Reunion at the Death Bed

01.

Chapter 01. "I'm getting old son!Everyday!"

Ramakrishna Dutta was one of those unfortunate mothers who were quite forgotten by their children despite constantly pinging them to at least meet them once before they sublimed into oblivion...but her plea was taken for granted every time. Both the children worked abroad in NY,as consultants in different multinational firms and found no reason to come to India,even for their ailing mother who was left behind ;alone,old age being the only key of support besides a young 26 year old neighbor who was a CA at Hyatt Regency* and considered Rama as her aunt ,(being an orphan from an early age).

So ,as the month of November marked her 86th birthday,she longed to meet her son and his family. Hence,while she was trying to contact her son,the neighbor invited her colleagues and fiancee who arrived with lots of  accessories and gifts,ensuring to give her a beautiful birthday while her son remained ignorant in the foreign land...

Although,he did make a call next day, stating an usual excuse of overly busy schedule and promised to  make up for his forgetfulness by visiting India within that week. Her upset heart fluttered with the information and delighted her to a new level.

Lakshmi Iyer(the neighbor),was even happier to see a genuine smile plastered on the old woman's lips the entire time as she got herself busy into preparing his favorite sweet dishes which may or may not be liked by his wife or children,but certainly would brighten his face, thus rejuvenating childhood. Within the week she prepared Kummayam,Apple halwa, Fried Modak ,Dates kozukattai along with other staple dishes which were a relish sight for anyone,who took note of her toil and efforts in bringing back her son home. The family was to arrive by weekend and her preparations for their welcome were on full force,obviously with some help from Lakshmi..

But....

A day before their arrival,while Ramakrishna was busy remembering his childhood activities ,she happened to receive a call from US only to be informed that due to some personal problems,he won't be able to come and hence terminate the plan till things got settled back on track... also the daughter, was too busy to visit her mother than to miss an opportunity of spending  quality time with her hubby at Madrid over a  finite holiday. The old woman's heart sank into the abyss of disappointment and hurt,and she collapsed on the bed..

"Mom..are you there? We surely would come soon.OK. Don't worry. Take care. Bye.",and he hung up even without taking slight notice of the reason behind  commotion on other line.

Her zest and zeal were shattered and betrayal was hard to handle. What would happen to those preparations? 

Lakshmi panicked and immediately performed a CPR on the lady until the ambulance arrived.On the way,the only words that slipped from her parched lips were.."I'm getting old son,everyday. Please come for once.",before slipping into an unconscious state..a silent tear rolling from the corner of her eye and hiding in a white strand behind the right ear..

Lakshmi's heart ached for the poor mother and was well aware that the journey towards the end had already begun.....hence she planned to give her a grand b-day present which could make her happy and leave the world with less pain..She contacted her friends from the firm and NGOs some of whom were already resting in abode while others scattered in different parts of India or even abroad. Lakshmi arranged for their flights on her own expenses and was morally supported by her fiancee...

Some of them agreed while others were too old to travel hence she didn't force them...instead came up with a better idea to fill in their absence while others were preparing for their journey.

By the following day,around twelve of them had already arrived and were arranged to stay at aunt's home while others were ready to be there online through video conferencing...her aunt would definitely have a peaceful gathering time with loads of fun and celebrations...

Even the doctor had agreed for a moderate celebration until it did not disturb the hospital as  whole.

Ramakrishna sat on the hand cracked hospital bed which was slightly raised from the header part for her to get into sitting position where she was chanted hymns and told rosary beads on her finger tips.Having finished with her routine prayer,as the old lady kept the beads aside,  Lakshmi entered inside the room . "Aunty,what do you wish for your b'day present?"

"For now,only death dear..",aunt spoke nonchalantly in a dull tone until a familiar voice binged in,"Seriously Rama? Do you really not want to regard he efforts into bringing me all the way from Yelagiri to meet you","And also the birthday bombs that she so subtly gave us at the organization"the other one pitched in; bringing in the two ladies of her trio group who were as thick as thieves until respective households disconnected them for a while until now! ...the other friends joined in too,some even with their husbands. The staff, had briefly joined in the celebrations too to observe her delicate condition all he time and there were sequence of jokes and tell tale stories among them,letting out each other's dirty or silly secrets &  and activities turning the grave environment into festive lightening. They gave her the best surprise which would give her good memories for heaven. Rama enjoyed feasting on the self prepared sweet dishes with everyone and rejoiced when Lakshmi and her fiancee also broke in the news of their marriage thus seeking blessings from all the elders for a fruitful and happy life ahead and thus Rama was happy until her breath got rough and heavy and she began to gasp...there was some concussion in her wind pipe which led to fits of cough and tears welled in her eyes due to exertion on the stomach walls.. Doctors rushed in and sent out everyone along with the gifts and other celebration accessories which were neatly compiled on the trolley top by Lakshmi. Creases of worry etched on every forehead and Lakshmi side hugged her fiancee who stood engulfing her entire lean frame in his embrace.

Two hours outside the OT was enough to increase everyone's heart pace.

They were sitting n the guestroom with unsteady breaths,some even praying for her recovery until the doctor emerged from the OT removing his scrubs and gloves, exhaustion and disappointment clearly written on his features. He sadly shook his head in negative and sauntered into nearby room,leaving them to heir private grief.

The funeral took place a week later, performed by her virtual daughter,Lakshmi while the duo sitting abroad with their families were informed of their mother's death too and they arrived a day and half later with sad expressions.

The will..as for the will,Rama had transferred her property including the house along with her bank accounts and money ,all under Lakshmi,who had actually witnessed her highs and lows at every instance and phase especially gifting her a beautiful reunion at the end...

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P.S. :- the fore mentioned sweets are typical famous South Indian sweets which are relished during celebrations and festivals....

*- the building's existence in any part of the world is coincidental and has nothing to do with the story for it's imaginative.