A Story My driver stopped, jamming on his brakes as someone had thrown something which landed right in front of my staff car. The thing would have hit our car windshield had the driver not stopped in time. He got out,went in front of the car and brought a photo-frame with shattered glass and said, Sahib! See this, someone threw this frame from that window. I looked up -Yes, I knew the house and yes, I also knew the couple in that photograph. Some events of my life quickly flashed in front of my eyes. It was some thirty years ago, I used to live in the same residential area where my father and mother would eke out a living ironing the clothes of the house holders around. I was their son delivering the ironed clothes back to the houses of the customers. The couple in the photograph was also living nearby, The lady, in the photograph, I had started addressing her as Mom, had noticed some spark in me because of which she had started teaching me and helping me progress. Her own son was a bit younger. Mom would buy new clothes for me and pay all the money for my school fees and meet every other expense connected with my education. I would also work and study hard. Time flew very quickly. I finished my college. Mom advised me to work for my Civil Services exam. Under her able guidance, I cleared my exams in the first attempt and soon was appointed the Collector in a District. I got my parents back to our native place and made necessary arrangements for them. But somewhere, I had faltered. I had never visited Mom who had actually seen me through in my life. Oh God! Why has someone thrown this photograph ? What has happened to them? So many questions flashed through my mind. I knew the house. I had been there so many times delivering clothes and later for studying and getting all the help. The stairs were worn out. I knocked at the door which was opened by a youngish lady. She was angry that I had brought the photograph back. I learnt that she was the daughter-in-law and was in the process of disposing off the property.l The photograph had no meaning for her and she had simply thrown it out of the window. Mom was in her bedroom. Babu ji had long expired. I went into the bedroom and saw the once very beautiful Mom - an old lady now with a very lost look in her eyes. Mom ! Do you remember me ? Who is it?, I told her my name and she immediately perked up and said, Why after so many years? . I had no answer except tears in my eyes. I had failed her. She lived with us for two years and my wife and children made sure that she was well taken care of. She passed away peacefully last year. I often wonder, why did I go wrong!!! (This is a fictional story and bears no resemblance to any person/place.)
Posted on: Tue, 05 Aug 2014 03:04:06 +0000
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