“When a Father-in-Law Proves to Be a True Father”

Gustakhi Maaf Haryana – Pawan Kumar Bansal

Can’t Daughters-in-Law Prove to Be Daughters?

(Names are fictitious. Based on a real incident shared by a morning-walk companion of our enlightened reader, Kulbir Malik of Gurugram. Though daughters too have changed with time.)

Colonel Raj was now in his early seventies and leading a peaceful retired life in his native village near Rohtak town. He had two sons and a daughter, all well settled in life. Colonel Sahib looked after the family land, drew a respectable pension for his personal needs, and maintained an active social life—an asset both to his family and to society.

His elder son, Karan, a Major in the Indian Army, was recently posted to Delhi Cantonment. Karan owned a plot in a HUDA sector in neighboring Gurugram and felt it would be wise to utilize his posting period in Delhi to construct a house on that plot. Colonel Raj appreciated the idea and offered to devote his full time and energy to the project.

He shifted to Gurugram with bag and baggage. A Bajaj scooter was placed at his disposal, and Colonel Raj took complete charge of the project from day one—right from procuring construction material to supervising the work and completing formalities with the concerned authorities. He worked tirelessly, sparing his son Karan and daughter-in-law Kiran almost all the hassles associated with house construction.

At the final stage, when some financial constraints arose, Colonel Raj loosened his purse strings without hesitation. During this entire period, he hardly cared about his own clothing and was left with barely any good shirts. Karan suggested that he buy some new ones, but Colonel Raj brushed it aside as a trivial matter. What mattered most to him was the affection of his family members. For them, he was always ready to sacrifice his comforts and means.

With the house nearing completion, Colonel Raj announced that he would be leaving the next day. Karan felt concerned and bought two well-branded shirts—perfect in size, texture, and color—and gifted them to his father as a token of respect. Colonel Raj accepted the gift with slight reluctance.

However, Karan’s wife Kiran had hawk-like eyes on those shirts. Her practical wisdom told her that one shirt was more than enough. She did not share her thoughts with Karan and decided to handle the matter herself. While her father-in-law was in the bathroom, she quietly removed one shirt from the packet.

Colonel Raj witnessed the entire act with deep pain, but chose to keep it a secret.

The next morning, before leaving, he took the remaining shirt and discreetly slipped it under the pillow. When Karan asked whether he had packed his new shirts properly, Colonel Raj replied in the affirmative. Karan dropped his father at the bus stop.

A father had fulfilled his fatherly duties.

Back at home, while doing routine cleaning and dusting, Kiran lifted the pillow—and discovered another shirt beneath it. A chill ran down her spine.

My question is:
Why can’t daughters-in-law prove to be daughters, when fathers-in-law so often prove to be true fathers? 🙏🙏🙏

khabre junction