The WARNING

“Oh my God, What a surprise Grandma!” Renu quickly hugged her grandmother, as she opened the door. Grandma looked at her with a warm smile.

Renu showered a series of questions, “I am so happy to see you. How did you manage to come alone? Why didn’t you tell me that you were coming? I would’ve come to pick you up.”

Grandma laughed, “Are you going to ask all the questions here at the doorstep? Or will you let me enter the house?”

In excitement Renu forgot to invite grandma inside the house. She said, “I am so sorry grandma! Please come inside. But, wait a minute! Where is your luggage?”.

Grandma said, “I have not come here to stay. I have come here to meet my granddaughter, I don’t need any luggage for that” and winked with a smile. She then continued “But, you are not keeping well my child! You must go for a complete health checkup.”

Renu looked at her in dismay and replied, “Me? No! I am not having any health issues, Grandma. I assure you. Don’t worry.”

Both laughed as they stepped inside.

Grandma “Come, let’s move inside. It’s going to rain heavily here for the next two hours”.

Renu looked at the sun and gave a sarcastic smile.

Grandma smiled, “What? Do you think I am joking?”

Renu replied, “It’s bright and sunny. There’s no cloud. And, I was just watching the weather forecast, it’s going to be sunny this entire week.”

Both sat on the sofa in the living room and looked at each other with warmth and happiness. She noticed that her grandma didn’t look ill anymore. She looked fresh and healthy. But before Renu could ask grandma about it, suddenly there was a loud noise of thunder. Within a time, dark clouds covered the sky and it started pouring outside.

Renu was surprised to see the sudden change in weather. She was about to say something but kept quiet and her grandma nodded her head.

Grandma said, “Renu my dear, now go quickly and make my favourite ginger tea. Exactly, the way you used to make it for me.” Renu smiled and went to the kitchen. “I’ll be back with your favourite ginger tea in a moment”, and winked at grandma with a smile.

While Renu was making preparations for tea in the kitchen, grandma continued talking to her from the living room.

Grandma asked,” Where is your husband Dev now?”.

Renu replied, “He recently got promoted and is transferred to Assam. He left today morning, and is about to reach Guwahati in the next couple of hours.” 

Grandma shouted, “Give him a call right now and ask him to stay at the airport. There will be a disastrous landslide there. Lot of casualties will take place”.

Renu laughed in disbelief from the kitchen. “Come on Grandma! Nothing of that sort will happen there”.

In between her grandma had switched on the television.

While pouring milk in the saucepan, Renu heard a news bulletin from the television.

“A Sudden low pressure has hit the city. People are requested to stay at home for the next two to three hours, as there will be very heavy rainfall.” and the advertisement continued…

Renu thought, “what a coincidence!” and then her mobile rang. She saw it was from her mother, she quickly switched on the speaker of the mobile.

Her mother almost shouted in distress, “Hello Beta!”

Renu was anxious, and asked “Mumma, what happened? You sound upset?”

Mother started crying, “Your Grandma!”

Renu was now worried, and said, “Yes, tell me. What happened?”

Her mother, continued “Your Grandma, is no more with us!”

Renu couldn’t believe her ears, “What are you talking about?”

Her mother said in a sad voice “We lost her this morning!”.

Renu “But, Mumma… Grandma is with me right now!”

Her mother said, “It can’t be my dear. We are just coming back from the cremation ground. Am sorry we couldn’t wait for you and Dev as…”.

Before she could complete it, Renu quickly ran towards the living room with the cup of tea in her hand.

Her Grandma looked at her with a warm smile. Her eyes twinkled like never before and within a fraction of seconds, she dissolved in the air.

Sweta Gupta