Happy Anniversary

"Yaar Mahesh, Please suggest me something good to gift her. I want to make her feel special on this Anniversary" said Manish to his friend Mahesh. "Why don't you gift her some jewelry. You know it works all the time with Ladies." quipped Mahesh. "No Mahesh, I think she would be already expecting that. Anyway, Let me think." Said Manish while sipping the Tea.

 

Manish and his beloved wife Vidya had their Marriage Anniversary in couple of days and Manish hadn't yet zeroed in on any gift. He was more so worried because he was confident that Vidya, as always would have already packed a gift for him. 

 

Manish and Vidya had a love Marriage and their love story was full of twists and turns. From the ups and downs of their initial relationship to disapproval from their parents to eloping and then finally settling down in an unknown city, their relationship had stood strong all this while.

 

"What should I make for Lunch?" Asked Vidya while both were having their breakfast. "Ohh!! I forgot to tell you, I have a meeting with Mr.Bhatt today at his office. So won't be able to join you for Lunch. You prepare for yourself accordingly." said Manish while gulping down his tea.

"Are you sure?" She asked in a suspicious tone. "Yeah.. Of course" Manish said in a hurried tone.

"Oh. Ok then. Have a Good day and hope you find something good in your Meeting." Vidya said with a smile. She knew what Manish was up to.

 

Manish left the house and met his Friend Mahesh. The duo hopped from one shop to another in the hope of finding something special for Vidya, but to no avail. "Manish, we have been to almost all the places we could and you could just not finalize anything!!!! What on Earth do you mean by something special??" Said a frustrated Mahesh in an exhausted tone. "I don't know Mahesh, but I couldn't find anything Worth her" he said. It was late now and Manish knew Vidya would be waiting for him. He bid a goodbye to his friend and drove straight to his house.

 

"I am home." He shouted while opening the door with his keys. The meeting went long!! Hope it was good." Vidya said while laying down the food on the table. "Yeah it was!!" Said Manish as he washed his face.

 

The Anniversary was on the next day and he still did not have any gift for his wife. He was worried but tired as well due to the long day. He soon hit the bed and fell asleep. The next morning he woke up in a jiffy, realizing he had not wished Vidya last night. He rushed into the drawing room just to find a gift wrapped on the dining table.

"Happy Anniversary Manish!!" Came Vidya's Voice from the kitchen. Manish went into the kitchen and while hugging her said, "Happy Anniversary Vidya. How do you manage to do this always? I am such a big let down and you.. well you just manage to get those gifts always on time".

 

"You know, I could not get you anything and yesterday's meeting was just a .." he continued while being interrupted by Vidya. "Relax Mr. I know you better than you know yourself. Now stop sulking and let's open the gift, will you?" She said and took Manish to the dining table.

 

"Woah!!! Jack Daniel's!!! Thanks" Manish said in Joy. After all it was his go to Liquid!! "Let's open this up tonight itself Vidya." He continued while still unwrapping. "Yeah.. Why not but strictly within the LIMITS" she said with a smile looking at that childlike zeal on Manish's face.

 

It was evening and the couple, as planned, had a lovely dinner set up at home. Both of them had a lovely time talking about their time together or rather their lives together over a few pegs of Jack Daniel's. The dinner was about to get over and so was the day when suddenly "Hey Dear, I might have not bought you a present, but here's my gift to you" said Manish.

He dimmed the lights and within no time played a song on the Gramophone "Chaudhavi ka Chaand ho...ya Aftaab ho, jo bhi ho tum Khuda ki kasam...Lajawaab ho." 

 

Manish knelt down on his knees and held Vidya's hands as they both stared, smiled and cried altogether. This was the same song that Manish had sung for Vidya on their Marriage day!! 

 

Manish hugged her and while hugging her pulled Vidya up from her Wheelchair. The wheelchair that had been a part of their lives since 12 years. A Paralysis Stroke which had left Vidya immovable below her waist.

 

"Happy 45th Anniversary Love" Manish Said while kissing Vidya on her Forehead and holding her tight for a small dance.

 

Vidya...well she was just happy hugging Manish, while "Chaudhavi ka Chaand ho, ya Aftaab ho..." played on in the background!!!