THE LOVELY MEETING

By-Dr. Jaya Kumar
Neha, our protagonist always loved her relations. She had been a keen observer since childhood who liked to study the art of human relations.
At times she thought whether we should value our relations more or should we have a human-value approach.
Though, many a times she had been very hurt by the insensitive behaviour of some of her relatives, but she still kept ignoring all that out of respect for others.
Moreover, she never wanted herself to be like others, insensitive.
Some people feel a sense happiness while playing with human emotions.
Emotions are to be respected. We feel the pain only when we have a special attachment.
But with good and affectionate people around you, you feel it is better to enjoy the special moments of loving meeting with each other.
Today's story: THE LOVING MEETING...
Since her childhood Neha loved to be a perfect host for all her relatives who used to stay at her house.
She just loved to give a personal touch in everything she did.
Neha strongly believes in self-respect and self-pride. Therefore, she used to connect herself easily with those acquaintances who also possessed her characteristics.
Today, Neha is very happy. She is packing bags for herself, Sohit and Hari. Hari is Neha and Sohit's bundle of joy. He is their son and also their pride.
While packing the bags, she was sharing her childhood memories with Hari. After all, she was going to attend a wedding of the daughter of one of her relatives and was going to her father's home-town.
So many years have passed by since she went there as a child, but Neha has an emotional attachment with that place where she and her family, before her marriage, used to spend their summer holidays.
It was not in the same city where Neha lived, but in a beautiful hill region.
Hari could feel the joy in the eyes of his mother. Neha was telling Hari about all her relatives. But a special reference was made of her cousin brother, her paternal aunt's son, SHARAD.
Sharad, was much elder to Neha but from early childhood she used to admire him for his perfection and passion he put in everything he did.
He was a 'Walking Encyclopedia' for Neha as he had knowledge of diversified fields.
He had keen interests in art, culture and history.
And above all, he was a great cook. His presentation of dishes, their aroma and flavour, everything was perfect.
Neha could always feel the flavour of love and affection in Sharad's dishes.
Though Sharad was not a professional chef but was an entrepreneur in the food industry. His passion towards food and attitude in cooking had given him much success.
The way he used to carry himself with a dignified approach was really commendable.
Finally, Neha, Sohit and Hari reached the hill town and met everyone in the family. Laughter, joy and affection was all around on seeing each other even after such a long time.
Sharad welcomed Neha, Sohit and Hari with the same warmth and affection as he had done in his younger days. He and his wife Poonam invited Neha, Sohit and Hari to their new house next day.


The next day was Diwali day, the festival of lights. Neha was very eager to go to her brother Sharad's house since he had shifted to a new house which he had designed himself.

Her excitement was growing more as she was climbing up the stairs to reach for the entrance door. Incredible, wow and so very beautiful, she said to herself. In fact words fell short to describe the beauty of the house both from inside and outside. Sharad had done each and every decor in the house all by himself.
The interiors were of a traditional theme and the art-work was unique and interesting. The overall ambience was perfect and the house looked simply amazing.
Poonam, Sharad's wife, gave all the credit for their beautiful house to Sharad and appreciated him for his efforts.
Neha was further impressed with their kitchen set-up. Compact, well placed and spic'n'span. Neha, Sohit and Hari congratulated and complimented both Sharad and Poonam for their brilliant effort in making a classy house.
Sharad lovingly made Sohit and Hari comfortable and proceeded towards kitchen to make dishes himself to give them a personal touch. Neha too followed Sharad to the kitchen to give him a helping hand as both of them are very good in cooking delicious recipes. As the meal was getting ready,
Sharad in his usual style, started giving special touches to the dishes to be served.
Neha lovingly asked Sharad if he required any help.
What Sharad said thereafter was thought provoking for Neha.
He said "In MY house, only I cook". These words forced her to think to review her general perception that mostly everyone believed that 'I' and 'MY' words depict someone's ego.
How can Sharad say something like this? she thought.
Was it to offend anyone or was it his affection to give his personal touch or was it his pride? she was unable to understand.
How can this come from Sharad? Neha thought.
But after giving it a little deeper thought, Neha had a smile on her face. She developed some more respect for Sharad instantly.
After analysing what Sharad would have meant, she concluded that Sharad's 'I' and 'MY' was not his ego but his self-pride.
Sharad is a self-made man. His confidence was showing. What he said was not to offend Neha or anyone present, but to show his love and affection for Neha, Sohit and Hari.
Everything he was doing was being given his personalized attention and his personal touch.
When everything is personally done by someone for someone else, it can never be ego, Neha concluded.
It is sheer attachment and a sense of belongingness towards that person(s). Sharad proved through his actions, hospitality and personal touch that 'I' can also be understood as attachment and 'MY' can also become personal touch. Personal touch always involves hardwork, effort and time invested to give happiness to others.
NEHA, SOHIT AND HARI HAD COME JUST FOR BREAKFAST TO SHARAD'S HOUSE BUT LEFT AFTER HAVING DINNER THAT DAY. BIG SMILES TOUCHED THE HEART WHICH WAS FULL OF HAPPINESS, WISHES, RESPECT AND ADMIRATION FOR SHARAD AND HIS FAMILY.
BEING A DIWALI NIGHT, HIS HOME WAS BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED WITH LIGHTS AND HIS PERSONAL WARMTH.
THE GET-TOGETHER SEEMED LIKE IT HAD LASTED FOR ONLY A FEW MINUTES, BUT IN FACT, IT WAS LONG HOURS SPENT TOGETHER, FILLED WITH JOY AND SHARING KNOWLEDGE IN THE TRUE ESSENCE OF "RELATIONSHIP SHARING".