She sat near the door, staring ahead, listless and dull at the Entrance gate. Her silver, gray hairs reaching over her wrinkled pale face.
(Image credits: telegraphindia.com)
Her hazel eyes have grown weary, waiting to meet her Son. Her only Son, "Ravi" ... she whispers in her feeble, low voice, his name. A name she has countless times whispered, even in her slumber.
Her weary eyes now fail her, as her vision appears vague and hazy. And her frame resembles a thin shroud of wrinkled layers of skin on a lean figure.
For the past six years, she remained committed to stand near the door and silently stare for hours, at the Entrance gate, where daily visitors and elderly people like her join the Old Age Home, a place where they are truly accepted and cared.
Her heart bruised with sorrows...... These six years have been a long wait, a hard trail on patience... a lingering wound that never cease to ache....
There were times when she sighed in deep grief and despair, and slowly, tears would slide down her cheeks, her pillow often soaked with her salty tears.
"Ravi" ..... She would whisper, softly almost inaudible, while resting on her bed in deep slumber. The pale colored walls of her room have often projected images of her past life, a life full of memories of her family.
(Image credits: kickerdaily.com)
Six years ago.
Ravi's house, Pune
"Maa..." -Ravi entered a small room, which was opposite the drawing room: pale cream colored room, with light mint green floral curtains hanging over the windows.
Ravi walked closer to the bed lying in the centre of room, placed beside the small wooden cupboard. A feeble figure, lay resting on the comfy, warm bed, cuddling a velvet blue blanket. She slowly, opened her eyes and tilt her head gently towards the left to face Ravi.
Ravi bent low and gently shoke his mother, who was still in a sleepy trance, mumbling something passively. "Maa..."-Ravi began the conversation.
"We have to leave for Nasik tomorrow. Sunita(Ravi's wife)... -He paused, "her mother is very ill. -Ravi's features expressed sadness and concern for Sunita's mother.
"Don't worry dear..."- his mother reassured, placing her hand tenderly on Ravi's shoulder. "You, Sunita and Arvind(her grandson) must go Nasik."
"I'm worried for you Maa..."- Ravi interjected, his brow creased with anxiety.
"Don't worry about me." -His mother calmly replied.
"Sunita and I have decided something." -Ravi spoke, and walked towards the window, avoiding eye contact with mother, his mind busy in deep contemplation.
He retraced his steps towards his mother and passed her a weak smile. "Trust me, will you?" Mother calmly nodded and sighed deeply.
The Next Day
Old Age Home, Pune
Ravi embraced his mother for a long moment.
"Trust me Maa... This is only for few days. You will receive good care and attention here while we are away."
His mother stood silent, her eyes remained fix on Ravi, who stared her back blankly.
He distanced himself to avoid meeting her eyes that still remain set on him, they seemed to pierce him.
He held her frail hand firmly and walked inside the room.
A sudden, strange foreboding gripped her mother's heart.... the looming dark clouds overshadowed her horizon...
And the deep silence between them left her frozen.
He smiled and dearly kissed her pale pink cheeks....
"I will come back soon...."
She continued staring him, in silence.
Soon tears wet her eyes and slide down her cheeks. She knew, deep within....
He would never return...
Yet for six years... his voice was still echoing in the corridors... in her silent, empty room... even in her subconscious...
His voice, still lying... betraying her fragile, tender heart....
"I will come back soon...."
She still waits.... Still she yearns to meet him...
Longing....
Still longing...
As the Deserts long for rains.....
(Image credits: Imgfave.com)
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