Love

Radhika was beautiful, intelligent and hardworking. She had many companions and loved to mingle with them. 

They would move around in a group, whether shopping or movie on the weekend, or just pic nicking to nearby places. But she had to reach home before dark, that was the condition. Late nights were a no no. 

Her father was very strict, and her mother too sided him. 

Radhika had no choice and had to give in. 

 One day her friends decided to go to Goa for New Year's Eve celebrations, for a week.

"Come on!  Let us have some fun " Mohan said. "We all need a break ".

"Yeah! I too am tired of this sedentary job." 

"Yeah"all shouted. 

"Goa! Here we come! "

They all were eager to go, spend time on the beach, roam about and dance, and party on the cruise. It was their dream of life 

Radhika was denied permission to Goa. She wept.

 Radhika started hating her parents. More her father.

She labelled him as a dominant, Hitler like person. 

 Anyway, time flew by. Radhika was married into a rich family. Her in -laws and husband were all good to her. Her dream to go on her honeymoon to Goa was realized. Her parents too were happy for her. But Radhika's behavior towards her parent was very casual. 

 Soon Radhika was blessed with a beautiful girl child. She hated going to her parents. She always had some excuses. She still carried those previous grudges in her heart. 

Her parents. never complained, although they yearned to hold their granddaughter in their arms. 

   One afternoon, when she entered the room, her baby was missing from the crib. She looked everywhere. Baby was nowhere. 

"My baby"!

She began yelling, shouting, and turning the whole house upside down. All hell broke loose. Radhika was shaking fervently. Police were informed. And the search began. 

Soon her parents arrived. She sobbed, leaning on her mother's shoulder. Everybody tried to console her. 

  Then her father just enquired, and straightaway ran to the bedroom. Signaling the police officer to duck below the bed with a torch. They all were stunned to see the baby quietly sucking her toe and smiling. 

  The baby had slipped from the crib and had crawled to this corner under the bed. 

Tears started flowing from Radhika's eyes. She took the baby in her arms and began kissing. 

 Radhika's father, then narrated that the same incident had taken place years ago with Radhika. 

Since then, he had become overprotective of Radhika

  Suddenly Radhika realized her mistake. All the time she was carrying some wrong impression about her parents. She immediately ran to her father and clinging to him started sobbing."Oh!Dad! Dad! "

She now knew what parental love is. It is unconditional love.