A Love That Endures
By Lokanath Mishra
Ramesh and his friends had been looking forward to their dinner plans all week. They met at the hotel at 8 PM, excited to catch up and share stories. Before leaving home, Ramesh had told his wife, Ratnamani, not to disturb him unless it was absolutely necessary. He had asked her to send a message if there was anything urgent, either via WhatsApp or SMS.
However, little did Ramesh know that the government had suspended internet and SMS services in the city due to security issues. Ratnamani tried calling him three times, but Ramesh didn’t respond, assuming she was calling to chat. When she called for the fourth time, Ramesh answered and shouted at her, “Why are you disturbing me again and again?”
Ratnamani calmly replied, “I called to tell you that you forgot your wallet at home. Since phone pay and internet are suspended, I thought you’d need it to pay the hotel bill. Please come and collect it.”
Ramesh’s anger turned to embarrassment and apology. He realized his mistake and immediately begged for her forgiveness. “I’m so sorry, dear. I had no idea. Thank you for trying to reach me. I’ll come and get the wallet right away.”
Ratnamani’s thoughtfulness and Ramesh’s realization of his mistake brought them closer together. Despite the initial misunderstanding, Ramesh appreciated Ratnamani’s concern and promptly took action to rectify the situation. He rushed home, collected the wallet, and returned to the hotel, relieved that the crisis was averted.
Ramesh and Ratnamani’s 25th anniversary dinner was a grand celebration of their love and commitment to each other. They sat down at a beautifully decorated table, surrounded by the warm glow of candles and the soft strains of their favorite music. As they looked into each other’s eyes, they were transported back to the early days of their relationship, when their love was fresh and full of promise.
They remembered the struggles they had faced, the laughter they had shared, and the tears they had dried together. They recalled the sleepless nights, the endless doctor visits, and the countless moments of joy and anxiety that came with raising their children. Through it all, their love had endured, a flame that burned brightly despite the challenges they faced.
As they gazed at each other, Ramesh couldn’t help but think about the incident a few days ago, when he had forgotten his wallet and Ratnamani had tried to reach him despite the suspended internet and SMS services. He felt a surge of gratitude and love for his wife, who had always been there for him, even when he was at his most irritable.
Ratnamani, too, was thinking about the same incident, and how it had brought them closer together. She smiled at Ramesh, her eyes shining with love and appreciation. “You’re still the same man I fell in love with all those years ago,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
Ramesh’s heart swelled with emotion as he reached out and took Ratnamani’s hand. “And you’re still the same woman who captured my heart,” he replied, his voice filled with adoration.
As they sat there, hands entwined, they knew that their love was a rare and precious thing. They had built a life together, and their bond had grown stronger with each passing year. And as they looked to the future, they knew that their love would continue to flourish, a flame that would burn brightly for many years to come.
Their 25th anniversary dinner was more than just a celebration of their love; it was a testament to the power of commitment and dedication. They had worked through the tough times, and their relationship had emerged stronger and more resilient as a result. As they raised their glasses in a toast to their love, they knew that their bond would continue to grow and flourish, a shining example of what it means to truly love and cherish each other.