The sun was about to scratch the cloud out of its way and make its presence felt on the earth.The flight came rushing through that cloud and landed with a noise as if it wanted to wake up someone.
He came running out of the airport.The black colored jacket was hanging on his shoulders and were about to touch his feet from the back.Hairs were blowing in all the directions in that cold breezy morning.His eyes were so red and were telling the story that he didn't sleep that night in the whole journey.He was searching for the taxi which was supposed to pick him up.Somewhere in the distance he read his name on a placard and he ran got on to that cab.Cab started moving slowly out of the parking area towards his home which was about 25 kms from the airport.
He was murmuring something to himself in the car, Driver asked him "What happened sir??".He literally screamed in anger "Its none of your business.Just concentrate on your work.Go fast.". Driver, frustrated with the answer just continued his driving cursing him with a low tone.
He was getting restless with every minute.He wanted to reach his home as soon as possible.Its been 5 long years he had been to India.But instead of being happy he was sad.
After a journey of 40 mins he reached his home.He came out of the cab and saw his house.He was watching a house which once looked like a palace , now had the dark patches all over its wall and the nameplate outside the gate which once had his surname written, now had only one alphabet "A" left on it.He was not ready to react to any of these.He ignored it and went inside the gate.He saw the path covered with the dry leaves.It looked as if the path didn't see a broomstick since long time.He went further inside.He saw his cousin standing at the entrance of his house.He went near to him.He could see lot of questions in his cousins eyes.Cousin didn't look into his eyes.He told to his cousin"Driver is waiting.Give him the money... I couldn't withdraw money".Cousin just shook his head.
He stepped inside into the hall.He could see only thick dust covered everywhere.He was realizing every minute ,how much his mother was ill .Each tear drop of his was making a mark on the floor.He further walked in, to his surprise he saw something written on the dust covered black color TV screen.It seems eventhough she was illeterate she had learnt to write her sons name.It was "VISHWA" his name which she had written.On the top of the TV he had one more surprise.His family photo which looked as if it was framed yesterday.It seems his mother used to clean it everyday even in illness.After looking at the photo,he was realizing how much she missed her husband and her son.He was sinking at that moment.
He had left to US within 15 days of his fathers death.He fought with his mother.He told that he cannot miss that opportunity.Even though she opposed, he somehow convinced her that this is for his and her betterment. Once he reached there, He became so busy that he used to call his mother once or twice in a month.He used to transfer money to his cousins account.Cousin used to get all the necessary things for his mother.Even when he came to know that his mother is not well.He called his cousin to take care of her.It seems that he had one important career changing assignment at that time.
Now, With every step towards that room he was realizing how much she would have missed him and his father.He stood outside the room.He saw her laying on the bed and he could feel she is waiting for someone in those closed eyes.He went near to the bed.Every minute, he was feeling heavier and his feet couldn't take his weight anymore.He collapsed on to that chair next to the bed.He slowly held his mothers hand and said "Open your eyes... Your son is ..".He couldn't complete the sentence.He suddenly felt some hand on his shoulders.It was his cousin.He said with a heavy tone"She left us..............".
Bereavement wasn't just a word by then.
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Gururaj
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