Echoes of a Mother's Love

After placing the two pieces of coconut near the goddess’s feet, Bhagya closed her eyes. In that quiet moment, memories of her mother flooded back involuntarily. Tears rolled down her cheeks as her mother’s voice echoed in her mind. “Every Tuesday, she used to visit the temple and offer coconuts and money to the goddess, always thanking her for the blessings in her life,” Bhagya recalled with a heavy heart. “If I had come this way when Mom was still alive, how delighted she would have been,” Bhagya thought as her tears blurred her vision. With a heavy heart, she started walking, but suddenly she froze. “What is this? She looks just like my mom!” Bhagya whispered to herself. She approached the elderly woman in the blue saree cautiously, her heart pounding. “What is happening to me?” she murmured as she stepped back in shock. Walking away quickly, she crossed the road, trying to shake off the strange encounter.

A week ago, when her relatives visited her house, she had opened the door and was startled to see a lady in a grey saree standing outside. For a moment, Bhagya had been alarmed, thinking, “Is that my mom?” She stared intently, only to realize moments later that it wasn’t her. Closing the door, she wiped the sweat from her brow, her mind restless. The past seemed to unravel itself in layers. Her mother’s image lingered in her thoughts, dim and blurred by her tears.

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Bhagya and her brother lived in houses opposite each other. Their mother, Kedari, lived with her brother, who ran a small business her mother is to take care of it.

Every day, Kedari would walk back and forth between the house and the shop, tirelessly taking care of both. Despite her age, she never seemed to tire of looking after her children. She was always worried about her son and daughter.

“Mom, take ₹1,500 from him,” Bhagya said as she calculated the shop's bills. “Now, just take ₹500 from ₹1,500 and strike off the bill,” Kedari insisted. “And don’t let your brother know about this. He’ll just start shouting.”

One morning, Kedari stopped her granddaughter, Pragnia, as she was leaving for college. “Why didn’t you meet me before going today?” Kedari asked.

Pragnia, Bhagya’s elder daughter and a second-year B.Tech student, had a habit of meeting her grandmother every morning.

“I was in such a hurry today, Grandma! My phone was on silent, and even Mom didn’t wake me up. I almost missed the bus!” Pragnia explained hurriedly.

Kedari sighed but smiled. “Alright, relax now. Can you get me my medicines and some body lotion? I asked your uncle, but he ignored me. Take this ₹800 and get some snacks for yourself too.”

Days passed uneventfully, but a persistent thought troubled Kedari’s mind. “What will happen if I die one day?” she wondered.

Though she had occasional health issues, her regular medical checkups and medications kept her stable. Still, the thought lingered.

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“Still not ready? How much more time will you take?” Kedari shouted one day at Bhagya. “By the time we get there, the birthday ceremony will be over! Everyone else is already there.” “Just five more minutes, Mom! I’m almost done,” Bhagya replied while adjusting her saree.

They attended the function together, but only Bhagya returned home after lunch. Kedari stayed back to spend more time with relatives.

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Late one night, Kedari sat outside the house.

“Mom, what are you doing here? It’s 11:30 PM! Come inside and sleep,” her son Dilip said, concerned. “I’m having trouble breathing inside the house, so I came out for some fresh air,” Kedari replied. “Should we go to the hospital?” Dilip asked, worried. “No, I’m fine now. You go to sleep. I’ll rest soon,” Kedari reassured him.

The same thing happened the next night, but this time it seemed more serious. “What’s wrong, Mom? You said you were fine yesterday. Let’s go to the hospital now,” Dilip urged.

“No, call your sister Bhagya first. I need to talk to her,” Kedari insisted.

Dilip called Bhagya, and she arrived quickly, but by the time she reached, Kedari had lost consciousness. They rushed her to the hospital.

Doctors began treatment immediately, but Kedari resisted, as if she didn’t want any intervention. Bhagya and Dilip pleaded with her to stay calm.

The swelling in her stomach grew abnormally. The doctors administered injections, trying to prevent a heart attack, but nothing worked.

“Mom’s hands are getting cold. What’s happening? Can you please check again?” Bhagya asked fearfully.

Moments later, the ECG machine showed a straight line.

Within 20 minutes, it was over. Their hopes were shattered. Kedari had left them, leaving Bhagya and Dilip with nothing but sorrow and memories.