Mr. Bimal Jha and his wife Kavya Jha has been living in this house for past 35 years. This was their dream house, bought after their return from overseas. It was not been an easy decision to come back. But once they were back, they had taken the new life with an embrace and started with the living activities. One of the top priorities was to find a place of their own. A home where they were going to live for the rest of their lives. And this was the house they have chosen.
In this house they have seen the ups and downs of life. They had 2 children. Son Kaushal is now in States. He is married and working in a well respected firm. Daughter Baruni is in Australia with her husband. Both the children are urging them to stay with them, especially since Bimal retired last year. They will argue "What are they doing there alone? They should come here and play with the grand kids. Who will take care of them, if something happens?" As much merit is in their arguments, but Bimal and Kavya don't want to settle in a foreign land again. Bimal likes to hang around with the friends who are also retired. Kavya is content with the stores and shops which she has known for all these years. Further they plan to revisit all the places in India.
So one fine day after feeling little bored after the morning tea and newspaper Bimal decided to do a little cleaning of the house. He got the broom, ladder and the stool. Kavya had already asked him to be careful and not climb the ladder too high unless he wants to break his bones in this age. When he was in the terrace, he saw some leaves in the ventillation area. And then he found this. A nest. To this nest he had shouted to his wife. She didn't hear him first time. So he shouted again in a little louder voice. Kavya came out with a spatula in her hand. She said - "Why are you so excited? And what are you doing so up there? God he doesn't listen to me." He said - "Come see here. It is a nest." "Nest!! What kind of nest?" She said. "Of course it's a bird's nest. What else did you think will be up here." - he retorted back. "And look there are three little eggs too".
It was a pigeon's nest. High rise buildings have suited both humans and pigeons equally. Finding of new members in the apartment brought excitement in their life. Very now and then Kavya will go there and check if everything is alright. Mother bird usually was found there, protecting her loved eggs. Father bird will go out and get food. They observed all this with very happy and content eyes. Bimal and Kavya in all silliness also named the eggs. Bholu, Molu, Polu. They used to put some roti, rice etc on the floor, so that father bird will not have to fly very far away and can spend some quality time with the mother bird and the eggs.
One morning when they woke up, they heard some more noises coming from the nest. Bimal got his high stool and looked at it. To his amazement he saw that instead of the eggs, now there were small birds. He at once ran away to Kavya and told her the good news. Both were very happy. "We have to celebrate this" - Bimal said. "Go get some sweets. We will offer it to deities for the well being of the kids" - Kavya said. So did Bimal. It was very joyous. For next few days if they had to visit some friends for dinner or lunch, all their attention was back at home. As soon as they return from home they will check on the birds.
All was going well, when suddenly Bimal fell seriously ill. He has developed some kind of infection in lungs and doctors has advised him to do complete bed rest. His son came back and said - " I don't want to hear another argument. You must have to come to US. Here the atmosphere is so polluted. You will be treated by best doctors over there." This incident terrified Kavya too. She also felt that at least for a while they should go there. When Bimal will get well they will come back again. In couple of days their tickets were arranged. Bimal will come sneakily and check on the birds. He was happy that the little birds were growing up. They had small wings now and were chirping very happily.
Their flight was on next Friday and it would reach US on Sunday. They felt both sad and excited. Sad to leave the place and their little birdies, but excited at the prospect of seeing grand kid. Next few days just flew by in preparing and making sure that everything is taken care of while they are away. On Friday when they were putting the bags in rental car, they looked at the terrace and found that little birds were also flying near the nest. This sight gave them the relief that now Bholu, Molu, Polu are ready to face the world and don't need their help. With this contentment they went away.
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