When god closes a door, he opens another window
The air was harsh. She raised the window pane. The memory lanes were opened; a hyperactive Snigdha pulling her saree, as she would apply a red lipstick. She wanted to climb on her. She would take her in her lap; she would extend her tiny finger to touch the lipstick. And amused Meghna would ask her
“You naughty girl, that’s why you wanted to come in my lap” and hold her finger before she would touch her lips. And she would just bend and kiss her lips and be overjoyed. Meghna smiled and tasted a salty tear on the edge of her smile.
Toddlers of Snigdha’s age would chew the crayons but she, would scribble and scribble till every bit of paper is covered with different colours. And she would give the proud expression of a big achievement. And the day, when she got water colours, everyone witnessed a rainbow coloured Jackie. She remembered how irritated she was, for all the extended work, but now they are making her happy. Strange! very very strange.
Her imagination was first experienced by her when she just made a circle and asked her to draw it. After a few minutes, there was one more circle, but in both circles, there were three tiny circles and a curved line, two eyes, one nose and a smile. She said Snigdha and ma, and she hugged her little doll.
The brakes and jerk made her realize she has reached home. As she stepped out of the car, she saw mona standing there. She just stopped by to say hello to her but caught her completely off guard. The red puffed eyes said it all. Mona hugged her and went inside with her.
“Please stop crying. It is something every mother experiences at one or other time. You are not the exception”
There were some silent moments.
Mona finally cleared her throat and said “Meghna, we are not perfect. But at times we don’t realize it. We just try to become one. In that haste we sometimes overlook things, or don’t pay much attention to what is not demanding at that moment. Your infant depended on you, so you could not ignore him. Your husband needed your time and efforts because you are a perfect wife. Your in laws always present you as the most perfect daughter in law, so you have to live up to their expectations as well. In this whole process, Snigdha needed her mother but was overlooked because…” and she saw the string of tears from the silent face.
“Ok ok, listen. First of all stop crying. We have a few good news. First, the worst is over. Second, its not too late that you cannot rectify. I know you are a good mother. You know your priorities. You know your kids, and you know how to manage. So I am not going to figure out how but I just know you will. I never knew this Meghna. She is much stronger. Who are you madam?” She smiled at her.
Meghna nodded slowly.
She just pressed her hand and said “Wish I had someone, when I needed one. Will leave now, or else the zoo will turn into a jungle”
She left her alone in the room. Raghav came running and jumped on her lap. She hugged him, but her mind was blank.
