A Longing Wish

By Aabha Ghuli

Gayatri sat at the window, gazing at the women flaunt their silk kanchivaram saree, in the garden below. Her 62-year-old heart longed to see the vibrant silk adorn her wrinkled skin once more. But money stood like a strong barrier between her and the saree casting gloom over gayatri.

“Amma, Naina is on the phone asking if you want anything from Tamil Nadu” Reena her daughter-in-law called out to her. Gayatri shook her head, “no” she said in audible whisper. Reena hung the call. “Amma, Naina said she will buy a red Kanchivaram saree. She thought you would like it” Reena called out to gayatri. Gayatri's eyes lit up, and her face shone as a smile stretched across her face.

That night, gayatri tossed and turned on her bed but could not sleep a wink. Her face was bright as it had never been before and she laid her head on the pillow content. Just as the first ray of sun peeped from between the curtains, her bulging eyelids closed and her cheeks sagged with wrinkles of 62 years of life.

The floorboards creaked under Reena’s weight, as she walked in the room. “Amma…?” she called softly, as she drew up the curtains. The sunlight brightened the room, and fell on the old lady’s pale face. “Amma?” Reena called out again, as she shook Gayatri. But Gayatri still did not stir. “amma….” Reena said as she slumped down on the floor, her head in her hands and tears streaming down her face ,the sun had set but not risen for gayatri this time. “Amma… no” Reena moaned as the weight of what happened downed on her.

 “Ding…” the bell rang followed by a quick series of knocks, Reena steadied herself and walked over to the door.” Hi… Reena where is amma? Naina flung the door open. “What ‘s the matter ?”she asked dropping a neatly wrapped package on the floor ,she forced herself to look at Naina with her red swollen eyes. “Is amma fine?” she asked panic struck .Unable to hold it Reena broke into stifled sobs and tears, she nodded her head as tears rolled down her cheeks. Once more Naina looked at the package on the floor, tears blurring her vision ”Amma would have loved it…. red with thick golden zari…” her sobs overpowered her words .

Naina picked up the package and with trembling hands placed it on the table .The sun set, and the moon took over the sky from the sun ,lighting up the streets soothingly but for Reena and Naina it was anything but soothing. The way ahead was pitch dark for them and the only thing Reena could think of before she fell asleep was gayatri’s content face the night before .

Reena woke up to the sound of chirping birds ,she wiped her tear stained face before walking into the hall .Scenes of gayatri wearing the new sari along with matching jewellery and a radiant smile kept flashing in her head ,the more she thought the sadder she felt. She shook her head and walked to the balcony to hang the laundry to dry .

She picked up the yellow green saree that gayatri was wearing the day before and once again tears flowed freely dripping down her cheeks. She wiped her eyes with the corner of the saree and hung it to dry, her hands reached the basket and her fingers felt something soft and silky. Surprised ,Reena pulled it up and there it was, the red kanjivaram Sari.” Naina… “Reena screamed loudly ,Naina rushed out of her bedroom rubbing her eyes. She raised an eyebrow quizzically ,”Did you open the parcel ?”Reena questioned Naina .”No” Naina exclaimed” why would I?”..” then how is it here?” Reena asked .She showed Naina the saree ,it looked pretty wrinkled and crumpled like as if someone had worn it. Naina rushed to where the package was kept the day before .And, there it was torn carefully, with the sticky tape stuck inwards, just the way gayatri used to open her presents.

By Aabha Ghuli