Short Story in English : Sunanda's Mother by law

 

 SUNANDA'S MOTHER BY LAW

  Sunanda was having her tea sitting beside the rocking easy chair of her mamma. "Mamma" as she called her. 

Her biological mother left her, as everybody says when she was only four. She has seen her in old black-and-white pictures. Those pics were as if Sunanda had tried to go back in time. She was a true copy of her mother, but she became a true copy of her 'mamma' when it comes to her character.

Today it's the third day that the chair beside her has been vacant.

 For the past 33 years, she must have rarely left her on her own. And after Saurabh left them, six yrs back she was always there with her like her shadow.  The shadow made her figure prominent and outstanding.

 Sunanda, what she is today, is a new persona than what she used to be when she got married. 

 The "woman" she called Mamma, helped her change the mould to make her the woman that she is now. And of course, her son Arnabh did the final polishing of her mother's attitude, which has to be updated.

Arnab, a .... Naval officer was informed about mamma's deteriorating health and so he was there when it all happened. He was with both the ladies and watching them get parted. He knew how hard it must have been for maa to see mamma fighting to occupy just a few more days so that she can make it to the award ceremony of maa getting the prestigious award for being an environmentalist. 

Sunanda planting tree with "Mamma" and son
Image credit: pexels.com

Arnab hugged her mother from behind and left her saying, he will be back soon.

Sunanda shifted to the rocking chair, and somewhere in, she felt her warmth. Her eyes went glossy. The picture in front became hazy. She blinked and let the tears gush down. She sobbed so hard as if to vacant every bit that was there inside. "Mamma, you made me what I am, please always be there for me...I will always look back for you and I should see you there, just there by my side."

She turned to see the family picture just behind her. The picture drew her back to the memory of the days when she started to bond with the family and later on became the family'.

She remembered her school days when she first met Saurabh.

In school, of course, in an elite school, she was never good at studies or any other activities, nor did she want to. She was only pretty and that made her a bit popular among those who never wanted to see beyond that.

 The three cousins of hers were also in the same school. Even Saurabh was there, six years senior to her and a close friend of the eldest cousin, Vinay. For the same, many times she has addressed Saurabh as "bhaiya" ( elder brother). 

 

Saurab, as he told Sunanda after marriage that he found her very attractive but thought her to be too young to think about her any other way.

After some years of their being together, one day, light-heartedly he confessed that I thought of you as a real half-wit, preposterous and silly girl. Beauty without any grey. Now, that she had acquired wisdom to a great extent, she laughed out loud.

Remembering Saurabh, she suddenly started wiping her cheeks for the tears drained them. Saurabh, after his fatal accident just said a sentence, calling her close," never cry for me, I don't like women who cry. I would like to be your strength always. Just think about Mamma and Arnab."

That's how she managed the past six years. Then Mamma was there, who even though losing her only son, showed all her wits to give me courage.

Again she started gazing at the pics. She thought "Saurabh looked so handsome in his marriage attire". 

I remember, he was not that good-looking in his teens but everybody said he is an intelligent boy and always ranks first in his class. This made me more scared of him. I thought he will ask me something and I would be dumb-stricken. So I avoided him. 

After topping in higher secondary, I heard that he went far to pursue his higher studies. 

Their family shifted to Calcutta ( today's Kolkata). I didn't have any contact with him. I heard that he has cleared some tough exams in civil services and will become a commissioner, a highly-ranked officer in the government. After hearing so many good things about him, I felt a bit impressed.

Eight years went by, and one day on a Sunday morning, the doorbell rang twice. I expected Mukta, as we were all set to go shopping.

No, it was a stranger, standing in front of me. Before I said something he said, Vinay, ...he paused and said, "Sunanda, if I am not wrong."

Sunanda said smiling," and if I am right, you are Saurabh Bhai....." Before she could finish off, Saurabh interrupted. Sunanda, I didn't recognise you.  You have grown up like a...anyways what's up. You must be in your second-year graduation. How are your studies going?  What have you opted for?" 

Now I was getting disturbed. I always hated these types of questions, regarding studies. 

Before I could answer, Vinay came and hugged him. He answered, "she left her studies after school finals."

Saurabh, after marriage, on the very first meeting said, that day after knowing about me not continuing my further education he felt as if his dreams getting messed up. 

He was having a soft corner for having me as a life partner but what he didn't like was me being not so much interested in gaining any type of knowledge whatsoever. 

They were back in Jaipur, and Saurabh started coming now and then. Even I started feeling more comfortable rather than nervous. 

In the beginning, he interrupted every time I called him and tried to say 'bhaiya' but later I stopped continuing with any other reference other than Saurabh.

Now everything between him and me changed. I started waiting for him and he started planning for the next days meeting reason.

Before proposing, Saurabh made sure that I approve of studying further and taking life more seriously.

Saurabh took me to meet her mother after telling her about our relationship. I was meeting her for the first time. I was so nervous as if the results of some exams are to be declared and I am definitely to fail in it. Moreover, what scared me more was, that she was a Mathematics Teacher.

Saurabh, for the first time, took my hands into his and taping them said, "don't get nervous, you are going to like her and she won't ask you anything related to studies." He smiled. 

I still remember the way he stared at me for a few seconds and said, you know, I never thought that I can ever say those golden words to anyone, but now I know that situation compels you to confess. 

I still can feel his warmth, looking at me, he was about to tell me something. Anticipating his move, I looked down. He didn't move or said anything but tightened his grip a bit and waited for me to look back at him. He said, " I love you". His magic worked I forgot all that was bothering me and he always used the same trick.

Sunanda again was shivering and wanted Saurabh badly, but felt helpless and weak.  She recalled that every time after Saurabh's demise, it was Mamma who gave her the strength to bounce back. Now she was all on her own, just crying and trying hard to console herself.

She looked back at Mamma's picture which was kept for the visitors who kept on coming to pay their last homage. The photograph said everything. Calm but confident.

She precisely moulded me as her son wanted. She knew that Saurabh would never compromise with my studies and shortly many differences will make their way into our relationship.

Saurabh's father was a lawyer and had a legal firm which was still managed by Mamma. Being a teacher, she knew nothing about legal doings but those who worked in the firm with papa were very loyal and hardworking so the firm was still doing great. The point is that Mamma now wanted me to pursue law as a career and in the future work with the firm.

We started meeting now and then and so mamma one day called me and Saurabh and started discussing whether I was serious about studying. I didn't like the idea but was ready to even do that for Saurabh.

Saurabh liked the idea of pursuing law cause I didn't have good numbers to back it up.  Even I found it interesting and said," you know I liked watching thrillers and suspense. I remember, that both mother and son can't suppress their laughter at my reply. I felt bad for a few seconds but Saurabh was fast enough to correct it by winking and posing a smooch.

The rest was on mamma, starting from getting the admission form, meeting with the principal and doing all the formalities.

I did my graduation with Arts ( B.A) and then an LLB ( Bachelor of law) for five long years. I and Saurabh got married in the final year of graduation.

All these years changed me entirely. I was a new person. I learnt so much from their companionship. Mother and son, both were so clear in their concepts about anything. 

When Mamma received her Best Teachers Award, I saw the twinkle in her eyes as she received it and looked back toward her son and me. She was so happy that day and the same did, I felt, "happy". That day I wanted to feel that moment when somebody reaches the height of the maxima. I wanted it but there was a lack of motivation and this award gave me that.

I started going to the firm with Mamma and reading books out there since the course was to commence after vacation. It helped me a lot. From the first year itself, I saw the practical use of what everyone was only studying. I was just enjoying every bit of my life. I even gained an interest in reading books.

I never knew that life is easy for some fortunate people like us who get everything so effortlessly.  I started to know about politics and how it affects the lives of not-so-fortunate people. They are being deprived and coerced of what is theirs.

I started to get in touch with the situation in which poverty makes a person more susceptible to illegal doing. For I thought poverty is the major issue of whatever illegal is happening.

Now, apart from my studies, I started meeting NGOs and other organisations. I was enjoying my work. It gave me contentment. 

The three of us were too busy but tried hard to make it to have at least dinner sitting next to each other and talking about the day.

Now even I was able to connect with whatever they discussed and never made a blunder.

Our firm started gaining fame. We practised concessions for those who can't afford to pay fees.

Time flew out like air. Nothing stopped it. Four years went by. Now I wanted to have a baby. The urge for it gained pace. Even mamma raised the desire once.

I still remember the conversation that night which changed my thinking. Saurabh made it clear to me that the cause for every wrong deed in our country or to say in any country is mainly due to the population. The human population explosion is directly or indirectly, the reason behind every concern.

Specifically, in our state where education is still not given the importance, it needs.  

Yes, I agreed.  Now Saurabh started to convince me not to have our child, and instead adopt one or two or even more since we can afford to.

This is what was not agreeable to me. Saurabh started showing documentaries related to population growth, its effects and what is our duty or how we can try and do our minimum.

At the dining table, he started the discussion. I was sure mamma won't agree. But to my surprise, she was very proud of her son's notion.

Now both started convincing me.

Three days went by, and Saurabh never raised the issue again neither did Mamma.

I saw them having a serious talk on some issue, as it looked. The next night Saurabh was having a different attitude in bed and refused to use contraception. I understood his feelings. I was more than happy and said " just once, then we will adopt.

Arnab's birth after a year or so was a fresh start of something new. 

I started practising law but it was getting hard to meet the two ends of the string. I stretched myself to the max but it was taking a toll on my physical strength and so started feeling low mentally.

Mamma, being a woman knew what was going on with me. She said to me, Sunanda look for your priorities, and work accordingly otherwise it is going to cost you your health.

I gave up everything which was not related to the baby. For the next year, it was me Saurabh and Mamma trying to fill the space of unavailability of the other person, especially mine.

 Arnab was now three years and  I was working full-time. Every day when going to work there were many instances when it occurred that a boy or a girl of Arnab's age was seen begging and Arnab was sitting next to me in the safety of a luxurious car far from knowing anything about hardship. 

Now it was the time to start doing what we wanted to do. 

It was not an easy task to adopt a child. All the legal papers and selection according to age. We wanted a girl younger than Arnab. Soni came into our life. She was deaf and dumb.

We tried our best but she succumbed to her lymphoma. Arnab saw it all and was big enough to feel the loss. After this harsh experience, we decided to go only for financial help. We worked with CRY and other NGOs giving them any type of help. Helping them in their legal cause, either without cost or with minimal amount. 

Now, I and my co-workers are managing the legal as well as social networking for all that is done by our firm. I have a team of a total of 22 mates including me. They are like my family. Till now Mamma was there to talk to when I came home. 

Don't know what next. Don't want to give it a thought right now. But sure to do everything that will make Arnab proud of his mother.

Arnab enters in a rush, and says, Maa you are still here. 

Sunanda,  all of a sudden was out of her thoughts. She said, Arnab, a lady from the event organising company called and wanted to know about me and whom would I like to give the merit for all my achievements and his or her introduction. 

Arnab continued. Maa, there is one more news, the sub-inspector called and said that they have reached a finding indicating a direct involvement of " Leathers".

 He paused and said. Maa, unknowingly you are getting woven into something very complex.

This company "Leathers" are of the level of supremos out there. Mamma saved you once, but she was not their target, you were.

Sunanda tried to explain her feelings. She said, look Arnab, if mamma would have not succumbed to her stabbing, I would have thought twice about rewriting my ethical fight for a better environment, cause I was frightened by her condition but now I have to fight for her also. 

Trying to sound confident, she said, I don't worry about you. I know you are strong enough to tackle everything.

Leathers have gone far enough. They are doing all illegal acts starting from illegally slaughtering innocent animals to reaching the heights of polluting every bit, from the air, water and land.

They know that this time nobody from the higher level is going to secure them so they are doing all these low-standard acts.

She continued. I know it's not them alone, the project coordinator of "Jalashay" and " Vanmahotsav" and many more so-called NGOs are also with them.

She got annoyed and asked, Arnab do you think they are so influential that they can fight us? 

Arnab came close and embracing her, said, Maa, not big as you and your firm. So be firm in your decision. This award is going to add to your power.  Use it, don't lose it.

Now I feel even I should have joined your motive. It's adventurous. Looks more than mine.

Sitting on the floor, he placed his head on her lap. Sunanda started caressing his hair and said. Arnab the only thing I worry about is, what after me?  

He smiled and said, I know you want my word on that.

She smiled back. Did you say yes?

 Arnab took her hand back to give a hint to continue and said, Yes after seven years.

Sunanda said that's more than enough.

For a few minutes, both enjoyed the silence.

Arnab broke the silence as if he was going back through memory lane and remembering how her mother used to be in his childhood and younger times, he said. Maa, I recall you as someone very pretty but not so reasonable and clever who can boldly take hard professional decisions. There is an amazing makeover in your attitude towards life.

I was flattered and didn't take a second to declare, it was all because of Mamma. I think she was a gods gift to me. After taking my mother back from me accidentally the almighty returned me, my mother as "Mamma". 

 Sunanda continued and tried to explain. There were many instances when we had differences of opinion but that did stay till one of us left the ego behind and came forward to act as if everything is normal, nothing came about.

You know Arnab, whenever anybody referred to her as my mother-in-law, I just got agitated. I don't know why I did so, but I corrected them by saying she is "My Mother".  Arnab, she was given to me as Mother by law, the law of nature.

The phone rang. Arnab checked and said. Maa, it's from Shetty " Leathers".

Getting up, Sunanda said, I am going to meet the sub-inspector. Coming along?

Arnab picked up his phone and car keys to move along.

The mother and the son duo was all set to launch and drop right on the target. BULLSEYE.

Did you find it interesting and of some value then you can also read a similar type of short story?

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