Bittu and Mitthoo are not happy today, they are waiting in the veranda
of their old low roof house for their beloved Amma. They can hear the sirens of
the ambulances moving around in the street and breaking the eerie silence of
the street. The streets were always so buzzing with the hawkers, cars and
children playing in the lanes. But from some days it is not the case and the
streets are bare of visitors and vehicles. Bittu cannot understand the reason.
A few days back Amma had fallen sick. Bittu could understand as Amma had
stopped doing her household chores, she was tired and had been lying all the
time. He had heard her calling Vimla tai, her old friend, three days back. She was complaining that she was not able to breathe. That
evening Vimla tai had come with her son and they had called an ambulance to
take their Amma away somewhere. Both are clueless when would their Amma come
back. Since last two days, Vimla tai’s son is coming on his bike. He places
some biscuits, bread, cereals and water for them and goes away. He does not
tell them about Amma. Mitthoo likes eating cereals but Bittu eats the bread.
Mitthoo is not at all talking, her eyes are so sad. With each approaching sound
of an ambulance, they hope their Amma to be returning.
Bittu remembers peeking through Amma’s family album on lazy afternoons
when Amma would be sitting in her armchair and he would be near her. Her eyes
would become moist whenever she would come across the photos of her nephew,
Mohan. She would stroke his pictures with so much love, Bittu used to feel so
jealous. Mohan was a martyr, who had laid down his life for our country during
the Kargil war.
At those times, Mitthoo would yell through his lungs, “I want water,
want water”. Poor Amma would get up from her chair to fetch her some water. Amma
would understand her trick and would comment, “I know both of you do not want
me weeping. But what can I do? It’s all his memories, he was such a charming
kid. I am truly proud of him.” “And, am sure, my Riya will also become like her
father. I am proud of both my Anita and Riya. What is the time now? Can I call
them now?”
Mitthoo would have quipped again, “Anita is in US, she is married now.
Gautam is a good guy, a good guy. He will take care of Riya and Anita”. “Yes,
yes, I know, Mitthoo. Don’t repeat my words. What could I have done? Anita was
too young with a three months old Riya, when Mohan left us. I could not have
let her live a widow for rest of her life. Fortunately, I found Gautam that
time. He was a God send. He married Anita and took them both to California for
a good life. I wish them all the luck and happiness”, Amma would say that
swallowing the gulp in her throat. “But I feel alone sometimes”. Bittu used to feel sad hearing Amma like
that. Then she would look at his forlorn face and would cheer him up by saying,
“I know both of you are my companions. At this age, I am grateful to God that I
have the two of you”. Miithoo would say, “Don’t make me emotional now”, and
Amma would burst out laughing.
Some days, Vimla tai, would come to visit Amma. She used to bring her
yummy homemade cookies. Bittu used to finish half of those. Vimla tai would
complain, “Susheela, you are spoiling him a lot”. Amma would say, “Bitttu,
don’t eat more cookies. Otherwise, Vimla tai will not bring them next time”. Vimla
tai would bring some sarees, bangles, and some other stuff along with her and
both the ladies would be discussing about those. Bittu could never understand
what is this thing about clothes and jewelry that ladies can go on talking without
getting bored. Sometimes Amma would keep some stuff from Vimla tai. After Vimla
tai would leave, Amma would parade in those clothes and jewelry in front of
them and would ask about how she looked. For both, Amma was always beautiful.
Sometimes she used to go out with Vimla tai and when she would come back, she
would bring so much stuff. She would bring delicious things to eat also. Bittu
loved to see Amma smiling.
Last month Vimla tai had come with a beautiful card, its pages were so
beautiful. Bittu had loved playing with that card. He had caught Vimla tai
arguing with Amma. “Why can’t you come to the wedding? It is my sister’s son
who is getting married. You know all the people there”. Amma had said, “Yes, I
know all your family. But look at my age, I should be avoiding large
gatherings. You also said there will be a lot of people. You should also avoid
going”. “What are you saying? I can’t avoid my nephew’s wedding. Also, there is
nothing to worry about. They will arrange for every precaution. We will also
wear masks and go there. You must come with me, and I don’t want to hear any more
excuses. Old age, huh? You might have become old; I am not old. My Kamal is not
yet married”.
Ten days back in the morning, Amma had received a video call which had
made Amma very happy. She was smiling all day. It was a call from Gautam and
Aparna. Amma had called Bittu near her and had shown him Riya’s beautiful face.
“You have grown so big, my sweetheart”. Riya had shown her drawings to Amma. Aparna
had said, “Buwa, please don’t go to any wedding. I read your WhatsApp message
and was so worried. Days are not good all around. Please be careful”. “I know
beta. But you know how it is with Vimla. She will be very upset if I don’t go”.
Same evening, Amma had gone to attend the wedding with Vimla tai. Amma had worn
the blue silk saree, which Mohan had gifted her from his first salary. Amma
would always mention that it was her favorite garment.
The sound of a cricket woke him up. Bittu finds that it has become dark
now. He had dozed off for quite some time now. The streetlights do not turn
on nowadays. Earlier those used to light up their lane. He can hear another
ambulance approaching their street with its buzzing siren and flashing lights.
Then he sees that it is turning towards their lane. Suddenly Mitthoo speaks,
“Amma coming. Is Amma coming?” Bittu starts wagging his tail and starts barking
happily. He runs to the gate in anticipation of this Ambulance may bring back
their Amma. Both the parrot and the dog are patiently waiting and hoping
against hope to meet and greet their owner again.
