I'll be No More Tomorrow

Leelavati an elderly rather old and fragile lady. Lying on her bed as if just waiting for death to embrace her and take all her pain away. Without a blink, her eyes are stuck to the fan on the ceiling; perhaps to say thanks for its support and the comfort it provided throughout her life. Neither her pale face shows any expression nor her ears bothered of the annoying noise from fan. The fan too, old enough to hardly push air where leelavati is lying in the corner of the small room.

As her only son Manoj opened the door to leave for the work, she winced and said,"Take me to the bank". Manoj irritatedly replied,"Mother, these are the days we earn more due to the overtime we are getting", sighed and baffled,"Once the stadium will be constructed completely for commonwealth games, I will take you to wherever you want, but right now don't disturb me". Suddenly, from no where he lost his temper and continued,"You do not do anything other than lying there and eating. You disturb other also by your non-sense demands. But I've to go for work to earn living."

This has broken her heart. She never expected these words from her son and hardly managed to skip her tears. She wanted to say that all her life she worked hard as domestic servant only for him. She thought that he can't even imagine how it is like to grow a son without father. She could have married to someone else but didn't. But still keeping her calm she said,"It's been 7 days I am unable to even get up from the bed. I know I am going to die today". She added,"Tomorrow you have to pay money for my last rituals and unnecessary you have to suffer to get money from the bank account once I am no more".

"I will not be here tomorrow. So, to help you one last time I want to go to the bank". With these final words, she stopped staring at the fan, closed her eyes. Her breath stopped and all her pain went away with her death. She is really no more as she had already said.

Language Is a Barrier

I looked into mirror. At that moment I do not know what was I looking for but I looked straight in my eyes. I bend down and washed my face again. Just then I heard a horn blaring. Ohh I looked into my watch. I was washing my face from past one hour. May be I was washing the hopelessness, the tension, the emotions from my face, but of no use. I was all ready anyway, I went out. Mohan was waving from backseat of the car, which was already packed. So I adjusted myself inside the car, greeted everyone and we set off. I started staring out of the window, until Mohan said, "Everything alright?" "Yes. Why?" I purred under my lips. "Everyone expecting your smile. Today is your best friends' wedding.", complained Mohan. "Oh Sorry. Hi everyone. I was just lost. And everyone is looking VERY nice!" Mohan is one of my good friends and I knew he was not satisfied by my answer. He felt it but was afraid to say what I was afraid to hear.

So I immersed myself into past memories again. Today was my best friend,Monica's, wedding. We were friends since I dont even remember when. Because of her name, everyday in class I use to tease her with a famous Helen number and then we use to fight. Slowly between all those fights the feeling of friendship crept in and those fights became a part of my day and we became a part of each other's life. Both of us, has been in and out of relationships but nothing shook our friendship. It grew with time. But today she was getting married and somehow I was not feeling very good about it. May be I was over-reacting or may be I was afraid that she will not be the same Monica or may be( I felt a lump in my stomach, and believe me it is a bad sign). As I was watching out of the window, the streets looked more lonely. These were the same streets where we use to roam. I mind was trying to associate everything with her and I was hopelessly forcing my mind not to do it. In no time we reached the wedding hall, Aashirwaad wedding hall.

Everyone was happy,smiling and cuddled to people they knew. As soon as we get out of the car, mohan lead us to the bride's, I mean Monica's place. As I was getting closer and closer to the place where Monica was, I was getting more and more nervous. I tied my hands together so that no one sees them trembling. I was doing my best you see. Then I saw her. She was standing on the porch, heavy with the bridal dress. I had never imagined she can look this beautiful but I was not able to take my eyes off her. She saw us, smiled and then she spotted me(I was at the end of the trail) and her smile faded a little bit. Although she maintained a part of it. Then one by one we wished her, I was the last. I wanted to say many typical things like congratulations, best of luck blah blah blah. But at the very last moment I lost my words, I forgot everything and was just staring at her face. Then Mohan dragged me away. We stood for a group photo. Then when no one was looking I left. I went out on the road, and walked towards my home. I realized Language is a barrier when it comes to love. We both waited for each other to speak the words for the feeling that was deep inside us. If only we have read each other emotions. I sat down on a milestone on the side of the road. A tear trickled down my eyes. I should have done this earlier, may be tears will wash off the emotions from my face.



P.S. : If you have not seen a north Indian wedding, you have not seen an Indian marriage at all(this is for foreigners :).). In an Indian marriage,specially North Indian, there will be a huge number of people of every age and they will be divided in groups. Old people will be sitting a corner discussing national issues or sometimes someone's household issues too. Elderly women will only discuss household issues. Young women will either be around bride or in between boys ;). Boys will be either drinking,dancing or flirting :).