The gift

 

She scanned the living room frantically looking for him. He was nowhere to be seen. Where could he possibly have gone to at this time? The guests had just started to pour in. Soon everyone will be here. She had to find him fast. She scurried through the hallway to the stairs as fast as her feet could take her up the flight of stairs into their bedroom. She opened the door of their bedroom only to find no trace of him there.  She rushed to his office cum library room in case he had forgotten they had guests coming over tonight and decided to feed the bookworm in him. Well, he better not or he sure would have to bear the brunt of it.  The hint of the rising anger soon turned to concern as he was not be found there either. She searched each and every nook and corner of their two-storied villa which they had so lovingly and heartedly built together. They called it their dream house. And indeed it was. He had worked day and night to make this dream come true. And she in turn had been the pillar of strength to him supporting and encouraging him in all his endeavours and never once complaining of his busy work life which left little or no time for her in his life. She made his dream hers. And together they achieved the impossible. They were living their dream. With three beautiful children and all of them well settled in their respective lives, their life is just perfect. Or so it seemed. Just as she was about to go in the panicky mode, a hand grabbed her from behind and turning her so that she can look straight at the old yet ruggedly handsome face and the wrinkled eye gazing deep into hers full of love, gratitude and compassion. "Where were you?" She asked gently but firmly. He silently went on his knees and out of nowhere popped a bouquet of the most beautiful red roses she had even seen in front of her "Happy Anniversary my love"  he said softly looking into her eyes which were already welled up with tears of happiness. "You remembered?" She whispered delightedly unable to believe that he did. "Of course I remember, how can I ever forget this special day my love. It is one of the most important days of my life and I am thankful to God for sending you to me. You are the best thing that happened to me. I can never forget that, now can I? Not even if I have Alzheimer's." She just couldn't believe her ears and tears of joy flowed boundlessly. These words seemed like magic to her ears and the best gift that he could have given her on this day. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease last year and since then he has been rapidly losing his memory. He almost didn't recognize anyone these days and just knew his wife as a lady who takes very good care of him. He doesn't remember who she is and how a vital role she plays in his life. On some good days he fleetingly remembers her name and when he calls her by it she is overjoyed just to hear him say her name. So this certainly was a moment of celebration that he remembered their anniversary considering his condition which was worsening every passing day. She wondered for a fleeting moment how did this miracle happened but she was just too overwhelmed by the happiness that she just wanted it to bask in that moment and never wanted to let it go. All she could do was, thank God for this wonderful gift by shutting her eyes tightly.  Suddenly, she was surrounded by too many voices around her and someone was calling her. She was jolted out of her dream by their children who were knocking on their bedroom door to wish them on their anniversary. She woke up to see her husband still dozing off oblivious to the real world. She gently woke him up and when he did; his eyes and face carried no signs of recognition or expressions. He didn't recognize her let alone remember their special day. Yet she smiled in spite of that. She thanked God, for real now, for the beautiful dream which made her day special in itself and if only in dreams, her husband did wish her on their special day! That was way more than what she ever expected from him. She smiled at him and gently whispered in his ears with eyes full of love and happiness "Wish you also a very Happy anniversary my love. Thank you for coming into my life and making my life beautiful. Thank you for coming into my dream and making my day beautiful. And thank you for the most beautiful gift you have ever given me till now." He kept staring blankly at her but her happiness was not to be withered by anything on this day. She had found peace. He also received his best gift till date from her. A gift of love not bounded with any expectations or returns. A gift of true love. A gift of eternal love.