Daughter-in-emotion

As Sarla kept down the phone, tears rolled down her eyes but as she saw people gathering around her she quickly wiped off her tears with the corner of her discoloured cotton Saree and pulled her lips to give a faint smile. For the other people at the old age home, it was just another case, nothing unique. Sarla being a new comer was welcomed in the very procedure as all were. As she kept the phone people gathered around her, consoling her, sharing with her their painful stories to make her feel that she was not the only unfortunate, and finally encouraging her that this is no end of life rather a start.
But life in old age home can never be as comfortable as home at least unless one get habitual of it. The gravest pain is emotional and it takes time to fill such wounds.
After the bucking up session and lunch everyone went to sleep.
But Sarla couldn't. She laid down sideways her tears wetting her pillow when she heard a voice, "Maa". She turned around with a jerk but there was no one. She turned back again with utter disappointment but the voice called again this time louder, "Maa". She turned quickly because she had by now recognised the voice. It was Sandhya. They clung to each other both in tears. Kavita, one of the inmates who had seen the scene quietly called others to witness such beautiful mother daughter moment.
As Sandhya took out the tiffin box to serve Sarla some home made sweets, one of the inmates asked, "Your daughter?"
"Yes" said the beaming Sarla.
Then turning to Sandhya Sarla asked, "Where is Chintu?"
"School Maa. I have told the van driver to drop him here today."
" Did he allow you to come?" asked Sarla gloomingly.
"Why will Chintu stop me Maa?" Sandhya replied.
"Oh no I am talking about him, i mean Chintu's dad." Sarla said.
"Oh please Maa, don't talk about him. I clearly stated him that I will not allow you to stay at old age home. A son has done what he could, now I shall do what I should." Sandhya was furious.
Kissing Sandhya on the forehead Sarla said, "Beta, I don't want that you ruin your family life. They are all you have. I have no problem being here. Slowly I will adjust in this environment. Don't worry. "
"Maa please. Don't stop me from taking you home." Sandhya requested firmly but soon broke into cry saying," I feel really sorry for you being here. That son of yours took all the decisions himself, without even caring to inform me. I accept that I had gone to Delhi for few days but couldn't he even convey me his decision over phone. After all you are my mother too."
Seeing Sandhya cry some women inmates come forward to console her. One of them said, " Beta, you have no control of such people because they are under the grip of their cruel wives."
" Bhabhi ji, daughter in laws are no less than curse. They destroy the whole family like a pest destroys the whole standing crop." said the other to Sarla.
" Not all daughter in laws are so bad. Some as compassionate also." clarified Sarla.
" Oh Sarla ji, please don't try to remain ignorant. If your daughter in law was so good why should she send you here." said an aged male inmate.
Before Sarla could answer, Sandhya's phone rang. Talk was halted. After she had completed the call Sandhya told Sarla," It was the van driver, he had asked me to come to the gate to fetch Chintu. I will be back in a minute Maa." and she went.
As Sandhya went, everyone got a chance to spill out their grudges.
"I can understand you dont want to talk bad about your daughter in law before your daughter. Their bonding will be affected in future. But you need to be strict and open about it." said one.
"Yes Sarla, your son would not be as bad as his wife has made him. Don't know what sort of black magic these daughters in law cast." said the other. And they did not allow Sarla to utter a word.
"May God save everyone from such daughter in laws." the inmates said.
And a sudden silence spread as they saw Sandhya coming back. Chintu broke the silence. Not only silence he also broke many misunderstandings and stereotypes when he shouted, " DADIIIIII" and clung to Sarla.
All were shocked, and one of them asked Sarla whispering," Is she your daughter in law?"
"Indeed she is my daughter in emotion." replied Sarla with a sweet, innocent and proud smile.
After a few hours as Sandhya was taking her back home the inmates could say just one thing," May god give such a daughter in law to everyone."