His three sons lived separately from him with their families in different cities.
But Ashok ji had made a rule… on Diwali, all three sons used to come to him with their families… how that one week would pass in fun… no one would know anything.
How what happened…it seemed as if their happiness had vanished. Suddenly Sheela ji suffered a heart attack...all her happiness was shattered in one stroke.
The three sons came running after receiving the sad news. After all his last rites everyone gathered in the evening.
The elder daughter-in-law raised the issue, "Babuji, now how will you be able to live here alone, you come with us."
“No daughter-in-law, let it be here for now. It feels like belonging here. In a household with children….” Saying this he became silent.
The elder son wanted to say something, but he silenced him with a hand gesture.
"Children, now your mother has left us forever. She has some things, you all should divide them among yourselves. We will not be able to take care of her now."
Saying this, Ashok ji took out something from the cupboard.
There was a very beautiful silver jewelery in a velvet bag. There was an old wrist watch with a very beautiful gold strap….
Everyone fell upon such beautiful things together.
The younger son said excitedly, "Amma wanted to give this watch to Sarita."
Ashok ji said softly, "And I have already given everything to you all equally. She was very fond of these two things. She used to take them out with great interest sometimes, but now how can I divide her two things among the three of you." ?"
Everyone started looking at each other.
Then the middle son said with great hesitation, "She often talked about giving this adornment to Meera."
But the problem had already arisen. Now Ashok ji was thinking in his mind...what should I give to the elder daughter-in-law??
Perhaps her elder daughter-in-law read her thoughts, "Babuji, you are probably thinking about me. You give the jewelery to Meera and the watch to Sarita... Amma also wanted the same."
"But Nandini, what should I give you... I don't understand?" Ashok ji said.
“You have another precious thing and Amma ji always wanted to give it to me.”
Everyone's mouths remained open in surprise.
Both the daughters-in-law were very surprised and worried… now which precious box will be opened??
Sensing everyone's surprise and trouble, the elder daughter-in-law said smilingly, "Babuji, you yourself are the most precious." Last time Ammaji had told me, "After me, it will be your responsibility to take care of Babuji." Now you just follow his wish and come with us right now without any delay.
Hearing this, Ashok ji's eyes became moist and the eyes of some present there dropped...!!
Good gesture and Mr Ashok was lucky to have such nice daughter in law. There are blessings and we all face such situations one day in life.
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