Fifty years just flew by for Neha, she felt. Initially there were complications in conceiving but motherhood was a very beautiful experience for her. A milestone as well as no less than a miracle it was. Neha, a housewife throughout, for her Yogita her baby girl was the best gift from God. Yogita is a mother herself now and being a grandmother gives a different kind of high. This phase was nothing different for Neha and it doubled her joys. The nest was empty after Yogita had married the love of her life, Zavier.

Pradeep had always supported every decision of his kid and Zavier was a gem of a person from the very beginning. They were childhood sweethearts and Yogita’s parents had seen it all coming. Their marriage was a hassle-free event. Her grandkid David made it a point to talk to Neha once a week through a video call. They were very close. Yogita was closer to her dad and nothing had changed once David entered their lives. She loved her mother indeed but Pradeep was her go to person from the very start.

White hair with a cropped haircut gave a very appealing look to the full-bodied grandmother. Her mole on the curve of the lip still attracted men. Pradeep too was greying handsomely. A clean shaven look suited him best. Post retirement he maintained his social life and was usually away after the evening tea. Dinner was eaten together by the couple. The arranged marriage had culminated into a love saga over the years and had its struggles and achievements in equal numbers. A 10 year age gap had spiced things up for the Tripathis in almost everything. 

After decades of marriage somehow lonely spells came unannounced for both. Love was alive somewhere within but expressing one’s emotion kept pushing itself away unknowingly. The comfort of no questions asked for anything broadened the emotional gap. This was a duo that had conversations during their highs and lows but now everything was silent. It was more like an acceptance of entities living under one roof. This taciturnity had started to bite with no trumpets. 

Libidos were dwindling. Meditation filled days. Health check-ups were more frequent. Volunteers of both sexes attended to those emergencies of Neha and Pradeep. It was just not possible for Yogita to leave everything in Toronto, Canada and be there for her parents. Round the clock house help had become the norm for the Tripathi household. Though Yogita was just a call away but the presence of their daughter and grandkid were the needs of the hour but they remained silent here too. 

Palak Sahni, a 30-year-old volunteer willingly started taking care of Neha. They played ludo and carrom when watching serials took a toll on the ageing woman. Santosh, saw to it that Pradeep got the best of care under his radar. The retired banker found in him the son he never had. Zavier was a good son-in-law indeed but the midas touch of understanding him always lacked. Maybe Pradeep never wanted to show this side of himself to anybody. He was open-minded but deep down he craved a Hindu husband for his kid but his love for Yogita always won. 

Santosh is in his twenties, dark, tall and is making the most of his summer holidays by being there for Pradeep. Results are awaited for his graduation. Palak had lost her parents to covid five years back and found solace by hanging out with Neha. She is an heir to a big fortune left by them + teaching in a government school. Her evenings are free and Neha is a like-minded individual who loves life and finds happiness in small things. Grandeur eludes both of them. 

Pradeep and Neha love Yogita more than their own lives but Santosh and Palak are making inroads in their hearts beyond words. Their look is a giveaway but nothing is spoken out loud ever. Summer is at its peak, the rainy season is round the corner. It feels life has come full circle for the Tripathis. The warmth is returning. Silence is making an exit. New memories are being forged and this is all because of these two lovely souls Santosh and Palak. The future looks good for the ageing couple it seems. Yogita is somehow thankful too.