Aakash Vani

Aakash, a man probably in his sixties is sitting on a garden bench, surrounded by winter fog. Nainital winter is hitting his body with cold and chilling wind.

Though children are playing and some senior citizens are jogging in the park, Aakash remains oblivious to every other detail surrounding him.

A drop of tear fell from his eyes.

It is less true, when people say time heals every pain, then why this pain refuses to go!

Aakash with slow steps starts going back to his house, though he is feeble he knows he has to go back and prepare his food.

Reaching his home, he saw a young boy in his twenties standing outside his house. ‘Uncle, I am Rishi. I have recently joined a hotel here as a chef, and somebody told me you are looking for a paying guest.’

Aakash couldn’t take his eyes off Rishi, Rishi’s face is so pure and full of innocence. Aakash gave a nod to his request and took him inside his house.

Thus, began a story of a new friendship, Rishi in a very short time brought a shower of rain in Aakash’s life. Aakash began to have the tastiest of foods. After all chef Rishi, is his friend.

He is no longer a lonely soul. Lively Rishi has brought back the emotion of happiness in him.

Weeks passed.

One day Aakash burst into fits of laughter because of Rishi’s joke and all of a sudden, he started crying loudly. Hiding the embarrassment, Aakash swiftly started moving towards his room, Rishi followed him.

Deep in the emotion, Aakash asks Rishi, ‘Beta, I have never asked you one thing, tell me how is it possible that you look so pure and innocent! I am sure we all have our share of harsh stories, which we cannot forget. ’

‘Through forgiveness, Uncle’, Rishi replies. He continues, ‘They say Aakash Vani (Voice from Heaven) is always true, but what if Vani (the Voice) is not truthful, will Aakash (the Heaven) ever forgive her?’

‘Vani, wait a minute. What did you just say?’ Aakash quipped.

‘Yes Uncle. Twenty five years ago Aakash wanted to get married to Vani. On the wedding day a huge storm grazed the hill station. While on hill top, Vani accidentally pushed Aakash down from a cliff. He was partially paralyzed for long. Vani instead of waiting for Aakash, married and settled with a rich NRI, citing the reason that her former fiancé has left her.’

The story doesn’t end here. It goes on. That NRI, was a man of principles, he came to know about the truth and upon finding it, understood as to why his wife has been in coma for the last one year!’ He goes on, ‘That NRI is my father, and I am his son Rishi.’

‘I am no chef, but a psychiatrist!’

‘My father knew, no doctor on earth can cure my mother Vani, as she has lied against a man who has loved her so much. She has collected no blessings but emotions of pains and sorrow from him all through!’

‘My father has sent me as a chef in disguise, and request you for forgiveness with my folded hands!’

Aakash closed his eyes. Kept quiet for some time, wiped away his tears, touched Rishi’s face gently, ‘Yes, I forgive!’

Moments of silence embraced both Aakash and Rishi. And Yes, Rishi receives a phone call, ‘‘Beta, your mother has just opened her eyes and uttered- ‘Aakash, thank you!”