MOTHER IN LOVE

 

MOTHER IN LOVE

 

LT COL NOEL ELLIS

 

09/IV/2022

 

It was Mother’s Day and my mother-in-law is mother to me now. A bundle of energy who continues to bash through with the same gusto the way I met her 40 years ago. Lively, chirpy, sports freak, a fantastic cook, gardening enthusiast, philanthropist, committed to social causes, disciplinarian, lovable, adorable, pious to the core, basically a sweet heart.

 

Her large heart not only looks after street children but their parents and grandparents too. Bhuru, Kali, and many other street dogs are well fed too. The sabziwala, maid, even the kachrewala bow in reverence to her. Her concern for their wellbeing ensures that they have a square meal is praiseworthy.

 

With age catching up, things definitely have slowed her pace but her mind is as sharp. She can solve cross words in no time. Her plants are so dear that even if it takes to get a water tanker during water crisis, they shall be watered. To sum up her qualities would not be possible in a few words.

 

Her house is a ten minutes’ drive from ours.

 

A day before Mother’s Day, we chatted and discussed everything under the sun. She was not happy with the Rajasthan Royals performance. We being vagabonds with shifting loyalties of IPL teams, our discussions continue.

 

There was a certain function at her daughter in laws place in Ajmer, the whole family proceeded sans her. She is used to staying alone. There is activity in the house all day. The house keeper, roti maker or someone keeps coming and going. Jodhpur being relatively safe, security isn’t a big issue as yet.

 

My wife and I planned to give her a surprise on Mother’s Day. We decided to pick up tikki chaat, dahi vadas and all chatpata stuff and spend an exclusive evening with her, gossiping and enjoying her company.

 

We did not wish her in the morning on purpose as we would meet in the evening. Also, knowing that she watches IPL matches till the last ball is bowled, followed by a few serials, she wakes up at her convenience.

 

One of her daughters, my ‘Saliji’ from Hyderabad rang up my wife. ‘Didi, mom is not picking up my phone since morning’. I called her many times. Go, check her out. It was 11.30 am and the heat had already picked up. Saliji said that she has spoken to folks who had gone to Ajmer and our even daughter in Pune. Both tried calling but calls weren’t attended by her. There is something wrong.

 

Two calls to mom from my wife were dialled straight away. No reply. She asked me to call from my phone, still the same result. She must have kept her phone and forgotten it, as she does quite often, I said. Wife gave an ultimatum, that get dressed and we are going home to check her out now.

 

Once a bad feeling gets implanted there is an effect. Mom ko kya ho gaya? Phone kyon nahi utha rahi? Bathroom main gir gayi hongi. She had fallen a few times. So rahi hongi, I said. Of course, the worst was also discussed.

 

I drove as fast as I could. Wife was white in panic. We knocked the door and a hale and hearty mother-in-law opened the door. “Itni garmi main kyon aye. Loo lag jayegi”. Ab aap ko kya batayen kyon aye. Aap ka phone kahan hai? In my room, she said, kyon kya hua. Did someone call, I asked? No, I received no calls since morning. The mystery was solved.

 

Her phone was on silent mode, not even on vibration. The volume of the ring tone was at the minimum level. She might have pressed that button inadvertently. There were twenty missed calls showing in her list. ‘When the phone didn’t ring how would I know someone called’, she said.

 

Had to take her class, how the phone goes on vibrate or silent mode. If the phone is kept under the pillow the speaker gets covered and you won’t hear the ring. She behaved as if nothing happened. My wife who had her ‘kaleja’ in her mouth didn’t know what to say. We breathed a sigh of relief.

 

Our closely guarded surprise no more remained one. In the evening we got dinner packed instead and spent the evening with her. When we heard the news that her son was halfway home, that’s the time we departed but with a caveat, ‘mom please ensure that your phone is kept close to you especially when alone.

 

We shall always be indebted for here benevolence and blessings she showers on us. Will she follow our instructions? I wonder!!!!!!!!!!!

 

JAI HIND

© NOEL ELLIS

 

Dedicated to my mother-in-law ‘Dolly’, who I call ‘Mother in love’ and to all ‘senior citizens’. We love you, just keep your phones accessible.