Beneath The Facade

Harish was restless upon not finding Subhra back home.

How can she not be there with her signature cold coffee and charismatic smile?-He thought.

He has never missed it till now. Wearing a crisp cotton saree, blouse to match the pallu, and a big bindi adorning her forehead she welcomed him with a soothing smile.

"Shankar kaka! Where is mama?"

"Is she in the washroom, or performing Puja?"

"Tell her, I have reached. Waiting to have the best gift of the evening-the one the kind brew."

 "Madam has gone out with her friends. Actually, Sita madam had come to pick her up. Another lady was sitting in the car. I saw her for the first time. Three of them went out. Our madam has instructed me to serve you coffee in case she is delayed."

"But, kaka-she must have told you about where she has been?"

 "No, she has not. All three of them seemed to be in a hurry. The lady sitting inside the car mentioned about some kind of an appointment that I could overhear."

"Ok kaka. Could you please cook my favorite sabzi tonight and gajar halwa -that is mom's favorite. Let us spring a surprise on her. Hope she has not told anything about the menu of the evening.”

“Why not chhote babu?”

It was at half-past eight. Harish glanced at the wall clock several times by then, as he waited with bated breath for her return.

A car stopped then with a screeching halt and Harished peeped outside. His mom got down. She looked a bit pale. She waved to her friends fondly as they wished "goodnight" to each other. She was carrying a bunch of papers with her. Her beaming smile as she entered took all boredom away from Harish. He was energized.

"Mom! I missed you terribly. Although kaka served me the beverage, it lacked taste, I mean your touch."

"I too missed you baby. But, you should not always miss me. Better grow up! Learn to live without my help. Who knows, you may get a transfer to a remote place and I may not accompany as you know I am to look after your father's business and can't leave this place."

"Mom, In that case, I will quit the job and join you."

"No dear. Your father always wanted you to earn name and fame through merit. You must not disappoint his soul dear."

"Let me prepare coffee first and share this long evening's story" -she giggled.

The bunch of papers that she took care to place on the table was neatly tied.

He had never seen her carrying such a huge bunch, so was curious.

As he quietly scanned the papers he found prescriptions, numerous body scan copies, and cash memos. Shocked to the core, he carefully read them several times. Now he was aware of the gravity of the disease and the dread associated with it.

It was like a cold leap of winter and hit by frozen sounds of a thud.

The door of obscurity in the hazy surrounding longed for hope.

The uninvited pause spoke volumes about silent whispers that he wanted to make. 

"Oh my God! How could she hide her agony and pain beneath the facade of a bewitching smile? How could she not wail even once? Oh, God! This is not done. The incessant flow of tear drops ensued.

Harish ran to the kitchen to hold Subhra tight. Hug and kiss her as the incessant flow ran through cheek and chin to hit the ground.

“No mom, this cannot happen to you. You will have the best of treatment and I shall accompany you to the best medicare. You will be o.k. Soon.”

Subhra could not hold back her tears for long…

“Yes, my son! We shall fight it out and win too.”