We don't talk anymore....delayed repentance!

 Ravi was now a successful man, doing great in a foreign land. Fighting odds he had earned his position in this big company. He had always been a hard working man.

Aisha came to his cabin, to give him a gentle reminder of today's meeting. "Don't forget the Analysis and Market trend reports, the blue and black files. The black one, yesterday in a hurry, I slid it into your fourth drawer", she said and left.

"Fourth drawer?", Ravi exclaimed. He hadn't touched the drawer since then. Since he had placed 'that letter' in it. He hesitantly opened the drawer. Took out the black file. He was about to slide the drawer back, but unwillingly, his eyes fell on the letter. The letter which lay untouched, there, its creases marked  by dust.

He picked up the letter, brushed away the dust. It was as it is, stamped received, unopened.

To, 

Ravi kumar,

3682, Taylor street,

New Rochelle,

New York - 10801.

USA.

He turned the letter,

From,

Mithiladevi kumar,

1st floor,

Amba Deep Building, 

K G Marg,

Bharatpur - 321001

Uttar Pradesh.

Bharatpur, a small town in UP, where Ravi was born and brought up. His, was a middle class family. They were four siblings. Ravi was the only son. He was the "Khandaan ka kuldeepak". Baba Ramshankar, a teacher at local school, had lot of expectations from him. Maa Mithiladevi, was always busy with her household chores and daughters' worries.

Ravi was a bright student at school. He studied hard and wanted a shining future for himself. After he got admitted in college, he had this dream of going abroad for further studies. But Ramshankar's salary was barely enough to have themselves fed and clad. Ramshankar disliked Ravi's idea of going abroad.

There used to be a lot of clashes and arguments between them, on this topic. Ramshankar urged Ravi to stay back and look after the family. He said, "My salary isn't enough for 6 of us to survive. You have 3 sisters. They should get married properly. If you go, how are things going to work?". Ravi counter argued saying, "What about my future then? Who is responsible for that? Why should I sacrifice my future for all of you? How will things work for me, if I stay?".

There were days, when they stopped talking to each other. When Ramshankar was at school, Ravi would be home. When Ramshankar returned,  Ravi would leave. Ravi started avoiding his baba. Mithiladevi tried to make peace between them. But ladies in the house had very little say. She used to go back to her kitchen, but in her heart, she was always worried, about her husband. And at the same time scared, to lose her son.

One such day, Ramshankar got fed up with these everyday fights. He fired Ravi left and right. In a stern voice, warned him to not go against his wish. Else he would disown him. Ravi got furious too. Raising his voice, he blurted, " I am not a kid anymore, I have my priorities and I won't waste my talent here!",  and left. Ramshankar crumbled and sat down on the chair.

Next day, Ravi came home with a huge suitcase. He had been doing part-time jobs since school. He had saved enough for his admission, abroad. He announced that he is leaving this house. "Before you disown me, I am leaving all of you", he said.

He packed his suitcase and started walking out. Mithiladevi rushed at the door and tried to stop him. Ravi's sisters, with teary eyes and folded hands, begged him to not go. Ramshankar asked them, not to beg someone who doesn't care for them and their feelings. Atlast it was all in vain. Ravi left.

Ravi studied, worked and made it through. He settled in New York. He also met Seema here. They fell in love and got married. Seema used to ask Ravi about his family, a number of times. But Ravi said he didn't wish to talk about them and already had severed ties with them.

They gave birth to a baby boy, Rajas. They were a happy family. Rajas was 7 now. He had started attending school.

Aisha knocked the door of his cabin. Ravi came back to his senses. He put the letter in his office bag. Kept the files too. They both left for the meeting.

Later, Ravi reached home. Rajas was waiting for Ravi, to tell him about his school activity. Rajas brought the drawing he had made at school.  'A happy family!' was the title. But then Rajas asked, "Daddy, where is your mom and dad?, Ishaan's drawing had his grandma and grandpa too! Where are mine?". Ravi was stunned for a second. He had no answer for his son's question. Ravi said, "Your grandparents are in India. I had lot of work to do, so I came here". "Oh! I get it now! Later, when I grow up, I will have to leave you too! Right daddy?".

Rajas' words actually pierced his heart like an arrow. "My son said he will leave me?....Is that how baba must've felt when I said the same thing?".... he murmured to himself. Seema saw the intense expressions on Ravi's face. She put her hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

Ravi stood up and rushed to get his office bag. He took out the letter and opened it. He started reading it hastily.

"Dear beta Ravi,

How have you been? We all have never been in peace since you left. 

Your baba worked day and night to meet ends. Somehow we managed to marry off your sisters.

But the hardships took a toll on your baba. He couldn't sustain for long. He finally breathed his last yesterday. He longed to see you but couldn't. I know you won't be able to come here, but it's a maa's humble desire to see her son, atleast before I leave this world.

Blessings,

Maa".

Ravi was speechless. He hadn't opened the letter for 3 years now. His baba had left him forever, 3 years ago. His maa was waiting to see him since then. How and when did he turn so inhuman? Why didn't he make an effort to atleast make a phone call? ..... all these questions and he was moaning in sorrow.

He showed the letter to Seema. Clinching his hands to his forehead, he gasped and repented. At this moment, his regret was futile!

AUTHOR'S NOTE: "You cant just give up on someone because the situation's not ideal. Great relationships aren't great because they have no problems. They are great because both people care enough about the other person, to find a way to make it work!" - Unknown. 

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