SEPARATED FOREVER

Your main character is approached by their long-estranged parent who wants to reconnect. How do they react?

Title - Separated forever

Danny remembered his childhood. He was five years old. His cousins Mila and Rik were seven and six years old. Their houses were side by side. They enjoyed playing together, climbing trees to pick mangoes, walking down the stream and running in the rain. They shared their secrets and stories candidly.

At school, as soon as the headmaster rang the bell in the afternoon, Danny would rush to their meeting point near the tall eucalyptus tree. All three would then buy  orange flavored sweets from the old woman sitting near the tree. They would grab their school bags and start their journey back home, which was  two kilometers away.

Every day was an adventure and brought new discoveries. Danny recalled how they explored every plant along the road, read the posters and look at the birds. Half way between the school and their homes, there was a public fountain. They would drink water by placing the palm of their hands under the tap. This was refreshing. It was fun too as water splashed over their face and hands.

Sometimes, they dropped their bags and removed their sandals. They then allowed the cold water to flow on their feet. On rainy days, they spattered in the accumulated rainwater along the road.

Often they had a pause at the house of the Jeevan, the tailor. His workshop was always open. He used to  welcome them. “Hi children. You had a nice day at school? Are you studying seriously?  

Mila replied, “Yes.”

On some days, they would stand near Uncle Babu, who sat every afternoon under the shop verandah and fried samosas, dhall fritters, called ‘gateau piment’ and chickpea ‘bhajias’. He had his deep frying pan and a small stove. Everyone loved his mouthwatering snacks.

These were the joyful days which Danny enjoyed and could never forget. But these wonderful days were suddenly to come to an end.

Danny’s father was a taxi driver and was separated from Danny’s mother, his first wife. Danny had a step mother. She herself had one child of her own.  Danny’s mother lived  about twenty kilometers away. She came to visit him at least once a month at the school. She always hugged him and  had tears in her eyes at the time she had to depart. At each visit, she questioned Danny on whether he was being treated well, getting enough food and whether any one acted brutally against him.

Then one day, she took Danny with her. He was separated from his friends. Time went by and Danny reached 45 years. He often had reminiscences the friends he loved so much. He often wondered whether Mila and Rik would still remember him.

He wanted to make an attempt to see them again. But the fear of being rejected held him back. He did not dare talk about this with his mother, because she had a lot of bitterness about her past. All she told Danny was that she had been forced to leave her husband and children because relatives made malicious accusations against her.

Danny had a brother and a sister who passed away. His mother had anger that her children died while in the custody of the step mother and Mila’s parents. The loss of her children had made her hostile. She has vouched that she will never forgive them.

In fact, it was after the death of her second child, that she rushed and fought to take Danny back with her.

She did not want Danny to talk about the past or to talk to anyone from her late husband’s family.

Danny often thought that it would be impossible for him to meet his friends again, no matter how much he wanted to. He reflected “Maybe I passed them in the street without recognizing them and without their having recognized me.”
 
Then, while he was attending a wedding ceremony, a  young  woman approached him. She was smiling, but still looked a bit tense. She asked – “You are Danny aren't you? 
 
Danny  was surprised. He said “Yes”. 
 
“Do you recognize me ? she asked. “ Do you remember me ? I guess not.”
 
Danny answered, “ No. I do not recognise  you.”
Her countenance changed immediately. Yet she smiled and said,  “ Try to you remember. We used to go to the same school.”
 
Danny was awestruck. A flurry of excitement and thrill filled his heart. He exclaimed,  “Ooh, are you my cousin Mila? I been longing for this day. “
 
He said ,” It was you who held my hand on the road. You scolded me every time  I made faces. You are my sister. I had grown desperate that I would ever meet you .”
 
“Our destinies have separated us. More than 40 years have elapsed. Look how we have changed. You wear glasses. I am losing my hair.”
 
They both laughed heartily. Danny said, “I always think of you. Why did we have to go separate ways?  Our childhood days were the happiest days of my life. We did not see the time passing when we were together.”
 
Mila said “I cherish those moments we spent together. On the day that you left, I was so despondent and cried a lot. We were too small to understand the reasons for this separation. I always think about you and have been yearning to see you again. Yet I was worried that you would refuse to talk to me. I had no clue of where you live or work. Besides no one in my family gave any hint. They do not talk about your mother at all, as if a span of their lives has been erased from their memory.”
 
While they were chatting,  Danny noticed his  mother watching him from a distance. She had an inquisitive look. Danny knew that she would grow  hysterical if she found out that he was conversing with a member of the family that she hated so intensely.
 

Danny told Mila , “It’s the same for me. My mother has never wanted me to look back. She did not allow me to come to the funeral of my father when she heard that he had passed away. She will be seriously vexed if she learns that I am talking to you.”

He said, “I have to leave now. My mother is getting impatient.”
 
The conversation ended there. Danny was delighted to have met Mila but also sorrowful that he could not mend the fragmented bonds. 
 
His mother asked, “Who was the person  you were talking to for so long? 
 
Danny furtively replied, “Oh that was a person like so many others that you meet at these ceremonies”. 
Danny avoided telling the truth. He knew that she would be distressed. She  had never been able to free her mind from the traumatic experiences that she had endured. She underwent sufferings in silence and made great sacrifices. She preferred to go far away to live a peaceful life, with her only child. 
 

Since the time, she brought Danny to stay with her, she never talked about her past. She did not allow Danny  to ask any questions.

Danny’s life  continued with the usual routine. Two years went by. One day, while he was working in his office, he was informed that a woman wanted to meet him. He went out and saw Mila. He was so glad to see her. He  greeted her in his office. They  chatted for a long time, reminding each other of their pleasant  memories . 
 
Danny said, “ You know, I want to reestablish relations. But my mom doesn't want to hear about your family. I cannot disapprove her because I  cannot measure the sufferings that she endured. She will never  forgive your family for the loss of her  two children.”
 
“I don't have a brother or sister. You were my best friend, my loving sister. But how do I make my mother understand. I cannot do anything to hurt her”
 
Mila said, “Look, let’s try to make her forget her resentment. It will be difficult, but we can stil give a try.”
 
“ Can I come to your place to meet her? she asked. I have fond memories of her. She used to take care of me, braid my hair and pamper me. She's not going to chase me, I'm sure.”
 
Danny replied , “Certainly. Come. We'll see how she reacts. Maybe she'll be happy to see you. Its her birthday in two weeks time. You can drop in at that time, as she would be in better mood.”
 
Ten days later, Mila listening to the radio. She heard the name of Danny in the  death announcements. Danny had passed away.  She felt shattered. It was  devastating. She thought – “Too late. He is gone. We are now separated forever.”