Small Story 46.Longing Mummy.

Small Story 46.Longing Mummy. Ram returned to his room after a refreshing evening walk, the vibrant campus of Boulder surrounding him with its lush trees and serene parks. His roommate Mohan, a friendly soul from Telangana, had just returned as well. “Hi, Ram! Shall we go for dinner at the new Rajasthan Cafe?” Mohan suggested. “Sure!” Ram replied, excited to explore the new eatery. Meanwhile, back in Mysore, Ram's mother, Janaki, was eagerly awaiting her son's call. Typically, Ram called at 7:30 AM Indian time, and Janaki was already waiting by the phone from 6:30, her heart filled with longing after a year apart. Ram had traveled to the US for his post-graduate studies, leaving behind his parents, Keshav and Janaki, who had always been his biggest supporters. Keshav, a scientist at the renowned CFTRI, was immensely proud of Ram’s achievements, especially when he graduated with a gold medal from JC Engineering College. Janaki cherished every moment of his childhood, from his playful antics to his eloquent speeches, and sending him off to America had been a heart-wrenching decision. One fateful day, Janaki had visited a famous astrologer during a trip to Udupi. Curious about Ram's future, her friend Ranjitham asked the astrologer to read Ram's horoscope. Though hesitant without his birth details, Janaki provided his star,Gothram and birth date. The astrologer’s prediction sent chills down her spine: at 28, Ram would face a significant crisis. From that day on, Janaki prayed fervently, hoping to shield her son from the foretold troubles. When Ranjitham visited to check on Ram before he left for the US, she could not hold back the dark prediction. This deepened Janaki’s fears, leading her to insist that Ram return after two years, when he would be 27. As Ram settled into life in Boulder, he had no idea of the weight on his mother’s heart. Their daily hour-long conversations masked Janaki’s silent worries, and she filled her evenings with prayers, chanting ancient texts for his safety. After completing his studies with flying colors, Ram returned to India just shy of turning 28. The last day of the month loomed, and Janaki's prayers grew more intense. One morning, while preparing tea, Janaki hugged Ram tightly, cherishing the moment. But as she glanced through his diary, she stumbled upon a page revealing their family’s true horoscope. In disbelief, she realized Ram’s gothram was Athreya, not the Bharathwaj the astrologer had predicted. Elated, Janaki jumped with joy, a wave of relief washing over her. “Ram, I made a mistake! God is great, and so is the astrologer—just not for you!” In that moment, her heart lightened, and she knew her prayers had been answered. Ram smiled, oblivious to the storm that had been brewing in his mother’s heart, grateful for their time together at last. K.Ragavan. 14-10-24