~*Parvarrish One Shot [OS] Contest - Voting Round #2*~

 Entry 2

Bharosa hai.

"Sweety ji, jaane dona inhe."

"Aap toh na, chup hi rahiye." Sweety replied back to her husband. "Kaise inn dono ko bahar akele jaane du? Dekha bhi hai Rocky ko? Ginny ko chod ke aa jayega!"

"Oh come on Mom. TACP." Rocky said.

Everyone gave a confused look. "Kya?" Sweety demanded in anger.

Rocky took a step back for safety distance and replied, "Take a Chill Pill."

"Haan. Tu toh yahi kahega. Take a chill pill. Jaa, ban jaa pura ka pura angrez. Mai toh kuch lagti hi nai na."

"Aab angrez ki baat yahan  kahan se aa gai?" Rocky asked while Ginny chuckled and Lucky held his head in his palm, sulking.

"Aap yaha kya baithe ho chup chap? Kuch bol nai sakte? Aap hi ne bigada hai inhe."

"Maine? Oh ji, aap hi ne toh kaha ki mai kuch na bolu." Lucky replied back innocently.

"Jaise baap, vaise hi bte. Jao, sab apni man marzi karo." Sweety replied with anger and hurt and left for her room. Rocky and Ginny gave him a pleading look which was enough to melt him down.

"Fikar mat karo baccho. Mai baat karta hu na tumhari maa se." And he left behind Sweety as well. Rocky and Ginny grinned at each other.

***

"Problem kya hai ji? Let them go na. Dosto ke saath hi toh jaa rahe hai." Lucky tried to reason.

"Aap sachi mai aisa sochti ho?" Rocky asked, coming from behind as him and Ginny were over hearing the conversation. Sweety and Lucky turned to see both the kids there. Sweety wanted to say she didn't mean to hurt him seeing his expression but couldn't bring the words out.

"Beta' aisi baat nai hai'" Lucky tried to explain but Rocky walked past him.

"Aapko apne bte par bharosa nai hai? Acha, bte ko chodo. Voh toh nikamma hai. Par apni parvarish par bhi nai, maa?"

Sweety had tears in her eyes. Sometimes Rocky would be just so caring that it was hard to hold back. "Rocky, bharosa hai. Pura bharosa hai. Par dusro pe nai hai. Mai toh maa hu. Maa ka din toh pareshaan rahega hi na apne bacho ke liye?"

"Aur unhe duniya dekhne se rok bhi nai sakte. Aap hi bataiye. Rok diya toh hum sikhenge kaise? Kaise sab ko dikhaengi ki humari parvarish kaisi hai? I have the best parents in the world. Kya fayda if I can't show that to anyone. Chal Ginny, jab apne hi parents ko hum pe bharosa nai hai, toh hum kyu unhe kahe ki hume jaane de. Keh dete hai apne dosto se ki hum nai aa rahe."

Lucky was looking at him in awe while Sweety's eyes were full of tears. In no intention did she want to hurt her kids' feelings nor did she want them to feel as if she did not trust them. But being a mother, she was simply worried. Especially since they were growing up and can be easily influenced by company.

She stopped her kids and took them in a tight embrace. It was yet another emotional moment for them which tested her upbringing. Lucky, not able to hold himself back, took his whole family in his embrace as well.

Trust is always an important issue between parents and kids as they start growing up. Sometimes, kids think parents don't let them do things because they don't trust them. While the reality is that parents are simply scared and worried as they continue to think of them as kids and want them to be on the right path. At times like this, it is the true upbringing of the parents that reflect upon the kids and their decisions. It was the responsibility of a brother that made Sweety realize that her kids will always chosoe the right path in the end. Similarly, at times, the one you expect least to care will be the one to awe you with their understanding.

 Entry 3

The police jeep fled through the parking lot of the IDFC bank, stopping near the entrance. SP Rohan jumped out the car, and went to the officers that were already on the scene.

"What's the status, officer?", asked the SP.

"We have a male body, sir, mid 40s. Shot by one of the robbers at point blank, dead instantly. He is the one we have to thank sir, as he was the one to call the police and notify of the robbery. All of the robbers are under arrest now. Sad thing, he had to pay for it with his life.", replied the officer.

"Any ID?"

"No, sir. Just the phone was found which he made the call through."

The SP took the phone and looked at the homescreen. The picture of a woman was there, with the name Pinky. Must be his wife, he thought, and dialled the number.

A woman picked up on the other end, "Haan Jeet, boliye".

The officer gulped. Yeah, it was a tough job, but he had to do it. He spoke as softly as he could, "I am sorry mam, but there is some bad news."

The 3 kids returned from school. Raavi seemed tired and went to her room immediately to change. Pinky went to the kitchen to prepare the lunch. While, Raashi and Sunny seemed to have something in their mind. They went to the sofa and started whispering.

"Sunny, tum to jaante ho na PlayStation kya hota hai?", began Raashi in a low voice.

"Haan, Raashi di aapse jyaada jaanta hoon in cheezon ke baare me.", retorted Sunny in a low voice, "Waise hum dheere kyu bol rhe hai?", he asked loudly, forgetting that he needs to whisper.

"Abe dheere bol", Raashi warned angrily, but too late. Pinky had already heard him.

"Kya hua Sunny baba?", asked Pinky loudly from kitchen.

"Kuch nhi, paani maang rha tha. maine de diya apna bottle", Raashi lied, and glared at Sunny.

"Acha theek hai bolo kya hua?", asked Sunny.

"Mere kaafi friends ne PS par games khele hai. Mujhe bhi kaafi acha lagta hai. Tumhe?"

"Mai larka hoon, mujhe to obviously video games ache lagte hain."

"Kya kahte ho? Mumma se baat kre?"

"Mumma maanegi?"

"Mushkil to hogi. Isliye hume emotional atyachaar ka istemaal krna hoga. Aur mumma ko impress bhi. Chal jaldi se change kr lete hain khaane se pehle."

Pinky served lunch and all the 3 kids sat on the table, eating quietly.

"Mumma aaj aap kaafi ache lag rhe ho!", Raashi said. Sunny nodded quickly.

"Kya smarty, kuch chahiye tumhe? Aaj maan ki bari taareef ho rhi hai?", Pinky commented.

"Kya mumma, aap to humesha mujhe galat hi samajhti ho. Ab ek beti apni maan ki taarif bhi nahi kar skti bina galat iraade ke?", Raashi stopped eating and crossed her hands.

"Chal chal drama queen, bol bhi de. Mumma to roj aisi hi dikhti hain, aur kabhi to tareef nhi karti tu.", Raavi taunted.

"Mumma aap dids ko bol do hum dono ke beech me na bole warna acha nhi hoga.", Raashi snapped.

"Acha Raashi ki bachi, kya karegi? Kar ke to dikha"

Pinky interrupted, "Bas bas ho gya tum logon ka. Raavi, tum khaao. Acha Raashi, sorry. Tu bas taarif kar rhi thi. Thanks. Ab khaayegi, maharani?"

Raashi started eating and said after a minute.

"Waise ek cheez to chahiye thi mujhe", Raashi said in a low voice.

Raavi rolled eyes, "Dekha mumma, ye sahi me nhi sudhregi."

"Haan wo pata hai mujhe. Ab kya chahiye aapko Raashi ji?", Pinky asked.

"Dekho, sirf mujhe hi nhi chaahiye. Wo to sunny bol rha tha isliye mai'", Raashi started but Sunny cut her in the middle.

"Ye jhoot bol rhi hai. Wo to inhone hi mujhe kaha ki hume ek PS lena chahiye."

"Jhoota sunny, tune bola".

"Nahi aapne".

Pinky had to interrupt again, "Chup karo dono. Abhi exams hone waale hai na. Koi PS nhi milega tum logon ko."

Both kids stopped fighting. After all, it was the case of mutual benefit, so both mended fences and tackled the common enemy, the no-saying-mother.

"But mumma, hum thora sa hi khela karenge.", said Sunny.

"Haan, meri to exams ki taiyaari bhi ho chuki hai", said Raashi.

"Maine kaha na nhi, to matlab nhi.", Pinky picked up the plates.

"Aap to kuch maante hi nhi ho, hum papa se baat krenge.", said Raashi angrily.

"Haan wahi theek hai, mujhe is jhanjhat me phansao hi mat.", said Pinky and went to the kitchen to wash the dishes.

A DAY BEFORE ' AHLUWALIA HOUSE

"Abe uth jaa naalayak, school nhi jaana kya?", Sweety shook Rocky. He woke up, dazed, and picked up his mobile. He saw a message notification, so started to read it.

"Haan uth kar aur koi kaam to hai nhi, sabse pehle mobile hi use kar. Bol to computer bhi on kar ke doon?", Sweety remarked.

"Are kya maa, message aaya hai bas wahi dekh raha hoon."

Sweety turned to leave, but suddenly Rocky was up in a flash.

"OMG, mai to bhool hi gya!"

"Ab bhala ye OMG kya hai?"

"Are maan, Oh My God. Are mujhe ek speech deni hai parso aur maine kuch likha bhi nhi hai. Are mujhe to topic bhi nhi yaad hai. Kaha likha tha maine?", he said and started looking in his notebooks.

"Haan, football ke player ne kis saal kitne goal maare the wo yaad rhega, lekin speech aur topic yaad rakhne ki kya jaroorat hai?", Sweety snapped again. She was fed up with the recklessness of the boy.

"Are kya maan, aap kabhi kuch nhi bhoolti kya?"

Sweety was just going to respond when Rocky exclaimed.

"Mil gya! Topic hai Dad.", his mood suddenly went down, "Are ab Dad pe kya likhunga?"

"Are itne ache bhale daddy ji hai, kuch likh nhi sakta unke baare me?"

Rocky got ready and sat for breakfast. Ginny and Lucky were already there.

"Dad, aap par speech likhni hai.", Rocky said.

"To puttar likh na mai kitna acha daddy ji hoon", Lucky ji said with a smile.

"Haan bhaiya, daddy ji world ke best daddy ji hain.", said Ginny.

"Aise nhi hoga dad, aap ko aise hi mai acha nhi bana doonga. Aapko kuch ache kaam bhi krne honge.", Rocky said.

"Oye kya keh rha hai, mai ache kaam nhi karta?"

"Nhi nhi, wo to aap krte hi hain, lekin kuch mere liye bhi kijiye. Dad, mujhe school ke baad football khelna hai, maan se kahiye na permission de de.", Rocky's volume went down.

"Puttar, exams aane waale hai, isliye teri maan to permission dene se rhi. To unse poochne se acha hai tu mujhe bura dad hi bana de speech me."

"Dekhiye dad, ye galat baat hai. Aap kehte kuch aur hai, karte kuch aur. Mai kya likhoon, ki mere dad hypocrite hai? Us din aapne samosa khaaye to maine maan se jhoot bola tha, dekhiye ab aap cheating nhi kar skte."

"Cheating? Kisne ki cheating?", Sweety came into the room.

"Kuch nhi maan, main bas Ginny ko keh rha tha ki mehnat kar, exam me cheating mat krna.", Rocky joked.

"Kya bhaiya, aap bas hmesha mujhi par bolo", Ginny left the table, having finished her breakfast

Sweety turned to pick up her plate. Rocky folded his hands behind her back but Lucky did the same. Rocky also got up, showing finger to Lucky as if saying, not fair dad.

NOW

"Bad news, what bad news?", the tension in Pinky's voice was very clear.

"I am very sorry to inform you mam, but your husband is dead. The only consolation I can give is that he died a hero, he stopped a bank robbery and got the robbers caught. Mam? Mam?"

The phone has slipped through the hands of Pinky and the faint voice of the SP filled the quiet room. The kids ran to Pinky.

"Mumma, kya hua?"

Pinky didn't reply. Raavi picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

It was she who dropped the phone this time. She could only manage to speak, "Papa nhi.." before she broke down.

A DAY BEFORE ' AHUJA HOUSE

Jeet returned late to the house. It has been a tedious day. The work has got hectic lately. He just wanted to have a cold shower and to sleep.

Pinky took his bag. He took a shower, and the whole family sat for dinner. They were all eating when Raashi couldn't control her anxiety anymore.

"Papa, Sunny aur main soch rhe the ki kya hum ek PlayStation kharid skte hai?"

"Beta abhi tum logon ke exams hone waale hai na?"

"Haan papa but hum manage kr lenge."

"Beta pehle exams ho jaane do, fir sochte hai.". Jeet was already irritated from work, but tried to maintain cool with the kids.

"Please papa, hum sambhaal lenge na exams."

Jeet couldn't take it anymore, he already had a bad day and he couldn't contain the frustration anymore.

Raashi stopped eating and crossed her hands, and wore an angry expression. Sunny followed.

Jeet instantly regretted shouting and apologized, "Sorry beta, but khaana to kha lo."

"Nhi."

Pinky requested too, but both of them didn't budge. So, Jeet said, "Theek hai jaan, chor do. Jab bhookh hogi, wo khaa lenge."

This time Raashi was the one to shout, "Haan aapko kya fark parta hai humaara kya ho. Aap kabhi humaari baat nhi sunte. Mujhe aapse kabhi baat nhi karni.", she ran to her room.

Sunny also said, "Aap ache waale papa nhi ho", and he also left.

Pinky started to get up but Jeet stopped her. "Rehne do jaan, bache hai. Abhi gussa hai, thanda hone do to mai samjhaunga unhe."

Jeet tried to talk to both the kids after dinner, but none of them opened the door. He just said, sorry for shouting, wished them a good night and went to sleep. He was feeling bad for taking out the anger of work on kids.

NOW

Pinky was not in a state to say anything. Raavi was finally able to put some words together without breaking down, and told the other 2 kids what happened. They couldn't hold the tears too.

Raashi felt too bad. "Aur unse aakhiri samay  maine jhagra kiya. Maine kaha aap bure dad hain. Wo to sorry bhi kehne aaye the lekin maine nhi suni. Maine kaha mai kabhi baat nhi krna chahti. Ab to mai sahi me baat nhi kar paaungi kabhi.", she started crying hysterically.

Raashi has taken many things for granted, like most of us do. We can afford to fight with the people we love, because there will always be a tomorrow when we can sort it out, right? Wrong. Not everybody lives to see the next today. It was something Raashi realized now, a little too late.

Raavi took matters in the hand. She consoled Pinky and said that we have to go to the hospital for body identification. She called Sweety and Naanu. They both said they will reach the hospital ASAP.

A DAY BEFORE ' AHLUWALIA HOUSE

The bell rang for the second time.

"Haan haan, aa rhi hoon.", said Sweety and opened the door. She gasped. Rocky was standing there, with nose bleeding, lip cut, and many other injuries over face and body.

"Haaye? Ye kya haal bana liya hai?"

Rocky entered and limped to the washroom.

"Kuch bataayega?"

"Are maan, bahut dukh rha hai, pehle kuch kijiye na."

She asked him to wash himself first. Then she cleaned the wounds with an antiseptic and applied bandages. Meanwhile, he told the story. He had been playing football, while some other guys have come and taunted his friend. They had begun to fight soon, and Rocky jumped in to save his friend. Sweety got very angry.

"Tujhe permission di kisne football khelne ki? Aur ja ke lad logon se. Taange kyu chor di, wo bhi turwa leta?", she said and hit him on the back.

"Aah, maan, maaro mat na dard hota hai."

"Too bahut bigad gya hai, mai abhi Lucky ji ko bulaati hoon."

She called Lucky ji.

"Haan ji Sweety ji, meeting me hu mai. Deal kar rha hoon."

"Aap jaldi aaiye, isi waqt"

"Thik hai ji, mai cheque lekar aata hoon.", he sensed her anger and left immediately for home after taking the cheque.

"Ye kya haal bana ke rakha hai bhai?", Lucky ji asked.

"Kya dad, aap to samjho, aap bhi kya maan ki tarah?"

"Beta, thik keh rhi hai teri maan. Ye faaltu me larai ki kya jaroorat thi?"

"Dad lekin wo log aise bol rhe the."

"Beta waise logon se larkar koi faayda nhi kyuki baat unki samajh me nhi aati"

"Dad, mard baniye."

"Beta, mard hoon aur mard ki tarah hi bata raha hoon. Ladai sahi baat ke liya kiya kar. Use mardaangi kehte hai."

"Chodiye dad, aap khud bhi darpok hain aur mujhe bhi bana rhe hai. Aapki kabhi himmat hi nhi hui hogi larne ki."

"Beta maine bhi laraiyaan ki hai. Lekin laro waha jaha tumhaari laraai se faayda hai. Lekin nhi, tum yaha to himmat dikhaaoge, lekin sahi cheez ke liye larne waqt kisi ki himmat nhi parti."

"Kya dad aap bilkul faatu ki tarah baat kar rhe ho."

"Sambhal ke puttar, baap hoon tera.", said Lucky angrily and walked out of the room.

Rocky lied down in his bed, "Khud to darte hai aur mujhe bhi dara rhe hai". He wondered whether he should write down in speech that his dad is a hypocrite and now a coward too. He chuckled and fell asleep.

NOW

Sweety ji was pretty shocked at the news too. She tried calling Lucky ji, but a voice said his phone was switched off. Where is he, he always disappears at important times, thought Sweety. His phone has been switched off for hours, as she had tried calling him a few hours ago and then also she heard the same message. She gave the news to the kids too, and the three rushed to the hospital.

Meanwhile, the Ahuja family was on their way to the hospital. Raashi was crying hysterically, feeling loads of guilt due to her last encounter with her dad, which was going to be the last encounter she ever had with him. Raavi tried to control her.

"Koi baat nhi Raashi, sambhaalo khud ko. Tumhe kya pata tha ki aaj kuch aisa ho jaayega." She felt like crying too, but somebody had to be the backbone of the family. Pinky was still silent, therefore Raavi had to take up the job.

"Mai khud ko kabhi maaf nhi kar paoongi", Raashi managed to say in between her cries.

"Mumma kuch to bolo", Raavi looked at Pinky, with a longing expression. But Pinky couldn't manage to come up with anything but tears.

Both the families reached the hospital nearly at the same time. Naanu was already waiting for them. He took the situation in charge and started talking softly to Pinky. Sweety also went to console Pinky. While Rocky and Ginny tried to get the kids under control. Ginny hugged Raashi and patted her back. Naanu asked at reception, and they all went to the morgue.

A man was waiting there for them with a policeman. Both the families reached there with Naanu. Pinky wasn't in a state to do such a thing, so Naanu went over to lift the sheet and complete the formality of identification. As soon as he lifted the sheet, he let out a gasp in shock.

"Kya hua papaji?", asked Sweety.

No response. She walked over. As soon as she laid her eyes on the face, she couldn't believe her own eyes. It was Lucky. She fainted. Everybody rushed over to help her and everybody was perplexed. Ginny started crying and Rocky froze like a statue. Ahuja family didn't even know how to react. Suddenly the nurse came and said, "Sir, the patient is awake now. He is saying his name is Jeet Ahuja and he wants us to call his family."

Nobody knew what to do. On the one hand, Lucky was lying dead and Sweety was unconscious on the floor but on the other hand, Jeet needed them too. Nanu came to his senses quickly and decided he will stay there while Pinky should visit Jeet. He asked the kids to stay outside, thinking that such a scene was not what kids should be exposed too. But the kids did not listen, they went to the aid of their mother.

Jeet was lying in a bed, with bandage wrapped on his head. He smiled seeing Pinky and kids. Raashi was the first to rush to him and hugged him tightly. She didn't wanna let go, afraid she might lose him again. She said sorry and just cried. But the tears came out of happiness this time.

Pinky smiled at Jeet. But they were all very confused as to what has happened. So, Jeet recounted the happenings.

TODAY ' BEFORE ROBBERY

Jeet was working when suddenly the office phone rang. When he picked up, the receptionist told him that a Lucky Ahluwalia wanted to see him in the lobby. He said he will be there and hung up. He wondered what Lucky paaji was doing here. He went to the lobby and found him sitting there. Lucky came over to him.

"Kya hua Lucky paaji aap yaha?"

"Haan wo kal hi cheque mila hai client se bas wo deposit karane aaya tha. Lekin dekh yaar ye log kuch technical fault bata kar naatak kar rhe hai. Lekin yaar thodi jaldi hai, tu dekh na kuch ho skta hai?"

"Acha dijiye mai dekhta hoon. Itni si baat thi to aapne call kyu nhi kiya?"

"Are dekh na aaj charge karna bhool gya tha, battery dead hai phone ki. Acha mujhe ek important call bhi krna tha."

"Ye lijiye paaji, mera phone. Aur yaha kaafi shor hai aur network bhi acha nhi hai, aap us side jaakar baat kar lijiye."

"Oye thank you yaara mai abhi aata hoon."

Jeet took the cheque to a deposit counter while Lucky went to side. While suddenly, BAM, a shot deafens everybody. Three masked man, pointing guns, asked everyone to lie down at their place otherwise they will be shot. They saw the ID card of Jeet and took him to the cash vault. Lucky saw this happening and he quickly entered the washroom.

Two of the robbers took Jeet to the vault and asked him to open him. He refused so they put some blows on him. When threatened with death, he opened it. They hit him with the butt of gun and he lost consciousness. Meanwhile Lucky thought of calling the police. He could be caught but he had to show courage. He dialled the police and notified them of the ongoing robbery. They promised to come over ASAP. As soon as he disconnected the call, a message got delivered. The robber listened and ran to the washroom. Lucky ji hid and caught him from the back and struggled with the gun. But the guy overpowered him and shot him. The phone fell beside the body. That robber asked the others to leave quickly. But a station was nearby and police arrived in time and all three were caught.

NOW

The whole Ahuja family was listening with silence. Jeet also couldn't help but tear up when telling about the story. He said that he is fine now and they should be with Sweety and kids now. So, all four got up and left Jeet resting.

Sweety had regained her senses now. Pinky told her the story. She could not still believe what she has seen or heard. She wanted to cry, to die. But she knew that she had to be strong for her family. If she breaks down, her family will too. She had to be a strong mother, she always have been. So, she consoled the crying Ginny. Rocky couldn't take it anymore and ran out. Sweety looked at him and wanted to go, but Naanu said he will take care of it. He went behind Rocky.

He found him outside, in the parking lot. It had got dark and maybe that's what Rocky seeked now, loneliness. Naanu understood the delicacy of situation, so he just went and stood beside him, saying nothing. A soft breeze swept their face. They stood like that for nearly 15 minutes. It was Rocky who broke the silence.

"Wo darpok nhi the.", he sobbed.

Naanu looked at him questioningly. He told about the conversation of yesterday, how he has insulted his dad. Rocky now understood what courage meant. It does not mean fighting with a kid who is badmouthing you. It meant saving people's lives and doing the right thing even if it means risking your own life. Something that people hesitate to do. But not his dad, he was a man. Using "was" for his dad was enough to push him over the edge. He buried his face in his Nannu's chest, crying. Naanu soothed him.

"Haan beta, wo bilkul darpok nhi tha. Tumhaare pita ne jaane kitne logon ko aur ek bank ko bachaya hai."

"Maine kya nhi kaha unhe, hypocrite, coward. Unhone to apni baat bhi rakhi. Unhone kaha tha sahi kaam krna himmat ki baat hoti hai, aur unhone wo kar ke dikhaya", he said.

"Haan beta haan."

It was decided that Naanu will take the kids home. Both Jeet and Sweety were kept for overnight observation and Pinky stayed there. Raavi too convinced her to let her stay to give her company. Naanu took the four kids to Ahluwalia house. He put everyone to bed, Rocky at last agreed to lie down. Naanu tucked him in and got up to leave when Rocky spoke.

"Naanu, mujhe kal school jaana hai."

"Par beta?"

"Naanu, please aap kal maan ko school 10 baje le aayega, please."

Naanu nodded and left. Rocky closed his eyes, but his mind was far from sleep. He replayed the last scene of him with Lucky over and over in his mind. If only they would have gotten off on good terms. If only! Regret is the worst thing anyone can have, it hollows one from inside. At some time later, he himself didn't know when, he fell asleep.

The next morning was heavy. Rocky woke up and didn't know where he was for a moment. But everything filled his head the next second and the pain returned. But the body pain was no match for the pain he was feeling. He was up at time. Funny, he thought, that he was on time today without his mother nagging him to get up. But the thought was not enough to put a smile on the face. He left the bed. Everybody was sleeping. He got ready quietly. He put butter on bread by himself. It was the speech day today. He couldn't believe it was only the day before yesterday when he was laughing with his dad on this very dining table. Felt like ages ago. Food seemed to form a lump in his throat, he couldn't seem to swallow it. He put the bread down, took his bag, and left for school.

He was very quiet in school. Friends just thought it was the stage-fright. They didn't ask and he was grateful, as he didn't know if he was capable of answering them.

"Hey where is your written speech? Have you memorized the whole thing?", a teacher asked.

He began to think of something to say. He had no written speech, nothing to memorize. But he didn't need a written speech, not today.

His name was called that instant, and so he was spared from answering, He climbed up the stage. His eyes wandered, searching for his mother. He had a worried look on his face for a second, but then was relaxed. He saw his mother sitting with his Naanu, Pinky and Raavi were also there. He began.

"Dad. There are countless things I can tell you about my dad. Some of them good, some of them bad, some are funny, some are sad. But I can summarise all of that in one word. My dad was a hero. He was my hero. You will notice I am using 'was' for him. Just as it happens, an incident happened yesterday."

He told about the misfortune. Everybody seemed to go quiet. Even some nuisances, who don't shut up ever, got quiet and listened to him. He continued.

"And that's what happened. And you know what, I regret fighting with him at the last meeting we ever had. I called him names, like hypocrite and coward. And he had proved me wrong, and what wouldn't I give to get a chance to say sorry to him? How sorry I am and how much I respect him. But I can't. Why is it that we love to express ourselves when we are angry or disappointed, but never show appreciation? We kids complain to parents, about them or something other, but hesitate to tell them how much we love them? Why don't we express our love to them when we get so many chances?"

Everybody looked at him quite seriously. Some females had tears in eyes.

"I will tell you why. Because we don't realize how fragile life is. We always think we will get a tomorrow to show our appreciation. Well, I suggest we keep complaining for tomorrow, but never forget to show our love in the today and now. Life is short and we have a few loved ones. Don't waste time arguing with them on petty things; don't waste time fighting or ignoring each other. Because that may be your last interaction ever. Who knows? It's my dad who taught me these lessons and today I can say, I understand you Dad. So, I can just say this in return, you will be missed Dad. Thank You."

Pin drop silence, and then the auditorium got filled with roaring applause. Everybody gave him standing ovation and cheered for him. He got down from the stage and went to his mom. Sweety had tears in eyes, but one could just make out a glimpse of smile on her face. Rocky said "I love you, mom. And I will never let you be or feel alone." to her and hugged her. Sweety could see that her son was mature now. She could sense the presence of her husband in him.

Life is very short to argue and fight. Count your blessings, value your love ones and move on with your head held high and a smile for everyone. Love your parents and treat them with love and care. For you will only know their value when you see their empty chair.