The Saree

I never thought I would have an emotion attached to a saree, so I can't forget it for my entire life. The saree is a traditional wear for women in India. But, I have a strong emotion toward the saree. 

I completed my school education and had to head to Pune for further studies. I was about to start my B.Tech. I had never been to such a big city before and was about to go alone for the first time. My mother had already started worrying even before a week. After all, they are mothers. One day before going to Pune, I decided to have a pleasant time with my mother and tell her not to worry about me. As planned, I sat with her after my dinner. It is time you can't buy at any cost at any stage of life. Try to get a wonderful time with your parents despite your busy schedule. On that day, I had mixed feelings. I was sad to leave my family and stay away from them, and I was happy because I was about to start my new journey. I decided to be comfortable in front of her to make her happy. I explained that I would have a new culture, environment, excellent education, and a job. I told her all the positive things about my future so she would feel relaxed. While talking, I asked her what she wanted if I got a job. She started laughing and said she didn't want anything. That's why we call that parents love pure, expecting nothing in return. After many requests, she said, "I would love to wear a saree brought from you when you get your first salary." I heard that a mother gets a lot of happiness when she gets gifts from her child from their first salary. Try to give surprise gifts to your mother. I promised to bring her a gorgeous saree when I start earning. We had a nice and long conversation that night. It was beautiful to talk to her on that day. I thought that one should make in their life so they can take their parents to a big shop and let the parents choose the things they want without thinking about the cost. I know parents would never demand a costlier something from their child. With these thoughts, I went to sleep. 

I left my home and started my journey in Pune for engineering. My eyes had full of dreams. I was happy to go to a new place and move ahead in life. I had a wonderful time there. I didn't even realize how my four years went. Placement season came. I didn't take the job; I wanted to pursue higher education. I told my family about this; they were supportive too. But it was difficult for me not to take a job and go for higher studies. My mother understood the situation, and she asked me with a laugh about her saree to make things lighter. I told her, "I would get a good job if I finished my higher education so that I could buy a costlier and a beautiful saree for you." I completed my post-graduation and started working now. I am earning now.

But, God had different plans. I think almighty wasn't happy with us. He took her away from us in the same year of my graduation. It was utterly shocking and traumatic for my entire family to lose her. We lost the mother's shelter, and our father lost her love. I realized that life is thoroughly uncertain; you must be strong and face it. It wasn't easy to accept that for all of us. Days passed, but I was sadder because I couldn't complete her wish. She only asked for a saree, but I couldn't see I fulfilled it. I sometimes think that I should have taken the job after my graduation so that at least I could have brought a saree for her. But I didn't know about God's plan.

It's been some years now, but still, I feel sad that I couldn't complete her wish to get the saree from my first salary. I can buy hundreds of sarees now, but that saree would have got a special meaning. It would have completed me as a son. I still pray to God to send her back, at least for a few moments, to see her and offer a saree to her. I still pray that God should send all mothers back for a moment to meet their children, whoever is unlucky to lose her.