“My choice is this one. You know dad….She is the best. High class, beautiful and of our standard” Rama heard Samir say this in the living room. Her heart sank and ears popped up. The conversation continued in the living room between Samir and his parents. They, though, initially disagreed with him, later gave consent to his choice. Rama who was listening to this conversation from her corner, small room thought that her grandson was getting married and they were discussing the options available. She got furious, stormed out of room and said, “So…now I am not even that worth that you should inform me of my grandson’s marriage.” Her voice had a begging tone but it was delivered with the authority of older days.
Rama was in her seventies and had lost her husband some years ago. She was living with his only son and his family. Family, that usually used to welcome her with open arms, had been indifferent towards her after her husband’s death. She was given the corner room, initially she was discussed and was involved in family functions but for last some months she was not even informed.
“Naah Maa….how can we do that? You are the eldest member of our family and nothing will happen without your consent.” assured Samir’s father. He added,” We are purchasing a new car and we were discussing that. We didn’t invite you for the conversation as you don’t have much knowledge about cars. Isn’t it?”
“Yeah…..Yeah…you are right. Take me for a ride when its home” replied Rama.
“Haan Maa…definitely……..now you take some rest” said Samir’s father and escorted her to the room and returned back.
‘But Baba, where would we keep the car? We need a parking area in our house?’ asked Samir.
Samir’s father didn’t reply, thoughtful with his head upped on the sofa, eyes closed and one hand on forehead. He murmured, “I will arrange for parking”
Car was home after some days. Next morning Sameer’s father took Rama for a ride. She was proud of her son. She kept on saying how happy his father would have been, had he been alive today. He took rounds of the city ground and then raced up towards the outskirt. He stopped at a small building and asked Rama to wait inside till he came back after servicing the car. He said that it was his friend’s house.
It was a two stored building with a office in the front. It had a big lawn on its right side and a garden in front. Some people were busy with minor jobs in garden and rest was chit chatting in the lawn. Rama entered in the office and was welcomed generously. She said, “I have been asked by my son, who is your friend, to wait here”
‘No probs….be comfortable…He had called me yesterday” replied the office in charge and asked the peon to bring tea.
“What does his friend do? This could not be his home.” wondered she. This was a different place. All were busy; depression was evident on their faces though they tried to cover it under their manufactured smile. Rama went inside and saw two rows of cots lined up in two big rooms with a large sign ‘Male’ and ‘Female’ written over the door.
She sat on one of the cots. She was worried, unsure what to do. Tired, she went into sleep till somebody woke her up, “Hey lady! Wake up. Its dinner time”
It has got late, it was evening now.
“No Thanks….I have to go back. My son will be coming anytime to pick me up. He might have got busy some where” confidently replied Rama.
Lady left for dinning room saying in Rama’s ear, “I have been waiting for my son for last three days. He never came back. Old is not gold always”
