Life can be beautiful

By Sunil Gupta

Life can be Beautiful is a cute love story of a father and his 6-year-old daughter. As a father, Sanjay tries to give his best to his loving daughter Anju despite all odds that come his way. The story highlights on the best Diwali they celebrate even when their house is in darkness. The turmoils in Sanjay's life, how he overcomes them, how his friends and family help him for the noble cause he starts. It is a beautiful journey of Anju from her childhood to her dream of being a NASA Scientist. The story strongly emphasises on Sanjay's thoughts that "Every child deserves to be given an opportunity to grow and be happy."

• Language: English
• Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers
• Release date: Oct 25, 2022
• ISBN: 9789356685000

Book preview

1.

Anju Flies to Mumbai

The final countdown began. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, and then after a few micro anxious moments later, the word fire echoed in the room filled with some of the best space scientists in the world. The space shuttle carrying some of the best astronauts in The United States of America was on its way to the international space station and all eyes were on the space vehicle which was about to exit earth’s atmosphere and enter space.

All eyes but one and behind the specs those teary eyes were fixed on a frame that had the photo of an old man. That frail old man was the friend, philosopher, guide, father, first love, and hero of Anjali Shukla, an Indian now settled in the USA, and one of the most appreciated scientists of NASA. A few minutes later the rocket docks onto the international space station and finally all the nervousness and tension in the air dissipates with yet another space mission successfully accomplished.

After a few small celebrations and press announcements Anjali sends a message to a number in India that reads, Yet another successful launch. Call you before I go to bed, love you Dad". Anjali then calls her husband Brad and tells him that she will be picking up the kids from school today. Anjali reaches the school and picks up her children, Mark and Parineeti and they all head towards home.

On the way, they pick up a pizza and reach home. Brad has prepared dinner and is a bit upset that they have got a pizza since he had prepared Anjali’s favorite dish since it’s her big day today.

The pizza is for the kids darling, I shall have what you have prepared love and the potato and the cauliflower vegetable looks awesome.

Have a bit of this too, Anju told the kids, but they went straight for the pizza.

Have your greens said Anju whilst serving herself and Brad.

Well, you should have vegetables like your mom, that’s what makes her an intelligent scientist Brad commented as he saw his kids being reluctant to eat the veggies.

Mark and Parineeti make a face and start eating the greens.

After dinner, a cake is cut to celebrate yet another achievement in Anjali’s life.

Did you call your dad Anju? Brad asked.

Anju as lovingly Anjali is called by all No, I think he might be sleeping, but I did send a message to my lucky charm she smiled as she talked about her father.

You are fortunate to have a father like him Anju.

And I am fortunate to have a husband like you Brad and she hugs him tightly as he was doing the dishes.

Just then the phone rings, and the call is from an unknown number from India.

Anju takes the call, Yes, this is Anjali. Yes, yes, he’s my father.

All of a sudden Anjali loses her balance and sits on the couch just about to cry, seeing this Brad comes up to her and comforts her and meanwhile tries to understand who had called and what information did that person give his wife.

Brad pulls Anju close to him

What happened darling?

Anjali said whilst crying Father!

What happened to him? Brad asked softly making sure he doesn’t panic her more.

He’s in the hospital. They’re saying he had a fall in the washroom as she continues to cry inconsolably.

I’m sure he’s fine dear. It might not be anything major sweetheart said Brad as he tried to calm Anju down.

A few moments later she stops crying and tells Brad that she wants to go to India. The ever-loving and supportive husband that he is, starts booking the tickets immediately.

Should we take the kids along? asks a concerned Anju since they would be missing out on their lectures.

I guess we can. Your dad wanted to see them, and they too were missing their grandpa.

Brad books the tickets for the early morning flights to Mumbai and Anjali starts packing for the entire family. Meanwhile, she also calls her mom to go to the hospital.

It’s morning and the children are ready to board the flight to Mumbai, India. After a tiring 18-hour long flight they land at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport where a vehicle has been waiting for them and they head off to the hospital.

All memories come to life immediately. She remembers everything instantly how her father used to take her to the parks, to school. On her way, she sees an ice cream vendor and she recollects the Sundays when her father used to take her for ice cream. Well, Sunday was the only day dad used to permit Anju to eat ice cream.

Mom, India is such a dirty place Mark made a face and commented.

Anju looks at Mark and says, Yes son, this is the dirty place where your mom was born and she also became a scientist in this very dirty place.

The supportive husband interrupts Mark Not just any scientist Mark, one of the best scientists in the world.

Anju had found a great and supportive husband in Brad, and he wanted to learn Hindi.

In his excitement he starts conversing with the chauffeur in Hindi using all the wrong words that one possibly can.

A startled Anju interrupts Brad and apologizes to the chauffeur profusely.

Are you trying to get me into trouble Brad?

How am I supposed to learn then?

Not this way darling, not by getting us all into trouble.

2.

Your Father Is A Great Man, Anju.

A few minutes later, the vehicle reaches Ashutosh’s Nursing home. All get down and Anju generously tips the cab driver, something that she has taken up from her dad. As she enters the hospital premises, all greet her and Brad since they have made generous donations to this hospital in the past.

Anju’s father could have afforded any of the best hospitals in Mumbai, but he always chose to come to Ashutosh’s Nursing Home. Ashutosh is Geeta’s son and Geeta had helped Sanjay a lot during his tough days. Ashutosh was also Sanjay’s student who used to take tuition from Sanjay and in addition to that Ashutosh used to treat poor patients for free whenever he could. He believed in helping people and giving back to society, something that Ashutosh had learned from his teacher.

Anjali reaches the ICU and there she finds Anoushka, her mom, and Raghav, her mother’s husband present at the hospital finding them there she is slightly relieved.

Anjali hugs her mom and enquires about her father’s health.

Fortunately, nothing serious. It is a minor sprain in the leg. There was no need to come so far Anju. We could’ve taken care of him Anoushka informed Anju.

For dad, I can travel a thousand times here and you know that Anjali said showing that she is stubborn when it comes to her father.

Raghav who is standing at a distance walks up to Anjali and Anoushka.

How are you Anju? Raghav asked.

I’m good uncle. What about you? She replied.

I’m good too and Congratulations on yet another successful launch and for making us all proud time and again.

Thank you for the compliments, Uncle, and thanks to you too that you have come here she gratefully said.

You don’t need to thank me Anju but it’s good that you came. Sanjay doesn’t listen to anyone except you. He is very stubborn. Don’t have to tell you this though he joked about Sanjay’s behavior and tried to lighten the mood.

I want to meet dad, which room is he in? she asked him.

They have heavily sedated him. He is sleeping now but should wake up in a few hours. Meanwhile, why don’t you go to the cafeteria and get yourself and the children to eat something? I’m sure the kids will be hungry after such a long flight Raghav suggested seeing how tired she was.

Anjali and her husband along with children walk through the hospital corridors and see many patients lying on the hospital floor for want of a bed. Anjali and Brad have made major donations to the hospital, but a lot more needs to be done. Whilst walking through the corridors they see Doctor Ashutosh attending to the patients in the ward and she walks up to him. Ashutosh and Anjali have known each other since childhood.

Doctor Ashutosh, how are you? Anjali happily asked seeing an old face.

Not here Anjali, don’t bully me in front of my patients and staff now. You’ve done enough when I was a kid. Ashutosh sighed dramatically even though he was happy that he met his old friend again.

Aren’t you like 5 years elder than Anjali? Brad asked.

Anju used to bully kids 10 years elder than her. I hope you don’t do that to your husband. Seems like a nice guy Ashutosh nodded but then let Brad in on a little old secret.

I actually behave nicely in front of her. She’s scary Brad joined in the joke which made everyone laugh.

Anjali observed and asked, There are so many patients lying on the ground, Ashutosh. It is disheartening.

That’s the best I can do. I’m planning for a second hospital nearby so that I can treat more patients. Waiting for a few donations. Ashutosh knew it but he was doing as much as he could.

Brad butts in and suggests, How about we make a donation to your hospital, and we can speak to a few philanthropists in the US too?

You guys have already made many donations, but anything more would simply be fantastic. None of the good work that I am trying to do here would be possible without you people, especially your dad. He’s a great man. Ashutosh said gratefully.

Anju nods.

And now that you are here, please tell him to take a little rest. He simply doesn’t listen to anyone. He still thinks he is 25 years old. He needs to understand that he doesn’t have to do everything by himself, there are people who work for him, and they respect and love him. He continued.

"That’s my man, stubborn, won’t listen to anyone, will undergo all the pain and suffering by himself and not utter a single word. But I too am his daughter. I too am stubborn, like him. Now all