“Only thirty minutes, please! I promise it won’t go beyond that”, Saachi pleaded.
“Ok fine! But, do not expect more than this from me. My company does not pay me to babysit kids. I have to work my ass off so that you can all have a chilled out life.” responded Vihaan in a tone that reeked of high-handedness.
Ananya tenderly caressed her toddler’s forehead before scuttling towards the kitchen. The utensils were strewn around on the platform and the succulent tomatoes lay splattered on the floor. She let out a long sign of despair. Though exhausted to the bone, she got into action instantly. She had no choice in any case. Later that night, while rummaging through the cabinet for her 13-year-old’s report card, Ananya wondered if her humdrum existence would ever take an exciting turn. Suddenly, her eyes sparkled at the sight of her childhood love.
“Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone”
…And so the adventure began!
~ Anupama Dalmia ~
Some days are like that. You struggle as a mother. You crumble due to the daily grind. You find yourself on crossroads. You end up feeling lost. Doubts creep in. Loneliness kicks in. You unwillingly answer a call from an unknown number.
And then you hear a voice after five years! It’s a wedding invitation. You had counseled her when she was rescued from the clutches of trafficking. Suddenly, things fall into perspective. You are reminded of what defines you. You realize that this is the true measure of your worth – the lives you have touched along the way.
~ Anupama Dalmia ~
“Mom, I will do it myself. Don’t help me.”, she repeated assertively.
“No, but…”.
Before I could debate any further, she exclaimed in an unparalleled state of excitement.
” I did it, Mom! I did it all by myself.”
