The Way To Home

When the clock struck 5, I rushed to get out of the office. By 4:45 itself I packed all my stuff in order to get off fast. It’s a weekend and I am going home after three months! I used to go home every weekend but prior to three months, a big disaster took place. My little place faced one of the largest floods of recent times. When the monsoon rains didn’t stop, our rivers overflowed and it all ended up in a flood. During that time I was here in this big city, all alone, away from my family, watching my village drowning in the news, with my eyes full. Since then, everything got disorderly.

As my house drowned in the floodwaters, it was a total mess to get back to normal life. So my family told me not to come there till everything returned to order. So I waited. I badly wanted to go there and help my fellow beings in that critical situation but due to unstable transportation, I couldn’t. However, I took part in the rescue operations by giving financial and technical support. I was a part of the youth-oriented rescue cells which were set up through social media. The concerned people will pass information about the location of the people who were stuck, requirements in the camps, and other rescue operation-related information. While all my friends were busy volunteering in the relief camps, I only got a chance to pass them this information. Thus, together we overcame. Everything got back to normal.

And at last, last week Amma called me and told me to come home soon. Today is that day.

On the way home, the consequences of the flood were visible. There were huge heaps of mud in the fields, damaged roads, broken electric posts, a collection of mud-filled cars and heavy vehicles in the workshops. When I got off the bus, I decided to take a walk. Everything seemed to be normal. Everybody was back to their normal life. May be they all have learned to accept their losses.

“Oh, my dear you came? How was the journey?"

“Ah, it was fine Amma. Is everything ok now?

“Of course dear. We’ve cleaned the house and surroundings. We got many things from NGOs churches, etc.”

“Where’s our car?”

“Our car is in the workshop. Will get back soon.”

“Amma, I’ll come back after a walk.”

“Ok dear.”

I wanted to have a look at the farming lands.

“Oh, you’re here. When did you come? You are coming for the first time after the flood?”, one of the neighbors asked.

“ Yes uncle, I just came. No, I wasn’t here. How’s your land and crops?”

“Gone man. Everything has gone. I think the texture of the land has changed. Fertility has been lost. I don’t think I can cultivate anymore”, he took a deep sigh.

“Hmm…That’s sad. Don’t lose hope uncle. Something can be done”

“Yes, I also have hope. But…", he stopped suddenly. " Ok, bye I have to see the Panchayat member to get a signature for the approval of relief funds. “

“Bye Uncle.”

Then the Panchayat member himself appeared. He came in a car. He stopped on seeing me.

“Hai brother. How are you?”

“Fine. How are things going on? Is everything ok?

“Yes. Everything is fine.”

“You bought a car?”

“Oh yes. I took a loan from the bank for it. Without a car, it’s very difficult to move around”, he said in a sarcastic tone.

“Oh sorry, I have to rush now. See you later.”

A “loan” from the relief funds would be a better answer. I thought in my mind.

When I came back home, Amma has prepared a wonderful meal for me.

“Oh, Amma I really missed it.”

But it tasted different.

“What happened Amma? Why does it have a different taste?

“It’s because of the water. Water from the well is not so good now?”

“Oh, how do you people survive here? Why don’t you just get some pure water from outside?”

“It’s not affordable my dear.”

“I send money, right? I asked angrily.

“We can’t waste money for unnecessary things”

“What the….?”, I stopped in the middle. I didn't say anything more.

"Is this really my Amma? I can’t believe it”, I wondered.

When I was making my bed, Amma came.

“See my son, many have lost their dear ones in this flood, many have lost their houses. Many shopkeepers and businessmen had a huge loss. In that way, we are lucky enough. So please try to understand my son. Everything will be alright soon.”

“ Ha, it’s okay Amma. I understand. I’ll get adjusted to it.”

“Good, goodnight my dear.”

“Bye Amma”

I couldn’t believe it was my Amma. Amma, who always used to complain about even the little imperfections in our house, is now advising me to adjust with the current circumstances. Amma, who always considered our family as one of the unluckiest family in the world for not having a big house, expensive car and other luxuries., is now telling me that we are lucky enough.

I don’t know what happened to her. But all I can say is that this flood was a lesson to some, a curse to some and a chance for some to fill their pockets.