" Just pray that I do not have to go to any hospital ever... I just want to go away like your Grandpa... here right here..." she had said standing next to me in the verandah (open terrace).
The Verandah was her favorite place in our house, I still remember. She would sit on the chair near the railing, looking over her world from that fourth floor. She did not want to shift the house; saying, " Your Grandpa had brought me here, told me this was mine, I am not leaving for anything."
I had always thought that she loved the verandah because it gave her freedom, a happiness nothing else did. She could look over to see if her sons were returning to her at the days end...to see how the nature looses it color amidst the city...to see how her best friend is doing next door... to see us her three grandchildren play in the lawn below or seeing us return from tuition... to chat with her dearest daughter in law (my mom)...to plant new plants in her own gardening space and to sit by them all evening as the sun sets...
Yes, probably what I thought as her reason for the love towards the Verandah was partly true but I was unable to see the whole truth until she left us, until my phone rang that afternoon...miles away...
It was my uncle to break the news to me over phone... I could not believe what I was hearing but I only had one question to ask.. " Was she happy when she left?"
She had an attack and fell at the same place where she always wanted to... in the verandah.... For a fact, today I know the reason for her love towards the Verandah...its her ethereal love for my Grandpa....
And yes, I know she was happy when she left....because she could complete her story as she wanted to...there right there...in the Verandah...
With love,
Sanjukta.