Time passed quickly, and Anjali’s family never gave up hope of finding her. At first, they hoped to find her within a few days. But as days turned into months, and then years, that hope shifted into a faint hope, one that continued through the years. The family kept a lingering belief that she would return one day. But with time, news about Anjali slowly became less frequent. Life continued, but the emptiness left by her absence never faded.

Finally, 14 years after her disappearance, an unexpected event turned everything upside down, bringing a rare chance to reunite with her.

An Unexpected Clue

Rahul, the eldest son of Anjali’s family, who was now an adult working for a transport company, was sent to a warehouse in Pune to check some paperwork. While flipping through a pile of old files, he suddenly came across a familiar name: “Anjali Devi – Temporary Residence Permit in Labour Hostel 2011.” Rahul’s heart skipped a beat. He couldn’t believe his eyes.

He immediately brought the document to his father, Mr. Ramesh, who had been waiting for any news of his wife for 14 years. Mr. Ramesh held the paper in his hands, his emotions overwhelmed, but also full of concern. At least his wife was still alive somewhere. But the big question remained: why hadn’t she contacted the family, and why had she disappeared without a word?

The Search for Her

Without wasting any time, Mr. Ramesh and Rahul decided to follow the lead. They went to the address listed on the temporary residence permit Rahul had found. It led them to an old hostel that had been demolished. The former landlord, now elderly, recalled:

— “Oh, I remember a woman named Anjali who lived here. She did sewing work, but she often suffered from headaches and walked slowly. One day, someone came and took her to the hospital, and after that, I never saw her again.”

That remark sparked a new journey of discovery. Mr. Ramesh and Rahul felt like things were beginning to clear up, but they still had no idea where Anjali had gone afterward.

A Discovery at the Hospital

After much searching, they finally found a mental hospital on the outskirts of Thane. When Mr. Ramesh mentioned his wife’s name, the nurse led him into a small room. Inside, a slender woman with short, confused hair and distant eyes was staring out the window.

When she heard a strangled voice call her name: “Anjali!” she froze. Her eyes blurred for a moment, then filled with tears. She looked at the man in front of her and whispered:

— “Ramesh?”

Mr. Ramesh collapsed, tears streaming down his face. It was his wife. After 14 years, they were finally reunited.

The Reason for Her Disappearance

The doctors explained that over ten years ago, Anjali had suffered from temporary amnesia following a mild stroke. Since she couldn’t remember her hometown, no one came to retrieve her, and she was kept in the hospital. Over the years, she developed depression and mild schizophrenia, living in her own world, cut off from the outside.

Mr. Ramesh and their children couldn’t believe it. They couldn’t fathom that a mild stroke and lack of information had led to 14 years of separation. The family was stunned by the realization that such a small event could cause such a long disconnection.

Belated Happiness

In the days that followed, Mr. Ramesh and his two children took turns visiting Anjali, talking to her, and sharing old stories to help refresh her memory. Sometimes, she would recall small details: the unstitched clothes for her daughter, the squeaky door in Lucknow. But sometimes her focus would wander, and she would sit quietly. Despite that, the family realized they had finally reunited with their beloved one. After all those years of separation and suffering, a small bit of happiness returned to their lives.

Rahul warmly embraced his father and whispered:

“At least, I got you. Nothing surprises me anymore.”

The youngest daughter, now 20 years old, clutched her mother’s hand while crying and laughing, saying:

“Mom, I’ve been waiting for you for so long.”

This story left a lasting mark on the family’s emotions, a mixture of sadness and hope. It reminded them that, no matter what happens in life, family love is the strongest bond that will never break.