Mom and son find treasure and pleasure in the attic.
It was on the tenth day of his grandfather's demise that the last of the relatives who had come to attend the funeral left Raj and his mother Kala alone in their small abode. It was difficult for them to get used to the fact that the old man was not prying upon them anymore. Since Raj lost his father 9 years ago, his grandfather kept a hawk's eye on them and now it was difficult for them to digest the fact that he was no more.
Having lived under his nose for 9 years it came as a big relief that at last they were not under his scanner. On one hand he felt free and on the other he was troubled as he had to take care of his mother. Though he was 19 years it was a huge responsibility on him to look after his mother with what little resources he had in hand. Having a strong feeling that he could manage, he felt relieved.
As evening dawned, his mother Kala looking at the stairs leading to the attic said. 'Why don't we go up and have a look.'
'Yes Mom,' he replied as he was keen to climb the stairs which he had not dared even to look at in the past 9 years. It was only his grandfather who used to climb up once in a while.
The anxiety grew as we started climbing and the moment he reached the top a heap of old furniture and wooden boxes greeted his vision. On closer scrutiny he found many such boxes scattered here and there. Pointing to one such box 'it belonged to your father,' said his Mom.
On opening it he found some books, some old newspapers and some documents which at that moment did not catch his eyes. Kala becoming emotional asked him to fetch a broom and as he brought it she went on cleaning the Attic. While she was dusting he opened a few boxes and made a scrutiny of all the items. Apart from a few pieces of bronze he could not find anything of any value.
Later when he saw his mother struggling to lift some furniture he helped her. Together as they set a few things in that cramped space he got closer to her. At that moment he could not understand what it was but the sensations on being close to his mother felt different. He went out of his way to help her and after straining for an hour 'let's continue it tomorrow,' said his mother.
The next day he kept hinting on the pending work but as they had guests coming and going, they could hardly find time till evening. Finally when they went up the attic he took the initiative and helped Mom tidying up most of the things. He was so excited to work alongside her in the cramped space that when his Mom called it a day, he felt bad. Then again looking at the pending work it brought cheer to his face.
Next morning, as there were less visitors they spent the whole afternoon in the attic and during this period whenever he got close to his mother he felt the warmth of her body and this gave birth to new sensations. It became difficult for him to fathom that he could have such sensations from being close to his mother. He could have understood if it were another woman, but to have such sensations on being close to his mother was unimaginable. The more he tried to shake it out of his mind the more he got obsessed to it.
It took them three days to set things in order and on the fourth evening they sat together to make an inventory. Opening one of the boxes belonging to his grandfather his eyes fell upon a cover and on opening it he was surprised to see some stamped documents. On closer scrutiny he found them to be some property papers. When he asked Mom whether GF had any property her brain was totally blank. She could not recall either her husband or her father-in-law talk about the property. She even had a doubt as to whether her husband knew about it. Her husband was totally under GF's spell and was not man enough to stand up and speak to him. So he could not have known about any property.
"Do you think he has spoken to anyone regarding this property?" Raj asked his Mom.
'No I don't think he would have let anyone know about it.'
'Is there anyone in our family who can give us some information?" he asked.
Thinking for a while she shook her head and said. "I doubt as he seldom discussed any matter with any family member."
"Fine, is there anyone in the family who can claim this to be their property?" He questioned her.
After thinking for a while she said. "Nobody from the family I know of."
"Ah! That's good. Mom, do you think he could have left a will?" He asked.
"Why don't we search his papers?" Kala replied.
They started opening the boxes. Raj felt excited sitting beside his mother and on many occasions leaned upon her, then suddenly thinking it was wrong he did pull back. This continued for some time and when it got dark they came down.
The next morning after having a re-check Raj said, "Mom, I don't think he has not left any will."
"Yes and now what do we do with these?" She asked holding the papers.
"We may have to consult some lawyer in town, shall we go Mom?" He asked.
"How can I, I don't have a proper dress."
"I will buy you a saree Mom," he said and as she looked at him with concern "we will pawn some of those bronze items," Raj said.As Kala nodded Raj felt excited and before she could change her mind he went out of the house.
Next morning as Kala came out wearing the new saree, Raj could not hide his joy. He instantly blurted out 'Mom you looks so pretty,' and kept stealing glances at her during the journey. It was when they reached the town that his mother nuzzled close to him on finding so many people scrambling in the crowded streets.
Holding her hand and supporting her they made their way to the Lawyers office and as they sat side by side in the cramped office waiting for their turn Raj felt exuberant to feel the warmth of her body.
Later on having met the lawyer their joy knew no bounds as the papers they were holding were of a prominent land and by today's value it would fetch them an amount which they could not have dreamt of.
Excited by the virtue of becoming rich in a day they hurried back home and started searching for another part of the paper pertaining to the property in the attic. It was here that Raj took undue advantage of being close to his Mom. He kept brushing her body every now and then and at times even slipped his hand over her. Finally when they got hold of the papers Raj hugged his mother in his arms and showering kisses on her face cried out "Mom we have found the papers." Kala's joy knew no bounds, wrapping her arms around him she swayed in his arms.
While Raj had hugged his mother on the spur of the moment it was Kala's body which had responded to his embrace and hugged him strongly and did not let go until Raj moved out of her arms.
Coming out of the embrace while Raj was excited to see her blushing face it was Kala who felt bad. She could understand what had taken over her and why she had reacted like that. Shaking the image out of her mind and slipping her arm on his waist she flashed a smile at him.
That smile conveyed thousand meanings and Raj could not have asked for more.
The next week saw Raj shuttling from one office to another getting all the paper work done. He used to come home late in the night and run away the next morning after collecting a few bronze pieces. Kala was a mute spectator to all this.
One evening Raj came home carrying a few parcels and keeping them aside he said. 'Mom tomorrow we may have to go to town again.'
'Is it necessary that I should come along,' asked Kala raising her eyebrows.
'Yes Mom you have to sign a few documents,' replied her son enthusiastically and handing over the parcels he went out again.
Kala was troubled to see him leave and on opening the parcels she was surprised to see a few undergarments along with a saree. Hugging the garments, 'so this is the reason for him to runaway she thought.' Then trying them on and finding them fit her body wondered how he was able to pick them up.
Next morning she spent a lot of time dressing up. After draping the saree she had to struggle to see how it looked on her as the small mirror she held was so little help. It was here she regretted on not having a full length mirror.
Stepping out and facing her son she felt bad on not finding the desired effect on him and when she said tried to step out she stood her ground when she heard 'Mom why don't you comb your hair.' Those words made her stand rooted at the door as she had totally forgotten about it. Taking a deep breath and finding enough courage she turned and facing him 'why don't you do it for me,' she said boldly.
Those words were music for his ears and by the time he could return fetching a comb he saw his Mom sitting on a stool. Coming to kneel behind her he held her lush silky hair and toying her hair to his heart's content ran the comb through them, all the time feeling its silkiness. Kala let him have his way as this brought much relief to her troubled mind.
Running the comb through her hair his hands had a field day caressing her forehead and her earlobes and on one such occasion seeing a few strands of grey hair 'Mom you need to dye your hair,' he said.
'Why should I at this age,' she replied.
'Mom, how old are you?' he asked.
'May be 38 but why do you ask?'
'At 38 nobody starts getting grey hair Mom,' he replied.
'If someone else was in my position then you ought to have searched for black hair,' she replied.
'I can understand what hardship you have faced Mom,' he said bending down and planting a kiss on her forehead.
'No you can never understand,' she replied shaking her head.
