Mere Pass RajMaa Hai!


“Tujhe sab hai pataaa…….meri maa”, as the poignant song played on the FM, it touched chords deep inside that I forgot existed. My weary eyes were moist with many a memory and slowly the floodgates opened as the tears traced their salty path along my red cheeks. It was Mother’s Day and the careful selection of heart wrenching numbers played an ode to God’s most magnificent creation, only glorified second best by Bollywood. It was having the desired effect on my emotional equilibrium; I picked up the phone and dialed the all too familiar number. ‘English thumke,dil ki rhythm pe, Maare jamm jamm ke, Desi Boyz’, the caller tune rang blissfully, unaware of what I felt or what I was to say.

“Hello Maa, it’s me. How are you?”

“All ok? How come you called?”

“Nothing Maa, just thought we’d catch up. It’s been long…..” my voice trailed off

“You broke? You need money?” she asked almost sternly.

“No, no Maa, I’m fine”, my tone was that of a child who'd just been reprimanded. “Just that it’s Mother’s Day so thought we could do a lunch together. Just the two of us, spend some quality time.”

“And waste what I already cooked? Do you know chicken is 110 Rs a kg and Rajma is 80 Rs a kg? You think money grows on trees? You couldn’t call earlier, I would not have cooked.” By suggesting wastage I had committed sacrilege and could not retrace my steps.

“But they played that song now…..” I said aloud and then lived to regret it.

“Huh? What song? Have you been drinking again?” She never stopped doubting me on that one and I have no clue why!

“Noooooo Maa” I said, trying to change the topic, “Ok how about dinner then?”

“The watchman just informed me that there won’t be any water supply for the next two days. So I need to stock up when he pumps in the water for today at about 7.30 pm. So dinner is definitely not happening. Can you believe the state of this city? Gone to the dogs I tell you”.

“Accha, so how about a quick coffee then?” I said, trying very hard to accommodate myself in her social calendar.

“Are you trying to kill me? You know my sugar levels have gone up. What has gotten into you?” She was about to get into her ACP Pradyuman ‘case solving skills’ mode when I intervened her thought process.

“It’s Mother’s Day Maa!” Now I was as exasperated as she was. This was just not going the way the FM RJ had intended.

“Another Bank holiday? When do people work here? I needed to withdraw some money.”

“No Maa, I said correcting her (and feeling so darn good about it) it is not a bank holiday and FYI you can withdraw money from an ATM anytime.”

“For my eyes? Nothing is wrong with my eyes” she said, stating matter of fact. “I don’t understand that plastic money business. How do you know you’ve spent something if you haven’t spent anything? That is the problem of this generation. You people want everything at the press of a button. Food, job, services, information, mother, life partner even children for Chrissake! If labour came with conditions applied in our times, the human race would not have lived to speculate on the world ending in 2012. Ok, I need to hang up now, my chicken is turning into coal and the rajma into porridge. Call me when I am not busy!"


“Click”


“Happy Mother’s Day Mom! Thank God and YOU for making me Emotional Atyachaar proof.”

I was getting late. The bus driver had scowled and told me to be on time. Maa, had been taking a longer time than usual.

Me: Maa, deri hocche! (Maa, it's getting late!)

Maa: Dara shona, dui minute! (Wait my dear, coming in two minutes)

"I snarled. When will Maa understand the deliquescent nature of my work! I am not her darling little girl anymore. I have a boss to answer. She just does not understand!
This is not the first time! She always keeps calling me from the back, making me sip coconut water or chai, eating marie biscuits or toasts.
If I am hungry, I'll eat! Why does she have to make a scene all the time!"

I begin to leave, just like every other day. But it isn't like any other ordinary day.

I sighed as I came back to my senses. Maa had passed away two days back, peacefully in her sleep.I'd been out for work, while she'd probably expected me to be there, holding her hand. She'd always taken care of me, but I could not. Now she won't be running behind me to grab a bite before I leave or come scurrying down the stairs when I come back. As I lock the door, I miss the scent of the incense sticks she light early morning and her sweet humming. You were right Maa, I never grew up. I wish I never grew up, for I remembered being everything; everything else except your little daughter. Will she ever forgive me?
She will, I think, for she had a heart of gold. A mother's heart.

Here is what I want to say:

She is the one!!

It’s difficult to actually describe her in words
As dedicated as a teacher and as independent as birds
From morning to noon and noon to night
she has taken care of all our fights!


From the day I was born to the day I will live
She has always followed the philosophy of ‘Give’
Never has she desired anything other than joy
even those, solely for her girl and her boy.

Her wants and desires were last and the least..
all her prayers centered on protecting us from the beast.
All our sorrows always evaporated, and we did not where
we even didn’t know that they were deposited in her share.

We are her stars, we are her life
she even considered mother above 'The Wife'.
to see a smile on whose faces she worked day and night
balancing those spectacles and her week eye sight

When I studied in the night ,I wasn’t alone ever
there was always that hand guiding me forever
happy for my success and sad when I failed
she never showed her tears but alone she wailed.

The woman who requires a special mention of praise
those silent eyes, peaceful mind and loving gaze
This is to the woman I love, admire and respect
whose dedication even the almighty cant suspect
to the world she may be just another,
but to me she is the one I call MY MOTHER!!!

I have learned all this and much more from mother. The most important keeping your children as per your first priority but balance your professional growth with it. I hope that I am able to do the same for my children one day :)