Mother's Day

Abir Sen was running around for the best painter to get his rooms painted. The room that faced the main gate of the society, was decided to be his Maa’s room. Abir chose the soft buttery pale yellow the best quintessential warm color for his mother’s room. He also got the neon lights changed and told the electrician to put warm lights as Kabita Devi was fond of warm lights.

Bengal’s 'Poila Baishak' was around the corner and his Maa would be arriving in the 3rd week of April along with his youngest brother. It was a lovely April morning and Abir Sen took his small water-can to water his flowers. He had a steady 10 pots of different flowers. His beautiful collections were a few good marigolds, also known as ‘herd of the sun’. There was a big pot of French Marigolds that looked like daisy-like flowers. Lovely soft orange and bright red roses adorned his front big balcony. A healthy Tulsi plant completed his collections. Abir Sen lived with his family on the first floor of B building in a posh Noida society.

It was almost 6.30 am and he walked down the steps of his first-floor flat. He took two bags with him and slowly walked to the vegetable market. Abir was addressed by the society members as ‘Dada’. On his way, he met Subramaniam who was returning from his morning walk. Manian tapped on Abir’s shoulder ‘Hello Dada, can I walk with you to the vegetable market?’. ‘Ah! Manian, sure you can come along with me.’

Abir bought many vegetables and also different kinds of leafy greens as his mother was fond of them. Abir then went to the fish shop and bought rohu and big prawns and together when they walked back home, Abir told Manian that after his father’s demise a year back the children told their mother to have fish along with vegetables.

Manian had regard for Abir but suddenly he became quiet and told him that he could do nothing for his mother who passed away when he was in his final year of his Chartered Accountancy. He further added that he lost his mother to cancer.

Abir could feel for his friend and then he suggested, ‘Manian you have your parents' blessings and doing good in your job and today your mother is no more but you can feed people on your mother's birthday.’ Manian was well-pleased and he appreciated what Abir said.

Manian’s mother was born on the 4th of June and so the two friends decided that on the coming 12th of May when Mother’s Day would be celebrated then Manian would arrange for cold drinks and mithai for one and all and any passerby could have them.

Meanwhile, Abir’s mother arrived in Delhi by Rajdhani Express on the 23rd along with her youngest son.

It was a festive time at Abir’s flat and he and his wife Dipti made all possible good for Maa and Chotu Bhai to feel ‘home’. All the preparations were made according to Kabita Devi and why not? she had come to her eldest son’s house for 6 months. She deserved the best.

Abir was the President of the society and quite a prominent figure among the residents. Both Abir and Manian chalked out the plan that on the 12th morning a pandal would be fixed outside the gate and anyone passing by, the rickshaw pullers or the working girls, or the morning laborers would be given a big glass of sweet and salt lassi with ice, poori sabzi, and a packet with samosas and laddus. Later vegetarian lunch was organized for the society members.

It was a big responsibility job, and all were excited and took part in helping Manian to contact the pandal person, a huge number of lemons and curd in earthen pots were ordered as well as ice slabs sugar, and salt. Abir was busy contacting Haldiram for the samosa and mithai to be packed in small boxes. As it was a Sunday all the men and women came forward to help Manian.

Now the real part of the story is as follows:

Manian’s father lived in his village near Madurai. So, his elder brother who lived in Delhi went to his village, to bring his father, and by flight, they reached Delhi two days before the occasion. On the 11th Manian brought his father to his big 4 BHK flat. Mr. Subramaniam was a short frail 85-year-old man.

The 12th morning was a big day. Abir was looking into the pandal fittings and the chair arrangements so that together 25 people could sit and have the lassi as well as the poori sabzi. Abir Sen told Manian that his wife should give the first glass of lassi to her father-in-law followed by a plate of pooris and sabzi. Mr. Subramaniam will start and then it would be given to the public.

Manian’s wife didn’t like the idea and had some other plans. She was busy supervising the pooris and lassi that were prepared by the young group of the society. She took the glass of lassi and was waiting for the rickshaw puller or the other pedestrians. All the society members were astonished but Manian was quiet as he didn’t have the spine to tell his wife to hand the glass to his father.

Abir was fiercely annoyed and said, ‘Manian you invited your father to this momentous event and if you cannot look after your father then why this show off?’ Manian looked down and his mouth was lip tied. All the members old and young who were having fun all of a sudden became quiet. In a trice, Manian got up and told his wife, Nirmala to hand the first glass of lassi to his father and his words were firm. Manian’s wife couldn’t believe her husband speaking to her thus, but Manian was hard and would not change his decision. Mr. Subramaniam was seated on the most comfortable chair and his daughter-in-law handed the glass of lassi to the old man. The pooris were served in a nice big thali and the sweets on another plate. The old gentleman couldn’t think that he was worthy of so much respect. He went to his wife’s framed photo that was put on the pedestal and softly cried telling her to bless her children and their families for happiness and love.

Abir cried aloud and told everyone to give a big hand—clap, clap clap. All were happy and now for the others, the lassi was served to one and all whosoever passed by. The Halwai was making pooris and on paper plates, it was served by the young group of the society.

In the intervening period, a group of people were looking after the lunch to be organized in the community hall for the members. Here the lassi and pooris continued till sunset.

The whole society was invited for the resplendent lunch. By the time the lunch was over it was almost evening. Manian gave a short speech about his mother and Mr. Subramaniam stood by him.

When everything was over, Abir and Manian were strolling in the park. Manian looked so peaceful, and he tightly took Abir’s hand in his, ‘ Dada, I have a feeling that Amma was smiling from Heaven. Today I am a happy man.’ Abir gave a pat to Manian, ‘Never lose your spine. And never compromise with a wrong. whatever is right is ‘Right’.

Chakraborty Meenakshi