The 50th wedding anniversary

The school bus arrives. Jack and Jessie step out of the bus. And, as always, hearing the bus honk, grandpa keeps his book on his lap and says, " Hello kids! How was your day? " in the most cheerful manner.

'Grandpa, I got an A grade today." Jack cheered.

' That's great and what about you Jessie?'

' I had a great day grandpa and I didn't get any homework. '

With this, their mother, Anna arrives holding a tray of juice glasses in her hands. "Okay, kids now time to drink this healthy juice," Anna says.

'Yes mom, but after this, we are going to play the video games.' Jessie says.

'Too much of video games. Play something other than that like umm...'

' Hide and seek' Jack exclaims.

'Yes, play that.'

So here the game starts, Jack is finding a place to hide while Jessie counts up to twenty.

After getting exhausted from hiding and seeking, Jack and Jessie come to the porch to sit with their old grandpa who was still struggling to complete that novel.

'Hey, grandpa. I found this necklace and a picture of you and Grandma in your cupboard.' Jessie said holding these two things.

Grandpa looks up immediately. His eyes lit up. He takes the photo and the necklace and starts looking at it.

His mouth was wide open and his eyes were watery.

"Oh my lord, I thought I lost this along with your grandma."

He removes his spectacles and cleans that little pond formed at his eye.

"Thank you, kids."

'Welcome grandpa. By the way, what is happening in this picture. You and grandma are looking lovely together.' Jack asks

'I know. This is a picture of our 50th wedding anniversary.'

Anna comes to the porch.

'Oh wow dad, Is this a picture of your wedding anniversary?'

'Yes, dear.'

'I miss Maa.'

'Can someone tell us the story behind this picture, please? ' Jack asks.

''Yes, dear.Sure.

It was my 50th wedding anniversary. A Golden Jubilee. Your father and mum had planned a celebration party for us. They had invited all of our friends and relatives.

Your grandma was getting ready and I was waiting for her. Time was passing.

I knocked on the door and asked how much time she needs.

To this she replied,

'Just two more minutes dear. I am wearing my necklace.'

After some time, she came out of the room. She was wearing this necklace, the one I gifted her that morning.

Her eyes were starry, enough for me to get lost into. Her smile like never before, and why not it was her 50th anniversary after all.

Ah! She was looking beautiful in that red dress.

I gave her my hand and we went to the car which was waiting for us outside.

We reached the party. There was a ball arranged for everyone. Your mum and dad made sure that everything was according to our liking and taste, even the food and music playlists. It was a memorable day."

'Are you okay dad?' Anna asks as she sees the old man wiping his tears.

'Yes, I am... I am okay. so kids yes that's it, that's the story behind this picture.'

'Wow grandpa, you guys really loved each other.' Jack said

'Hah. Yes, we did and I still love her though she's not with me right now.'

'Grandpa, Can I ask you a question about grandma if it is okay ?' Jessie asked.

'Yes sure, dear. Ask whatever you want to.'

'How come.. umm ..'

'Do not hesitate dear. Ask whatever you want.'

'How come she died?'

'Jessie !!' Anna yells

'It is totally fine, Anna. Jessie, seven years ago that is before your birth your grandma.. she grew ill. Even doctors and their medicines could not help her so she died. But before she died, she came to me and gave me this necklace and picture to keep with me after her death. That is why it is very precious to me. But last month, I forgot where I have kept this. I thought... I thought I have lost these things.

But here you are my precious gem. You found them and made your grandpa and grandma happy.'

Jessie starts sobbing.

'Hey, what happened? ' Grandpa asked Jessie as he picks her up and hugs her tightly.

Jack was sitting there alone so grandpa calls him for a hug. The three of them hug as they share their pain of losing their grandma.

'Okay, kids enough emotions for today. Now give your grandpa a break. He is tired.

Grandpa goes to his room holding those two things in his hands. He keeps it in the locker where grandma's clothes were also kept.

He sits on his chair and starts talking, "I haven't lost our memories, Rose. See, our kids found it. I wish you were here with us today, you could see our grandchildren growing, you could listen to their innocent talks with me. I love you Rose and I miss you.."

Grandpa falls asleep on the chair while talking to 'Grandma'.

The day passes and here comes the night.

It was 8 o'clock by then. The sweet aroma of food was filling the house.

Joseph, Anna's husband came back from work. Everyone sat at the dining table.

'Dad, today grandpa told us stories of grandma' the kids tell Joseph.

'Maa' joseph says.

Anna arrives with the dinner bowls. Everyone enjoys the dinner. Grandpa after finishing his meal was taking his way to his room when Anna holds the skinny hand of grandpa and asks him,

' Dad, I've made a dessert today. Please have that before you go to your bed.'

'I am sorry, dear. I know that you would have made a great dessert but I am not much into sweets, you know.' Grandpa gives the sweetest reply.

'I know that dad. Just taste it. I know you will like it.'

Seeing that hopeful smile on Anna's face, Grandpa sits down on his seat again.

'Okay, so here's the desert. Enjoy' Anna says.

As she opened the lid, grandpa saw a golden brown apple pie in it.

'Anna, You have made Maa's favorite dessert.' Joseph says.

Grandpa immediately looked at Anna who was looking at him as if she was waiting for her old man's reply.

'Thank you, dear.' Grandpa says.

Anna keeps her hand over grandpa's old hands.

'You were missing maa, so I thought I should make her favorite dessert.

Dad, I want to tell you that don't feel alone. We are here for you and Maa is also here, with you, with us.' Anna says trying her best to console the old man.

Grandpa didn't utter any word but her smile said everything.

He ate the apple pie, then came to his room, and like every other night, he slept while talking to his rose about how his day passed.