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The Abandoned Couple

Finding hope and friendship in the face of elder abuse

By Naureen IkramPublished about a year ago 4 min read
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The Abandoned Couple
Photo by FORMAT arw on Unsplash

Mahesh and Manjula were a lovely couple who lived in an old age home. They were both in their late 70s and had lived a fulfilling life together. However, their golden years were tinged with a sense of sadness and longing for their only son Dhruv who had left for America years ago and had not returned since.

The old age home where they lived was a beautiful place surrounded by lush green trees and a well-maintained garden. The staff was kind and caring, but Mahesh and Manjula missed the comfort of their own home and the love of their family.

Every day, they would sit in the garden together, hand in hand, and remember the good old days. They would talk about their son Dhruv and his childhood, and how he had grown up to be a successful man in America. Despite their pride in their son's achievements, they missed him terribly and longed to be reunited with him.

One day, they received a letter from Dhruv inviting them to come and live with him in America. Mahesh and Manjula were overjoyed and couldn't believe their son had finally thought of them. They packed their bags and left for America, eager to start a new chapter in their lives with their beloved son.

However, their happiness was short-lived. Upon arriving at Dhruv's home, Mahesh and Manjula soon realized that they were not welcome there. Dhruv's wife Revathi and her son Aryan treated the elderly couple poorly, making them do household chores and often neglecting their needs. The once- loving couple was now subjected to a life of servitude and mistreatment.

Mahesh and Manjula were heartbroken. They had given up the comfort of the old age home, thinking they would finally be reunited with their son and live out the rest of their days in peace. Instead, they were now in a foreign land, facing a life of hardship and abuse.

They tried to make the best of the situation, hoping that things would get better, but it only seemed to get worse. Aryan, who was jealous of the attention Dhruv gave to his parents, would often pick on them and make their lives even more difficult.

The couple longed to return to the old age home, where they were treated with love and respect, but they didn't have the means to do so. They were trapped in a situation they never imagined they would be in, and their once happy life was now a distant memory.

Mahesh and Manjula were torn between their love for their son and their longing to escape the difficult situation they were in. They hoped that one day, their son would realize what was happening and come to their rescue.

However, that day never came. The elderly couple spent the rest of their days in misery, suffering in silence and longing for the happiness they once had.

Despite their difficult circumstances, Mahesh and Manjula found solace in their friendship with Kailash and his family. Kailash was a software engineer who lived in the same neighborhood. One day, Kailash and Shanti noticed how ill- treated Mahesh and Manjula were, and they were touched by their difficulties. They could see the sadness in the couple's eyes, and they were determined to help.

Kailash and Shanti invited Mahesh and Manjula to their home for dinner and soon became good friends with the couple. They listened to their stories and offered them a shoulder to lean on. They were shocked to hear about the abuse that Mahesh and Manjula were subjected to, and they were determined to do something about it.

Kailash and Shanti spoke to Dhruv and tried to make him understand the situation, but he refused to listen.

Things took a dark turn when Dhruv, Revathi, Mahesh, and Manjula went on a vacation. During the trip, Dhruv and Revathi dropped Mahesh and Manjula off at an unknown location, promising to return to pick them up, but they never did.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but there was no sign of Dhruv or Revathi. Mahesh and Manjula were left alone in a strange place, without any means of support or communication.

They were confused and scared, and their health started to deteriorate. They had no idea what had happened to their son and daughter-in-law, and they feared the worst.

Fortunately, Kailash and Shanti, who had become good friends with the elderly couple, were on the lookout for them. They had grown concerned when Mahesh and Manjula didn't return from the holiday trip, and they had been searching for them ever since.

One day, they received a tip about the couple's whereabouts, and they rushed to their side. They were shocked by the state Mahesh and Manjula were in, and they immediately took them to the hospital.

Kailash and Shanti were determined to get to the bottom of what had happened to Dhruv and Revathi, and they launched an investigation. They soon discovered that Dhruv and Revathi had absconded with all of Mahesh and Manjula's savings, leaving them stranded and alone.

Kailash and Shanti were horrified by what they had uncovered, and they did everything in their power to make things right. They helped Mahesh and Manjula get back on their feet, and they made sure that they were never subjected to such cruelty again.

Mahesh and Manjula's story is a heart-wrenching reminder of the dangers of elder abuse and neglect. It highlights the importance of being vigilant and ensuring that our elders are always treated with love, respect, and dignity.

Short StoryLovefamily
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About the Creator

Naureen Ikram

I write fiction. my stories are filled with vivid characters and creative plotlines. My goal as a writer is to captivate and engage my readers, I want my readers to explore new worlds and new perspectives.

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