Graves Don't Lie: A Unique take on Life and Death by Sai Priya

QLC presents a unique, profound and deeply stirring short story, Life from the Grave by Sai Priya

Amma, you cannot be this way anymore, I shouted. You have not eaten anything since morning. How many days are you going to be in depression? Please come out of it amma. Life is not all about father. He left us but not on road.He gave us all that we require to live happily ever after. He may not be byour side but he is always watching us and if you do not eat food, you are disrespecting him.

              I was talking a lot  about such stuff and then realized that she dozed off on the couch long back, yet murmuring my father’s name.I could do nothing but go to my room and sleep.I woke up early in the morning with sounds coming from the dining room. I simply rushed and found my Amma weeping in a corner saying

 “Why do they do this all the time? I can’t stand those sounds…its painful.Please ask them to stop it.”

I tried to cool her down and gave her a glass of water.

Amma relax, I will take you to your room.

I did not notice that Chandra had come and stood before the main door looking out in astonishment.

I took amma to her room and helped her lie down.

What sound was amma talking about? asked Chandra, coming inside the house.

Amma doesn’t like those drum sounds that they play when someone is dead. She says that she starts remembering father’s death.

Why don’t you close the windows then?asked Chandra.

Yes, I did.But look!The graveyard is just next to my house and the sounds would have never ended even if I had placed an iron cupboard there.

I think you should not live here any longer, Sravan.

I know, Chandra. But I am totally helpless. I cannot afford a new house in the town right away. I promised amma that I would definitely shift home far away from any graveyard as soon as I get a good job.

Alright, I think I will leave now.

Wait Chandra, I completely forgot asking the  purpose of your visit so early in the morning.

Oh yeah! I have come here to give you this file that you forgot yesterday on my desk. Here, take it.

Thank you so much Chandra. You should not have troubled yourself coming all the way long. I would have collected it in the office.

Naah! Thats ok. I thought you might be in need of the file. So I came to hand it over to you. Anyways, I have to leave now. See you in the office. Take care of amma.

Bye Chandra. See you.

I went back to check if my mother was asleep but I found her leaning onto the wall and looking at the graveyard through the window.

Amma, don’t you want to rest?

No, Sravan, I am fine.

What happened amma? , I asked.

She gave a faded smile.

Do you want to take a break going to aunt’s house? I asked her.

No, I am fine here, she replied.

Alright if you change your mind then let me knowamma.

I got ready and ran off to office wondering if Neelima had already reached there. I was right.She stood near the entrance talking to Chandra. I waved a quick ‘Hi’ and went to park my bike. 

Neelima and Chandra have been my colleagues for a long time that I cannot live in peace in the weekends, because I don't get to meet them.

You look worried Sravan , what’s the matter? asked  Neelima.

Its nothing Neelu. The same old story. My amma is unable to come out of depression.

Then maybe you should tell her about me, Sravan.

How does that matter now?

Your amma will feel better if you say we are going to get married, Neelima giggled.

Haha...fine fine. I will tell her soon about you.

We three walked inside the office discussing about work for the day.

It was half past two and I received five missed calls from 

amma which I did not attend due to a meeting. I  ran out as 

quickly as possible to call her.

Amma are you fine? I asked.

Yes, I am fine. Nothing to worry. Had your lunch?

 Yes but why did you call me so many times?

Err…I was just wondering if it is the right thing to go to aunt’s place for a while.

Finally, I am happy that you have decided to live in peace forgetting the past. Well, I will come and pick you when I am done with my office work and drop you at aunt’s house.

Alright son. I will wait. Bye

Bye amma.

Months passed by and I missed amma very badly. I cursed myself for sending her to aunt's house. The house was gloomy without her. I leaned towards the wall and looked at the grave.

" Only if I had a house in town, my life would be different " I thought.

The doorbell rang and I went to see who it was at this hour. To my surprise it was Neelima smiling at me. I was astonished  and asked her.

"What is this? I would have come to pick you if you had  informed me before , Neelima.

There is no need for such a thing. I am not a kid Sravan. I came in a cab.

A cab? Are you saying that you came in a cab in this dark night. Why do you do such things which scare me.

Alright, I am sorry. I won’t repeat it.But I thought you might be feeling lonely without amma.

Yes, I do. I miss her a lot Neelu.

Anyways comfort yourself on the sofa.

I will be right back with a cup of coffee.

Sure, let’s see how Mr. Sravan makes coffee for his fiancé.

I laughed and went into the kitchen to bring a mug filled with hot coffee.

When I was done I shouted "Neelima, how much sugar do you prefer in a cup of coffee?"

There was no reply. I shouted again, Neelima, are you there?

There was pin drop silence again.

I went to see where she might have gone and I could not find her since she was not on the sofa. So I went to dining hall and there she stood leaning to the wall and keenly watching the grave just like amma.

She saw me but spoke after a long silence.

They are playing drums. Who is dead? Sravan.

I replied in a mellowed tone, "What do I know?" That’s a graveyard and they bury people who are dead.

Hmm, are we going to stay in this house after our marriage? She asked.

I took a long breath and sighed.

Listen Neelu,  I am not going to trouble you. We will move to the town and live a happy life there. But just give me few more days. I swear, I will find a quite right place.

What are you talking about Sravan?

I just asked you if we are going to stay in this house after marriage.

I never said I have any problem with the grave.

Don’t comfort me with your sweet lies, Neelu. Do you think I am a fool to believe you when you say you do not have a problem with the grave. Who on earth loves to reside in a house surrounded by a deadly grave.

Neelima laughed out loud and said It’s me who has no complaints on the grave.

Look Sravan, it all depends on us how we look at certain things. This grave is not that bad anyways. In life, we always run behind fame, riches and name. We never stay satisfied with one thing. We want a house, then a car, then a big mansion, then a different model car and it just goes on.

We want to earn lot of money for our children and also grand children. We simply become greedy each day.

 What do you want to say Neelima? I interrupted.

Just look at the grave, Sravan. Each time when you start your day looking at it will remind you that whatever you do in life, you definitely have to give up all the materialistic things and fall asleep in the grave forever. It will remind you not to be too greedy or not take an issue too seriously. Let life float on the water gently.