Amma's Eyes

Every morning I would see her, this has been happening for the last two-three weeks now, I sort of encounter her almost every morning. Who's this old lady with a wrinkled face, why is she here outside my gate every morning, where has she come from, where does she want to go, so many questions would pop up in my mind.

Whatsoever it was but her timing was perfect standing outside my gate when I would leave for work her eyes looking at me from a distance as of they wanted to speak.

My morning rush hours madness feeling was these days spiced by a different feeling of a longing a yearning. But this too subsided till I would reach office and got into the work.

It was raining since morning and I had to Singapore for a meeting, so I just didn't go out at my usual timings.

But I saw from the porch of my house she was there waiting patiently under the shed. Her eyes looking for me.

I left my cup of tea and rushed towards her, thinking today I will just ask her everything. Seeing me coming furiously towards her she panicked and started running towards the road.

With screeching sound the truck applied the brakes, but till the time truck could stop it had hit her.

I ran towards her but could do little to save her 

I took her in my arms and called ambulance but she stopped me gesturing from her eyes.

Holding her suddenly I realized she's Amma, Amma from my native village Chamba.

Amma who had taken care of me when I was orphaned, Amma who took all the responsibility of my studies and life.

She was a widow who had no one to call her own, she would work in villager's fields and 

deposit my fees and would take care of all my needs till I was there with her 

I left the village when I was 17 and took admission in college balancing myself doing odd jobs.

She must have got my address from someone in village and located me.

Today after two and half decades of life I could not recognize her, leaving apart repaying the debt of love and care and affection.

Her eyes were open when she breathed last in my arms as if refusing to go away

Her eyes wanted to see her son his family his success his happiness.

Her eyes her last gaze will be with me within me till I am laid to rest 

I couldn't read those eyes, Eyes which came searching for me with lots of hope and love.