Deepa reflected with gratitude the role Anushree had played in her life. Those were the moments she was helpless with her husband passing away and when she was wondering the way she can continue with her life coping with the situation. She had to confront her present life and not burden her son who had just joined an engineering firm in Pune. Rohan himself appeared very confused, when he came to perform the last rites for his dad. HIs dad never cared for him much. It was always Deepa who worried about Rohan and thought it better for Rohan to be away from his dad and not be influenced by his selfish ways.
Anushree was a college mate of Deepa. She was presently a HR Manager in a multi-national company in Pune. Deepa cannot forget her role in helping Rohan find the job as a Workshop Assistant in her company.
When Deepa and Anu were in college, they were thick friends and shared everything. Anu had a kinky side and would take Deepa to experience wierd moments and undergo experiences which according to her, liberated their thoughts and outlook from conventional stereotypes. They would go to dance bars and spend time flirting with young men who would drool over them. Even with all such indulgence, Anu never got caught in a manner that compromised our safety and dignity, as would happen with several other girls who went over the edge and suffered emotional or physical hurt, when the men they entertained, misbehaved with them.
Anu would approach life with a romantic touch. She was always dreamy, yearned for real love and experiences which gave her an exciting emotional kick.
When Deepa reconnected with Anu after Rohan finished his college, she told Anu that she wanted Rohan to be away from her husband's bad influence. She wanted a good life for Rohan. Her husband was a drunk and ill treated her in marriage. Many a times she felt like blaming her parents for getting her married off at a very young age.
There were times when Deepa used to be shattered and would want to get separated from her husband. It was only because she wanted Rohan to become successful and do well, that she endured her hardship. Her comfort was in seeing to it that Rohan did well in his career and she gave all the love and care as a mother, insulating him from her own hard life.
It was Anushree who suggested to Deepa, that Rohan join her company in Pune, where she can be his local guardian. Deepa would go to see Rohan, in her brief visits to Pune. She had to take the help of Anushree to see that Rohan was settled in the new city, but was not very happy with Rohan choosing a small paying guest type accomodation. Rohan informed Deepa that Anu had desired to meet her when she came to visit him next time.
Little did she anticipate how those few hours with Anushree had turned her entire outlook in life.
Deepa still remembered the day she asked Rohan to give send her the ticket she had asked him to book for her return to Bangalore after seeing Rohan.
She remembered telling Rohan, "Rohan, I may have to start early to catch the late evening train. please have the details of the ticket sent to my mobile."
She was not prepared for what Rohan replied, " Mom, anushree aunty wanted to meet you this time and spend some time with you. She said she would speak to you about an urgent matter and told me not to book the ticket."
Deepa was exasperated at what Rohan told her. While being upset over, what has happened, Deepa could do nothing about it and decided to hear what Anushree had to say.
As we were waiting in the coffee shop, Anushree came. I had to say that she was radiant and had a delightful air about her. Her demeanour exhibited confidence and seemed to spread an exhuberance of life.
The first things that Anu shared was., " Deepa i know you would be mad at me, for instructing Rohan not to book your ticket. Each time, I have been seeing you come and show your care and concern for Rohan, I used to be impressed with the way you still cared about your son, while your husband, from what i learnt from Rohan, was more into his work and does not care for much about you or Rohan."
"You may think Deepa, that this is none of my business." "But I have seen how your present condition is affecting you and Rohan. I should tell you that Rohan has earned a very good name with his exemplary performance in our company. His supervisor is all praises for his dedication and hardwork."
They are truly impressed with his intelligence, grasp and ability to learn and contribute."
Rohan, " why don't you get us all a sandwitch and order coffee for all of us."
When Rohan went to the counter, Anu turned to me and said "I thought you should know this Deepa, that Rohan cares for you a lot and often speaks about taking care of you, the moment he gets his next promotion as a supervisor and becomes eligible to get the company leased accomodation. Another thing I know about him is that he eagerly awaits your visit each time and spends a whole lot of time planning to tell you things about him and his life here in the company."
"But you rarely spend time and return the same day. I see the dissappointment each time in Rohan's eyes after you leave and this time, I wanted to do something about it."
Deepa was unable to speak anything. Only tears began to appear in the corner of her eyes. Anushree came near her and hugged her, as she said. " Deepa, I know that you love your son. In the years you have focussed on being a wife for your husband, you forgot that your son needs more of you, as he is now maturing and very soon would be capable of taking independent decisions concerning his life."
"I have booked a room for you and Rohan today in Tristar Hotel near my home. I will drop you there. I have myself booked a flight for you tomorrow at 18:00 hrs, which will reach you to Bangalore well before the time you would have taken to reach there by train."
Saying this she did not even wait for my response. As my son gathered my small suitcase, Anushree led the way to her car. She opened the door for me to sit. As she climbed into the car, she instructed Rohan to sit with his mom in the back.