“I am so happy that 2019 started on a good note. We will now live together for the rest of our life without any responsibilities.”
Shaila smiled. “Anupam, for your kind information, this is only your retirement. I am still working.”
“Oh yes, I totally forgot about your Orphanage work. How are things going there?” He asked.
Shaila was a Bank employee all her life. When Nikhil and Shreya got settled in their life, she quit her well paid Govt job and joined a newly started Orphanage near her house. This happened five years back when Anupam left for his official duty to one of the border states in the Country. His position as an Intelligence officer demanded more attention towards National security projects. He didn’t get time to sit and talk with Shaila about her sudden change of mind. Most of their regular communication happened via email during Anupam’s secret projects.
“It is not an Orphanage Anupam, it has a name – Bal Niketan. I have told you a hundred times.” She replied with a tint of anger.
“Ok, ok, I am sorry. Tell me how are things going in Bal Niketan?” He rephrased his question.
“As of now, we have fifty children in Bal Niketan out of which two kids are mine.” There was a sparkle in her eyes when she said that.
“Means?” Anupam got curious.
“Arjun and Bhavna. These two kids were abandoned at the door of Bal Niketan. I was the one who took them in my hands for the first time. They are three years old now and I am in complete charge of their upbringing.” She said with great pride.
“That’s great Shaila. I am really proud of what you are doing.” Anupam appreciated her wholeheartedly.
“How about taking a break from routine life and planning a long trip? Luckily, we both are in good health, Nikhil and Shreya too got settled in their life. Let us explore the world.” He asked knowing her passion for traveling during their younger days.
But Shaila surprised him with her answer. “I have taken a resolution to take care of Arjun and Bhavna in the best possible way I could, till the end of my life. They are just three years old. I cannot afford to leave them as of now. They are my kids Anupam.”
“But there are other people in the Institution to look after them. It’s been a long time, you didn’t live your own life. Why not take a resolution for yourself this time?” Anupam tried to convince her.
“Honey I grew up the kids – Resolutions not just for me, but my kids too.” She made it crystal clear.
Anupam was disappointed, but proud of his wife at the same time. He always respected her decisions. She was the greatest strength of his life.
He thought for a while and spoke, “Do you have vacancy for a volunteer in Bal Niketan?”
This post is a part of New Year Resolutions blog train on the prompt “Honey, I grew up the kids – Resolutions not just for me but my kids too.”
This Blog Train is hosted by
Special Thanks to Recipe Dabba and Pandora’s Box for sponsoring the Blog Train.
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Nice
I’m always a fan of short stories because it is crisp n clear n d message conveyed is easily understandable,Ur short story was all on point… Luved it?
Thank you so much ??
A very different take on the prompt. Well written, Maya. Enjoyed the read, and the appreciate the thought behind the story.
Humble and honest resolution. Actually it is overwhelming thought itself. All power to you
Thank you ?
Well written Maya.
Thank you Alka ?
Great writing Maya! Keep it up. Thank you
Thank you Aarush ?
I love his decision and I love the story Maya.
☺️? thank you
A heart warming post. Love the idea of story telling here:)
Thank you ☺️?
May more people come forward to take care of neglected kids and old after settling their responsibilities. Love the concept.
A fictional account, no matter how short, is not an easy thing to ace. But you managed to do just that with this wonderful piece. You have all the makings of a terrific storyteller. Keep writing more of these short, sweet, uplifting tales ?
Thank you Sudeept. ☺️
That’s a well told story incorporating the prompt wonderfully well, Maya.
Thank you ☺️
Such a heartwarming story with a message. Great writing 🙂
Thank you ☺️
Absolutely remarkable writing maya- gripping and poignant… the lesson you gave through it too good
Keep it up
Thank you so much ?
You have that spark in you, trust me never stop writing. I loved this post a lot, I love people who write and try to engage the readers in their post. I personally loved the last line “It Stole My Heart.”
#vigorousreads #blogtrain #NYR2019 #Newyear_bloghop
P.s. I’m your subscriber now 🙂
I am so happy that you liked the story. Your encouraging words really made my day. Thanks a ton Varsha. ☺️?
Maya, that’s a wonderful way of addressing an important issue. People like them can bring about a change in this world. Loved your short story and the message brought out by it!
Thanks a lot Prerna ☺️.
This was a beautiful story with a message. I particularly liked the chemistry that you have portrayed between the old couple. I hope more people think on these lines in the real world.
Yes, let’s hope for good things to happen ☺️
Nice and inspiring piece of a write up. Gives a sweet messsage to all of us
Thank you so much ☺️
Maya… tum khati kyaa ho? Seriously! Such an out of the world take on the prompt and you aced it!
A very touching eye opener. It will linger in my mind for long.
I am blushing ?. Getting to hear such words from a blogger like you means a lot lot to me ?? (still blushing on the compliment)?
I have never thought like that, so good story.
Thank you ☺️❤️
That’s a lovely trade and a digfdiffe take. You have highlighted the issue ever so gently and with so much warmth
Such a heart warming story. It has both a message to outer world and reflection to our own self.
Thank you Shipra ☺️❤️
Expected it to be the post and got a lovely surprise of reading story.. awesome share..
Thanks a lot ☺️
You have highlighted a serious issue in this short tale. Orphan children are somehow ignored from the mainstream, I hope more think like Shaila and Anupam
Yes let’s hope for such good things to happen around us. ☺️
Such a heartwarming story Maya. We need more people like Shaila and Anupam too who stood by his wife and support her in the cause. Thanks for being apart of this blog train 🙂
Thank you Vartika ☺️
Such a heartwarming story with a subtle message of humanity. I wish we had more people like Shaila in the world and more supportive spouses like Anupam.
I wish I get an opportunity to do something for such children in future. I really wish ☺️. Thank you Sonia ?
Wow Maya !! Such a lovely read this was. You conquered and captured everything in form of words and made me to visualize the whole scene. This is incredible!! Glad I found your post today!!
Thank you so much for such encouraging words. ? Made my day ☺️
Wow….loved it. How beautifully you weaved your words around the prompt and gave it a form of a story. wonderful. Shaila seems to be a very emotional person and I am glad that Anupam understands her emotions and is ready to support her in her decision. Happy to have you on this blog train.
Thanks a lot for this wonderful opportunity to be a part of this blog train. ??
Definitely a thought that needs to be spread far and wide.
Yes I wish every family adopts a child so that we have no orphans in our country. But at the same time it is very difficulty for people to think beyond khoon ka rishta and khaandhan kind of stuffs
wow loved the story and its really great that you had choosen to write a story instead of writing a post. love the way you had potrayed the characters.
Thanks a lot ?☺️
Well written plot. Wonderful story telling
Thank you ?☺️
That’s a great story. Very well written dear. I loved it. ????
Thank you ?☺️
children follow what they see rather than what they are just told, so its always best to lead by example. wonderful way of story telling
Thanks a lot for your encouraging words. Means a lot ?
Nice story Maya. An ideal case.
Thank you ☺️❤️
Nice maya
☺️