ADRI..

I rang the bell to see that familiar smile. I did not somehow miss the moisture at the corners of her eyes( which she must have tried to wipe out with the back of her palm before opening the door). "Kya hua?"(what happened) I enquired, taking her still moist hands maybe with sweat or her tears. She just nodded her head meaning nothing and pulled me on the sofa. 

The television was on and there was some felicitation function being aired on that channel that was on. I concentrated...there he was!! "Hey! That's Abhi! That is great! Is he being awarded? For what?" I just gushed. She looked at me, smiled through tears and just managed a feeble "Yes". I hugged her. 

"You heard the speech?"-that was me again.

"Yes", she said. 

"And he didn't mention you, did he!"..I just couldn't control myself. 

"It must have slipped. After all within a few minutes how much can one talk! How many can you remember!"-she said. I looked at her flabbergasted. 

"Now this calls for a celebration dear. Let me get us some coffee", she said getting up as I felt the strong sting of tears welling up in my eyes.

Adri! Yes Adri was her name. Meaning the mountains, she always was strong and maintained a stoic demeanour and calm. Adri was not just my neighbour, she was a close friend, a confidante, someone who I looked upto, depended on for anything and everything, at any hour of the day. 

As I waited for the coffee I went back to the old days. Days when the children were small. When days were full of their laughter and chatter. Abhi and Ani, two small naughty boys, who so loved their mother. Their father would always be away because of his business. Adri's world were her two boys. Nobody in the world could tell that she was not their real mother.

Adri was the sister of Abhi's biological mother, who passed away while giving birth to the second child Ani. An innocent Abhi in her arms and a dark future ahead was all that Adri could see then. It was then that she decided to marry her deceased sister's husband when she heard family members talk of arranging for his second marriage for the children's sake. She couldn't entrust them with another woman. She took that decision to be a mother to the toddler Abhi and infant Ani.  

She devoted herself, all her energies in bringing up the boys and creating a happy environment at home. Everybody was warned not to utter a word about she not being the boys' mother and nobody, other than only a few knew about that. She was a devoted wife, a loving mother and a caring daughter-in-law. 

Days passed into months and months into years. The boys had grown up to be handsome youngsters. Ani was still studying and Abhi had finished his studies. But he was not doing anything. He would sleep, spend time watching television or partying with friends, eat, talk and just waste his time. He never cleared his room, nor did his bed, never gathered his clothes and things. Whenever Adri told him to, he would just laugh it off.  When she asked him to take care of his career, he would say,"Don't worry Mumma. Your son is made for bigger things. He will be a big man and make you proud". His loving kiss could not erase the lines of concern from her face. She knew she had to do something.

I was there that day when Abhi was asked to leave home after he returned home from his usual rounds of parties. His bags were packed..Adri stood quiet and calm as usual. "There is money in your bank account Abhi beta; I have packed all your belongings. I have rented a one bedroom apartment for you. Paid six month's rent in advance. From here on it is your life and you go and live it your way. Make it or create it the way you want it. Now it is you and you only who takes it forward", that was Adri's sweet voice. Everybody including Abhi was shocked. Abhi pleaded but Adri stood like a mountain, so true to her name. " Could you have done this if Abhi was your own son?"-asked her husband and the whole world collapsed around her. Tears rolled down her eyes as well as Abhi's as he walked out of the doorway.

Adri cried hysterically in my lap as I sat trying to comfort her. "I had to do this...had to....for his betterment. Why cannot anyone see that? He was wasting his life away..I do not wish to see my son's life wasted. He is such a wonderful human being. He is my son. How could he say that Abhi is not my son!"-she wailed.

Time tip toed. She monitored him, kept a watch on him, took care of his needs with the help of Ani. But Abhi never stepped back into her life. 

We all knew that he had started working. He then started his own business and was doing very well for himself. There was always these shades of contentment and pride in her eyes, whenever Abhi was mentioned...and today was his big day and he had forgotten that very person who was the reason behind him being "Abhi".

Adri walked in with the coffee. "Won't you speak to your son Adri? Won't you tell him all the truth now", I asked.

"Nahi re! (No dear) What is the point! It is his effort, his hardwork, not mine. I just pushed him out of his safe cocoon....and see my Abhi has metamorphosed into such an awesomely wonderful butterfly! As for the truth...he is my son and I will always remain his mother. Nobody can take that right away from me", she said strongly and I felt so proud of this great strong being, Adri....my friend and Abhi's Mumma.

©®Madhumita