The Lost Sun

Disclaimer: This story is purely fictional work. Names, characters, events, institutions and incidents are the author's imagination. Any resemblance to an actual person, living or dead, actual events are purely coincidental.

It’s quarter past six of a timid, perpetual evening. The mighty sun slowly lagged and draped the blanket of bashful clouds avidly. The pretentious sky was scarlet red as if grooming to greet an elegant benevolent night.

Emily sat on her favourite rest chair facing the garden. The chirping sound of retiring birds and drained squirrels resounded in the cosmos. She gazed at the authoritarian sun with a dilemma and held Bella’s letter in her hand. She started reading it again. Perhaps twenty-ninth times since today morning ever since she received it.

Dear Mumma,

Hope this letter will find you in the best of spirits and pink of health. You know my final examinations are commencing on 5th March. I shall be in my herculean toil to grab the most glorious victory and to make you my proudest mom. You know, I am fond of bestowing you the beneficent bounty, so this time also I will astound you with my explicit laurels. Your prayers and blessings are my only fuel to strive hard. So always remember me in your prayers.

 I am writing this letter amidst my hectic exam schedule to announce another exhilaration which will make you overjoyed. Once I told you about my passion for photography and my desire to learn it. You gave a positive nod to my dreams too. Actually, there is a prestigious institution in Los Angeles named New York Film Academy offering a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. They conduct an online examination to scrutinize a batch of thirty students from all over the world to be admitted into their renowned institution. Last week, I appeared for the online examination conducted by them. Today I received their mail stating that I stood third in the online examination. They have sent me “An offer of Admission.” They want me to sign and send it to them before May 31st.

The per semester fee for the course is approximately 15 lacs and there are 8 semesters in the course. I know it is hard bread to bite but I really do not want to miss this golden opportunity. This is my dream come true situation. I struggled hard for it. You taught me to dream and fly high. I know you will stand with me in my choices. Please send me your positive reply at the earliest so that I can finish the formalities.

Yours’ lovingly

Bells

Emily’s eyes filled with tears without knowing whether to rejoice at the commendable achievement of her only daughter or to decry at her financial insecurity. The hefty fee amount is an impassable, bewildering goal which a clerk could never ever dream to raise.

“If Robert would have been with me he would surely have supported Bella to chase and conquer her aspirations. You left us so early Robert…….leaving me alone to tackle this dilemma.” Emily uttered in desperation.

 Robert was an engineer by profession who fell in love with an orphan Emily. Robert belonged to an aristocratic, conservative, feudal family. Emily was not in line with their social standings. Robert resisted all social notions and started his life with Emily. Their life was jubilant and cheerful. Unexpectedly, Robert met with an accident and couldn’t survive the injuries. He left young leaving Emily and Bella. Bella was only six years old when she lost her dear dad.

Emily was miserably broken. Unable to comprehend why what and which she stood muddled and dumb near the resigned torso of Robert cursing her cruel destiny which was repeatedly haunting her. It took months for Emily to return back to normal life. Emily’s close friend Janet guided and helped her to overcome the agony.

Emily got a job as a clerk in Robert’s office on compassionate grounds. Robert always wished to give his daughter a premium education at St Peter’s International School. As a child, Robert always wished to study there, but financial compulsions were challenging. Emily decided to raise her daughter with poise and presumption. She admitted Bella to the most prestigious St Peter’s International School, a residential school. Bella started her schooling and hostel life. The school showered plentiful opportunities for Bella to nurture and develop herself into a confident and bold girl. She was exposed to horse riding, swimming hockey perhaps more than anything Bella could ever dream of.

Lion’s share of Emily’s earnings went towards school fees and other funds for Bella's school. Emily cheered seeing Robert’s dreams coming true. Bella left no stone unturned and grabbed every opportunity to make Emily proud. Once Bella expressed her desire to Emily for photography. Emily couldn’t deny the genial request of her sweet daughter. Emily always stood as a pillar of strength to Bella.

 But this time raising such a hefty amount was beyond reach of Emily. She sank into deep thoughts. “ The painstaking efforts Bella addressed for this accomplishment shall go in vain, if I say a NO. Who else will understand her? If I say No to her, she will lose all hope. What if one can’t pursue his dream career……” Emily’s mind and heart conversed with each other. A hurricane was bombarding within. The pain of love, faith, trust, and dignity fatigued Emily.

“My daughter is my only treasure… What if I lose her with my decision not to let her chase the dreams…”

Emily suddenly opened her eyes. The dusk was over. The sun hid among the guileless clouds. The night seemed more charming than before with twinkling stars and a crescent-shaped moon.

Emily was lost in her thoughts for a moment. “ How the lost sun has disseminated an amulet appealing background to the surviving stars and moon. Exemplary and classic is this nature……….” Emily closed her eyes tight.

After a month in St Peter’s International School…

“ Bella…. you have a letter from your Mumma. Go and collect it from the office.” Bella’s class teacher Miji told. Bella was on cloud nine. The most awaited letter has arrived. Her anxious wait is over, for sure her Mumma won’t deny her ambitions. She ran downstairs with delight. After collecting the letter, she ran to her favourite place….under the rain tree. The tree with whom she conversed her grief and fortunes.

 Bella opened the letter and read it out loud for her companion tree

Dear Bells,

 I know by the time you receive this letter your exams would be over and as usual, you would excel. I read your letter and realized your ardour to glean the prestigious course. Moreover, you’re privileged enough to qualify for an examination of international standards, which perhaps others can’t imagine. How can I deny your request? You are such a sweet and obedient daughter.

 But dear, I had to prioritize my choices. By god’s grace, my daughter is ambitious and strong. She has a strong vision and aspiration. I realized that your laurels and success succumb well in my absence too. In the same way, as the sun transfers its divinity to stars and clouds during the night before his retirement, I want to enlighten and pave the way for you. The only trouble with your goal accomplishment was financial insecurity. I guess I have solved it. You give your acceptance to admission at the earliest and finish with the formalities. The entire cosmos shall drizzle positive thoughts and vibes for you. I wish my daughter to pursue her dreams in full spirit.

By the time you receive this letter, I will be with your dad. We both will celebrate your triumph from heaven, guide you and bless you with everlasting prayers.

Yours’ Mumma

Emily

Seventeen years old Bella broke into tears. The rain tree couldn’t soothe her. She was not sure what had actually happened.

“I wanna meet my Mumma…” Bella cried lunatically. Miji accompanied Bella home. Bella’s home was locked. Bella met Janet, Emily’s close friend and neighbour. Janet said “Emily met with an accident. Her car hit a tree and crashed instantly. We had no hope, but she survived. Initially, she was admitted to a ventilator, now she is in an ICU. She is recovering.”

“Where is she admitted?” Bella asked in a broken voice.

“Let’s go together. I came from the hospital half an hour back to refresh. She is in Indiana Hospital.” Janet replied.

While riding to the hospital, Bella broke the silence 'Why didn’t you inform me about mumma’s accident?’

“Your exams were on and Emily can’t make compromises with studies, even at the cost of her life…..” Janet took a deep breath.

“Tell me aunty was it a suicidal attempt?” Bella asked weepingly.

Janet had no reply, and neither did she have any expression.

“I guess you have received your mumma’s letter by now which she posted just before the accident.”

“But……” Bella couldn’t speak out.

Janet extended another letter to Bella. “ Emily posted this letter along with your letter to me…”

Bella opened the letter.

Dear Janet,

You will be astonished thinking why am I writing you a letter?

My Bells want to study abroad and it costs around 1.5 crores. It is a cumbersome rock for me.

 I taught Bella to dream high and chase dreams. I can’t deny her desires, for I may lose her. I will be speechless if she asks “What if my dad was alive, he would surely let me go…”

She is my only hope and treasure. I can’t lose her faith and love. Not even at the cost of my life. So, I made a tough decision. I got insurance coverage worth 2 crores. The papers are kept safe in my reading room. If something happens to me, my Bells will be broken. You stand with her, console her and do the needful. You convince her to pursue her dream course. If not my life, my death can be of worth to her….like the lost sun who enlightens the remaining stars and moon. Bells should never know of all these..

This is my only and last request dear.

Yours’

Emily

“Mumma……”.Bella cried “ I like photography but not at the cost of your life.”

“Yes…Emily intentionally ran her car to a tree. Perhaps a suicidal attempt which may be considered as an accident and the insurance nominee Ms Bella will get some 2 crore rupees.” Janet said while driving. Bella’s mouth was open and was dumbstruck.

“Doctor, can I meet Emily?” Bella pleaded.

“Yes, but she can’t talk now, she is in sedation. Don’t spend much time there.” Doctor advised

Bella held Emily’s hand and whispered in her ears “ You are not a lost sun… you are the mighty sun whose light and divine celestial dominion powers the growth and evolution of every animate, inanimate creation on earth. Trust me, I am a sunflower, who blooms with your commendation.”

Tears trickled down their eyes of Emily.

“Never ever will I leave my mighty sun.” Bella kissed her mumma tight. The most benevolent feeling of love, bliss, trust and security minced and turned into tears that rolled down from both of their eyes. She felt as if the entire cosmos was reciprocating the same feeling of exorbitant love around; perhaps more precious than the photography degree and high-profile job could owe.