The Power Of Love

December 20. The most awaited day was here. She jumped out of her bed, opened the wardrobe, took out her favourite dress and threw it on the bed. She pressed it neatly and hurriedly dressed up. She opened her makeup kit, took out the Lakme lipstick,applied it on her lips. Nicky was getting ready for the most important day of her life. She and looked at the clock. "Its already 8:45,I need to hurry up", she told herself. She was getting ready for the most important day of her life. In the MS road lane, Mohith was yelling at his mom. "Mom why didn't you wake me up? Its already 8:15 and I havent even finished my shower. How am I going to be ready within 9?". "I have been trying to wake you up, since 7. But you don't seem to get up at all. The "get up" song of your alarm, played so many times. Each time you snoozed it. Why can't you be responsible enough? I won't be there in your place of stay when u get placed. Learn to get up early and keep your room clean. You won't have anyone to yell at, there".

This was the usual routine in Mohith's house. Keeping alarms, asking mom to wake him up and not getting up was the same story daily.Mohith's mom Kaveri would repeat the same dialogues everyday. But Mohith never seemed to learn a lesson out of it.But today, was the most awaited day of his life and he ought to be in the decided place at time. Like everyday, Mohith picked up a dress from the heap lying on the floor and told his mom "I won't be having food. Its already late" and waved off. "Look at your dress! Don't you look at yourself in the mirror before going out? Give it here. I'll press it and give it you. I don't want my son to look shabby", yelled Kaveri at Mohith again. Mohith knew that his mom would do it for him. So he didn't bother to press it.

Nicky was ready by 9. She looked at the mirror. Made sure everything was proper and rushed to the parking area where she had kept her scooty. She went running to her room and grabbed the helmet. She clipped it and sat on the scooty. "Bye bye dad. See you later. By the way, there is a cd on my table. Please watch it immediately"."CD? What cd is it?" asked Harish curiously. "No questions dad! Please watch it now", said Nicky. "Okay. Bye dear,take care", said Harish. ‘The premier hall’, the board read. Nicky parked her vehicle. She looked around, didn't find Mohith. "Same story! Never on time", thought Nicky. Just at the same time, a man with classy goggles, and traditional jubba, stopped by the side of Nicky. He hugged Nicky and winked at her. "Omg Mohith. You look so dashing today!", exclaimed Nicky. "Thank you dear! Shall we get in now?", said Mohith. "Yes, sure" told Nicky affirmatively. As they moved into the hall,a red carpet welcomed them warmly. The stage was beautifully decorated. The banner had in it the memorable moments of their life. Both Nicky and Mohith were teary eyed and said to each other. "This is going to be one memorable day". "Shall we then make a move?", asked Nicky."Yes, lets go", said Mohith.

Nicky got into Mohith's car and they headed towards Arthi Nagar. They were now in front of the old age home. They had brought with them a saree, a dhothi and shirt. The manager greeted and signalled them to go upstairs. Kasturi and Rudrappa were sitting beside each other and feeding food for each other. "Good morning Ajja and Ajji. Happy 50th anniversary to you both", said Nicky and Mohith in a chorus, as they fell to their feet. The two of them were on cloud nine. Their eyes were filled with tears. "Thank you so much Nicky and Mohith. God bless you both.We are in loss of words.How are you both?", asked Kasturi. "We are both fine Ajji", told Mohith. They handed over the saree to ajji and the dhoti and shirt to Ajja. "This is a small gift from us. Get ready, we will take you for a round in car", told Mohith. "Roaming at this age? We are old and have no strength to sit for long duration dear. You both go and have fun", told Rudrappa. "Please don't tell no today Ajja. This is our wish". Draped in a beautiful maroon saree, suiting her fair complexion, Kasturi came out ready, with a sparkle on her face. Rudrappa looked dashing in the dhothi and shirt. The broad smile on his face outshined the wrinkles. Their grandchildren had come to take them on a round and there wouldn't be any reason for them to be not happy. Mohith gently held his grandpa's hands, Nicky her grandma's.

They walked slowly till the car. Mohith opened the car door and signaled his ajja, ajji to occupy the seats. Both of them got into the car and started to scan the car of their grandchildren. The car stopped in front of the premier hall. Inside the hall, was a banner which had all the photos from the childhood to the day they were sent to the old age home. The beautiful decoration, reminded both Nicky and Mohith of their birthdays when their grandparents would lift them and throw them in air, kiss them on their cheeks, gift them their favourite items and today it was their turn to give it back. Kasthuri and Rudrappa's happiness knew no bounds. "Why do we require this at this age? Your visit itself made us happy. Why was all this required?", asked Rudrappa. "Ajja, we have already told. You are not telling no to anything today." told Nicky. Slow olden music played in the background. Kasthuri and Rudrappa were made to sit in the chairs on the podium. People started coming in groups to grace the occasion. They were friends of Rudrappa and Kasthuri who would chat for hours together in the park when they stayed at Nicky's house years back.

Thereafter came another bunch of people, the ones from the old age home, along with the manager. Rudrappa and Kasthuri’s happiness knew no bounds after seeing their loved ones, yet their was the pain in heart, that would never get healed. Nicky and Mohith brought a cake, with the wedding photo of their grandparents imprinted on it. All started wishing the old couple through songs. Tears started rolling down from the eyes of Kasthuri and Rudrappa. Nicky and Mohith were glad that at least this time, they were able to bring smile on their grandparents face. When they were both about to cut the cake, Kasthuri looked at her grandkids and asked them, "Why haven't Kaveri and Harish come? Are they still angry with us?". Nicky's heart slipped a beat. She looked at Mohith. What would they answer now? Nicky remembered her mother's words. "Nobody is going to talk about them from today. Think that they don't exist". Kaveri had said two years ago. Her complaint about her parents was that they weren’t asjustable.She expected her mother to keep the food ready when she would be back home from work. She wanted her house to be clean everyday. Her parents weren't strong enough to do all that. Sometimes they would end up doing things shabbily and this would enrage Kaveri. One day she couldn't control her anger when the house was a total mess. Kasthuri and Rudrappa had tried to clean the house, but they couldn't owing to their age factor. That is when Harish told that he would take his parents home, as now his home had expanded and they could fit in.

Mohith had promised Kaveri that once their house was renovated, he would take them to his house. Now it was his turn. Harish also couldn't adjust with his parents. Rudrappa would frequently fall sick and Harish was in no position to look after them. That is when they decided to put them in old age home. Nicky and Mohith had tried hard to console their parents. But they couldn't convince them. It was 2 years since they were put in the old age home. Nicky and Mohith's face turned wistful. They knew they had failed in convincing their parents. They stood beside their grandparents with their heads down. They were just hoping that the cd would do magic. But still, they knew it would not happen, owing to the adamant nature of their parents. "No no Ajja. Why would they be angry on you? Its just that they are a little busy. They have asked us to convey their wishes to you both. The saree and dhoti was from their side", said Mohith who had just uttered the first lie of his life. Kasthuri and Rudrappa's dispirited face twinkled a little after Mohith's reply. The cake was then cut. Guests started praising Nicky and Mohith for all the arrangements and told the old couple that they are really blessed to have grandkids like Nicky and Mohith.

The food was served to everyone. Kasthuri and Rudrappa started chatting with their old friends. They felt nostalgic. The function went on well as expected but Nicky and Mohith still had the guilt feeling that they couldn't get their parents for the function. As the function got over,everyone bid adieu. After taking them to a long drive, Mohith and Nicky dropped Rudrappa and Kasthuri to their oldage home.They were back to the pavilion. Mohith hugged Rudrappa tightly and said, "We will miss you Ajja". Kasthuri put her arm around Mohith and said, "We both are happy here. Don't worry about us". It was a blatant lie. As they stepped into their room, they could see someone else in their room. All their belongings were no longer there. Everyone got worried and questioned the old lady, "Where did all the belongings go? Why are you here in this room?". The lady told that she was admitted to the old age home sometime back and she was alotted that room. Nicky and Mohith asked their grandparents to occupy seats as they would go and enquire about it. When they were heading towards office, they saw Kaveri and Harish standing there face showing signs of guilt. Kasthuri and Rudrappa were on cloud nine when they saw their children. It was 2 years since they had seen them. They got up from their place and started moving towards Kaveri and Harish. Both of them came running to their parents and fell to their feet. They apologized to their parents for being arrogant. Kaveri said, "Amma, I know I have done a mistake which can never be forgiven. I request you to please give me a chance. Please come home." Harish added, "Yes Amma, Appa. We failed to understand you. We didn't look after you properly. We have realised our mistakes. Please give us a chance to rectify it". "You are our children and will always be our children no matter what you do to us. Our love for you will still be unconditional. We were also at wrong, we couldn't live up to your expectations. We couldn't manage things. We are sorry for that. We are comfortable here. This has become our home now. You can live in your houses happily without any hindrance." said Kasturi trying to keep a fake smile on her face. Kaveri and Harish's face turned pale. They knew they had committed a sin. Their penance hadn't impressed their parents. They failed to convince them.

With utter disappointment, they decided to go back. Mohith and Nicky were following everything closely. They were astounded at their parents behaviour. They wondered if they were the same parents who had thrown their grandparents out mercilessly. They knew that it was the cd that had done the miracle. The cd had a video with all the photos of the upbringing of their parents. They had put photos of their beautiful trips, the celebrations during festivals. Kasturi and Rudrappa had given the best facilities to their children for their better future. They wanted their children to lead a happy life, not a life like theirs where they had to struggle to make the ends meet . The video also had some quotes which made Kaveri and Harish realise the value of their parents. The quote, "Respect old age, its your future" had touched Harish and Kaveri's hearts. Mohith and Nicky had been successful in enlightening their parents. At the end, Nicky said, "Ajja-Ajji please come back home. Your children have changed now. There won't be any problem henceforth. You can lead your life your way. We are grown ups now. We will not let any injustice happen again. Please stay with us. Half a year you stay in our house and the other half in Mohith's house. Come back home, for our sake at least." The pleasing words melted Rudrappa and Kasthuri's heart. They couldn't say no to them. Nicky and Mohith were thus successful in getting the love of their lives back. It indeed turned out to be the most memorable day for all of them and not just Nicky and Mohith.