Of-course, I have called her (like every other day), talked all relevant irrelevant (like every other day), I definitely don’t need this space to tell her, She knows herself of all 3 idiots she has, I love her the most (Nishtha Tagra /Aayush Tagra: Kill me guys ;)). Nevertheless, while I play a rewind of my life and some other lives around me whom I had the opportunity to witness, I do feel the need to tell what I have learnt from Mom.
You have completely messed up your life, and standing in a crisis, no clue where to go. You suddenly get a call from Aha! Maa – “Don’t worry kid! jab samundra manthan hua tha toofan macha tha, par lakshmi ji nikli thi, is manthan se bhi kuch achha niklega, bas toofan thoda tham jaane de”. Why in the world would you feel drowned after this!! Sometimes, just wait for a while! Things will settle down.
Back then when we were kids, we both (Me n Nishu) loved our bro too too too much (he being the youngest still enjoys the privilege). Like very norm, bestest of mom’s dishes would seem scarce on dining table and Nishu often used to keep her stuff for him (He would eat it, I don’t want it!). but Maa – “Don’t overdo gal! You three are all equal. He has to learn to share. Eat your stuff and enjoy”. Seems a stupidly trivial incident but that left an imprint somewhere inside me. Equality of opportunity and life to all!!
We were used to hear the partiality claims against us (being the kid of a school Principal has its own share of disadvantages). Once I went and asked her – “People aorund us tell us everyday that you already know the question papers and thus you scored well. How come you keep the locker open where the papers are kept Maa. Don’t you think I will trespass and have a casual look”. Mom – “They are people! they will speak. But if I can’t trust you darling on this little thing, what’s the point. Anyways, there is a life beyond this school. Don’t worry, I know you don’t and won’t cheat! Whatever you score from cheating are not your points. Eventually, these points will leave you. You have my values. So I don’t need to worry”. hmmmm was my answer and it’s still “hmmm”. Don’t take the credit of what you have not done! Bet on your own productivity! That’s the only fair way of living!
I have never studied History from book. I used to lie down and she would narrate me stories the day before my exam. I would just go and pen down the stuff and be the “History hero” for the class. Aah! Learn beyond the books babe! Learn from Life! Learn from time! and you must know HISTORY! Yes Mom (:))!!
I just happened to clean her drawer once and got to see some painted chart papers – “A yellow vase painted with colorful flowers” ??? “This is when you actually learnt to color minding the lines and boundaries Shreya”. (Ohh!!) “A damsel with yearning eyes waiting for her lover under a tree” ??? “You were definitely Dushyant in your past life Shreya, everytime I ask you to paint a woman, you paint Shakuntala :D” (Ohh!!) Yes!! Memories have their intangible marks inside you but tangible memories help you connect again, re-live things. Give bloody equal importance to your cheque book and a letter from a dear one! (Yo, Maa! I have my stuff :))
How I got into habit of writing Diary and for that matter of fact “just writing”. A conversation from past – Shreya -“Mom do you feel sometimes you have so much to say or just like that you feel the need to speak, to say. There are so many words inside us. They could be anything probably not relevant too. Am I the idiot one asking this?”. Mom – “Pen down! Pen down your vexation, pen down your words. They will stay with you forever. You will vent out what you want to, you will keep what you want to”, and irrespective of the mediocre quality of my work, Writing stayed with me. I am glad it did! You have to express. Expression is as important as Living! Its synonymous many a times.
Obviously! There are many more to add in list (Let’s save it for some other day :))!.
All the good in me is because of her and all bad in me is because of me!
Happy Mother’s day to all the lovely moms reading this (and not reading this). You are the strength that your kids have in their characters, the vulnerability that they have in their hearts. Kudos!! May your love be acknowledged and reciprocated (always!).
mundane with a zoom in lens 