MOTHER'S EMBRACE - A SHORT STORY BY WILLIAMSJI MAVELI

Unni's arrival at his dear mother’s house always felt like a grand festival in the village. Born into a large Nair family, Unni eagerly waited, his young eyes fixed on the staircase, longing for the embrace of his mother. The love and closeness he craved were moments he cherished deeply.

When his mother finally arrived, Unni's heart swelled with joy. He watched her every move with adoring eyes, his senses attuned to her presence. The scent of her saree, infused with delicate perfumes, lingered in his mind long after she left. That fragrance was his comfort, a memory that bridged the long days between her visits.

One day, a new face accompanied his mother—a Punjabi girl named Maya. She was different, speaking only in English, a language that seemed foreign in their village. Yet, Unni sensed that his mother had brought Maya with a purpose, perhaps to be a part of their lives. Despite their differences, Unni and Maya played together like siblings, their innocent laughter echoing through the house. But their beautiful bond was short-lived, as fleeting as the monsoon rains that refreshed their village.

Trouble brewed in the family. His parents argued constantly, and Maya became the center of their disputes. The family members were harsh, their words laced with blame and frustration. Maya, it seemed, was not enough for them. The tension became unbearable, and soon, Unni's mother took Maya back to Punjab, away from the chaos that had erupted. On the day she left, Maya handed Unni a small doll, a token of their brief friendship. He held it close to his heart, its fabric carrying the same comforting scent as his mother’s saree.

Years passed, and Unni grew into a man, but the memories of Maya and his mother’s visits stayed with him. Fate led him to Punjab for a conference, and with a heart full of nostalgia, he went in search of Maya. He found her, but what he saw pained him deeply. Maya, once a vibrant girl, was now living in extreme poverty. The sight of her struggling in such dire circumstances broke his heart.

Unni couldn’t offer much, but he entrusted his friend with the task of helping Maya and her family, ensuring that they received the support they needed. As he prepared to leave, a flood of emotions washed over him. He looked at the doll he had held onto all these years, a symbol of their lost childhood, and placed it in Maya’s hands. Through the small openings of the window, he watched her clutch it tightly, her eyes reflecting the same sadness he felt.
As Unni walked away, he couldn’t shake the feeling of loss. His mind whispered the words he could not say aloud, "Sis... it's me, Unni..." But he didn’t know if Maya heard his silent cry, if she felt the same ache in her heart. He returned home in a daze, his heart heavy with unspoken words and the weight of what could never be undone.