The Gift

There was a joint family of six members including the grandparents. It was the grandmother's 75^th birthday and they planned to celebrate. Mukesh wanted to have a grand party this time for his mother but she insisted on a simple one. He tried to convince her that this would probably be the last time they would be spending her birthday together. She still wouldn't budge.

Sameer asked Mukesh, "Papa, grandma will be all alone when we move to Germany?" "Of course not, Grandpa is here. Why don't you go and make sure that Rohan has not wandered outside the courtyard?" Sameer's question had kept him awake many nights.

There was an uncomfortable silence during dinner. Sameer said, "Mother, Bhaskar passed away today." Bhaskar was an old aide of theirs. "Yes, I heard it from my friends in the temple. His wife passed away a few years earlier." She sighed. "He has a young daughter. I see her every day on the way to the temple. She always has her nose stuck inside a book. I wonder what will happen to her now." To steer the conversation to a more peaceful one, he asked, "Whom do you want to invite for the birthday party?" She replied, "I just want the six of us together."

Two days later Grandma set out for the temple as usual. Her heartfelt heavy as her son and family were leaving that day for Germany. She was happy that his career was going to scale new heights. At the same time, she dreaded the thought of spending the rest of her life without him. When she came back she saw Bhaskar's daughter playing with her grandchildren in the courtyard. She was surprised and looked questioningly at Mukesh. He smiled and said, "I have made all the arrangements. She is staying here with you. I know you always wanted a daughter." She smiled and hugged him.

The birthday cake was cut and everyone enjoyed the tasty kheer served by grandma. While leaving Mukesh was content and peaceful. He knew that he had given the best gift to his mother he could ever give.