Sarfaraz was living happily with his beloved wife and children in America. His old mother lived alone in an old dilapidated house which was built by her husband in India. Three years ago, Sarfaraz’s father passed away. Sarfaraz has never been to India for the last six years. His mother always hoped that one day his son would come to her and they all will live together in India. On one weird day, she got a call from Sarfaraz.
Sarfaraz: Hello Ammi, how are you? Soon I’ll be departing for India.
Ammi: what! Really? I am fine. Daughter-in-law and children are coming too, right? I’m dying to see my grandchildren.
There was now a new spark in her eyes.
Sarfaraz: No Ammi, it is only me who’ll be coming for now. Soon we all will be living together in America. I’m coming to take you with me. From now on you can play with your grandchildren every time. Okay, Ammi I’m hanging up the call. I’ll be departing for India after 5 days. Take care.
Tears were unstoppable of mother’s eyes. After all, she will be looking at her son after a long time. Her son was coming for her after six long years. She started planning to cook eatables that she knew were favourites of Sarfaraz. She was even daydreaming now about her grandchildren. The lighted lamp of hope that she’ll have a beautiful life of an old grandmother telling stories to her grandchildren, helping her daughter-in-law in the kitchen works, watching television with family could be easily seen through her eyes. The flame of that lamp of hope so bright that she was unable to sleep thinking about her beautiful future.
Five days later Sarfaraz arrived home. His Ammi showered all her love and care on him. She cooked delicious and several varieties of food. While having dinner, Sarfaraz told Ammi that both of them will leave for America soon because he is not provided with holidays.
Sarfaraz: Ammi, take whatever money, jewellery, ornaments and other precious items in your luggage, we will be leaving in two days. And yes, tomorrow I’ll discuss the sale of the house with a property dealer. We need to sell it.
Ammi: Son, why do we need to sell it? Your father had built it with love and efforts. You have spent your childhood here. There are several memories attached to this house. After your father’s demise, it was the memories in this house of both of you that kept me alive. I don’t want this little heaven to be sold.
Sarfaraz: Ammi, when we all will be living together overseas, then who will take care of this place? Hence, the house must be sold.
The mother’s happiness is in her child’s happiness; so she agreed.
The son sold the property at a good price and after two days, the mother-son duo reached the airport with their luggage.
At the airport, Sarfaraz helped his mother to sit on a public bench and went for the check-in procedure of the luggage and to take the boarding passes.
One hour passed but Sarfaraz did not return. Only then an airport worker saw the old lady and asked, ” Maa Ji, are you ere to meet someone?”
Ammi: No dear, my son is in the queue for tickets, I’m waiting for him. Today we are going to America.
Worker: But Amma, there is no one in the queue for boarding passes to America. The flight for America has departed thirty minutes ago.
The worker asked her son’s name and other credentials; went to the counter for verification and came back with a shocking answer that her son had already left for America with all the belongings.
Ammi had no tears in her eyes but her soul was crying out loud.
Somehow she managed to return to the house that was sold and spent the night there. Next day the new owner heard her story and showed some sympathy to her by giving her a room in the house to live.
Today, there is darkness in the name of hope inside her. That flame of the lamp has vanished. Her one and only hope died.