Those words were uttered out of fun but shredded Rajni’s insides apart. Her thoughts were racing like an unreined horse. She was fuming with fire. “That’s wonderful! A stay at home mom accepts the most undervalued job with the oddest timings, working 24*7 without any salary in return and never gets due credit but if you are doing a job, on that get an award or two, you become a talk of the town.”
It was not about that particular day. It was about all those days when her identity was questioned unintentionally.
Today, Aryan Rajni’s elder son who worked in a reputed MNC of Mumbai, was coming home. His meeting was coincidently scheduled in Delhi so thought of paying a visit to home. That is why since morning Rajni was on her toes, cooking Aryan’s favorite rajma chawal, preparing halwa, settling house, laundry and everything with an unending energy. Rajni’s level of happiness rose to ecstatic that even the excruciating knee pain also disappeared today. After all, her son was coming to meet her. And the younger son and his wife stayed with Rajni and her husband.
Mummy, I have a flight back in the evening itself. I don’t have that much time.
You are always in hurry, you don’t have time for family!
Mummy, please… my boss is a real pain in the neck, I wish you could understand working people life is so difficult. my life is way tougher than your everyday bargaining with sabjiwalaas.
Bro, leave it! How would she know? She has passed her whole life comfortably being a housewife, staying within the cozy four walls. No tension only pension.
And both sons laughed out loudly. Rajni gave an unwilling smile. Rajni kept silent when Aryan was around.
As Aryan left, Rajni locked herself into the room and took out her dust-eating degrees from almirah. She felt as if those so-called certificates once the most treasured possessions are also teasing and making fun of her. She started crying and a tear rolled down her cheek and came right on her name mentioned in the certificate. Rajni Kathuria? Who is she? An uneducated, rustic, worthless housewife or a confident independent working woman whose publications used to sell like hotcakes? When Aryan was born, one of the parents had to stay at home and look after the baby. Rajni took a one-year break from office, 2 years later her younger son Nilesh was born and that 1-year break turned into years.
After weeping to her heart’s content, Rajni came out of the room and Nilesh has already made out that this time their words have pierced her mother’s heart and they have crossed the thin line that separates humor and hurt.
Sorry mummy, we never meant to hurt you!
Rajni caressed Nilesh’s face and said – Papa got fresh oranges for you? Do you want juice?
After having dinner when Rajni was lying down on the bed..
those words were etched inside the wall of her brain, they were still haunting her- Kiddo, if I did not sacrifice my yesterday, you would not have a successful today”.
She dialed a number.
Hello Nidhi, this is Rajni Kathuria.
Hi Rajni, how are you? After so long time!
Yes, was super busy in looking after the house. Now everything is settled. Is there any scope for me to come back in the industry?
Yesss.. there is.. there is.. will send the car with driver at 12 p.m. tomorrow.
Nidhi, an intern under Rajni has now become the chief editor of groom India magazine.
The very next morning when everyone was having breakfast together, Rajni broke out the news of her joining the media industry.
What is this mummy? Why are you being so serious? You know we both are working and even planning to have a baby soon.
It is a great news Nilesh! Hire a maid. If that does not work, Shalini can also take a break from the job. I did it – The silent martyr has finally found a voice. A smiling Rajni went out of the house.
Papa, make mummy understand. Why is she reacting like this?
Beta, earlier she was carrying so much weight which kept her weighing down. now she is free… let her fly.. let her touch the sky! To listen to his father’s words, Nilesh sat there dumbfounded.
Picture Credit-Coloring page index, pixabay, artponnada.blogpost.com,India’s no.1 women magazine
