Aranyak is an old -age-home governed by a N.G.O. named Pathik. It is in the bank of a river surrounded by spacious lawn having orchard and flower garden in a nice and  pleasant atmosphere.  It is designed in such a mannar so that the residents can have  fresh air as well as they can enjoy the beauty of river. There are rows of rooms surrounding an open field in one side of which there are rooms for women and in the other side for men. There is a path beside the the bank of river  decorated by flower plants .At some distances  there are sitting places made out of wood.

The N.G.O. selected this  place so that the old residents who after spending so many days with their family can live here in peace in the midst of nature and thus they can stay physically and mentally healthy.

Ratri Sanyal is one of the residents for  last few years.Her only son Tuhin is in USA with his family .He used to come to his mother frequently .Afterwards he used to come once in two or three years . Before five years he came last and sold Ratri's paternal house and made arrangements for Ratri's staying here .Ratri was obliged to accept his decision. Since then  her connection with Tuhin is through telephone only.

Her struggle in life  taught her to bear with hardship. She was married to a bank officer when she had just finished her graduation. Due to  her husband's transferable job they stayed in the place of his posting but when Tuhin's education started her husband used to stay alone in the place of posting in the plea of Tuhin's education and Ratri's duty of looking after his parents. He used to return home once in two months. It was that time when he was posting in North Bengal. He loved a beautiful lady of the house where he was a tenant .Frequently,in holidays they used to go to  Sukna,Karsiang,Miric etc. and used to stay together in hotels and resorts. Gradually he used to come home after long a long period.  Afterwards they got married and return to home  together. His parents, brothers and sisters did not oppose because most of the family expenditure was borne by him. He didn't care about Ratri and Tuhin.They occupied Ratri's bedroom paid no heed to Ratri's sentiment.  They even hugged each other in front of Ratri. He told Ratri to stay here and look after his parents, if required he will take Tuhin with him.He showed hardly any respect to Ratri's sacrifice for his big family. After some days the new couple happily returned to North Bengal,saying that they had to go to honeymoon in Darjeeling.

Ratri did not hesitate to return to her parents with Tuhin.The process of divorce was completed with a minimum amount of alimony.The fear of losing Tuhin  haunted her at that time.

Then after hard study she managed to have a service after years.So long they had to survive with her father's pension and her tution.

Now it becomes easy for her  to meet necessities of life,like proper education of her son.

Afterwards both her parents pass away,Tuhin goes to hostel for higher studies, achieves service in  a multinational company ,gets married and after one year goes abroad with family.

Meanwhile Ratri retires from service.

In this old age home she hears stories of of other fellows like her. Neelima lost her husband two years ago.  Her son also resides abroad. Anima and Nikhil, husband and wife,  having nobody to look after reside here ,Bipasha's married daughters feel safety  to keep thier mother here, instead of keeping her lonely in her own house.Thus all the residents stay here having friends of  their own age.

In this place they have the opportunity of getting  requisite medical treatment. In the occasion of Durga Puja and other social ceremony the NGO makes arrangements for trip.Ratri discovers her college friend Leena here. She being the the eldest of siblings had to take the responsibility of her brothers' education and sister's marriage. She did not marry to perform her responsibilities.But after retirement her two brothers sent her in old age home .  Lena and Ratri now pass nice time remembering and talking about their college days.

In the midst of  this Niladri Chowdhury comes here to stay. Niladri was college friend of Neela and Ratri . During their college days  Ratri and Niladri loved each other but  before they  expressed  their feelings to each other Ratri's father made arrangement of her marriage with a well established bank officer. After so many years, though it was a bit difficult  to acknowledge, they finally  recognise each other. Niladri, Ratri and Neela become so happy to meet again. 

Niladri seems to be more handsome in this age .He says,I never thought that I can see you again.Ratri  replied,this earth is not so large where one can disappear forever .Now tell, why you have to come here to recide in. Neeladri  answers that his wife passed away ten years ago. Day by day he realised that he is going to be a burden to his son and daughter-in-law. They want to give the house to promoter  and shift to a new flat .So he himself decide to sell his house and  give that money to his son  for purchasing a new flat.He donates some money to this NGO and by the rest amount makes arrangement to  stay here. 

How amazing is life .Parents attaining the old age become burden  to  their sons and daughters .In ancient time there was 'Tapaban' to recide in for elderly people for the last days of their life , which was called  'banaprastha',and now this type of old-age-hime  takes place of 'tapoban'.Those who can reside with their family  in the old age  are really  fateful.

At the young age  Ratri and Niladri loved each other but life separated their way of living. Now it appears that having so many scope of talking to each other they had hardly anything to share. After reaching to this age  all their talks have finished.

Yet, every morning when they walk through the lane beside the river and speak to each other, they enquire about each other's health.Thus at some point of time they realise  that they have come close to one another.Other residents as well as and friends like their gentle relationship.They are in quest of chances to enhance their internal  feelings for one another. They come to know  from Leena  about their past feelings. They  opine that if two persons can live their life happily in this age having a bonding of marriage  ,nothing could be better than it. They consulted  over the matter together and tried to convince Niladri and Ratri . Leena was entrusted with the responsibility to make Ratri agreed upon their arrangement.

But Ratri having the bitter experience of her  past married ife hasitate to marry again, specially in this age. Niladri agreed when his well wisher friends explained to him their thoughts. Then residents and friends requested   Ratri to make a new journey. They said, age is only a number when there is plenty of love and understanding.They  convey the message to his son Tuhin who readily agreed thinking that he would have no responsibility for her mother henceforth.

Today the old age home is decorated with flowers and light.The people of Pathik N.G.O gladly make all these  arrangements out of their own cost.

'Basarghar'is filled  with the fragrance of rajanigandha. Ratri looks so beautiful in red veil and sky blue' benarashi'. Friends have decorated Niladri with white dhuti and punjabi. Marriage takes place with chanting of Vedic hymns. Niladri's son and daughter-in-law come ,gladly accept Ratri, give presentation to their new  mother.

The fate finally unites them. It is a gift from God to Ratri for her lifelong struggle.

Today they are overwhelmed with gratitude to their friends .They realise that beyond all relation of blood one can be real friend and relative.

The sky is filled with moonlight.The river is flowing gently .Ratri and Niladri are now happiest couple in this world.

They hug each other and sink in the wave of love  forever.

Sikha Ray.