If you could host a dinner and anyone you invite was sure to come, who would you invite?

The door bell rings and I rush to open it . My Aai and Baba ( My parents) are at the door. I am choked with emotions and just stand transfixed at the entrance. My husband as always, gently prods me to let them enter . They both look so dignified, though my Baba has aged considerably and is gently taking support of my Aai . My Baba smiles and his face lits up and I can’t hold back my tears . And I rush to both and hug them and as my usual whining, complaining tone , Baba Baba you have come for lunch after 32 years . Before my baba can answer, my Aai her usual flustered self ( As if she is the host and I am the guest ) hushes me and says, We have travelled for such a long time , can you please get some water . But me being me , wailing and wailing. My son meanwhile makes them comfortable and all are settled in the cosy corner of my drawing room.

My Baba smiles and asks me, how have you been my princess and my Aai gently takes my hands and says – See I kept my promise of getting your baba . You were so much in grief when I left you and didn’t want to let go of me . The only reason I went was because your baba was all alone for more than 25 years. Now we are all together, hope you are happy now.

Sitting on the dining table , my Baba face lits up when he sees all his favourite food . My Aai fussing over him , my son and of course on yours Truly. Aai , pl sit aaram se ( no hustle, bustle). My Baba is delighted to see his favourite batata rasa bhaji ( Potato curry ). I still am in tears and can’t believe he is finally here. I serve my baba rice, tup and amti ( ghee and dal) with bhaji . My Baba is all smiles and starts eating, his face muscle slightly twitches and I ask , baba how is the food , did you like the bhaji , I made . My Baba and Aai both nod their heads and continue eating. My Aai seeing I have not started eating, in a gentle scolding tone, today don’t be on any diet, fiet. Pl eat proper food. And I am like , Aai I don’t like batata. My Baba smiling indulgently says, Indu ( My Aai name), let her be . And hearing this, yours Truly Drama Queen again in a deluge of tears and howling, baba only you listen to me, no one else ever listens to whatever I say or want . My poor hubby stunned and speechless.

Meanwhile my son is tugging at my sleeve ( I for a change am dressed in full sleeved salwar kameez 😀😀), and in a soft muffled tone, Aai have you put salt twice in the bhaji. And I wished the earth would swallow me, or whatever, whatever extreme things a person thinks when she is caught napping red handed . I see both my parents calmly eating and l try to speak but my vowel chords refuse to co-operate as they are overpowered with melancholy.

My alarm in its usual sing song rhythm is hooting expecting me to wake up.I groggily try to wake up and realise my parents are nowhere around me

Baba , you left me once I got married, you never let me do anything for you. Please come only once at least and have lunch with me. Don’t I crave for a normal family life where you, Aai would be my support system and help me transcend this dreary life . Baba , I am tired , for such a long time I have been without parents. Who has decided this ,that adults don’t need parents ? Why are adults supposed to be always in control, mature, responsible, why can’t they crave for the selfless and loving care and affection which only parents can capable? Yes I am also a parent, but am I not also your child ? I also need a place where I can show all my insecurities and vulnerabilities I have and stop this facade of being this brave and strong person.

This Jetpack or WordPress whatever it is, promised that I can invite anyone for lunch , but all just a mirage, a shallow hope .

Willing to do anything for this wish of mine to come true . Any takers who can fulfill this wish of mine?