Illusion

"Soorya, it's time for you to get up and brush". It's the same dialogue that Maaya screamed from within the kitchen to get her 5 year old up and off to school. Vinay had been a supportive husband and he had felt that it was his duty to bathe the kid and dress him up while she dutifully cooked and did her morning prayers. She thanked God for having given her a gem of a son. "Neighbors envy, owners pride" is what they say! Vinay honked the horn and announced that he was ready to leave. Maaya rushed to wave a bye to them only to see the car moving out of the gate. "How many times have I told him to tell me before he gets into the car...", she wondered. It was the usual routine again - wrapping up her prayers, cleaning, mega serials, phone conversations with club members and the other chores of a homemaker. She went into Soorya's room in search of her kid's clothes but she found them neatly stacked and in place. Smiling at the work of her husband she proceeded to make some eatables for the evening. A walk to the temple, music class and other activities were scheduled for the evening. At dinner time, Maaya was concerned whether Soorya had completed his homework and had had his dinner. Vinay answered all her questions and accompanied her to their bedroom. "Vinay, has Soorya slept? I will just wish him goodnight without disturbing him pa." Maaya rushed towards his bedroom and silence prevailed for about a minute. "Ahhhhhhhhhh" came a hysterical scream and Maaya came out clasping a doll to her chest. "Soorya...Soorya...Soorya..." Maaya sobbed and mumbled Soorya's name till Vinay embraced her. She fainted in his arms and went into a trance. Vinay sat back and shut his eyes. That fateful day still haunted him - an accident which killed their son; that which made Maaya lose her mental stability.