MOTHER AWAITS….

Ever since the son
left for the distant
unknown land
mother started waiting
for his return
from the same day itself.
Years of waiting
and waiting
mother each day.
Dreamt her son
paying a surprise
visit to her in
each dream
inebriated she with
joy,
her heart pounding
with pleasure.
Mother
showered with gifts
of kisses
mother showered him
with gifts of warm
kisses
all in her dreams.
One day
unexpectedly she
received a telegram
from her first flower
of her life with her partnership
for life -
her better-half.
‘Mother await me
expect me any time
soon’ – went on the cable.
No dream
but a reality
her heart jumped with
joy.
Mother visualized his
figure,
‘how is he now?
Happy? Well-placed?
Would he be with
me the entire life?
Will he fly
afar again?’
Images flashed
across her eyes.
At last
one day afternoon
waiting on the portico
saw she four
gun wielding khaki-wallahs
rushing to the house,
‘Is he your
_ son here?
Be honest, tell the
truth.
The red-eyed ones
eyes wide and protruded
stared at her…
Something tumbled down
inside her heart
she stood statue-like
with two channels of
tears rolling down her cheeks…..