Awakening

by Pamela Mukherjee (India)

I didn't expect to find India

Have you heard about “Grace”? She asked with a low voice. ”No’” what’s that about? I replied briefly. She wanted to say something but a phone call interrupted the conversation and I had to hang up the ongoing call. It was Mom and she was again nagging the same thing to visit granny. “Mom! “ my pitch was a little high. I don't think I have plenty of time to visit my relatives. I am well settled and I really need an international trip rather than spending time with old faces. Mom could sense my irritation but she kept silent. before hanging up the call I said: “ I will try”. However, I was still busy trying to find some face powder from my Luis Vuitton bag. But the name “Grace” kind off occupied on my mind from day long. Though I could not get time from cracking a pretty good deal with a Japanese client and a few other engagements. When I reached my abode it was past eleven. Call or not call in that dilemma, I finally dialled her number. After a few beeped she finally picked “what’s the matter?’ “Tell me what you wanted to share?” “What?” “Grace?” “Ummm, yeah! it's an old-age Home, running by an NGO. They invite you as a special guest and I thought to share this with you. Who knows, You can find something for your company’s CSR project”... “Will Try” without listening to her next word I hang up again. Oh! It was not a big deal. I get invitations from many NGO every day. Being a young successful entrepreneur, people want me to be their guest and give some old school speech for their brand!! Sudden urge and somehow my mind convinced me to visit the old-age home at least to check if I find it useful. Though I was not excited for the visit to an old age home, I was reluctant though. The Street was so narrow and bustle with roadside shops, people were jostling for space; the smell of the cow dung was wafting everywhere and man pulling rickshaws blocked the way; it was a struggle for me to reach the place. After pushing the wooden door, its cranky sound made me uncomfortable. The ceiling fan was literally sounding more than giving a cool air in the room. The rustic wall, the musky smell and the awkward silence reminded me that I was far behind the digital era, it was like I travelled to a time traveller to reach this isolated land, which has no connection form the World. There were 11 aged people were sitting in the room. My eyes instantly bumped on one who had full of wrinkled face somehow very similar with my own granny, and when eyes met with each other she walked towards me and gave me a tight hug. Chammpiya amma, they called her by that name who actually was counting her days in that old age home. Neither I knew her earlier nor she but after getting a hug from her my eyes were melting after so long time. There was a little game organized by the team and I could not believe Chammpiya amma coloured a hanky for me. First time in life I ignored the brand and kept that handmade coloured handkerchief in my very costly purse. Continuous chitchatting with everyone and we never got to know about how time flew quickly. I came to know that her son beat her onto that level that she lost her hearing ability. I met another amma (mother) who's son had thrown away her after signing her properties and had also beaten her with Sandals. My thinking about money, time everything was started shaking while I was interacting with them. My chauffeur was waiting for me out of my black Bently, Getting inside the car I immediately called her. “Have you found it good?” She shot the first question. “No, but I found what I did not expect to find.” “What??” Curious she “I am going to see my family and yes please cancel my all appointments at least for 2 weeks or maybe more. I ‘ll update you”