Alka Rani Dubey's son Ratnesh moved from Mumbai to New York, leaving her heartbroken. British Airways surprised him with his mother's okra paratha, a dish she'd made since his teacher said it helps children with math. The tiffin brought him home to her.
Foreign. My name is ratmesh. I'm originally from Mumbai. I mean I like to call it Bombay because I grew up there. What do I remember from Bombay? Well. Playing in the streets. Taking the local jasmine gajras in the flower market. And my mother praying in the morning. You can move thousands of miles away. But these images. They are always with you.
I am Alka. My full name is Alka Rani Dubey. I am 61 years old. My son is Ratnesh. He is staying in New York. First when he told me he wanted to go to the US I felt very excited. But when the moment came when he was leaving India that time. I was really very nervous and quite heartbroken. I must say. Today British Airways has given me a seat on a plane. It is for my son's favorite dish, Okra paratha. They will fly it to America and surprise him in his apartment. I think this will make him come home and visit his mummy. I like like every mother does. I used to experiment with different things. Putting in his tiffin box. Most of the time the other vegetables, they will return from the school untouched. But whenever I am giving okra, it is finished. I asked him why you like okra the most. He said, mamma, my teacher has told. The child who eats okra becomes best in his mathematics. My son is progressing day by day. His dreams are getting fulfilled. And his happiness is more than what I ever want for him. When he will look at the tiffin box first he will think from where has it come. But once he tastes the food he will know it is made by his mummy. And I am sure he will start searching for me in his apartment. I miss him so much. Because when he left home he was hardly 17 years old. And from that day he did not return home. I miss my son.
My mom had cooked my favorite meal. And she was waiting for someone from British Airways to pick up the tiffin carrier. So they sent me after flying from New York to Mumbai. There I was walking to her door, smelling her cooking. It was an incredible feeling. Sometimes, even when you know what's going to happen. You cannot even imagine how it's going to be. I got the opportunity to see my mother in a way I had never seen her before. She looked lonely. She looked like she sounds over the phone. I just wanted to run out and give her a hug. Mommy, I'm here. Oh my.
It was a great moment. It was a family moment. Even his dad was there. We all three of us sat, we talked. And I didn't ask him, when are you leaving. I said I will not ask you today. Let this question be for tomorrow, Sa.
