ALSphere Foundation
“I hate rains!” Meera muttered as she rushed to remove the half dry clothes from the balcony. What had started as a silent drizzle was now gaining momentum. Warily, she glanced down the road which usually lay deserted at this time in the afternoon. A small group of children returning from school were laughing and jumping into puddles of water that had formed at various places.
Looking at them, Meera felt an aching void in her heart. How she wished she could go back in time and relive those carefree days of her childhood.
When she found happiness in every little thing and laughed freely and more frequently. When sorrow and pain were just another word in her English textbook meant to be memorised and not feel or live through.
Life had changed drastically after her son’s diagnosis. Now, it was no more about her but everything about him.
Boooom!
A loud clap of thunder broke into her thoughts and Meera squeezed her eyes closed. Even at 36, the rumble of a thunder sent shivers down her spine.
“Sshh beta! Don’t be afraid. The clouds are just fighting amongst themselves. They will stop in a while and the sun would come out again!”
Ma’s soothing voice rang in her ears.
“But when Ma? When?” Meera felt like shouting back. “It’s been almost 6 years! Six long years of struggling and fighting against all kinds of odds! No, Ma. You were wrong. The sun will never come out. Never!”
Exasperated, Meera gathered the clothes in her arms and stomped towards her bedroom. Right at the doorway, she stopped dead in her tracks.
Seven-year-old Rick was standing at the window watching the rainfall.
And….
Singing the rhyme which she had been trying to teach him since he was just a toddler!
“Rrrraiin, raiiin, ..G.goo aaway,
Cccome a.gain..anotheer D-Day,”
The clothes fell from Meera’s numb hands.
Her son who hadn’t uttered a single word until now was singing!
Defying all the well-meaning predictions of the doctors and therapists, he was singing!
Oh! What a melodious voice he had!
Meera stood transfixed, tears of joy running down her cheeks. Through the hazy blur, she noticed a pale illumination outside. The dark afternoon was slowly giving way to a bright and sunny evening.
A fat ray of sunlight pierced through the window and fell at her feet. Meera wiped away her tears and smiled.
Ma was right as usual!
Where there is rain, there is sunshine!
Where there is a disappointment, there is also hope!
