Dear Maa

A few days ago I lost the woman who could have one day become my Mother-in-Law. She had been sick for many years and lived as quietly as she died. In the two years that I had known and grown to love her son, I had never once seen her. My man always said that he would introduce us at the right time. She was bed-ridden and never ventured out of the 10x12 bedroom, that was a virtual prison. I always imagined what my first meeting with Maa would be like. Today I'm writing to a woman I would never be able to talk to...
Dear Maa,
I'm your son's girlfriend. Yes the same short haired girl Papa told you he spotted in your son's bedroom as he walked past the door. The same girl he often catches a glimpse of when I sneak in and out of your house at all kinds of un-Godly hours. I have told your son that I hate this hide and seek business. We have been together for almost two years. It's time he introduced me to you.
I often wondered what that 'meet the parents' would have been like. The very first Saas-Bahu encounter is always a scary experience for both women involved. What would I have worn, a feminine pink salwar-kameez or my everyday jeans and T-shirt (wouldn't wanna come across as trying too hard). Would I have let my hair loose (the way your son likes it) or tied them up in a neat pony-tail (it's easier to manage). What would we do about the 'bahu ke haath ki chai'? Would you have asked me to make some in your kitchen, as our first meeting would have taken place at your home...
What would you have asked me?
Beta can you cook?
What are your future plans?
Why did you quit journalism, beta?
Is PR a good business to be in?
What do your parents do?
Do you like children?
Would you inspect and observe? Would you ask me to sing, smile, walk...? Ask me why I wear no jewellery? I'm not as strikingly good looking as your son. Would you wonder if I'd look good next to him? Would you wonder if I could give you good looking grand children? Would you ask me if I loved your son? Really loved him... How much? How would I answer that?
I have so many questions for you...
Did your son tell you that I performed a special pooja for your recovery during the Ganpati Festival and then sent you prasad through him?
Did he give you the Durga Pooja bhog I specially sent for you? I know Papa doesn't believe in God, because if there was one, you, the love of Papa's life, wouldn't have sufferred so much and for so long. But now you are with God and I'm with all these questions... Questions I will never find answers to...
I wanted to meet you Maa... but I couldn't... you son wouldn't let me... and I didn't insist... But I must say, your son is one tough young man. He was a picture of calm at your funeral... so was Papa... Even didi was strong... But I couldn't hold back my tears.
I'm sorry Maa... I love you Maa... and yes I love your son...
Goodbye Maa.