The Day I Wrote a Letter to Your Mom

(Give it to her on 4th April 2024)

Dear aunty,

How are you now? Sutanima said you aren’t keeping well. I hope you are recovering.

You are a wonderful woman who has given birth to another wonderful woman, and so it’s just hard to forget your birthday, even though I sometimes forget my own mother’s birthday (I am not making it up). So, here’s to a wonderful year ahead.

I remember when I was a kid and my parents would need an appointment with uncle, they would get in touch with you. And you would put their names at the top of the patient list. And every time, even last time, when I went to uncle for a checkup, he asked me about myself, how I am doing, life and career-wise…

I have always had immense respect for you and uncle. Even though we never talked much, you seem like a mother to me. Because you treated me like a human, unlike other parents of our classmates.

Sutanima inherits your kindness and more. Among the mean kids in our class, she was an angel, always helping me. I have hundreds of stories of her kindness that would probably fill a book. No wonder I fell in love with her when I was just six years old.

I totally understand how difficult it is for you to accept that a married man is still in love with your daughter. I mean you don’t want your daughter to be remotely associated with such a man. If my marriage fails tomorrow, the society wouldn’t think twice before pointing fingers at Sutanima. And it wouldn’t matter even if my strained relationship with my wife had nothing to do with her.

I know no amount of assurance can make you believe that I will never ever let that happen. I have been in love with Sutanima for 28 years and only two or three people probably know about it. Nobody knew I was in touch with her. And Sutanima herself didn’t know that I still love her until recently, when I met her and got a bit emotional.

I really do not want anything from her, I swear, aunty. Except being in touch with her. I am extremely sorry for bothering her after the meet-up. She suddenly stopped talking to me and I thought I had lost her. I went a bit crazy, desperate. I understand it was unacceptable.

Please forgive me. I didn’t mean to harass her at all. She has been the only constant in my life for all these years, in some way or the other. And it is hard to think of a life without her. That’s it.

I am guilty, I know and I accept. Forgive me if possible.

Anyway, once again, wishing you a happy and healthy year ahead.

With love and respect,
Pritam