Time Travels but Love Stays (Part 3)

I switched off the light and lying on the bed I looked at ceiling. The dim light from the lampshade reflected my gloomy state of mind. It was difficult for me to sleep with the day ending so unexpectedly. I turned to my left and cuddled the soft pillow lying beside me. Fiddling with the fur on the pillow cover, I recalled what aunt had told me about mum’s teenage days.

“Your mum lost her parents in a brutal accident when she was around sixteen.” She said to me one day.

I knew that since then she lived with her loving aunt. Aunt had two sons, so she took care of mum just like she would have taken care of her own daughter. She sweetly called mum “Shri” Which also means beautiful. No wonder everyone was fond of mum’s name “Shri Shruti.”

Just as her name suggests she has a beautifully trained voice which reflects her inner beauty and dedication towards her work. When she sings I can easily lose track of what I am up to. It is indeed mesmerizing.

Just as her parents passed away, she entered her college days. Not able to recover from her parent’s sudden demise, she was timid and shy. Her kind heart and intelligence rewarded her a few close friends though. The days spent at the university gave her the much needed confidence. Her self-esteem grew as she discovered her inner abilities.

”The university is what brought your mum back to this universe, “Aunt would say often.

The years spend in the college not only taught her how to manage a business but also how to manage a successful life in this challenging world. She had a group of career oriented friends just like she was. By the time she completed her college she was transformed from a reserved girl to an outspoken and smart yet humble lady.

After graduation she decided to take up her passion as her career. She took up animation.

I always wondered how mum manages be good at so many things, that too in one lifetime. I was not the only one awe inspired by mum’s talent. Aunt was always impressed of mum’s qualities, her sincerity, helpful attitude and hard work.

Every time I see one of the letterheads of mum’s company the first thing that comes to my mind is what aunt told me “Your mum was always determined to build a successful animation company.”

No doubt with so much determination and managerial abilities, she did accomplish her dream, all by herself. Mum had a unique capability in arts and was a total technology freak. The perfect blend of these two was 3D animation.

“Cartoons have the ability to bring out the hidden child in an adult,” Mum would say. And rightly so, she has the childlike innocence on her face. She loves what she does and her awards and accolades are the proof that her skill to render an emotion into an art form was very special.

Years passed by and aunt got increasingly worried about mum’s marriage.

Mum would just laugh it off and say, “Aunt, I have my whole life left to get married.”

In this midst aunt’s sons got married and the family got bigger. Aunt’s concern for mum grew by large. But little did she have a clue about what mum was up to.

Mum had a different perspective towards life. The very thought of it shocked aunt to the core. From the very beautiful city of gardens (Bangalore), she moved to Mumbai, where she had very high business prospects for animation. But she did not move to Mumbai alone. She brought a small but beautiful and extremely precious, doll-like baby girl along with her.

The baby was her perfect companion at this stage of her life. She looked after her like her own daughter. The beautiful round eye were unbelievably attention grabbing. She aptly named the new wonder in her life “Netra” meaning the one with beautiful eyes.

Mum’s childhood friend, Suleka told me “You were her little treasure. Your mum dedicated her life to look after you.”

Mum had adopted me in Mumbai.

For mum life appeared to be complete and beautiful as never before. She never thought there could be anything more interesting than animation and music but she was proven wrong.

Her world expanded. She got a new meaning to her life.

Every touch, every feel of the little child gave her bliss. She was in a deep trace. Sometimes she forgot that there were people besides her.

Drowned into this mesmerizing happiness, the untouched beauty and seemingly everlasting heavenly bliss, she nurtured each and every moment the little round soft fingers grow onto long attractive steady fingers. She enjoyed the small fairy like glowing face grow into a beautiful, vivacious, bright face that gave smiles generously to everyone.

Growing up was fun with such a wonderful mother. It is God’s gift to me that I have such a great mother. It was only after many years that I realised, I grew up without a father. She never let me feel the need of a father figure.

She is an independent, confident and courageous woman. And she strives her very best to imbibe those qualities in me.

Aptly her favourite quote is, “Even God helps only those, who help themselves.”

She stresses on the fact that that I should be able to handle everything in life by myself without expecting someone else to fulfil my wishes. And exactly that is how mum has been all her life.

With such a long evening, all the memories gushing into my tiny little head, the soft pillow was just perfect for the night to relax on.

I did not know when I fell asleep. Suddenly I could hear slight sound of the utensils.

I forced my eyes open. My eyes moved towards the only source of light, coming from the living room. It looked like a silver lining in the dark. Light passed through the slit blow the door. I squeezed my eyes and looked at the clock. I could vaguely see 2 O’clock. I guessed mum was hungry and was having her dinner. I almost stepped down from the cot and I realised mum needs to spend some time alone.

I decided not to disturb her. I sat reclining on the cot. I folded my arms resting on the pillow. I dissolved into my memories once again.

Seeing mum alone I recalled what Sulekha had told me once, “When your mum sent you to school for the first day, she did not accompany you. Instead she sent you with me because she feared of the separation, more than you were.

With years passing by like the smooth pearls curling out of a broken string, mum realised that she was undeniably unconditionally in love with me. It hit her hard when she realised that some day we had to take our own path in life and above all she believed in being independent. So she felt that we needed to stay away from each other for few years.

She sent me to a hostel in Pune when I was 13 years. I did well in my B-school. I loved the people and I had whole lot of new friends. Winters were much cooler than it was in Mumbai.

In spite of all the good things, I felt like my life was no more in my hands. Even though I spoke with mum very often, my initial days were terrifying without her.

Even over the phone I could feel the heaviness in her heart, but she would somehow control her tears. Her voice seemed like heaven in life for me. Even the few days were like a long wait to hear her soothing voice. Days seemed to appear like ages. Many a times I felt the need for a hug from mum. Everything was standstill.

Every night I would keep mum’s photo besides me and play the recordings that I had secretly recorded without mum’s knowledge. This was very much like my food and water.

But as years cruised by, I realised how important these years were. Staying away from mum not only made me realise her worth but also I became absolutely confident and I had started to believe in my abilities.

In my heart respect for mum grew to a great extent. Mum was my idol in each and every way I could think of.

Time unleashed its infamous quality-fast and furious.

Soon it was my last year in the hostel.

The day was special. It was my 17th birthday on the 17th of April. After completing my exams, I had planned to go back to Mumbai and spend my vacation with mum.

Someone rang the doorbell.

I opened the door and it was a surprise visit by mum. I was completely flattered. Taking no time I embraced her.

I felt a joy like the baby water turtles swimming into the vast ocean for the first time in their life.

I took a deep breath and looked at her. She looked matured. I could see a few grey stands of hair hiding and creating patterns with the black ones. She stared at me as if she had found a long lost friend, as if a series of visuals playing in her mind. Those few moments were enough to bring tears of joy in our eyes.

I lifted my hand to wipe her tears, but she held my hand halfway. She leaned forward and kissed on my forehead and wished me “Happy Birthday.”

This was the day she had brought me to Mumbai in search of a life that she thought was her world. I introduced her to my roommates. As she spoke to them, I could not take my eyes off her.

As I watched her silently, even though she looked a bit matured, she was as beautiful and serene as ever. I could feel the depth in the atmosphere. Her aura was so strong and I knew I will cherish that moment forever.

Every time she turned and looked at me, I felt like she was calling me from within. The beauty and grace in which she carried herself was marvellous. But at the same time her bold and independent attitude inspired me to a great extent.

She looked calm, soft and a bit lonely. It was then that I made up my mind that I will never ever leave mum alone. Time flew past and it was evening already.

We went to the hotel where she stayed. She looked stunning in her red sari. Her red bindi lit up her wide glowing forehead. Mum let down her silky hair. As she took her handbag the bangles created beautiful music like the rustling of the leaves in the evening wind.

As I looked at her hypnotised, mum shook my shoulder and said, “Netra! Get up. It is time for us to leave.”

I could not resist but ask “Mum, did not any one propose their love to you during your college days?”

Mum was taken by surprise by this question. She just smiled and lightly patted on my cheek and then we left. We spent some time in the mall shopping around. Then we went for dinner. Mum had ordered for a birthday cake. This appeared like a once in a lifetime event. I loved each and every second of it. I had no words to describe how happy I was.

After the wonderful and memorable dinner, we returned to the hotel room. It was a long evening. We sat on the couch relaxing.

“When are we leaving for Mumbai?” I asked. I want to stay with you for a few days and I will have to return back for my special classes.

She opened the side drawer and removed a small purse. While she put her hand in, I was wondering what mum was above to reveal from that tiny little thing. She got hold of a bunch of keys.

“I narrowed my eyebrows and asked, “What are these keys for?”

“These are the keys of our new house.” She said smiling.

“And where is our new house?” I asked completely excited.

“In Pune.” It is just 15 minutes away from your college.

Mum came near me, held my hand with the warmth that I had been missing in the hostel for so many years.

“I have been missing you for the past few years.” She said. You are above to enter the 12th grade. It is a crucial time for your studies. So I have resigned my job. I have a few projects to take care of; I can stay with you in Pune and fulfil those commitments. I don’t want to leave you alone any more.

My joy knew no bounds. I could feel my heart pounding with joy. I was waiting for the moment to come.