Monday, October 15, 2007

Mother

The first time I saw her, I knew she was special ...

She was a mother of three - triplets! As proud as the Queen, walking with her head so high up, not cared about the thorn in her way! They lived in a corner of the compund where my grandma used to stay. One look at the way they lived, I could say the mother never ate anything! But that was no reason her children will not be breast-fed! Let the whole world see; shame and embarresment is left for lesser mortals!

They didn't have a roof to live under, not a morsel to eat, no clothes to wear, no protection against the cold, rains; they just lived! I went near her children, beautiful babies, must be less than a month old, there was no sign, and didn't seem like there would be any, of their father! I saw their mother again, she didn't make a noise! Just the happy face, not smiling, but her eyes gave it all away! The triplets had cuddled themselves, one above the other - an arm here, a leg there, you could never say which one was whose!

Another look at her and I knew she hadn't eaten - for hours, days, weeks one could never say; certailny not from her face! But the body would suggest otherwise. She wasn't drained, but was certainly very weak, too weak to feed her cihldren! I ran out to get some food which she gladly accepted but not a word of thanks. I wondered if she were mute; but her eyes, the look was enough! She gobbled it all up. I went home, to leave her with her children, to feed her children!

I went home, had my lunch, took a nap and went out to have a look at the babies. I found them cuddled in the exact same manner; or was there an arm extra now.?! Anyways, I could feel them shiver now 'cos it had rained, they were soaking wet. I looked around for their mother, she wasn't in the vicinity. I took the kids home, and wiped them clean. By this time an aunt came around shouting already to get those 'things' out of the house, that it wasn't 'appropriate' during such times or some thing like that ... (*a pointer - the house was crowded with people to offer condolences, my gran'ma had just passed away*) ... so I obediently took them and left the 3 under a roof. I went ahead to attend to the 'duties'! I came back late in the evening to check on them. She was now there ... breast-feeding them! I left the scene and got her food, which was again gobbled up in no time. I bid them a silent good-night; a good-bye of sorts, because I wasn't to visit untill next Saturday!

Come next Saturday, I had forgotten all about them. It had bothered me a bit initially, the paradox called life. But the fact called work comfortably jerked me off any such philosophy! I had asked my mother last week, whether we could 'adopt' one of the kids, and well ...you know the answer was a sympathetic NO!

This time, as soon as i entered the house, my mom greeted me with another bad news ... one of the 3 had died ... a 'painless death' - she termed, because no one cried!

Mom had called in the medics earlier who said, 'If the infection has not spread, the kid will live!' Well, no one could stop it from spreading ... !!!

I was struck; wondered what would have happened to a life if we had 'adopted'. I ran outside, to see the other two cuddled up, as if they did not miss the third! The mother was saddened, she had lost the glow, her eyes drooped. I got her food. She had to feed the other two! The next day was a big day, for my family, a big Puja to be done and many 'condolences' expected. Wonder who would console the mother who had lost a child! I got busy again. Went back home late in the night. I was excused for the Puja next morning so i could get up late and all that. Well I did get up late ... too late ...

I rushed to my granny's place. People were waiting for me. I went, had food, some work here and there then sat down with a sigh of relief! I had checked in the morning, the 'remaining two' kids were still pretty much asleep. Their mother still sad. Didn't speak a word, not a noise, moan, groan ... nothing! Now that I was done with my work, went out again. This time the medics had come for the 'follow-up'! They went and checked the other two, their mother watched them with complete indifference and then walked away ...! Abinav!!! That was my name being called. I rushed in. My mother had fallen down, she got a bump in her head. My aunt freaked out. I asked her to calm down, by which time a dozen aunts had gathered with 'expert advice'. I knew I wouldn't be much help. I rushed outside. The mother hadn't returned. The two kids weren't there... The medics had a sack in their hand and the kids in them ... They found the other two kids dead too. Not even a change in expression as they said it. Must be used to it, i thought! I asked them to wait for their mother, they said she knew it and that the two had been dead for a day now ...

She entered the compound now, I was sitting on the stairs. She came directly to me. Sat down besides, and the first time I heard her ... it was a whine ...a short one ... then it continued ... no tears just moans. No words ... I patted her on her back trying to vainly console her. She let out a long whine, that brought an aunt out to see what was going on. I conveyed it to her. She immediately went in announcing it to all the ladies inside. My mother rushed out. She knew I would be there and I knew she would come. She gave me some money and asked me to get some food. I went out. The mother did not move. She was still letting out little groans and moans ... hardly audible...

I went to the shop nearby, bought a packet of Parle-G, her favorite, went in and fed her. She gobbled them as fast, with moans and groans in between. No tear yet. Then after the packet was done, she sniffed my hand, gave a little lick and walked away...

Do dogs have condolence ceremonies???