That Day

That Day, My mom was not at home. I came home late from my school.

Mumma. Mummaaaaaaaa.I shouted!

Mumma...

I spy...hehehehhehe. She said as She came out.

I hugged her

It's being said that daughters go well with their fathers and vice-versa.

But I was very fond of my Mom; we used to think alike, similar likes and dislikes, Best buddies....

I was in 12^th standard when our family planned to visit Goa.

My mom always wanted to see the beaches and stuff out there, like me only. However my Dad and brother were reluctant. (May be they wanted to have fun in their own troops!).;)

During our visit to south Goa, my Mom was thrilled to see the Ancient Goa and specially The Church Basilica Bom Jesus. Actually, this church contains the relics of St. Francis Xavier, Patron saint of Goa, Every year, on the 3rd December, the day of the Feast of St. Francis Xavier; the saint's finger is displayed to the public. The exposition of the body of St. Francis Xavier is held once every ten years.

Since then my mom was waiting to see The Saint's finger. And then, sometimes coz of my 16^th birthday, then my exams and sometimes coz of some stupid friends' birthday, I was not able to take my mom along to this place.

After I completed my dental studies, I got a Job in London, U.K. The place was really beautiful, but my aim was to earn more and more money so I used to do three jobs in a day to make quick money.

All was going fine, until one day I got a chance to be there inside the London Eye Capsule...

Man! Now that was something...

Overlooking the whole of London, I felt it's the most romantic thing to do with your partner. And I recalled my mom. For the past so many days I haven't called her.

I couldn't resist, and I called her to tell her how beautiful this place is?

Tring! Tring!

~~~~~~~~Busy! Busy! ~~~All lines are busy~~~~~~###

Uff! I don't know why she is always glued to phone and I went a little furious.

Again busy~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~No reply...

Anyways leave it, some other time and I disconnected and drove back home.

(While driving back I was thinking this. No one is missing me, look even my mom is so happy with her friends and her kitty parties...damn! This is one thing, where my Mom and me don't match!)

Next afternoon, my dad called me up and asked me whether I am coming home on Diwali. He was sounding a little tense,

Hi Dad! I will try!!

Please try beta! Everyone is missing you here.

(At the back of my mind, I was thinking about George, He was one Hunk at my workplace and hey! that too loaded one. We were kind of going around for a few days and He had special plans for me, this Diwali.)

Hello! So beta, will you try and visit us on diwali.... errr.

Oh yes.

Dad! U know I would have loved to, But you know these foreigners, they don't understand all these Indian festivals.

Hmm. Beta, Just try this time.

Will try my best dad!

See ya..

Bye

The next day, I got news that George is being transferred to Italy. I was a little disturbed coz of this,

George! Is it true? -I enquired

Oh! yeah..It is.

Then! - I asked looking into his eyes

Oh nothing Dear! Please don't try all that. - He shrugged!

And I was taken aback because his insensitiveness

Before I would have left, he gave me a fax

What is this? - I asked!

Your mom expired last night- he said and smiled!

(How cruel! Why is he smiling on this.)?

I ran up to him, George! What is amusing you in this news George, explain me.

Look I just wanted you to take it easy...he said mincing his lips.

EASY? MY MOM HAS DIED GEORGE.... - and I broke into tears

Oh! God! Please dear don't try this all on me, pleeeease dear! Ok tell me the truth, you only called up your friend to fax you this false news right...to whom you said to fax me this? I know that you are throwing all this coz I am leaving, right! - He said as he held my shoulders...

And I slapped him...

Rascal! How dare you. I cannot stoop to such levels, you shallow! - I Yelled.

I realised that, even after marrying George I would never be rich enough to buy my own PAST, My mom, our happy days. Live each moment before it gets beyond reach, set your priorities right in time.

...........At Obituary, my brother told me, Didi, I knew that mom always wanted to see the St. Francis, I asked her to come with me last year, but she wanted only you to come along with her...

And then She called up your house, some George picked up and they were talking for hours. He was telling Mom that you have gone to London eye then,

Who's is He? What is London Eye?

And I burst into tears.