New Beginnings

Mr. Rao looked ashen as he finished the conversation on the phone.

"Who was it, what happened?" asked his wife, the concern in her voice was evident.

Mr. Rao collapsed on the sofa with his head in hands.

" It was a call from Akshay's colleague in New Zealand. Akshay and Anu met with a ghastly accident on their way to their office and were killed on the spot." he managed to mumble.

Mrs. Rao let out a loud wail as she slumped into the chair.

Akshay, their only son was living in New Zealand along with his wife Anu and seven year old son Ankur.

"Where is Ankur, how is he??" she asked

"Right now he is with Dinesh's family. It was Dinesh who called just now".

Mr. and Mrs. Rao who were in their seventies couldn't travel to New Zealand. As the bodies were terribly mangled in the accident, they were cremated there. Akshay's office arranged for Ankur to be sent to Bangalore. When Ankur came home, his Ajji hugged him and let her tears flow unchecked. Ankur looked too dazed and withdrawn. The events of the last few days and the sudden displacement had played havoc on his young mind.

Mr. and Mrs. Rao were forced to keep their grief aside and tend to him. Slowly Ankur developed an attachment to them. Ajji cooked his favourite food and fed him with love. Ajja took him to the park every evening.

It was autumn and the trees looked barren having shed the last of their leaves. It seems akin to our lives thought Mr. Rao mentally.

Few months later

"Ajja, Ajja" screamed Ankur excitedly. He came running inside, caught hold of his grandpa's hand and dragged him to the backyard.

"Look" he pointed at the barren tree. On its branches, had sprouted tiny new green leaves promising life again.

Mr. Rao hugged Ankur who was the new sprout in their barren lives.