ALSphere Foundation
Neetu sat by the window looking at the hustle bustle on the road. It was raining cats and dogs. Water drops trickled from the window making a rhythmic sound. The busy road across her two BHK house was overflowing with people and vehicles. The decorative artificial plants were standing in two corners of her living room as she always wanted. Paintings that she had picked up from the art gallery, curios, and souvenirs from her global trips, everything seemed to be placed well. Her house had become her pride possession with modern gadgets and services making her life easier.
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Meal times were enjoyable not only because of the well laid-out table but it was a family get together. Every one shared their day’s happenings and poured out their hearts.
Neetu felt the silence around her now too sad and somewhat eerie. She missed the chatter, Aai’s hustle around the house, Baba’s natya sangeet playing in the background, Grandma’s stories of the past and generally a playful in the family.
The spacious house in a small quaint town was pristine, clean and well maintained. It was a home where the pillars and the walls bore testimony of a loving family residing there. The affection and care were seen in every corner and every moment in that home.
Shantivan, the beautiful ancestral home of Neetu’s family had a beautiful garden where every plant was nurtured with the same love as generations in the family were nurtured.
Over the years Neetu felt claustrophobic in her room, house and the small town. An ambitious Neetu had dreams of living in a city with all its perks and glamour. Her excellent track record soon got her a job in a big corporate. She was only too excited to taste the city life.
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The artificial plants in her living room did not have the life that plants in her garden back home had. Through misty eyes, she saw Baba watering the plants, Aai nurturing the vegetables in the kitchen garden and grandma sitting in the garden telling stories.
The modern elevator in her building was no match to the stone steps of her family home. On festival days the steps were adorned with beautiful rangoli.
As she sat on the luxurious couch in urban solitude, Neetu missed the golden moments shared with her family. The clock that she had got on one of her trips abroad ticked away. Her mind turned the pages of an album making her nostalgic.
Was she too hasty to leave behind her dear ones just to embrace the glitter of urban life? The home filled with so many people, laughter and innocent joy gave her precious moments to last for a lifetime.
The delivery boy gave her a disposable container of food.
How Neetu wished she could turn back in time to relish Aai’s Aamti bhaat!
Glossary:
Aai: Mother
Baba: Father
Aaji: Grandmother
Natya Sangeet: Form of Indian classical music
Aamti: curry
Pradnya Surve
