60 | The One With The Wish

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"So there is Chase. He's a big brown police puppy. He hates cats. I like Chase too. And and and there's a new cutie puppy in the show. He has a jeep and he drives it all around the jungle. His name is Tracker. Very good puppy."

"Who else do you like in this show?" Shree asks Madhu, who was excitedly describing each of her favourite characters from Paw Patrol. She was jumping up and down on the bed, in her pink pyjamas.

"There's so many!" Madhu exclaims hugging her Dalmation soft toy. "I like Zuma too. He can swim! He has a hat and he lives in a boat house."

"That's great, kannamma." Madhav says as he takes off his glasses. "Shall we all go to sleep? We need to wake up early tomorrow."

"Aiyo, why?" Madhu exclaims.

"We are going to the orphanage, baby." Shree tells Madhu. "Tomorrow is your grandma's birthday. Have you forgotten?"

"Bhamma? Or Yashoda Grandma?" Madhu asks.

"No no. Bhamma is my Mumma." Shree says. "This is Nanna's Mumma. Real Mumma"

"Where is she? Why haven't I ever seen her?" Madhu asks.

"She died long ago." Shree whispers. "Very long ago. Nanna was your age when his mother died."

"So Nanna grew up without his Mumma?" Madhu asks looking at Madhav. "No Mumma to make him nice sanchwichies and cookies, and and no good night kissies and no anything?"

Shree shakes her head. Madhu quickly hugs Madhav.

"You must have had a hard time to live without your Mumma." She says burying her face in his black tee-shirt.

"It was. Sadly, I was very small when she died. She only exists in my mind as a blurred memory." Madhav says. "I never got to know her personally. I know her only through her photos and the songs that she has sung."

He stops for a moment, realizing Shree and Madhu were looking at him with sadness.

"Alright, I think we need to go sleep." He says blinking away the tears. "Madhu, come here so I can properly tuck you in your blanket. Shree, can we have the lights dimmed?"

"Nanna, don't feel sad." Madhu says as she snuggles into her pillow. "You have us and Meow. We love you so much, you know."

"You don't look good with a sad face, Madhav." Shree says getting into the bed. "She may not be with us physically, but I assure you that she is with us in every possible way, through every step of our lives. The people we love never truly leave us. Death can take them away, but not the memories and the love we share."

"I want to live a life where she never dies. I wish that happens." Madhav says looking up at the ceiling. "Just imagine how beautiful life would have been if she never died. She would have showered so much love on both of you!"

"And Meow?" Madhu asks.

"And our dearest Meow too!" Madhav says smiling and he presses a kiss to her forehead.

"You forgot to give one for Mumma!" Madhu says poking his shoulder.

"Your Mumma got plenty today." Madhav says and Shree blushes.

"Alright, let's all go to sleep!" Shree says.

"Toot sweets sound like what they are. So do lollys in a lollypop jar." Madhu sings into Madhav's ears. 

"Is she singing?" Madhav asks amused.

"Just listen." Shree whispers. "She's been practising."

"Gingerbread men have a gingerbread sound. Sugar plum cinnamon and lemon tart tell you what they are right from the start. And your name does the same for you." Madhu says resting her chin on his chest. 

"She means you're sweet!" Shree whispers.

"I know!" He whispers and winks at her. "She's sweeter though!"

"Truly Scrumptious. You're truly truly scrumptious. Scrumptious as a cherry 

"Peach parfait." Shree interjects singing. 

Madhu nods and resumes. "When you're near us. It's so delicious. Honest Truly, you're the answer to our wishes. Truly Scrumptious. Never, never, ever go away. Our hearts beat so unruly. Because we love you truly."

"That is just so lovely, Madhu." Madhav whispers yawning.

"It's working, Madhu. You made Nanna fall asleep." Shree whispers as Madhav falls asleep.


- M A D H A V    R A M A K R I S H N A - 


"Sir, wake up sir!" I hear our servant boy Anbu tell me. I rub my eyes and sit up on the bed. The curtains were opened, and the sun's golden rays fell upon me.

"Fuck! It's 10 already?" I exclaim looking at the clock on the bedside table.

"Yes sir. Wake up and get ready soon sir. Or else madam will get very angry." He says.

"How could I sleep so irresponsibly! I shouldn't have slept in this way! Ugh cant believe I messed such an important day!" I groan as I run my fingers through my hair. I was supposed to be at the orphanage by now with Shree and Madhu. Where are they? Why didn't either one of them come to wake me up?

"What important day is it today sir? Is it a meeting or something?" Anbu asks.

"You don't remember what day it is?" I ask Anbu. "Besides the fact that today is a Friday and stuff?"

He shakes his head.

"Sir, you should get up and go downstairs. Madam will be very upset with you if she knows-"

"Anbu, Anbu, my madam, you mean-"

"Your mother, sir!"

She's alive? I blink and then realization strikes me. I made a wish last night. I want to live a life where she never dies. "W-w-where is she?"

"She's in the home music studio recording her new song."

I get up and quickly run my fingers through my hair.

"Wait, do we have a music studio at home?"

"Yes sir, it's been there for many decades. In the ground floor, near the prayer room." He says looking at me quizzically. 

I dash out through my room and down the stairs. I probably ignored my father who greeted me. At the foot of the stairs, just near the prayer room, I notice a a big room with double doors. I really start to wonder how this room appeared over night. The words 'RECORDING' was glowing brightly on top of the doors. 

I slowly open the door and walk in. The corridor walls were filled with framed photos and shelves that had so many shiny awards and medals. I stop and take a look.

So many Filmfare Awards, SIIMA Awards. On a very big glass shelf there was the National Film Awards, the esteemed Padma Shri Medallion dated 2006 and the Sanad certificate was on display next to the framed picture of her receiving the Padma Shri Award from the late former president Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. She was wearing a bright pink sari and she looked just so beautiful. My eyes refuse to leave the smiling face of my mother. 

My mother is no longer Mrs. Rukmini Ramakrishna. She's Padmashri Rukmini Ramakrishna.

I open the little door near the shelf and walk inside. There's a big audio mixer against the soundproof glass window. The two skinny men near the audio mixer wave at me.

"Dude, your mom is literally slaying it with Shankar Mahadevan!" One guy says cheering and doing some lame victory dance.

I quickly turn. On the other side of the soundproof mirror I find my mother there next to Shankar Madhadevan. 

My breath gets caught when I see her standing in front of me. Just as beautiful as I remember her to be.

She adjusts her glasses and looks into the lyric sheet on her hands. She was wearing a beautiful sunflower yellow sari with a bright blue border that matched her green blouse. Despite the wrinkles and the slightly grey hair, she looked really beautiful. 

"She's so beautiful." I say and she looks up at me, waves with a warm smile before she starts to sing.

"Oh my mata, it's really her!" I say as she starts to sing. My eyes start to glimmer with watery tears. Her voice is richer and more pleasing to hear. I grew up listening to her CDs and the sound of her singing is what lasts in my memory. It's sad I can't remember her voice whenever she spoke to me. Tears pricked my eyes and she reached up and touched his face like she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing. Not that he could blame her.

I sit on the couch, hearing my heart beat within my chest. She's alive! I quickly wipe the tears that had started to overflow. I smile and still feel a fresh stream of tears flow down my eyes. I'm looking at her in complete awe, wondering if this is happening in real.

There's a million questions I want to ask her and a million things to tell her. She's smiling at me, the way she always does. The youthful face that's latched to my memory is now almost wrinkled and creased - but the gleam in her eyes and the warmth of her smile haven't changed one bit.

I stood up in a flash when the recording finished. Amma and Shankar Mahadevan shook hands. He walks out, greeting me warmly, but I ran past him into the soundproof recording room. 

"I'm surprised you didn't have your usual long conversations with Mr. Shankar-" She says as I enter the room. Her eyes quickly fall on me and she stops."Madhav, what happened? Why are you crying?"

I take two more steps forward, coming close before embracing her in a flash. Silent tears start falling like rivulets. I am quivering, shaking and trembling.

"Amma, I missed you so much!" I whisper relishing our warm embrace, squeezing my eyes shut.

"But you just saw me last night, little one." She says. I blink away the wetness at my eye lashes. "It's not even 12 hours since I last saw you."

"Trust me, Amma. It feels like so many years." I say as I hold her hands in mine. Her hands were soft and warm. The last time I held her hand was on the day of her funeral. Her hands were cold and stone-like. "It feels like you have been gone forever."

She breaks away. 

"Okay little one, I need to go now. I made breakfast for you. Fresh up and eat. Amma has to go to the mandhir now." She says caressing my face. "I'll be home for lunch."

"No!" I exclaim. "Can you not go to the mandhir today? I really want you to stay at home and spend some time with me, Amma."

"But Madhav, I-"

"Please?"  

"Okay, fine!" She says. "You need to go to shower first! And please shave, I hate it when you wander about with that beard, looking like a homeless man! I'll stay back only if you shave!"

I nod.

"Go and fresh up!" She says. "I'll meet you in the dining room in another few minutes."


* * * * * 


The first thing I do is run to Shyaam and Devi's room.

"Shyaam! Where are you?" I call out as I walk into his room.

"Who?" Asks a tall fair man wearing a yellow shirt and corduroy pants, who was looking into Shyaam's cupboard that had his personal belongings.

"What the fuck?" I exclaim loudly as I look at the man. "Who on earth are you and why are you rummaging through my brother's things?"

"Are you kidding me?" He scoffs annoyed. "Is this some sort of a lame joke you are playing on me?"

"Excuse me, why on earth-"

"What's going on?" A young lady asks me. The voice is so familiar and I quickly turn.

"Devakshi?" I ask as I see my late sister standing in front of me - looking very much alive. She was wearing a blue kurta top and matching leggings. I blink twice in surprise. "OMG, akka! You are alive!"

"That's really offensive, Maddy!" She exclaims punching my shoulder.

"He was rude to me too, Deva!" The strange man complains. "He asked who I was! Can you believe it? What happened to you Madhav, I thought we were friends! That's what you told me when I married your sister!"

"You are married to Deva?" I ask. My sister's jaw drops.

"Of course Ganesh and I are married! For almost 16 years!" She exclaims. "We even have two sons! You named both our boys!"

I feign a smile. "Haha, of course you are married to Deva. I was only pulling your leg. How can I forget you, Ganesh! I'm so sorry. I thought you were my brother Shyaam-"

"Shyaam? Who's that?" Deva asks me. 

"Our little brother, Deva!"

"Goodness Madhav, I hope you haven't had a glass of alcohol this early!" 

She sighs as she keeps her handbag on the bed. "I just came from the hospital. I performed three bypass surgeries and a gall bladder removal surgery in the last 32 hours. I really need so rest . Ganesh, before you go to your pharmacy, make me a lemonade. Also, Madhav, your wife is looking for you."

"I'll go check on her and meet you later." I say and as I was about to walk out I quickly hug her. "It's so great to see you again after so long akka!"


* * * * *


"Chellam, you won't believe what's going on!" I say as I walk into our room. The door was opened wide.

I stop and notice Shree standing in front of the opened cupboard, wrapped in a short white towel with her hair dripping wet. I close the door and go closer to her. My hands run down her smooth arms. My lips lower to her shoulder and I press a lingering kiss there and breathe in her scent.

I grab her breast as I press kisses up her neck. She giggles and I freeze as she turns to me.

"Siya?" I ask as I see Siya standing in front of me, wrapped in the towel.

"W-W-What are you doing-" A chill runs through my spine as I look at the framed picture in front of me. It was a picture of Me and Siya on a wedding dais, looking at each other holding hands. I quickly turn to Siya, who was standing in front of me. I look at the golden mangalsutra on her neck. Oh My Mata - how did I get married to Siya?

"Hey husband!" She purrs and presses a kiss to my lips. She turns to the cupboard and pushes the clothes until she pulls out a short red frock. "I was surprised to see you missing when I came back after my morning workout."

She let's the towel fall down to get into her clothes. I quickly turn away. That's when I notice that my room is completely different. The room is painted in a weird pink shade - what the fuck, what happened to the classy peach shade? The bangle wind chimes made by Shree are missing, and the walk-in-closest was missing too. One the wall, instead of the big picture of Madhu, Shree and me was an erotic oil painting of a couple. More framed pictures of Siya and I are on the walls. I blink twice. In those pictures we were hugging each other, grinning and kissing. Barf!

WHAT THE FUCK HAS HAPPENED HERE?


To be continued....


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