Cupid has hit us right!

                                                                 

The duskiness had fallen fast upon the land. The canvas tinted with red, orange and pink was covered by a thick black mesh with teeny tiny twinkling stars to be looked upon. The chilling winds gave the dense green trees a swing. The dewy grass welcomed barefoot walkers for a serene walk. It seemed as if the bright full moon enjoyed this winter night the most.

In the darkroom, Aalok was half asleep under a warm silky soft blanket. He stretched his arm to feel the warmth of Malvika but could not feel her. He got up and found that Malvika was not next to him. Then he got a glimpse of her standing in the balcony. Aalok took a blanket and went straight to the balcony.

Her eyes were frozen at the full moon. She could feel the heat penetrating inside her body with every teardrop being shed. Suddenly Malvika could feel the warmth. Aalok covered her with a blanket.

'Why are you still awake?' asked Malvika.
Aalok was quite surprised to see his wife sobbing. All the years they have spent together, Aalok had hardly seen her crying. He wiped off her tears, gave her a tight hug. 'What's wrong? Why didn't you wake me up, I would have joined you in crying'.
'Ohh no! I was not crying. That's your thunder. I cannot steal it from you' replied Malvika.
'So, tell me' said Aalok looking into her eyes.
' Tell you what?' said Malvika avoiding eye contact.

'Look into my eyes, Malvika. Is everything all right?'

'Nothing Aalok. It's getting late. Tomorrow is a big day. Let's go to sleep.'                                                                   

While Malvika was trying to leave, Aalok blocked her path. 'Aahhnnaaaa! You tell me first. And as you always say that by sharing your problem, half of your problem is already solved. So shoot!'

There was a long pause. Aalok waited patiently for Malvika to speak out what had been bothering her. 'Aalok, I am not sure about this Adoption thing. Am sorry. I know it was my idea, but now I wonder that am I ready for this responsibility!?'

Aalok put his arms around her.' I understand. Take your time. We need not rush into things.'

Her eyebrows pulled down together, face turned red and tears gushed out of her eyes. 'Why do you take things so easily? You should be mad at me. I had a miscarriage. I killed our child before it could survive independently. This is not okay. This is not okay!  I am a horrible person. There is always something I do that hurt you. My frequent OCD's... I am a mess! Don't you wonder, what did you marry into?'

Aalok held her tight and caressed her hair. 'Malvika please calm down. Whatever has happened, could not be overturned. We have to accept this. What is gone, is gone. It was an accident and not your fault at all. And if you really want to blame yourself then let me tell you that I am equally responsible for this. Stop blaming yourself. Let us try to forget this and make a new beginning. Many a time you will face situations in life that will tear you apart. And it is okay. Give some time. Things will eventually fall into place. You cannot feel the best unless you get through the worse. Trust me, we will get through this.' Aalok's face lit up with a crooked smile he reserved for Malvika. 'You are a mess and This mess loves you endlessly. Your love gives me power and strength.  Your smile makes me weak in the knees. I love you!'

'You are an idiot' said Malvika pushing him away.

 Aalok who has got melodious voice cleared his throat to sing a chorus of the only song which they like in common.

"Do you have a 100 words for me?

Cause I have only three

You couldn't even sing for me

And I keep on writing these songs

Over and over

And I keep getting closer, to you..."

'I love Kuhad!' shouted Malvika playfully.

'HUH!'

She held his hands and gently kissed them. 'Aalok, let's go to the Adoption centre tomorrow. I know it is going to be difficult. I guess I am ready for any damn thing as long as I have you next to me.'

'Forever Babes!'

*****

The artistic golden Sun has shown up witnessing a bright day. Aalok and Malvika could see a small building with its giant courtyard filled with lush green trees planted at almost an equal distance. At the leftmost corner of the courtyard few vintage cars were parked that gleamed with pride. It seemed as if they have been recently washed and cleaned. On the other side of the courtyard, few benches were fixed facing a tall banyan tree with a large blackboard mounted over it. The place was neither deserted nor overly crowded. Few children were playing football at the centre of the courtyard. The porch had a huge wooden flat rectangular swing decorated with origami. The wall adjacent to the main door was filled with handprint art. A metal plate was mounted over the wall that read "While working for a social cause, keep your phones aside." They could hear the whistle of a pressure cooker, some Kishore Kumar score being played in the background and the laughter of Children.

As Aalok and Malvika were engrossed in mesmerizing the beauty of the place, their thoughts were interrupted by a Lady whom they recognized as Mrs Sengupta.

Mrs Sengupta runs an Orphanage and Adoption centre along with Miss Dave.

Mrs Sengupta folded her hands and greeted them with a respectful Namaste.

Aalok and Malvika joined Mrs Sengupta and gave a respectful greeting.

She headed Aalok and Malvika to the hallway.

' I hope you didn't face any difficulty in finding this place. Please be comfortable.'

'The place is really beautiful Ma'am. We really loved it' said Malvika.

'Well, you should meet my family. They all have put their efforts to make this place more lively. But before that I want you guys to meet Miss Dave. She's waiting for you both in the next room.'

Aalok was anxious. Malvika had got butterflies in her stomach. Holding each other's hands, they entered the room where Miss Dave was waiting for them.

Her Radiant skin was gleaming with a smile. Her grey hairs were neatly tied and sunken eyes were deeply settled behind big round glasses.  She greeted Aalok and Malvika with a formal Namaste!

'I am Malvika and he is Aalok, my husband.'

' How can I help you?' asked Miss Dave.

'Actually, we wish to adopt a member of this place' said Malvika.

'Ohh, that's so sweet of you. I' ll ask Mrs Sengupta to guide you with the legal process and prerequisite for adopting a child. She looks after all these matters.'

'Ma'am, since this place also serves as a home to many homeless adults...senior citizens...which is being run by you...we have something to discuss with you in reference to this' said Malvika with a hesitating tone.

'Yes, what is it?'

 'By adopting, we mean...we wish to Adopt a Parent or a Grandparent' said Malvika confidently and wondered how did she get this confident tone

Miss. Dave frowned. She could not utter a word. She was trying to assimilate what she had just heard. 'The term Adoption is by default has to be related to Child Adoption. I don't know where this is coming up from! ...For an Old Age Home you can donate, you can look after their medical expenses, you can give frequent visit interacting with them and bring joy in their lives. But Adopting a Parent or Grandparent!?....'

There was an awkward silence for a minute or two.

'I don't know whether we would be able to justify our answer or not. I would like to share something. I was brought up at an orphanage and since then I know Mrs Sengupta well. During my childhood, I used to believe that out of blue one day my parents will come and take me home. All my life I had been living with this belief that someday they will seek me. But now,  I believe that I will seek them. I have been taught that 'To Love and to be Loved' is the best feeling in the world. And ever since I met Malvika I am relishing this feeling. Love is something that you would fall for. And you don't fall intentionally. You just fall. It just happens. AND WE ARE IN LOVE WITH THIS IDEA ALREADY' said Aalok in a convincing tone.

'We understand that at this age it becomes too difficult to adapt with changes.We don't even know whether someone would happily accept to be our Parent or Grandparent and move with us to our place. Still, we have our hopes alive. We are not doing this for a social cause or something. We genuinely want this. And Ma'am we don't want you to decide immediately. Please take your time' Malvika continued.

(After a brief silence)

'I don't know if anyone would voluntarily agree upon this notion. This was utterly unexpected, but I really appreciate you guys. Am proud of you! Please give me some time.'

'Sure, Ma'am...' said Malvika.

Aalok and Malvika touched her feet and sought blessings.

*****

'Malvika, Thank you for bringing this up. I don't know if this is going to happen or not but I am happy. And after visiting that place, I have realized that.....' Aalok paused.

'that!? What?' asked Malvika.

'Nothing!'

'I love you too!!!' said Malvika looking deep into his eyes.

Aalok held Malvika closer holding her tight, he could feel her heavy breathing. Their hearts were pumping in rhythm. He gently moved closer and kissed her on her lips warmly. This time he could feel some different chemistry between them. And he knew why!

'Oh my darling, Love looks not with the eye, but with the mind and therefore is winged Cupid painted blind' said Aalok.

'Yes my Shakespeare, and I believe that Cupid has hit us right!' said Malvika.