Chick Flick!

I cursed the coffee in the morning. I just couldn't wake up. I had heaps of work to do. Staying alone in Pune for the first time away from parents who were back in Mumbai had turned into a nightmare. Most days it was ok. My room-mate and I would somehow manage but it had been a week since she left to go back home. Well, lucky her, I guess.

It was finally the weekend and I was on my way home, almost falling asleep at the wheel. Driving and sleepiness is worse than drinking and driving. Just as if to add to my miseries, my phone started ringing. It was somewhere deep down in my bag. I stopped not wanting anymore trouble with the traffic cops. It was an unknown number.I picked up. It was the hospital. They said my mother had trouble breathing and had fainted on the way to the temple. They asked me to come there immediately. I assured them that I would. I called some of relatives staying closer to home and asked them to reach the hospital as I would take at least 2 hrs more. 

Once at an interview, I was asked what is one quality I admire about myself. I said I loved the way I kept calm during crisis and after it was over I let myself panic. That's exactly what I was doing now.

My uncle told me he was rushing to the hospital and would be there in 10 mins. Assured, I started driving like there was no tomorrow. Moments, happy and sad were flashing in front of me. The look in her eyes when I told her I was leaving. The fights over why I wasn't married even though I was 26. Oh Ma, I'm sorry for all that. I'll come back home. I will find a job in Mumbai. I will give the entire arranged marriage thing a try. Just be safe. Just be ok

1 hr later, I was at the hospital, unaware of how I had survived through Mumbai traffic. There had to be a guarding angel. If just it had taken care of Ma too. I rushed into the hospital and enquired at the reception. She gave me the room number. I went there to see Ma having a hearty laugh over something Uncle had said. I looked through the windows. I looked at my mother, aged and grey, how had I not seen this? I looked at her. I suddenly felt my knee give away. I sat outside the room to gather my strength. I closed my eyes and let the world fade away. 

The next thing I knew was that a strong set of shoulders were picking me up. I could sense chaos all around but had no will to open my eyes. Suddenly, I remember Ma and forced my eyes open. What I saw I could not believe. It was. No it couldn't be. But he looks like him. A little older maybe. Ohh there comes that weak in the knees again. I slump down once again. 

This time when I wake up I see Ma next to me. 

"I thought you were coming here to see me. What happened?" she asks.

"What happened? I have no idea," I say weakly. 

Suddenly coming to my senses, I ask her, " How are you? What did the doctors say? Are you ok?"

"Nothing happened to me. Yesterday was Monday and so I fasted and Sunday was Sankashti (I don't know how to spell that, sorry) So I hadn't eaten in 2 days and that's why the doctors feel I fainted. They did all kinds of tests you know."

"Hmmmfff." I didn't even have the heart (or strength) to scold.

"Are you fainting again? I need to go call the doctor."

"No Ma. I'm fine. Can we go home? I think I have started hallucinating due to sleep deprivation. I thought I saw Akash."


Ma giggled. I looked on. No, she doesn't look old and frail as she did. Maybe it was that hospital room. She had always been my strength, my hope, my courage. We had our moments but I knew she had given the world for me and I would do the same for her.

Dad had died young. And she had raised me and my older brother on her own. Fought with the world for us. Stood by us when we made mistakes. Picked us up when we fell. My brother was happily married in the US where both his wife and he were pursuing a PhD. He was always the smart one. I was proud of him. I loved him. I made a mental note to call him up when I got home. 

"It was Akash," Ma said. " But now it is Dr. Akash."

I squinted and looked on. And sighed. One more thing on my plate. GREAT!

8 comments:

  VagaBond

14 January 2009 at 11:50

First things first....is it a story o wat??
Coz if it's not i really wish ur mom gets better soon :)...
and if it is a story bare my stupidity since m new 2 ur blog :P

  I'll try 2 be truthful

14 January 2009 at 12:09

when i read the title of your post i thought it would be a description of yoour "girls night out"
but after reading it , i realised that there are so many small and big mo' s that we spend with our moms . :)

hope urs gets well soon .

  I'll try 2 be truthful

14 January 2009 at 12:09

when i read the title of your post i thought it would be a description of yoour "girls night out"
but after reading it , i realised that there are so many small and big mo' s that we spend with our moms . :)

hope urs gets well soon .

  Anya

15 January 2009 at 16:47

mom is greatest!

  Gunjan

16 January 2009 at 02:59

Hey there!Got to your blog through Blogarama and this being the most recent post,I read it first.

Was it real?My heart really skipped a beat reading it,but sighed with relief in the end.

I admire your composure lady.In the given situation,I would have reacted rather panicky.

And I'll be coming back,I promise,it's 2:35 am already.

What about Dr.Akash?

  Anonymous

16 January 2009 at 14:40

chick flick?? no jokes plz rashi :)

  Anonymous

19 January 2009 at 00:32

something for you :

http://creatingnewblog.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-award-thee.html

  spicymist

22 January 2009 at 16:39

hey this one was kool. i dont knw about the rest of it but at least ur not 26 . that i know.