It was a Monday morning.

After spending a nice, relaxing weekend, away from the hectic work life, waking up on a Monday morning can be extremely difficult.  Yet, Abhay woke up early in the morning and moved out into the lawn for his routine morning walk. He liked to enjoy nature--the butterflies flittering, the green grass, the blossom flowers, the birds chirping.

‘The tea is ready, come fast.’

Komal, Abhay’s  wife, too had a routine, that of having morning tea together.

They were happy with their life. They had everything. But still on the way to heaven something happen with them which was unexpected and was out of blue.

Abhay Saxena, who was well past a quarter of his life, lived in Bhopal and worked as an officer in public work department. He had been married to Komal, a beautiful and intelligent girl, for 4 years. Abhay’s parents lived with his elder brother in Ahmedabad, who owned a cloth mill.

Everything was perfect in Abhay’s life. Well almost.

Komal had a problem. She could not conceive. Abhay and Komal had been very sad about this. Komal kept regretting about not being able to give a child to Abhay and he kept consoling Komal all the time.

AFTER ONE YEAR

Komal started Helping Hands, a Non Governmental Organization. The NGO worked to improve the lives of underprivileged children, their families and their communities. With an intention to put collective efforts,  Komal gathered people who found themselves inspired by this cause. She had around 150 children under her.

Abhay would often say that God had gifted Komal with the love of many kids, instead of one.

Komal used to go to a village named, Madanpur, to help the unpreviliged children in a small school which was opened by her NGO.

That day was no different. Though the attendance was poor, Komal attributed this to the rains.

‘Swapna ,where are your other fellow mates?’, she asked.

‘Aunty, they are coming .Actually the rains have made the river dangerous and we have to cross the river to come,’ replied Swapna.

‘Is there no other path to reach school?’

‘No Aunty…that is the only way to school.’

Komal had made up her mind to solve this problem, Abhay, she was sure could help.

Soon the other students entered the class room. Komal found their clothes wet.

‘Sorry Aunty for coming late’, said one kid.

‘We have to cross the river to reach here. The heavy rain  made the currents more tumultuous. So we got late today.’ added another student.

‘ Don’t worry, very soon you will find a bridge to cross that river,’ smiled Komal

 ‘Swapna, Why is Laxmi not coming for last three days?’ asked Komal.

‘Aunty, she is getting married…’

‘Getting Married! But she is only 11 years old,’ Komal exclaimed.

After finishing the class, Komal went to Laxmi’s to house to know the exact reason behind her absence in class.

Laxmi’s house was decorated with garlands and lights. Komal inferred that whatever Swapna had said about Laxmi was correct.  

‘Namaste Madam,’ Laxmi’s mother greeted Komal.

‘Namaste….Where is Laxmi? Why she is not coming to school?’,

‘Madam….now she will not come to school’,

‘But why?’

Laxmi’s mother was a bit hesitant.

‘Because we are getting her married this week,’ said Laxmi’s father who was listening to their conversation from the other room.

 ‘She is too young to get married.

‘Madam, we are helpless…’ her father said, his eyes filled with tears.

‘I am a poor man; I live out of my land. But this year my crop failed and now I can’t feed my family. If I marry Laxmi, the groom’s family will give us enough money to feed our family.’

 ‘Will you stop the marriage if I arrange work for you?’ Komal asked.

Laxmi’s father nodded with a smile.  

Abhay, easily found work for Laxmi’s father and Laxmi was back to school.

AFTER 11 YEARS

Within 11 years. Komal’s NGO Helping Hand made immense progress.  It did a lot of grass-root work in education, health and community development. 

Komal was going to meet a big corporate house who had promised a lot of financial support. Since the meeting was close to Abhay’s office, they decided to have lunch together.

By the time Komal started from her office, it was already late and she rushed.

In her hurry, she took a wrong turn and a car hit her. She was badly injured. A girl managed to take Komal to the hospital and informed Abhay.

When Abhay reached the hospital, she found Komal resting in her room.

As the doctor arrived, Abhay asked him about Komal’s well being. The doctor pointed at a girl and said, She is the savior.

She got Komal here and even donated blood for her.

Within a few hours, Komal regained her consciousness.

 ‘Komal aunty, now are you feeling better?’ asked that girl.

‘ I am feeling better now…but how do you know me?’ she asked anxiously.

‘Aunty I am Laxmi from Madanpur.’

‘Because of your NGO, I completed graduation as well as a computer course and today I am working as a clerk in a Nationalized bank. I am very thankful to you aunty.’

Abhay repeated, God had gifted Komal with the love of many kids, instead of one.