Story Time

 The Dark Night 

     

       The pale crescent moon shone like a silvery claw in the night sky. A beautiful young lady with long hair and attractive grey eyes was lingering in the lobby with a tall handsome man sitting on the sofa busy switching the Tv channels. Mr. Smith was an entrepreneur ,  his child was least interested in his Dad business  whereas the young woman who was lingering in the lobby,  Mrs. Smith was the President of the NGO for children and  a housewife. In the lobby,  Mr and Mrs. Smith were waiting for their unruly and drunkard child who everyday comes in late after attending the  night parties. 
       It was almost midnight, Mr Smith frustrated of this daily behaviour of his child said approaching Mrs. Smith,'' Darling, come let's go to sleep, it had already passed 1 and who haven't taken the medicine yet.'' As Mrs. Smith was a heart patient Mr Smith gave her the medicine forcefully.  Mrs Smith with a frown smile nodded and said Mr Smith to go to sleep. She was worried of her child who in this pandemic situation went to the night parties at his friend's house. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Mrs. Smith hurriedly went to open the door. An  Inebriated boy with brown spiky messy  hairs and an attractive grey eyes  stumbling  hugged his Dad  and entered the lobby. William was a drunkard but he had affection towards his parents. Mr and Mrs. Smith took William to his chamber. Mr Smith with a huff went to his bedroom followed by Mrs. Smith. 
     The next afternoon the boy got up with a chaos noise coming from the lobby.  When he saw doctors and nurses taking his Mom towards the ambulance waiting outside. He hurriedly rushed towards the Ambulance shouting, Dad, ''What's the matter?''. Mr. Smith was talking with doctor John, their family doctor about the incident when suddenly William shouted. Mr. Smith with a huff voice said, ''Yesterday Sophia didn't take her pill because  she was worried about you. And today she had a sudden minor heart attack in the morning''. Doctor John approaching the tensed boy patted his back and said,'' No worries, I will take care of your Mom and she will get well soon''.  The ambulance left accompanying Doctor John. The phone rang,  Mr. Smith lost no time and picked up Dr.John calls.  When doctor John reported the condition of Sophia  Mr. Smith was moribund thinking of his wife's condition who seemed to be tested positive for the Co-Vid test. William was shocked  and depressed when he heard that her Mom's condition was not that good and she had to be under observation for two weeks. 
     One week passed, William was day by day becoming a responsible boy giving strength to his Dad and handling the house. Though he was missing his mom and was realizing now how difficult it was for his Mom to handle the whole house without complaining but instead pampering him. He had  not attended a single party after this incident but he couldn't even sleep the whole night.                            
     Turning the  page he was recalling his Mom's sweet smile  holding a little boy with brown hairs  of the album when tears came trembling from his eyes hoping for his Mom to come back home safe as Dr. John was informing that Sophia is becoming better day by day. It was about 12 and suddenly there was a knock on the  doorbell. William wiping off his tears came downstairs and saw Dr John talking to Mr. Smith who was groaning and  frowning. William seeing his dad groaning come near him, Dad is everything fine? How is my Mom, Dr. John? When are you giving her discharge? Dr. John with a bitter voice said, Sorry William but we can't save your Mom's life. Till her last breath she muttered only one word, 'William'.
      It was an awful day for the Smith family. William still couldn't believe the news given by Dr. John. Mr. Smith sat on the sofa staring at the picture on the wall of his and Sophia. Dr. John received a call from the hospital. He whispered holding William that your Mom's dead body will be buried by the hospital itself. As the family members were not allowed to take the funeral by themselves. William hugging Dr.John started groaning. He still couldn't believe it and just wanted to see his Mom's face. 
      Suddenly there was a blast sound calling , William, William… William in trauma opened his eyes and saw his Mom shouting,'' Come on, William get up. Would you like to have  tea or coffee?''.  William woke up with a  happy  face and was looking cheerful. With no loss  he hugged his Mom tightly who looked confused, what had happened to her child. Sophia gave a smile and asked, '' Are you fine, William''. William just gave a secret smile saying, '' Yes Mom. Let's go. I will make the coffee and we will have it together''.  He was happy that it was just a bad dream. They  all were enjoying the coffee while talking at the dining table. Mr.& Mrs. Smith seemed  a bit confused but they were happy about the  change that happened in William in just one night. William had started helping Mr. Smith in his business becoming a more responsible and caring person.

By Sakshi Padwal

A small message:- Money is just a Piece of paper which will go and come but what stays with you in such a bad situation like this are the near and dear ones. Take care of them.

Stay safe. 

Thank You

JAI HIND