ALSphere Foundation
A sharp cry woke her up. Groggy, she stretched out her hand to feel him. The bed was empty! She sat up, alarmed. Where was Raka?
Looking around, she called out softly. “Rakaaaaa.” No one responded. She got down and checked underneath the bed. “Stop hiding baby. Mamma is looking for you. Come out.” Silence greeted her. She went out to the balcony. It was empty.
“Raka, Raka,” she frantically called out. She did not care if she woke up the other members of the family. She went from room to room. They were empty. Where did he vanish?
“Baby… Please please come out. Baby…”The house remained silent. Did he slip through the railing? No…. She rushed out to check the balcony. Mustering enough courage, she looked down. Her heart thumped wildly.
Nah..Thank God! There was nothing lying on the ground below. She sat down with a loud thud. Wwhere…did her child vanish? Her eyes fell on her sleeping husband. While she was looking for her son wildly, how could he sleep!
“Rohan….Rohan…wake up! I cannot find Raka. Wake up.”
He mumbled something, turned around and slept. “Rohannnn…” She nudged him hard.
Rohan pushed her aside, pulled up the covers and sank deeper into the duvet. What kind of a father was he? How could he stay indifferent when his son was missing? Or did he suspect that the child was not his…Oh, how could he! He had always doubted her.
She remembered her mother-in-law. The old lady might help her look for the child. But her door was bolted from inside. She knocked softly on the door. Once, twice…thrice! Giving up, she started her search anew. That is when she heard the sound of running water. The bathroom. The bathtub! Oh no!
She found her three-year-old sitting in the overflowing tub grinning at his mother. The toothy smile melted her anger. Scooping him up in her arms, she grabbed the towel.
“No baby! Not now. At this odd hour. Tomorrow, Mamma will give you a bath in the tub..Tomorrow! Now, stop being difficult. You will catch a cold. Let us change and sit in the balcony for a while. Okay?”
Holding the squirming toddler firmly, she stepped out.
~~~
The rooster woke up Rohan. His side of the bed lay empty. Sighing, he stepped out. She lay asleep in the balcony, leaning against the railing, holding a teddy in her arms. The soggy toy lay enveloped in a towel.
Picking her up, he made way to their bedroom. Exasperated, he called up the psychiatrist. Noting down the new medicines, he stepped out to get them.
Every night it was the same story. How could he blame her? The bathtub was her idea. It was also his fault. That fateful night he had kept the bathroom room open. How would they know that little Raka would slip into it that night and drown himself!
