December 6, 2011

In creation the most visible form of love is mother’s love. If a mother dislikes her child we consider it a big mistake. If the love is not expressed at a proper time, it could lead to serious consequences.

Julia was fed up with her life. When she was a teenager, she married Zenith. Zenith was a school teacher. In that village people described Julia as the village queen. Julia felt sad that such a beautiful woman as her had married a poor school teacher. Zenith’s father passed away suddenly. So Zenith stopped his studies after his twelfth standard and went to be trained as a school teacher. She felt that he could have done some higher studies and got a better job. This regret made them ensure that their children studied.

Julia had two sons and a daughter and was much worried about them. There was a fear whether they could marry Genelia, the daughter, in a good family. Another fear was whether they could make the other children Zak and Jeevan study. In case they studied well and got a good job, they could take care of their parents.

Julia vented all her worries and fears shouting at Zak. Thinking of all these worries again and again would give her severe headaches. Doctors said that in her case it was hereditary.

She became restless. As she lived her life, she didn’t find much joy. Another reason for her worry was that when her son Zak grew up he might be attracted by girls. She thought she had to control this. “What would happen to us in case he becomes rich, loves somebody and goes away with her? What would be their situation?’’. These questions bothered Julia. She decided not to think of any girl for him. These questions and other thoughts made her even suspect Zak. She used to check Zak at night to see if he was getting any wet dreams. She used to enquire about all these things and that made him more frightened. Zak’s love and attention should be only for his mother Julia. No other woman was to get his love.

Zak, who didn’t like all this, once raised his voice “What have I done!!??” She complained to her henpecked husband, who beat Zak thoroughly.

Once Julia asked Zak, “When did you call us sweetly ‘Daddy, mummy’?" He remembered it was at least three months ago. He tried to call her mummy at that moment. But he could not. So he kept quiet. Julia understood that in this matter her paying too much care for Zak distanced her from the child.

She realized that it should not happen to the second son Jeevan. So she brought him up with sufficient love, care and concern, and respect. Zak joined a City College nearby. There was lot of change. His sister Genelia got married. Zak studied well. Observing all these the second son Jeevan didn’t understand why Zak didn’t feel at ease and why he wasn't even addressing Mummy or Daddy. But Julia the mother was giving all he needed.

One day as he was travelling there was a small accident. A young lady saw his hand bleeding; she wiped his hand with her kerchief and tied it to his hand. He was very much touched by that kind gesture. She was not beautiful but her compassionate heart was. He came to know her personally and felt the motherly care from the young lady which he didn’t receive from his mother.

Zak got a good job. He told his parents about the young lady who he met after the accident. There was nothing more from Julia’s part so she agreed. Jeevan also grew well, married and settled. Zak was transferred to another village. There he had two children. As Zak was transferred, he asked his parents where they liked to stay. They said they would like to stay with Jeevan. As the years passed by his children grew up well. He made his daughter study engineering. She got a good job. She worked in different places like Bangalore, Chennai and then in Delhi.

One day Zak received a phone call suddenly informingthat his father zenith was seriously ill. He came back to his parents with his family. He helped them a lot economically. But they could not save Zenith.

After the death of her husband, Julia too fell ill. The sickness increased gradually. Though it was very sad Zak felt uncomfortable with himself. He wanted to share what his inner voice was telling him. “Mummy I am not like you. You wanted to conquer me. You didn’t allow me to move freely like any other youth. You were selfish. I have a daughter. I gave her freedom. I believed her. So she does not do any wrong. She  studies well, has knowledge and is sincere”.

Listening to this Julia felt sorry and repented. She had a deep desire that he would call her ‘mummy’. She asked him to call ‘mummy’. He wanted to, but something prevented him from doing so. He kept silent. She asked Sunitha the grandchild to tell him and Sunitha obliged. He said slowly ‘mummy’. Then with love he uttered loudly ‘mummy!’. Julia said to him “How long ago have I waited to hear this loving word!” and hugged him. Tears rolled from Zenith's eyes at her words. But the mother breathed her last and fell down dead.