Rohit Kudecha
Ramanikbhai spent his whole life for the education of Aniket and younger daughter Shweta. There were a few rupees, they were saved for Shweta's marriage. After hard work, his son Aniket C.A. When it happened, the happiness of the family was beyond measure. Ramnikbhai used to think every day that after one year he would live a retired life with his wife and children. Shweta's mother loved Aniket more than Shweta. They always used to say, 'You are a daughter, Shweta, tomorrow you will go to your father-in-law, then it is our Aniket, who is our beloved son, who will take us to the Char Dham Yatra.' After hearing all these things Ramnikbhai used to say, 'Shweta is not our daughter but our son.' Ramnikbhai had said this many times. After that, within a few years, Shweta got married with fanfare. Aniket got a job in Mumbai. From there he got a job offer from an American company. He didn't want to miss that opportunity. Shantaben convinces Aniket a lot. He says, 'Get a job here instead of working abroad.' Ramnikbhai tells Aniket's mother, 'If the son gets a good chance, he will go.' Then Aniket reached America. In the initial months he used to call every day, telling the whole routine, but then gradually the calls became less. Every time he used to say that he was in a meeting, he was at work. As a year passes, Shantaben scolds Aniket on the phone and says: Son, keep up the work. Calling once a day to say that you are fine, who will take care of you in a foreign country?' So Aniket said, 'Don't worry about it, mother. I will keep my attention well. The girl who works with me, Nancy, is originally from India. I live with it. We are both happy. We will get married here. We are not coming back to India now.' Just then Shantaben's eyes shed tears. Then one day Shweta comes with her husband, Ramnikbhai steps in. Ramnikbhai said, 'Oh Shweta, my son has come…' Shweta said, 'Dad, we are all going to Chardham Yatra this time on vacation.' Ne Rachi Shweta comes running and hugs Shanta Ben, 'Mom, you walk and travel with us?' Shantaben was left speechless. Just cried. He remembered the days when he used to say to Shweta, 'You are a daughter, tomorrow you will go to your in-laws and forget us. My son Aniket will take us to Char Dham Yatra.'
Image Credit: (Divya-Bhaskar): Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).