The New Generation

The elevator doors opened. The crowd waiting outside rushed into the elevator without noticing an elderly couple coming out of it. "These youngsters will never learn how to respect the elders" said John. "Please lower your voice, they could hear you "replied Lisa, "It's their office time." "This is a silly excuse" added John. "Oops! I forgot to take my medicine today "Lisa suddenly remembered.

Lisa and John married 40 years back. They had one son married and settled far away from their home town. He rarely visited them and whenever he came he was in hurry. However, he remained in contact with them through phone. But that was not enough to pacify their anger. They had many complaints to their son for his negligence towards them but they never expressed these feelings in front of him. All this bitterness of heart used to come out whenever they confronted the new generation busy in own works and not noticing them.

The holidays were coming but no assurance of their son's arrival was received. They recalled the childhood of Jason when John had to take leave from his office to get Jason's favorite toy for his Christmas gift. But now Jason did not have time to celebrate the festival together. His nature of job was such that Holidays and Christmas didn't have any value. He was working as a scientist in Medicine Development Centre. His marriage was the last occasion when they passed long time together. After that, whenever he had some time that was dedicated to his wife and daughter. In fact he used to have long holidays to travel to his parents very rarely.

The silence of John and Lisa's house was broken by a phone ring. "Can you receive the phone John, it must be Jason" Lisa yelled from her bed. John came from the Patio and murmured "whenever I try to do some work in my garden I am interrupted". "Hello! Who is there?" said John. The reply was "Hi Dad! It's me, Jason .I'm sorry dad, I cannot come in this Christmas. In fact my research is about to complete and if everything will be fine my work will be recognized in the international platform. It will be a sensational gift to the medical science. It will serve the entire humanity." "So you are not coming in Christmas" interrupted John. Jason replied "No dad, I'm sorry, but I will try to come in the New Year's Eve. Can I talk to mom?" John said "Yes, but she is not feeling well." "Has any Doctor seen her" asked Jason. "Yes," said John, "doctor has told her not to speak too much and she is in bed rest". "Is doctor's treatment effective to her?" asked Jason. "As per doctor yes" replied John, "as per me she is not improving.""What happened to her? Is her allergy come out? What does doctor say?" Jason made a series of queries. "Take a breath; she missed her regular medicine once that is why this happened." John clarified. "Ok! Then it will take some time. We should believe in what doctors say. I will keep on calling you and just let me know all about her treatment. Bye" suggested Jason. In reply John said, "Bye".

This eagerness of Jason seemed very artificial and formal to John. Lisa had allergies and whenever she moved out she had to take medicine. If she missed it any day she had to suffer for a week or more. For next few days John did not go for morning walk. He was waiting for Lisa's recovery. Meanwhile Jason's dream came true. His research was recognized and he became busier in attending seminars and press conferences. Lisa and John came to know about this through newspaper and television. Their son was now a man of fame. But this did not affect the lives of John and Lisa. After Lisa's recovery the couple restarted their usual routine of morning walk. Again at the time of returning to home they encountered the crowd rushing to the elevator but they were surprised this time as many of them enquired about the reason why they were not seen in past few days. They explained the reason and received well wishes for their good health from many people.

"You always guess wrong about the new generation" Lisa took advantage of the situation and continued "these youngsters are busy as their lives are more competitive than us but this does not mean that they don't have any emotions. They don't have time for formalities. A human being, either young or old, itself is a social animal. It cannot live without society. "Lisa's lesson took a break when they heard a phone ring from their house. They unlocked the door quickly and hurried to their house. John predicted it was Jason's call and said "let me guess right this time, Jason is not coming in this New Year's Eve too." And they both laughed. Lisa receives the call and John took charge of making coffee. After little conversation Lisa disconnected the phone and told John "you are right. It was Jason's phone. He is not coming." John murmured "I told you". Lisa restarted "rather we are going to his place. As he does not have time to visit us he and his wife want us to visit them." It was really wonderful news for both of them. After that each sip of that morning coffee was followed by the conversations about their plans to visit their son, daughter-in-law and above all the little wonder, their grand daughter.