Aunt's wish

I was 21 years old that time. I was at my cousin's wedding. In the weddings or for any family functions for that matter the responsibility of serving the elderly always was on my shoulders. My parents had told me that I should ensure that all the elderly relatives are served food wherever they are sitting. I had been doing that as per my parents' instructions. I asked my grandmother if I should bring her plate of meal. When she agreed I had gone to bring her meal from the buffet. When I returned I saw that one of my elderly aunts, aunt Veena was sitting next to my grandmother.

Aunt Veena, the one who used to taunt my dad for not having sons was looking at me. I looked at her and saw that she was carrying crutches. Her leg was in plaster. It was apparent that she was in a lot of pain. Though I did not like her, the healthcare professional in me wanted to help her. I asked her, "do you want me to bring your meal?"

She smiled at me and nodded which signaled yes. I asked her, " is there anything that you do not want? Do you have any food allergies?" Being a healthcare professional the question about allergies was always important to me and I would ask anyone whom I was serving.

"I do not have any allergies. You can bring me everything in small quantity," she told me in her frail voice.

I walked back to the food counter to get food for aunt Veena. I was little angry and upset with myself for helping a woman who would always torment my dad. At the same time I knew that my parents would be upset with me if I decided not to help someone who was not capable of walking on their own. I brushed off all my thoughts and decided to get meal for her. I returned with the meal and I gave the plate to her. She smiled at me and said thank you.

The wedding was about to get over and everybody was about to leave. My dad told me to help aunt Veena to the front gate where her car was waiting for her. I held her hand and helped her walk towards her car. At the gate my dad was also standing to help all elderly relatives. Both of us helped aunt Veena to get in the car and sit comfortably. She sat down and looked at my dad with tearful eyes. She said, "Nayu your daughter really took care of me during this wedding. You are really fortunate to have a daughter like her. I know when I was younger I would always tell you that you do not have a son and you are unlucky. But today I realised how lucky you are. Here your daughter was helping every elderly person to get comfortable. While my both sons did not even come to ask me if I had meal or if I was feeling good. They did not even bother to check on me. Looking at your daughter for the very first time I realised what I have missed in my life. I wish I had a daughter who would have taken care of me. I am really sorry for everything that I have said to you in the past for not having sons. It must have been your good deeds that you are blessed with daughters," aunt Veena was crying.

For the first time I felt a deep sense of affection towards aunt Veena. She had finally realised that she had been wrong to mistreat my dad. On that note I decided to forgive her.