Ratna was worried about the fact that, it’s almost around 9:00 am and no sign of Saakshi being awake! “Saakshii..wake up! Look around you. How shining the sun above is”. Eh! No response! What’s wrong with this girl? Ratna’s mind went way back to her good old days when she had arrived at “Ratnagiri” long ago.
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It was almost 4 years after the marriage that Saakshi came to their life by the grace of God. The parents did not know how the time passed while playing and watching the beautiful toddler around them. Unfortunately, Ratna’s husband, Ram passed away suddenly in an accident. It was shocking to Ratna and she was taken aback.
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“Hello Mom, what are you doing with the empty plate? Not even licking your fingers?”, Saakshi’s voice around made Ratna come back to the present. “Shall I serve you the breakfast? Did you brush and wash your face already?”, Ratna offered. “I don’t want anything, I am not feeling hungry at all. You please carry on. Let’s go out for lunch today! Be ready by 12”, said Saakshi and rushed as fast as possible and the shut door’s ‘dhud’ noise made Ratna freeze.
Ratna moved out to water the flower garden. After that, she took a round in the arecanut garden. It was almost 11.30 when she was back at the kitchen. She was just wondering, how easily her daughter denied the breakfast but was prepared for a heavy lunch outside today! What’s wrong with this girl?! Her thoughts pulled her back to the past again.
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It was Ratna’s brother, Shivaraam who stood by her in her critical time. He consoled her and told her that it’s her duty for Saakshi to at least be bold and move on in life. Ratna made up her mind and took life to her control. She was a strong lady and politely refused the offer by her brother to stay with them. Instead, Ratna chose to continue the agriculture field and stay at the same house, ‘Ratnagiri’ which is a fond memory filled with love of her Ram. Shivaram was happy that sister finally agreed to move on and accepted the truth.
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Ratna was hurrying to close her work at the kitchen and Saakshi came around again and reminded her to get ready sooner. “It’s luckily not a long weekend or something, but a Government holiday on a mid-weekday. Hurry up, or else we will be caught in rush hours”., Saakshi reminded. Ratna hurried and got ready with her simple saree.
Saakshi was driving the car silently. She parked the car in front of a restaurant and they both stepped in. “Shall we order North-Indian cuisine?”, Saakshi’s words surprised Ratna, as that is the only sentence she spoke till now after they left home. Ratna simply nodded her head in agreement. She was happy that at least Saakshi finally spoke a bit. They finished their lunch quickly while talking in general thereafter.
They were about to step out and there arrived Shivaram and family. Seeing her brother, Ratna was so happy and she said, “I wish, we could have planned this lunch together if known before”. Shivaram’s son, Surya turned towards her and said, “aunty, still its not too late. We can have the ice cream together, please join us”. Saakshi just asked looking at Ratna, in response as if it was not at all intended to her, “mom, I am getting late, I will take a leave. Are you coming with me or your brother will drop you home?”. “Saakshi, you carry on, I will spend some time with them and get back home myself”, said Ratna in reply.