Yash Ahuja
California...
A large house was decorated with white flowers and was bustling with people. Meanwhile, a havan kund was burning in the middle of the house.
"Ab mritak ki atama ki shanti ke liye hawan kund mai aahuti pradan kare!" The priest said to yash who was sitting in front of him.
(Now offer oblations in the havan kund to provide peace to the soul of the deceased)
There was a picture of a beautiful woman his late wife shweta.
Following the pandit’s instructions, Yash added all the sacred offerings into the fire. The chanting grew louder.
"Om Tryambakam Yajamahe Sugandhim Pushtivardhanam
Urvarukamiva Bandhanan Mrityor Mukshiya Maamritat..."
The pandit concluded the rituals and said, "Ye barsi yahi khatam hoti hai. Bhagwan aapki swargvasi patni ki atma ko shanti pradaan kare."
(This anniversary ends here. May God give peace to the soul of your late wife.)
With that, he stood up and began to leave, and others guests began to leave as well. But Yash remained seated, staring at the photograph of his late wife, Shweta, without blinking him eyes.
Slowly, everyone left the hall.
Yash felt a small hand holding his. Turning to his side, he saw a boy with warm brown eyes looking at him. The boy was just eight years old and strikingly adorable.
"Deda, don’t be sad," the boy said softly.
"Maa will also sad."
"Yes, boss," Yash replied with a forced smile to his son, Shaurya. Seeing his father smile, Shaurya’s face lit up too.
Yash picked him up and took him to the dining table, ordering coffee for himself. But before he could take a sip, Shaurya grabbed the cup from his hands.
Surprised, Yash asked, "Kya hua beta? Cup kyun liya?"
(What happened son, why did you take the cup)
"Did you forget the doctor told you not to drink coffee?" Shaurya said, giving him a stern look.
Those words instantly brought Shweta’s face infront of Yash’s eyes.
Flashback:
"Rama aunty, meri coffee lao," Yash called out while coming down the stairs and settling at the dining table.
"Ye lijiye baba, aapki coffee," Rama aunty said, placing the cup before him.
Just as Yash was about to pick it up, someone snatched it away. He looked up to found Shweta, and made a face.
"Ye kya, Shwetu? Coffee toh peene do… you know na I love coffee."
(What is this Shwetu, let me drink coffee at least)
"Yash, coffee ki wajah se tumhare chest mein pain hota hai, bhool gaye? Aur doctor ne bhi mana kiya hai. Phir bhi coffee pee rahe ho??" she scolded, glaring at him.
(Yash, did you forget that coffee causes your chest pain? And doctor has also advised you not to drink coffee, yet you are drinking coffee?)
Seeing her angry, Yash decided it was wiser to stay quiet.
Shweta served him fresh juice and poha instead. Yash didn’t like fruits, but for her happiness, he ate without complaint. After they finished breakfast, she hugged him lovingly and said, "Bahar coffee mat peena, okay?"
(Don't drink coffee outside okey)
Her tone made him laugh. "Haan haan, meri jaan, main bahar coffee nahi piyunga."
(Yes yes, my jaan I won't drink coffee outside)
"Promise?"she asked, holding out her hand. Yash placed his hand over hers and said,
"Promise!" Then, he gave her a soft kiss on the lips before leaving for the office.
Flashback End:
"Dad, where are you lost?" Shaurya waved his hand in front of Yash’s face.
Under his breath, Yash murmured, "Biwi, tum toh mujhe chhod kar chali gayi… par apni parchhayi chhod gayi."
(Wife, you left me but left your shadow behind)
"Hmmh (chuckles)… kuch nahi beta, papa tumhari mumma ko miss kar rahe the," Yash said with a smile.
(Nothing son, dad was missing your mumma)
"Papa, you never told me about Mumma… how she was and why she’s not with us?" Shaurya’s voice turned sad.
All he knew was her name—he had no memories, no stories. He often felt her absence deeply, especially when Yash wasn’t around.
"Hmmm, toh Shaurya ko apni mumma ke baare mein jaana hai? Theek hai, aaj tumhara birthday celebrate karne ke baad main tumhe tumhari mumma ke baare mein sab bataunga."
(hmmm so Shaurya wants to know about his mother. Okay, today after celebrating your birthday I will tell you everything about your mother.)
"No! I want to know who my mother was… tell me how she was, right now."
Yash tried to convince him, but his son’s insistence made him give in.
"Theek hai… pehle breakfast finish karo, phir bataunga."
(Fine, Finish your breakfast first then I will tell you)
Hearing that, Shaurya’s eyes sparkled, and he nodded eagerly.
The maid served their breakfast and left. They both began eating. Yash looked at his son and thought to himself,
"Biwi, aaj hamara chhota chuha aath saal ka ho gaya… ab zaroori hai ki use apni maa ke baare mein pata chale, taki woh tumhari tarah ban sake."
(Wifey, today our little mouse is 8 years old, now it is important that he gets to know about his mother so that he can become like you)
A wave of love and longing for Shweta welled up in his eyes, but he quickly wiped his tears before Shaurya could notice.
A little while later, Yash and Shaurya stood in front of a small house, far from the city.
It was small but incredibly beautiful, with a little lake beside it where fish swam.
Around the house were many trees and plants, filling the air with a peaceful fragrance.
Yash took a deep breath, looking at the house, then at Shaurya, who was curiously glancing around.
"Chale, badkhurdaar?" Yash asked.
"Dad, whose house is this? Who lives here?"
"Tumhari maa." He gently answered.
(Your mom)
"Maa?", Shaurya’s eyes widened.
(Mom)
Yash chuckled and said "Haan beta, yeh tumhari mumma ka ghar hai."
"Come, I’ll show you." They stepped inside.
The interior was just as beautiful as the outside. The roof was made of mirrors, allowing to see the sky as if it were within reach. All the decorations were handmade—crafted lovingly by Shweta herself.
Shaurya’s eyes lit up as he looked around. He felt as though he truly was with his mother here.
Yash then led him into the garden, stopping under a tree covered in red flowers.
The wind blew, and petals rained down on them. Yash closed his eyes, letting the moment calm him.
"Dad, hum yahan kyun aaye hai?" Shaurya asked, looking at the tree, then back at him.
(Dad, why do we came here)
Yash took a deep breath and said "Beta, tumhari maa yahi hai," he said, kneeling in front of the tree and touching the ground gently.
(Son, your mother is here)
"Yahan?" he asked in surprise.
(Here?)
"Haan beta… ye tumhari maa ki ichcha thi. Tum jaanna chahte the na, tumhari maa kaun thi, kaisi thi, aur tumhare saath kyun nahi hai? Aaj main tumhe sab bataunga—hamari kahani, hum kab mile, sab kuch."
(Yes son, this was your mother's wish, you wanted to know who your mother was, how she was, and why she is not with you? Today I will tell you everything, our story, when we met, everything.)
"Toh batao!" Shaurya sat cross-legged in front of him, eager to listen.
(Then tell)
Yash’s face softened into a smile. His son truly was his wife’s shadow a proper mumma’s boy.
He nodded and began, "Tumhari maa bahut khoobsurat, samajhdaar, brave aur caring thi. Sabse bahut pyaar karti thi, kabhi kisi se nahi darti thi."
(Your mother was very beautiful, intelligent, brave, and caring, she loved everyone and was not afraid of anyone)
Shaurya listened, completely engrossed in every word.
Hay loveliessss stay tuned for the next part...
