Translated from the Original Hindi by

Kanwar Dinesh Singh

After the marriage of her only son, there was a deep silence in the house. With the departure of relatives, her son and daughter-in-law also went to a hill town to celebrate their honeymoon.

There were no bounds to the mother’s happiness. The thought about the honeymoon of her son and daughter-in-law caused a strange tickle in her lonesome heart. She laughed a little; she sat on a comforting chair in a corner of her drawing-room and started diving into her past.

About twenty-two years ago, she too came as a bride. She was only sixteen at that time. She too went on a honeymoon with her husband. How happy the husband and wife were! After about a year of their marriage, her only son started playing in her lap. But after six months of his birth, time devoured her happiness. Her husband accompanied her only in her memories. Then her family had insisted her to remarry before her son was a teenager. Her son also knew that. But she always said that for the sake of her own happiness she wouldn’t spoil her son’s future. She would make a good man out of this emblem of her husband’s love. She would make him stand on his own, and only after settling his family, if time and society allowed, she would think about herself.

She had just emerged from the past that another incident of her olden days flashed into her memory and thrilled her. After the death of her husband, she had got a good job in the same office that she was educated in. While working there, one of her colleagues got attracted and emotionally attached to her. Gradually, they both fell in love, and they still loved each other. But that love always continued in a modest way. And her sense of responsibility did not let her falter. Even her colleague did not marry anyone, waiting for her.

Today, she’s thinking about her colleague; would it have been okay to get married at this age? Would she be able to bring happiness to her new husband? What would the family think? The biggest thing: what would his son and daughter-in-law think of it? What would be the effect on them? Would he like to be related to his mother? Would he ever consider his mother’s sacrifice? As soon as these doubts emerged, she was horrified. The tickle that happened in her mind turned into shuddering. But she decided that she would definitely speak her mind to her son and daughter-in-law.

Upon returning from the honeymoon, seeing the appropriate occasion, the son said, “Mother! What is the matter? Ever since we have returned from our trip…You are looking at us in a strange way. Forgive us if we have made a mistake.”

“No, Son! Which mother would not be proud of a son like you?”

“Then tell me the reason for your trouble, Mother! I swear I can do anything for your happiness. I know what you did for me. Tell me, Mother.”’

“Son! I am afraid to say…I do not want to lose you by saying that.”

“I swear to you! Now, say it.”

“Son, you know your Rabindra Uncle…”

“Yes, Mother! I met Ravindra Uncle today. I have introduced your daughter-in-law to him as well. We have finalized talks about you and him! Your approval is required…the day you want to walk in court, both of you…!”’

“Son!’”

“Don’t be surprised, Mother.”

Mother kissed the son.

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Dr. Kanwar Dinesh Singh,Poet, Storyteller, Critic & Associate Professor of English, # 3, Cecil Quarters, Chaura Maidan, Shimla: 171004 H.P. India,Email: kanwardineshsingh@gmail.com Mobile: +919418626090