Mourning (Continued...)

Continued…

The gracious wind blowing in their lives had suddenly transformed into a violent sandstorm. The family which she used to consider as the happiest in the world was on the verge of a drastic explosion in which all the three members could fall apart. Life, sometimes plays such cruel games that one can’t help but start hating every gift that it brought with itself in yesteryears. The lady sensed that life was asking for her most beautiful asset in return of all the joys it had delivered till then.

By the time she returned home with Radha, she had turned pale. Her body was trembling; her heart had slipped into the pool of despair; her mind had stopped supplying thoughts. She uneasily looked at Radha. She was chirping in a world of her own. She was just another girl but a very special one for her mother. Radha’s every laugh, her every act of obstinacy served as a life source for her. Her every need was gleefully fulfilled by her mother. And now, the lady was about to see her daughter being snapped from her.

“What happened Ma?” Radha enquired.

“Nothing much. It’s the heated sun that bothered me throughout the travel. I am fine now.”

“OK, then you can have a nap. There is lot to do for the dinner. And if we don’t start early in the evening, we won’t be able to do enough for it.”

“No, I am fine”, she told hesitantly.

The lady didn’t know what she ought to do. She had always lived under the influence of her husband. The man’s world hadn’t allowed her to learn the prowess of taking decisions. Her feminine ears had always listened what this male world narrated, her loyal mind had often done what this autocratic world asked. The mere thought of Radha’s future shivered her. The girl whom she wanted to endow every possible pleasance was about to be harnessed by this unkind world. The man who ought to be a shield turned out to be a sword adamant to slice someone’s life.

The clock moved fast. The sun was preparing to go for a sleep.

“Ma, it is already evening and you don’t seem to be in any mood! What has happened to you? Please come and help me out.”

“I wish I could help you”, the lady whispered.

“What? I can’t do everything on my own. Now please come.”

“OK, here I am”, she replied.

It was around eight in the evening.

“Here comes father! You know we have planned a special dinner tonight and everything is ready. We were waiting for you only.”

“That is nice.”

“So, shall we start?”

“Yes”, Hari replied plainly.

Radha and her mother served the food on the cleaned floor. No sooner than they started the meal the lady went out.

“Radha, you and father start the meal. I am going to ask the neighbor for some fresh water. I forgot to carry water this evening.”

“OK, Ma. But come back soon.”

As she went out, she discovered that the moon had replaced the scorching sun and grey clouds had shrouded the sky. The bright blue luminance of occasional sparking in the clouds bathed her. There was a hint of rain in the air. She slowly moved towards the sea. Precipitation was gaining strength and so was water in her eyes. She had seen her daughter for the last time. She had poisoned her happy family…