Disclaimer-This story is a pure work of fiction.Any resemblance to a person, situation or incidence is purely coincidental.
Amma
That tired and hungry lady tried to cross the overcrowded streets of Bara Bazar Kolkata. She was cleanly dressed in a blue cotton saree. Her hair was partially grey and perfectly knotted in a choti.She was wearing very old and shabby eye glasses. She was holding a piece of paper and a bag in her hands and seemed like looking for an address.
With great trouble, she somehow managed to cross the main road and reach a coffee shop.Meekly she asked the shop owner showing him the piece of paper in her hand,”Sir can you tell me where this place is?”The shop owner tried to read what was written on the paper and told her, ”Maataaji!You cross the first lane on the right and you will find a staircase there.I think that is the house of Mr.Ananda,’Point villa'.As the shopkeeper was showing her the way with his hands, a young man sitting in the coffee shop overheard the name and went to the woman.”Namaskaar Amma!are you looking for Mr.Anand?”The old woman instantly replied, ”yes!yes!he is my grandson.I have come all the way from Bihar to see him.Do you know him beta?”
The young man smiled and said, “I am his assistant Bashu.Let me accompany you to him.He is busy doing his research work all the time.I just type his work on the computer.He is a genius.”They talked their way up the ladders, ”But he never referred about you.”This statement made Amma little unhappy.But her wrinkled face got lit up when she saw the nameplate on the main entrance ‘Anand Rai, MD Human Psychology, senior professor the University of Kolkata'.The words painted on the board made Amma proud.
Bashu ringed the doorbell hesitantly saying, ”He hates being disturbed during his work time.”and smiled.Amma was curious to see her grandson after so many years.As Anand opened the door, to his astonishment, he surprisingly uttered, ”Amma!What are you doing here and how did you come alone so far away?”Bashu was little surprised by Ananda's unwelcoming tone.Bashu asked Amma to come in, carrying her little bag she brought with her.”You must be hungry Amma, ”here, have some water, I will prepare tea for you very quickly.”Amma hesitantly said, ”no beta, just water is fine” and looked at Anand with a heart full of maternal love, ”You are still living alone?”She asked looking around the two room home and it’s untidy condition.You did not marry?So many proposals of marriage are coming to me for you.You must have a look at the photos, very beautiful and talented girls.”
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Ananda was getting annoyed on her constant talking.He harshly said, ”Stop Amma!You know I am not going to marry.I have lots of academic work pending.How did you come here alone?”Ananda still could'not believe that an old lady of seventy six years has travelled alone so far just to meet him.Amma smiled, ”Aree, I am not a child, and I know all the trains from Patna to Kolkata.In my earlier days, I used to travel a lot with your Dadaji!”Amma was lost in pleasant old memories for a while.Then she opened her bag with shaking hands and took out a plastic box, ”look!I have made your favourite laddus.’Ananda was looking at the wall clock.He had to attend a seminar in two hours and he has not finalised the speech.He was the keynote speaker in a seminar on, ‘Human behaviour and senile psychology.’
Ananda was getting irritated by this unexpected guest who was killing his precious time.”Amma!”he said, ”You cannot stay here since I am very busy.I know after mummy,Papa and dadaji's demise, you are left alone in that house.I hope you are recieving dadaji's pension every month.You should have called me or written to me before coming.”Amma felt broken hearted by Ananda's rude behaviour.But she was still her daadi.She composed her feelings and smiled, ”Beta I called many times and wrote many letters, but none of the calls or letters were answered.So I became worried and I had to come to see you.”Bashu was listening everything.He brought some biscuits and tea.Anand asked Bashu, ”please finalise my speech and book a ticket to patna.There is a train in one hour.He opened his wallet and took out some money, ”Here Amma, keep this and call me next time before coming.Or you take Bashu's number because I generally am not free to answer calls.”
Bashu was keenly watching.There were tears in Amma's old eyes, which she wiped instantly and said, ”No Anand, I have money to go.Please take care of yourself beta.I am always worried about you.I am leaving the marriage proposals and photos here in case you change your mind.Waise you are about thirty five years of age now.Think and get married .This will settle your life.”She turned to Bashu, ”Beta I must leave now otherwise I may miss the train.You also try this laddu and…!”Amma stopped and held back the next words she was going to speak.
Bashu was really dejected about everything.He was sitting in an auto rickshaw heading towards the railway station.He looked at Amma.She was just silent.Having no feelings in her eyes.Bashu said,”Amma!Anand Sir is so lucky to have you.This is my phone number.Please feel free to call anytime or if you need anything.Afterall I am also like your grandchild.”Amma looked at him and smiled.Bashu could see the tears in her eyes and could feel his eyes were wet also.Amma boarded the train and Bashu hurried back to his work.
He made a very presentable booklet for Anand’s speech.The coloured title was looking very attractive-Speech by professor Anand Rai on ‘Human behaviour and senile psychology.’