Sunday, March 6, 2016

The Good Daughter


Three cups of tea lay on the table untouched. The cookie jar sat next to the cups, undisturbed. The chirping of birds outside was crisper, owing to the silence inside the house. Meera wondered what to do. Her husband was out of town owing to some office work. His job was very demanding. Her daughter Naina left yesterday for her first job to the States. Meera had been so busy packing up everything for her - from her tooth-brushes to her dresses, from her shoes to everything she might need for the kitchen.

"It would take time to settle in Naina. You must have everything when you land so that you don't have to run here and there for small things." Meera had told her daughter.

"You worry so much Mom. I will be fine." Naina had protested just like any other girl her age. But she knew deep in her heart that her mother worried for her since it was the first time she was going so far from her.

The farewell was heart-rending for the mother. She had spent her entire life around her only daughter. As the plane took off, Meera remembered the umpteen lullabies she had sung to Naina. She recollected the many times her daughter fell while learning to walk. She relived the many moments they would look in the mirror admiring each other in their new outfits. Her first smile, her first tear, her first accomplishment, her first failure, her first love, her first heart-break, her first mistake - Meera had lived through it all. And now, she stood there waving good-bye to her little bird as she flew in search of her dreams.

Meera had returned to the empty house. Her past two decades of life had been her daughter's. She opted out of job as she wanted to give in her hundred percent to her little star. She would prepare breakfast for her, and wake her up for school or college. She would make her favorite dishes, buy things as per her daughter's tastes. Her friends were treated with some luscious delicacies. It was fulfilling for a mother to see her daughter smiling.

But now, what was she going to do? She had no appetite. She did not prepare breakfast. She looked out the kitchen window. This was the place where the two would often stand and talk for hours, watching the outside world go about its business. They would crack jokes at some weird sight, and have some serious discussions too. Today it was all silent. No-body was there to talk to. 

Meera cleaned the last night's dishes. She wiped the kitchen counter clean. Then, she went to the bedroom and straightened up the pillows that she had tossed here and there thinking about Naina. She looked at the watch and wondered how long she would have to wait before Naina's plane landed. She switched on the TV and incessantly changed the channels. Then, she turned it off. She went back to the kitchen window and stared blankly. She turned and headed towards her daughter's room. Th door was ajar. Meera peeped in, as if hoping to find Naina inside. All she met was nothingness. She traced her steps back to the kitchen. She started peeling some potatoes absent-mindedly. "What will you eat today Naina?" She muttered to herself in the dead silence. Just then the phone rang. Meera ran to pick it up. Naina had reached safely.

"There is something in the drawer for you." Naina told her mom.

"Stay safe Naina. Eat well. Take care of your health. Keep calling...." was all the Meera could say.

The call ended. Meera was relieved. She started chopping potatoes at a faster pace. Suddenly, she remembered the drawer. She ran to open it up.

There lay a letter, a pen and a book.

On the letter were the words:

When it rains outside and there is no umbrella, I will imagine you covering me in your aanchal. When I feel hungry, I will eat thinking that you are feeding me with your hands. When I look out the window, I will talk as if you are standing next to me. When I sleep, I will hold the pillow tight as if I am holding your hand. I will take care of myself for you. Promise me that you will too, for me. I want you to write, every single day, a letter for me. I want you to take up all that you gave up many many years ago. It won't be easy, but as you taught me, it is not impossible to do something if you have a heart in it. Read every night, as if you are reading to me. Begin with the book I am leaving. I know you will like it. And please Mom, take care of yourself, for me. I will miss you.....

Meera's hands were shaking. Her eyes all welled up. She took a few deep breaths. Then, she looked at the book. The title brought a faint smile on her face. It read : The Good Daughter

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P.S. - Three Cups of Tea is a book written by Greg Mortensen and The Good Daughter is a memoir written by Jasmin Darznic.



This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

19 comments:

  1. Some relationships are very precious and very strong. Still some symbols can add to the bond.

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    1. The place of parents is always a special one. And when it comes to a being a mother, it is so tough and heart-breaking so many times. I have been thinking lately what mothers do when they are faced with the empty nest.

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  2. That's parenting for you. Years spent with life revolving around children and then the nest empties. How does one fill it again with new life?

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    1. Yes Lata. Parenting is tough. For a mother who devotes every second of her life to her children, and then the kids have to leave, what choice is left for her? It is something so many women experience.

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  3. The letter is so touching. Loved reading the story, Sunaina :)

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  4. A very heart touching story, i can feel each word in this. I know how it feels to stay at home missing someone whom we loved much and stayed together. It's a lovely story Sunaina, thank you for sharing. It's a good read with an important message to all the children to love their parents. It made me to go and talk to my mom. Thank you so much :))

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  5. सुनैना जी, दिल को छूने वाली बढ़िया रचना।

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  6. सुनैना जी, दिल को छूने वाली बढ़िया रचना।

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  7. Your write strummed an untouched chord..loved it!

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  8. Well, Naina's mom could start a blog. What do you say? A heart-warming story, Sunaina. Thanks for this opportunity to imagine myself in the shoes of Meera.

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  9. Ah.. this is so touching. Your narration made me feel emotional. Loved it, Sunaina. :)
    ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​A R​​at's​ ​Nibble ​​

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  10. Sunaina,unlike most so-called stories, your words ring true and the emotions tugged my heartstrings, leaving me moist eyed.I went through the letter with a blurry vision and am touched by Naina's feelings and concern for her mother. It's actually SO tough to adjust into that vacant -ness which seems to fill our heart and life once we are alone without that anchor on which our daily routine was fastened... Had I read this three years back, I would have suggested Meera to busy herself in things she used to enjoy, but(I'll still suggest) now I KNOW what it is to be in that state! The emptiness engulfs everything and even waking up in the morning seems like a task! I sincerely pray no parent to feel this and wish them to feel and stay driven and lively!It's a beautiful piece Sunaina, touching the core with it's bare simplicity:)

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    1. I am so glad you understood what this story meant to convey. It was precisely this inability of the mother that I wanted to stress upon. So happy you could read it in the story.

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