I knew something was wrong when I saw Sindhu Akka, Sahay Mama and Kavin Mama discussing amongst themselves. Arun Mama had left the house again and I had no idea where Mummy is. I tried my best to ask everyone around but I got no answers.

I looked at the three and asked, "Where Mummy?"

Sindhu Akka looked at me and replied, "I wish I could but I can't Anu. I have been forbidden to do so."

Forbidden? What does that mean? I looked at her with crying eyes. She screamed, "Somebody please help me or I will have to reveal everything."

Kavin Mama shook his head. "No Akka, you can't tell what Arun Anna told but we can simplify it simple terms to her and tell her."

Sahay Mama was aghast, "Simplify? You guys are thinking about telling it to this small girl? What will she even understand?"

"Sahay Anna, think logically, for how long can we hide it from her?"

I can't take it anymore. I started crying, really loud so that someone would tell me what is exactly happening. Somewhere in the corner of my heart, I thought Mummy might come. But she didn't. All I could hear was a scream that came from the kitchen, "Please take care of Anu and give whatever she wants."

I am sure it was those other two women who were talking to Ammamma. That's when Sindu Akka blurted, "Chaitra Akka is undergoing thyroid operation."

***

The next day, I didn't feel like going to school. Sindhu Akka had given some big words that didn't seem to make much sense.

"Thyloid?" I had asked.

"No Anu, it's thyroid. It's an organ in the body."

"What organ?"

"Sheesh! How do I explain this? Um... Something without which the body wouldn't function properly."

Kavin Mama remarked, "Akka, it's difficult for me to understand in spite of knowing these things, how will she understand?"

Sahay Mama scolded, "Of course, what can I expect from my brainless sister? Expecting her to use brain? How foolish of me!"

Their banter went on but I didn't get answer to my question. Ammamma was back in the morning and had dressed me for the school. In the end, I had to throw a tantrum to finally deserve a promise to go to see Mummy after the school.

There was nothing interesting in the school, my class teacher had complaints about everything I did. At that point, I didn't care. All I wanted was to meet my Mummy. Daddy didn't seem to give any answer to me when I had asked him the previous night.

I saw Sahay Mama and his mother had come to pick me. I felt very dejected. Why did they come? They know where Mummy but gibe Anu no answer. Sahay Mama held my hand whispered, "We will go to see your Mummy today."

I screamed, "Really?"

He promised, "Yes."

Finally, I will see Mummy. I want to meet her soon and tell her how much Anu missed her. I will scold her asking where she had gone without Anu. I will promise her that Anu will behave so that Mummy takes Anu with her next time.

I surprised everyone by eating my lunch without making any fuss, by agreeing to wear some frock Sindhu Akka had chosen and didn't turn my face while powder was smothered. The powder thing was a big deal because I looked like a joker; only a red circle nose was missing. I did everything that was expected so that I could see Mummy as fast as possible.

***

"Anu cannot meet Chaitra. She is too young to witness it," Arun Mama said.

"But Anna, she wants to meet her mother. Is that wrong?" Sahay Mama argued.

I looked at them angrily. After nearly crushing myself in that black-and-yellow auto, I didn't come to hear a no. I pulled the hem of Sindhu Akka's frock to ask her, "What happened Mummy? Why Anu no see Mummy?"

Apparently, Sindhu Akka and Sahay Mama had gone to see Mummy. She was in a room and a woman in white dress was monitoring who was going in. I got to know that Ammamma was inside the room. Sindhu Akka explained, "Chaitra Akka underwent operation."

"Opelation?"

"Yes Anu, they slit her neck, operated on her thyroid and stitched it back. When I saw those stitches, I thought it was some necklace."

"Neck? What Mummy neck do?"

"They cut your Mummy's neck."

I looked aghast. "Is Mummy okay?"

"Don't worry, they have stitched it back. Otherwise, she would have died."

"Died?" I asked.

"Died means person who is not alive. In simpler terms, if a person is not moving, then they are dead. Like I said, you needn't worry about it, doctors have stitched it."

Stitched? But Mummy had told that only clothes are stitched. I was confused. "Mummy neck stitched?"

"Yes, twelve stitches, Anu. I counted."

Counting? That sounds interesting! I pleaded, "Please, Anu wants to count."

"Counting only, right? I will take you inside."

She held my hand, guiding stealthily towards the room door while Arun Mama and Sahay Mama were still arguing. From the room, Kavin Mama and his mother were coming out when Sindhu Akka asked them, "My mother is not with you? Then where did she go?"

This caused a commotion because Ammamma and Sushma Avva started frantically where their precious sister Lalita would have gone. Sindhu Akka participated in this discussion until the lady in white clothes turned for a moment. She opened the door and pushed me inside. Probably she would have opened it again and entered but I didn't notice.

All the complaints I had prepared to tell Mummy disappeared from my mind as the sight in front of me was shocking. There were some machines around a bed. In that bed was Mummy, with her eyes closed. She didn't seem to be moving. Behind me was a big commotion.

"Where is Anu?"

"Where were you Lalita?"

"I had gone to drink some water."

"You should have told someone."

"Why I had informed Sindhu."

"That girl didn't know anything."

"Stupid girl! Always daydreaming when I am talking something important!"

Even with this loud discussion, Mummy didn't seem to be waking up. What's wrong with Mummy? Apparently, the whole family had gathered behind me but I was oblivious. Words just slipped from my mouth, "Is Mummy died?"

My words caused a huge uproar. While Ammamma was gently waking Mummy, Arun Mama asked me, "Anu, who told you about that word died?"

"Sindhu Akka," I said. I didn't understand exactly why but my eyes were already watering.

"And what did she say about died."

"If person no move means died. Mummy no move."

Arun Mama looked at Sindhu Akka. "Do you expect a child to understand the difference between sedation and death?"

"Anu," I heard a voice. A voice that I had been craving to hear from a day. While she held her hand, I ended up crying and grabbing her hand tightly. "You hurt? Do neck pain?"

She replied, "It was but now I have seen you so I am fine."

"Next time no leave Anu alone. Anu will good girl. Take me with you."

She smiled. "Yes, I will."

Slowly Mummy closed her eyes. Ammamma explained, "Mummy is feeling tired so she is sleeping. Let her sleep, okay?"

We slowly exited from the room. That's when Sindhu Akka asked, "Anu, did you count the stitches?"

I shook my head. Those stitches on Mummy's neck were a scary sight. Sahay Mama chided, "Seriously, do have at least one pinch of humanity? Or at least common sense? How will a four-year-old child sit there are count the stitches?"

I didn't care about counting the stitches now. I wanted my Mummy back. These two days were the worst days of my life. I was feeling so lonely without her. Mummy came home the next day. But every time I looked at her neck, I felt sad about how much pain she must have felt. Also, I would feel angry as she went away alone. Within a few days, she was back to normal. I hoped that that she will never leave me alone for two days. Little did I know that she would go alone again, but this time for a week.

***

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