A beautiful woman, that she was...

She was my guardian angel when I ran to hide from my mom's scoldings and potential beatings for being adament on having a big big bar of chocolate... needless to say I ultimately enjoyed a whole bar of it safely in her arms! A beautiful woman, that she was...

I spent my summer vacations almost every single time with her, I mean with her alone! For us, playing in the rain and watching over the chirping sparrows that come into our house for the grains that she had kept in the verandah for sun drying were of highest priority. The leaking old house was a heaven for us when we ran around the place to escape the pouring water seeping through the roof! The powercuts helped us with just the right light to play hide 'n' seek. Nothing was negative with her around! A beautiful woman, that she was...

She was enchanted by my gossips I did just before I dozed off every night. She found great meaning in my chatterings and kiddish questions. I found warmth and peace with my head on her folded left arm, serving me as a pillow, while her other hand was busy running her fingers through my hair! What a luxury!! My topics ranged from stars and the sky to fishes and butterflies. Even when she was tired and her eyes were begging her for sleep, she managed to say 'humn' everytime, lest I felt she didnot listen to me. A beautiful woman, that she was...

We went out for shopping when we needed a change. The price didnot matter to her ever. I just had to name it and I had it. Be it dress or sweets or toys or anything for that matter. They were no malls, just small shops and stores near our house. They were not branded ones either. She didnot care if what I asked for would last long or I got the right things for myself. What mattered to her was the happiness in fulfilling my heart's desire. A beautiful woman, that she was...

We brothers, sisters and cousins were many... but I felt as the chosen one who stood unique among the rest. Even my brother was not sharing the position that I owned so proudly. I felt the most pampered of the lot. She was my world and I was the centre of her universe. I was there completely drenched in her love. Even in my college times, she accompanied me till the bus stop and waited patiently till I boarded my bus. The morning sun or the cold winds or the battering rains didnot shake her determination in giving me her company. She found an excuse for herself, "Walking is good for my health", she said smilingly which showed a few gaps in her string of teeth. A beautiful woman, that she was...

When she was struck with diabetes, doctors advised her to stay away from sweets. She was a child, adament on not eating anything without sugar. She didnot budge to any of our threats or beggings or doctor's advice. She had her principle ready to rescue..."Even if it is for one day, let me live wholeheartedly. I donot want to live for 100 years sacrificing sweets!" Nothing would stop her from tasting (atleast that is what she said when she gobbled up 2 or 3 pieces!) every single sweet that we prepared or procured during some function at home, be it Ayudha pooja or Diwali. She stealthily goes into the kitchen in the night in search of the sweets freshly prepared that day. When caught redhanded, she begs not to let her trespassing made public! A real child, at her age... Her eyes sparkled everytime she passified us on letting her eat the stick icecream, that we passionately called 'Kulfi'. She said, "I know how to lookafter myself. The doctors know nothing!" She did live by her heart, no matter what others thought or even said! A beautiful woman, that she was...

She can tolerate any pain inflicted by her old age, but her major worry comprised of we children not having proper 'home'food. She can tolerate her blindness, but she cannot bear it when we suffered from simple fever. Everytime we visited her, my brother and I made it a point to leave her with some money that we had. Last time, I was there thrusting the lifeless notes into her weak palms. She said, "Do you have enough, my dear? I cannot save it for your future. Donot give me money. I'll spend all of it." I said earnestly, looking into her eyes, "If it is not for you to spend, it doesnot serve any other purpose, grandma!" She hugged me tight and impressed a kiss me on my cheek. I almost melted into her. The most beautiful woman, that she was...