Fatal attraction

Chapter 6

"Grandma, where is mommy?", I asked her as she  changed my clothes.

"She has gone away", she smiled weakly at me.

"Gone away? But, she never told me anything about her going away", I looked at her, puzzled.

"Yeah, sweetie." she tried to blink away her tears as she made me wear a white suit.

"Why am I wearing this suit? Is someone dead?" I rememebered mother telling me that we should wear white suits when someone dies because its a ritual or something.

"Yes".

"But who? Any relative or close friend? ", I was really very confused. Mom was not at home, grandma was crying and our house was filled with relatives and family friends.

Grandma hugged me tightly,"It's your mom."

I looked at her , searching for some sign or expression which indicated she was joking but she had a sad look on her face, her eyes puffy and red. I froze for a moment, not knowing what to do. Mom left me without saying a word. Why did she leave me? Did I hurt her? Or maybe she missed daddy? Was she ill? I had so many questions in my head but I dare not ask grandma about it. She was looking so sad and I didn't want to make her sadder. Tears starting pricking my eyes and I started sobbing and whining.

"I want my mommy back!", I shouted as I rushed to the hallroom which was crowded with people wearing white clothes. I saw my mother's body covered in white robes and sat beside it and touched her forehead.

"Mommy, wake up. I promise to be a good girl. I will wash my dishes and keep my room clean. I won't eat cookies without your permission. Please, just wake up." I whispered in her ear so that  no one else hear my words. Suddenly, someone pulled me up and hugged me .

"Its okay." someone whispered in my right ear, tickling it.

"Who are you", I turned my face towards the person and stared at her.

"I am your mom's friend, Yukriti."  She pulled my cheeks.

"Err.. nice to meet you. But mommy never told me about you.", I tilted my head .

"Ohh.. thats a pity. Wanna meet some of her friends", She smiled at me.

"But I don't wanna leave mommy. She needs me".

"Come on..They all are really excited to meet you." She made a sad face.

"Okay .."I smiled at her. It would be a good thing to meet mommy's friends. Maybe they could tell me about mommy and her life.

"Guys, this is Sanjana." She took me inside mommy's bedroom where 5 girls were sitting silently, their eyes were red and they looked exhausted.

"I am shreya jhalani. You look like your mother", A cute girl smiled at me and I smiled back proudly. I was happy that she thought I looked like my mother.

"Thanku ummm..."

"Call us massi", She smiled.

"Can I hold you?" , Another girl held

out her arms towards me. " By the way, I am Shreya Garg". Her eyes twinkled . I nodded as she pulled me in her arms and made me sit on her lap.

"Hello, I am Rishika". A small, pale girl with long brown hair waved at me.

"I am Tushti", A fair and tall girl pulled my cheeks.

"I am Garima", A curly hair girl beamed at me.

"Nice to meet you all. I am Sanjana."  I smiled sheepishly.

"Shes so cute, isn't she?," Shreya massi hugged me from behind as I blushed.

They started explaining me about my mom's school and college life. My mom has amazing friends. Mom... I suddenly realised she was not with me anymore. She was gone away from me, forever. That thought made me cry again. They all tried to calm down but they couldn't. I ran away from that room towards my mother. I started cursing God who took away my most precious thing. 4 men took my mother's body on their shoulders to a ground few metres away from my ground. I was in my Grandmother's arms who was shedding away her tears, silently. My uncle was there too, holding my mother's body on his shoulder. They sprinkled some alcohol on my mother's body  and started burning it. I watched as the flames engulfed my mother's body and I burst into tears...

"Sanju?" I heard someone say my name. I opened my eyes slowly, looking here and there at the unfamiliar room.

"Mhmm.."

"Why were you crying and moaning earlier? Had a nightmare?" She looked at me, worriedly.

"Mhmm.. Where am I?"

"In the hospital. You passed out."

"Grandma?"

"They buried her", she sighed.

"Without me?" I shouted, tears blurring my vision.

"Yeah! The pandit suggested to burn het body ASAP so she can find peace."

"So, for how many days was I here?" I bit my lower lip.

"2" She sighed. " I thought I had lost you" She started crying.

"I ain't leaving you so soon, bitch" I smirked as I wiped her tears.

"Let's go then. The doctor said you can return home now."

"I don't wanna return to that place. It has so many sad memories. It suffocates me." I look at the ceiling as Megha wiped my tears.

"Chill babes. You can stay with me. I would love to have a roommate."

"Are you sure?"

"Yupity yup !" I giggled at her strange word.

"Okayy.. but we will share the rent and the amout we spend on groceries and stuff. Deal?"

"Sure sure. Whatever you say.." She chuckled and hugged me. "Well, I better finish some formalities with the doc. Ya noe signing and all!" She stood up as the doctor stood at the entrance and ushered her outside.