How are you?

->I was down in confidence and my head ache was reaching high.I had to complete analysing 12 more programs by 8 P.M. and complete preparing an asset analysis document by 9 P.M. Apart from that I had to update a few specifications and prepare and deploy sixteen modules into production. Still five more hours were left to my deadline and it seemed like fifteen thousand light years ahead. My manager kept pinging me every 20 mins for the status and my tech lead kept a high expectation on me. My team mates kept asking me doubts and my project mates kept giving me work. Above all my computer kept testing my patience. While chatting simultaneously with eight people and talking to one, and waiting to join a call conference in 15 minutes, my Cell Phone Rang!!!!

->She was down with fever, a sudden high temperature of 104. She slept only for four hours last night and kept coughing the rest of time. She had a piece of bread and glass of milk. Also she took two big pills. Her home was beginning to become untidy for the first time in the year and the laundry kept piling up. The dust on floor irritated her and the body pain added to her suffering. Above all she missed her son who didn't call her for last four days. At late in the afternoon, as her temperature stabled she asked her husband to call their son. He took the phone and dialed the number.

<->
Me: Hello
Dad: Yes son, its me.
Me: Yes dad...
Dad: You didnt call your mother since four days...
Me: Yes, will call her sometime...where is she?
Dad: Here talk to her...
Mom: Hello...
Me: Hello, what are you doing mom?
Mom: Just was sleeping, and you...
Me: I am in office...
Mom: Ok, hey son, did you forget your mother, call frequently son...
Me: I called last sunday right...
Mom: hmm, that was LAST sunday...
Me: Ok,ok will call frequently, now can i work?
Mom: hmm, what did you have for lunch?
Me: aanh, sandwich, mom..I have lots of work to do, can i call back again?
Mom: Yes, but call soon..
Me: Ok, Mom Bye..
Beep....
Mom: Bye son.

I called her again only the next day and realized that she was ill for three days. In fact my brother too was ill. I cannot imagine whether she felt good after hearing my voice on the phone or she felt bad on my rude behaviour. I think now that I should have asked her how she is and everybody in the house and spent more time talking to her. This might not have alleviated her pain but atleast she would have slept with a happy heart that night. Work and target dates will remain always but if affection is lost once it is very difficult to get it back. I wonder these are the small things that keep relationships pleasant and everlasting. The small things like asking 'How are you?' before starting a conversation. My poor mother, I will call you everyday.