The daughter got married and didn’t return home for 19 years. The parents quietly came to visit, but when they opened the door, they burst into tears out of fear.

In a small village in Uttar Pradesh, northern India, people find Mr. Om Prakash and his wife sitting on the veranda, their eyes fixed on the national highway where long-distance buses to Mumbai pass. Their youngest daughter, Meera, has been married for 19 years, and she never returned.

At first, Meera would call and send letters. But gradually, news became less frequent and then disappeared. Meera’s mother, Sushila, would often sit on the veranda with tears in her eyes:

– I wonder how she is now… Has she forgotten this village?

Mr. Om Prakash held back a sigh; his heart ached, but he couldn’t blame his daughter.

One day, he decided:

– Mom, I have to go to Mumbai to find her. No matter what, I have to see it with my own eyes.

After spending days and nights on an interstate train, they finally found the address. It was a small room in a quiet lane on the outskirts of Thane, with an old wooden door and dilapidated walls.

Sushila’s heart was pounding as she knocked. A moment later, the door opened slightly, and Meera appeared. They were stunned by the sight before them: their daughter’s haggard face, red eyes, and a fake smile.

“Meera… my child…” Om Prakash’s voice choked.

Meera ran out and embraced her parents, tears streaming down her face. Sushila was shocked:

“My child, it’s been nineteen years, why haven’t you come back to us even once?”

Before Meera could answer, a faint cough sounded from inside the house. Her parents came in, surprised, then stilled. A man lay motionless on a simple cot. His face was pale, but his eyes were kind as they looked at them.

It was Meera’s husband, Arjun.

Mrs. Sushila trembled:

– Oh God… what is this?

Meera sat beside her husband’s bed, held his hand, and broke down. It turned out that nineteen years ago, shortly after their marriage, Arjun had been in a serious accident. He survived, but lost his ability to walk. Since then, Meera had become his legs and arms, taking care of everything he ate, drank, and slept.

– I really wanted to go home to see my parents… but thinking about that scene when I came home and he was alone, I couldn’t bear it. I was also afraid my parents would be worried, so I kept quiet… – Meera said through tears.

Hearing this confession, Mr. Om Prakash and Mrs. Sushila’s throats choked. For years, they had blamed him for being cruel, but it was all out of their respect and love for him. Arjun tried to speak in a weak voice:

“I’m sorry, Dad… I’m sorry, Mom… for hurting Meera. But I promise, my family will love Meera for life and make amends.”

Om Prakash shook hands with his son-in-law:

Son, don’t say that. You’ve convinced us that Meera chose the right man. No matter what a man is like, as long as he loves his wife and children wholeheartedly, any parent can rest assured.

The room fell silent except for Sushila’s sobs. The initial fear of that unexpected scene slowly vanished, replaced by sadness and warmth.

That day, the grandparents stayed at their daughter’s house. For the first time in nineteen years, they were able to sit down to an Indian-style family meal: a bowl of hot dal, a plate of potato curry, and some rotis; And yet they were filled with joy. Meera was breaking rotis for her husband, talking about her children – Asha and Rohan, two obedient and polite children – which brought tears to the grandparents’ eyes.

At night, Sushila lay next to her daughter, holding her hand as if she were a child:

My innocent child, no matter what happens, don’t hide from your parents. Home is a support, not a place where you’re afraid to upset anyone.

Meera sobbed with her head on her mother’s shoulder. After years of suppression, she finally broke down.

The next morning, as her grandparents were preparing to return to the village, Arjun held his father-in-law’s hand, his eyes firm:

“I can’t walk, but I promise I’ll take care of Meera with you, so she’ll never feel alone.”

Mr. Om Prakash squeezed her hand, relieved.

On the train back to Uttar Pradesh, her grandparents’ eyes weren’t as heavy as before. They understood that although their daughter couldn’t visit them often, she was living in a loving home. And for the parents, that was enough.