A few days back, I went to my friend’s home at Vizag. It was days when I met him, so I decided to chill for a few hours and spend some quality time there. The same day his A.C. repair was due and the technician had come. We were chilling and listening to some Punjabi Music and enjoying our holiday. The technician asked for a table to reach the wall-mounted A.C. for repair. Rajat remembered that his neighbor aunty had a table and went to her flat, I too assisted. He left with the table, and I stayed.
Story of Amma
Amma was a beautiful lady around 5 feet and 2 inches in height, traditional and intelligent. She was very good at Hindi. So, I decided to stay to have some conversation with her.
I don’t know why but I like stories very much. I associate myself with the stories and try to feel what that character must be feeling. I think that’s what helps me in knowing the mental state of any person, feel their pain, love, agony, and anger. That motivates me to listen to every person’s life story and try to learn about humans and humanity.
Amma was alone!
She was living in a 2BHK apartment, all alone.
It was after a covid time when I met her. I could see her pain in loneliness when she told me that she lost her husband last year to covid. Though she looked alone, she wasn’t. She had three children; two sons, and a daughter. She felt proud telling me that both of her sons settled in the U.S.A. Her daughter is a married doctor settled in Rajahmundry (almost 200 km from Vizag). She told me that she learned Hindi when her husband used to work and had to travel to different parts of the country. She looked happy when she told me all this.
She offered me coffee. Since I was enjoying her company, so I didn’t deny it. We talked for a while. She told me how she traveled across India, how she raised her kids, and how they got their jobs in the U.S.A.
Though she was happy from the outside, I could make out from her choice of voice, expression, and gesture toward me that she was all alone and needed someone to express her grieves.
Rajat called upon me.! he needed some help with the Air Conditioner. I had to go! I parted my way.
Reminiscence
It’s common in most households in India where children leave their parents in search of jobs, better opportunities, and lifestyle. From the beginning, they were taught to be aspirational. They were sent to schools, and colleges and institutionalized for only one purpose. i.e., good job for a better life. In this chaos of life, we grew up and never lived. Our parents sacrificed their comfort, convenience, peace, and their lives for our shared dreams, and we left them to realize those dreams. We, as their children later forgot that those were shared dreams, and only we are enjoying them now. Where are our parents now? Aren’t they waiting for us? Do we even remember their sacrifices?
Our parents are still there, where you left them for a better future. They feel proud telling people about you. They are still waiting for you.
They are alone!
Bring them from home!
