Stories

The Video Call

“Hi Amma, can you hear me?” Sid was trying hard to find a good network. Little did he realise that it was the issue on her end. Old and freckled, her face still radiated the glow on seeing her son! “Amma, can you hear me? Please say something!” he said. She was still smiling. The moment was precious. “Haan beta…you look so dull, what happened?” she asked lovingly.

It had been years Sid had settled in New York but his mother never forgot to ask about his food and well-being. “Yes Amma, I am good”. Assured about his good health, her face grew content. She gasped for some air and then asked, “How are the kids Siddu? Are they troubling you?”. Sid didn’t know what to answer. The feeling was heavy. His voice, choked. There was a lump in his throat. What could he say.

He finally uttered, “Yes Amma, they are good”. His voice cracked. He gulped hard, trying to be strong. He didn’t want to breakdown on the call. He already had enough. “I am your mother Siddu, I know you want to cry.” Sid looked at her, eyes teary, his hands trembled to keep up the phone. “Cry to your mother Siddu, it’s okay. God is there beta. He will take care of everything” Sid couldn’t gather courage anymore.

A pearl of tear rolled down. He wiped off and faked a smile. “Amma, you know Neha had made kheer for me..she had finally learnt it!”. His mother smiled. Her son was finally in good hands. “Siddu, I have to keep now son. Take care my child. I love you” She said. Sid’s heart was in his mouth. He managed to utter, “Bye Amma..bye…”.

The screen went dark. The phone was still in his hands. Sitting in the Central Park, Sid kept his phone beside him. Mouth dry, he was lost. Orphaned and disowned, he hit the play button again. Who knew that was his last call with his mother which accidently got screen-recorded. Talking from the hospital, she was on her death bed. Flights cancelled and boundaries sealed, he couldn’t even attend her last rites. The pandemic had wiped out his entire world within a couple of weeks and all he was left with was this video….