opposite personalities can still be good friends, but what if one is 'disabled'? The bond of friendship portrayed in Hindi cinema is appropriate. We often wonder when the lives of such friends pass before our eyes. So, my friends, I am going to tell you the story of two such friends that I have seen with my own eyes. The incident happened during the days when I was studying in college. I used to go to the mess to have my meals, and two friends would also come there to have their meals. One was named 'Ajay,' who was an upbeat guy, and the other was 'Bhavesh,' who was disabled, with both legs paralyzed. Ajay would come to the mess first and reserve two chairs, then he would pick up Bhavesh, who was sitting outside in his car, and place him on one of the chairs, and then he would sit on the other chair himself. They both would eat and laugh happily. For them, everything was normal, while we thought it was extraordinary. We used to praise Ajay for his good deeds.

I used to meet Ajay and Bhavesh every day, morning and evening, and slowly our acquaintance grew. One day, I went to their room to meet them, and while talking to them, I wanted to know more about them. Bhavesh then told me, "Babu, this is a challenge for me, but for Ajay, it's a duty." Ajay smiled and added, "We are like two wheels of a cart. We cannot move ahead without each other." This incident made me realize the true meaning of friendship.

Bhavesh was a Gujarati boy from a respectable family. Ajay was the son of a poor laborer who worked on the wood stall at their place. In a job where there was only a means of livelihood, thinking about higher education for his son Ajay was out of the question for his father. In such a situation, it was not a big deal for Bhavesh and Ajay to arrange their studies. But it was not a matter of kindness either. Ajay was provided with all the facilities in return for Bhavesh's service, which he needed. Blind are those who don't want to see. Ajay also happily joined Bhavesh in his service. After all, they were childhood friends. Now Ajay and Bhavesh were taking the C.A. exam in the city apart from the mess, we also used to meet them, sometimes to watch a movie or sometimes at the street food stalls. Both of them used to do all these activities in a normal way, just like we do.

Time was passing by, we had all reached the final year of our respective studies. One day, while having dinner at the mess, Ajay received an unexpected call. He looked at the number and went outside to answer the phone in an unusual manner. After Ajay returned, he didn't say anything, and Bhavesh was waiting for him to tell him whose phone it was, but he didn't say anything. Finally, Bhavesh asked him, "Whose phone was it, Ajay?" "It was a call from the boss at the office," said Ajay, looking away. The office meant where both of them were completing their C.A. article-ship, which we also understood, but what was there to be nervous about? We couldn't understand it. But seeing Ajay's helpful nature, we felt it was inappropriate to doubt him. Later, we found out that Ajay was crazy about a girl from the office, and he had received her phone call that night at the mess. If the love story had knocked on the door, Bhavesh would have shown him the "no-entry" board long ago. Because if Ajay had run away from her, who would take care of her? This fear was perhaps haunting Bhavesh. Anyone would be scared when their support system is in danger, it's a natural thing.

It didn't take Bhavesh too long to find out about Ajay's love story, but he was trying hard to come to terms with it. Only parents of disabled children can truly understand them, and Ajay was still an outsider. Apart from Sethji's favor, there was no other reason for him to serve Bhavesh all his life. 24-25 years is a long time. Life also takes a turn, and now Ajay had become a young man. His youthful mind was also looking for someone to share his life with. Someone who could cool his hot blood, whom he could always seek, whose fragrance would reach his mind as soon as he entered the office, whose open hair could brush against him, who would smile at him among her friends, who would say 'Hi' while styling her hair, who would gesture 'Call me!' while going out for an audit.

"Is Ajay an angel or not? He is also a human being; he also has a mind, emotions, and his own independent personality. He is a kind-hearted person filled with the spirit of service. He deserved this much freedom. Bhavesh also understood that he is disabled, but Ajay is not. By making a big deal out of it, his disabled legs will not become better, nor will he regain his ability to walk. He needed a foundation to rely on

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until his last breath. This bitter truth was, is, and will remain. Thinking about all this, Bhavesh would sometimes become very restless, sweating profusely, and blaming his fate. He would think that if he had been given so much intelligence, if he had received two functioning legs, then what harm would have come to anyone? Are there also out-of-order body parts in God's house?

"In what thoughts have you gotten lost, friend?" Ajay asked Bhavesh, touching him. "Do you like Anjali?" Bhavesh asked Ajay a direct question. Ajay was startled. Sweat began to pour down his forehead."

"Who told you?" Ajay asked stuttering. "If a flower is in bloom, its fragrance spreads on its own," Bhavesh said cunningly. "Everyone in the office knows about your and Anjali's love affair." "Sorry!" Ajay replied softly. "There's no need to apologize now, brother," Bhavesh chuckled. "Am I your slave for life?" "No, it's not like that. Don't think I'll leave you and go, that's why I didn't tell you," Ajay said in his defense. "Even if you get a call from God's house, you won't go, will you?" Bhavesh joked. Ajay went near him and sat down, saying, "I don't know when and how all this happened. She's a very nice girl." Saying this, Ajay got lost in his thoughts.

“Hey hello, O Romeo, where have you disappeared, sir?” Bhavesh waved his hand in front of Ajay's eyes and said, “If I were in your place, perhaps I would have done the same. I would have wanted to lose my senses in love at least once.” As he spoke, Bhavesh also seemed lost. ....Neither of them had permission to love the other, one was unable and the other, despite being able, could not love. How contradictory is that? Love cannot be one-sided; it is fulfilled by mutual acceptance because one-sided love is like chasing a mirage. You will tire yourself out, but you will never get it. But Ajay and Anjali's love was two-sided, so why couldn't they be together? Ajay was a wise, responsible, and attractive young man. Anjali was also a beautiful, charming, and intelligent girl. They were both going to become CAs. What else could anyone want? They could start a successful life from the first day itself, right? In the office, everyone talked about their love with enthusiasm and called them "made for each other." Almost a year later, the final year's results were also out. All three of them passed the CA exam. Ajay was not able to share Anjali's happiness, but Bhavesh seemed to be a bit agitated. I asked him, "What are your plans for the future?" He said, "We'll see..."

This is the English translation of the given Hindi passage. The passage revolves around the theme of love and the complexities that it can bring into one's life. The story depicts the love between Ajay and Anjali, who are both intelligent and successful individuals. However, despite their mutual feelings for each other, they are unable to be together due to certain circumstances. Bhavesh, a friend of Ajay's, also seems to be struggling with his own emotions. The passage ends with a sense of uncertainty and leaves the reader wondering about what the future holds for the characters.

Six months later, Ajay and Anjali's wedding was finalized. The setup of the new office and the wedding were both equally important and necessary tasks that had to be done together. The hustle and bustle of both of them were at its peak, from wedding invitations to office work, they worked day and night. Ajay requested Bhavesh to go to the village so that he could focus on these tasks. Ajay also had to look for a new house, while Anjali was shopping for necessary items for the house. Ajay brought the wedding invitation to his village and, accompanied by his mother and father, invited Sethji and his family. Finally, the wedding day arrived, and the sound of the shehnai with the sweet smell of roses was everywhere as if the meeting of fragrance and music was happening. Bhavesh came in a wheelchair with his mother and father. After the wedding ceremony was over, Ajay and Anjali invited everyone to their new office. However, Bhavesh felt humiliated, but due to the lack of any cure, he had to go along with everyone. Some invited guests went to see Ajay and Anjali's new office. Their office was small but beautiful and well-decorated. Seeing three chairs in their chamber, everyone was surprised and excited. Bhavesh asked eagerly, "Who is this third partner, brother?" asked Bhavesh eagerly. Ajay and Anjali took Bhavesh's wheelchair to the chair in the middle and made him sit on it. Then Anjali said, "And who else could it be, brother? It's only yours." Both of them bowed down to Bhavesh's feet to receive blessings after saying this. When Bhavesh lifted both his hands to bless them with tearful eyes, he felt as if he was bowed down very low in front of them.