Tara entered with two mugs of coffee.
“You slept like a log.” Tara said.
“Where is maa?” Mini asked looking around.
Mini stopped a taxi after coming out from the Mumbai
VT. Her visage was grim and tensed.
After putting her luggage in it, she almost threw herself on the seat. The taxi
ran towards her destination and her mind, somewhere else.
She is a successful fashion designer and works for a
prestigious company in Mumbai. Few days back she had to rush her home town
Kanpur, as her mother was unwell. When
her mother Sumitra recovered a bit, she started to nag in an acquainted manner
about Mini’s marriage and her job.
“Maa, finding a job is not so easy”
“Why not? You studied in NIFT Mumbai and you’re so
talented. You can get a job anywhere. I keep worrying about you as you live
alone in such a big city and too far from me.” Sumitra looked really worried.
“Maa please, don’t start again. I work with a big brand
there. I can’t get such an opportunity in this town. I’m not a kid. So what I
live alone? There are many girls live there to shape their future from
different towns and adapted themselves in that
life style.” Mini said irritably.
After a pause Sumitra said again “We are searching a
suitable groom…”
“Oh! Not again. I don’t have time for these frivolous
affairs.”
“Marriage is not a frivolous affair. You’re running 28.
It is also important”
“Not important for me. At least not right now. I am
trying to establish my career.”
“You can continue your career after marriage”. Sumitra tried to convince her.
“After marriage? Huh! Maa please don’t lecture. You are
married for 30 years, what have you done in your life? Cooking and bringing up
children? I don’t want this kind of life. I want to establish myself as a
businesswoman.”
“Mini!” Her father screamed. “Don’t you think due to her
nice bringing up you are in this position? What she had done for you…”
“Oh! I am beholden to her for her kindness. But let me
tell you one thing that my designation is due to my talent. Every parent does
this to their children and she is not an exception.” Mini was raging with fury.
“Mini! Behave yourself.” Her father shouted again.
“Damn! I am sick of her and her nagging all the time.”
She stomped out of the room.
A jerk interrupted her train of thoughts. The taxi was
standing in front of her flat which she shared with two other girls. As she
entered her flat her flat mates Tara and Riya chuckled and started to search for edibles which Mini’s mother sends every
time. Mini wore a wan smile.
After taking shower she went to her bed. She couldn’t
resist thinking about her mother. She knows her mother loves her and is simply
worried about her daughter like every mother. Next day she was in no mood of
going anywhere but she had to. She can’t afford to extend her leave further.
She convinced herself that keeping herself busy would be a wise option for
distracting her distressing thoughts and unwillingly she headed for her office.
Next 2-3 days were terribly hectic as there was lots of pending works to do.
On Sunday she felt relieved as it was a day of no work.
After lunch, she lied on her bed and memories
of her encounter with her mother assailed her thoughts. She had been so rude to her mother. Perhaps she is forgetting her roots and values in the dazzle of
success. Yeah, she had been very rude to her mother. She’ll call her and say
sorry to her loving mother. Mini thought. Suddenly, her heart filled with
love and warmth for her mother and she longed for her affectionate hug.
She didn’t know when she slipped into slumber. A loving stroke in her hair interrupted her
sleep. She couldn’t believe her eyes as
she saw her mother ruffling her hair smoothly. Her eyes were filled with care
and a serene smile lingered on.
“Maa! How come you are here?” Mini’s eyes widened in disbelief.
“Why? Can’t I come to see my daughter?”
“Oh of course, but just five days before I came from
home.” Mini was confused.
“Yes, but I terribly wanted to see you. My daughter is
angry with me. Beta, that is concern which you call nag. I love you and I just
care for you. Every mother wants to see her daughter happily married.”
Sumitra’s eyes were filled with tears of anguish.
“I love you too maa, I’m so sorry for my disrespectful
conduct. I hurt you. Please forgive me.” Mini’s eyes were welled up.
“Mother always forgives her child. Don’t worry and forget it. Everything
will be fine.” After a pause she said
“You look tired. You need a sound sleep. Just close your eyes.” Sumitra’s soft
hand glided on Mini’s head tenderly, which she did when mini was a kid. Today mini loved it and again sleep claimed
her. All the tension was gone and her
countenance was relaxed.
Mini woke up refreshed; a glance at wall clock told her
it was 7 p.m. The dusk was falling. She could see the mesmerizing roseate hues
in the sky. Suddenly, her heart skipped
a beat and she jumped on her bed.
“Maa? Whose maa?”
“My mother came in the afternoon.”
“Are you still dreaming Mini? What’s wrong with you?”
“No, she was here. She talked to me.” Mini emphasized
each word.
“Are you crazy? Nobody has come. And why would your
mother come? You just returned from your home?” This time Riya was saying.
“No! She was…” Mini was perplexed and was feeling
restless.
“Oho, get up. Take a splash, have a cup of coffee and you
will be fine.” Tara said.
Mini proceeded towards the bathroom. Suddenly her phone
rang. She picked up her phone with urgency as it was from home.
“Mini di…” Her brother was sobbing that side. “Maa is no
more...”
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