Kathmandu:

Aama for me is the best and the dearest word in the world. Aama is what many Nepalis call their mothers, but I use this word exclusively for my Granny. Aama is the person I love the most in the world. From my childhood, I have share a very special bond with my Granny. I have travelled holding her hand. She is the noble nurse who has nurtured me with values.

Time has passed but she still thinks her grandson is the same kid she used to carry on her shoulder and play with. My granny is fond of chocolate. She never shares it with anyone, but I am the exception. She saves all the chocolate she gets as gift for me and orders me not to share it with anybody else. And being a true and obedient grandson, I don’t.

Whenever she sees me coughing, she quickly collects her herbs and gets an ayurvedic medicine ready for me. Even to this date she loves putting oil on my legs and massaging them. I feel awkward when she does this, but she will not listen to my protests.

Whenever she sees me, she feels my arms and says whether I have gained weight or lost it, and every time she is correct. I feel at peace in her lap. Whenever she hugs me to her bosom, I forget all my miseries and pain.

There is nothing of value I can give in return for her flawless love. The only thing I can offer is love itself. She is getting weaker day by day, and I pray that in her old days I am able to hold her hands and help her walk her final steps. It’s heatwrenching, but the day will come when I will have to let go off the hands that once taught me how to walk.