In Memory of Raju

One brief memory about my mother and Nattu Subraya Mudali Street house, which belonged to my thatha, and was the childhood home of my mother. I was born in that house, as were many of my siblings. When my mother was growing up in that house, she used to have a close friend and playmate who lived nearby. Then, as you know, we moved away and she lost touch. Many years later, Amma expressed the desire to go and visit her friend, whom she believed still lived on the street. So, Chari took her to visit – and I also went along. When she located the house, she knocked and asked to see the lady, giving her name to the person who answered the door. When she emerged, Amma was shocked to see that it was a young girl. It turns out, the lady – Amma’s childhood playmate – had passed away a long time back. The girl was her granddaughter, who had been given the same name as her paati, and my mother’s friend. Amma gave the girl her blessings and we came back home. It was a bittersweet experience for her.