OLD COUPLE

The old couple one day
rang up their children
entrenched at various
corners of the world
to pay urgent visit
to the home.
Knowing well that
they wouldn’t listen to
their parents’ request
the old couple
made it crystal clear that
partition of the entire
wealth is on the cards
among them
and for that their all children’s
presence is a must.
Soon after receiving the
message
each packed up their belongings
alongside his/her nuclear families
and flew down home
like eagles
but
all in cheers
dreaming of a part
of the wealth filling their pockets.
Old couple stealthily
looked at each other
hiding the pain that gnawed at them
and suppressing the tears
that welled within them
behind masks of indifference
and detachment.
Wealth partitioned the
next day itself
to each’s satisfaction
except the home.
All happy and cheerful
left for their faraway
abodes the very next day
citing urgent preoccupations.
The couple too
soon after the children proceeding
to their nests
keeping the doors
and windows opened
left for
a long pilgrimage
vowing not to return
again…..