THE STORY OF LIFE | A 21ST CENTURY RAMAYANA

IN MY MOTHERS LAP

"We are so happy to see you again Sir," One of the drivers said to Ram as everyone loaded their own things and the remnants of Bharat goods into the van.

"I am very happy too Sukhdev," he replied smiling.

"Sir.. sir you remember my name?" He asked surprised.

"Ofcourse I do," He replied. "I never the names of those who have helped me, and you have been in our family for a long time. I will never forget you or your services."

The driver smiled as Siya came and sat behind whilst Ram sat next to the Driver. Lakshman, Urmila and Maanvi settled themselves as the others went in a different car owing to the lack of space.

"Bhaiyya, we'll go ahead, you guys follow us, okay?" Shatrughan said as the cars came next to each other from the window. "I know of a shortcut, we'll go through that road. Maa had called, she is saying she can't wait anymore."

"We too can't," Ram smiled. "Go on, lead the way, we are behind you."

Shatrughan asked the driver to start as they started off. Rams car and the other car followed behind as their eyes waited for the sight of the beautiful home they had longed to see, and to finally spend a long awaited night in sound rest.

—————

"If he'd been alive today, he'd be so happy to See Ram. Well, Maybe in the first place, he'd not have gone away," Kraanti whispered to herself sadly as Sumitra arranged a thaali for her children, coming home after what was to them an eternity.

"There is no point in hiding behind what-ifs any more Kraanti," she said.

"What happened was extremely sad and heart breaking for all of us, even you know it. Despite what you did, I know you never wanted these 5 prime years of their lives to be spent this way. All of us are hurt Kraanti, so now, do not hold anything against yourself or anyone, and welcome them with a smile."

Kraanti tried to faint up her lips, but they seemed to press into a thin line no matter how hard she tried. It was as if, this was her second nature.

"Only a mother like me knows how it feels to be standing on such thin ground. On one hand, I am the one responsible for sending my sons away from me, while on the other, I have grieved and spent each moment of these last five years in worry and fear, praying each moment for their well being. And in the same breath, Ive cursed myself. Again and again..." Kraanti began to sob as Sumitra kept the thaali away and sat next to her.

"If there is someone who has seen you break every moment and blame yourself again and again, it is me. I know how you've felt all this while and how hard you have tried.. but there are some things Kraanti, that can only be forgiven when you see them being fixed. Let Ram and Lakshman come home, you can sit with them and with the girls as well, and let your heart out."

"I will have to Sumitra," she said. "Or I will never be able to forgive myself for what I have done to them all.. I..."

"Maam! Maam!" One of the attendants came running in panting into their room.

"They have arrived!"

Sumitra and Kraanti looked at each other and let out a silent tear of acknowledgement. Sumitra nodded as she held Kraanti by the hand and stood up, and walked ahead.